Plastic Free Central

27/10/2021

21/07/2020

Should firms have to give plastic expiry dates on products? Should there also be a ban on adverts featuring plastic products?

A 22 year old uni student has just won an award for his campaign idea.

https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-should-plastic-ads-be-banned

A 22 year old has won an award for his marketing campaign to challenge young people’s perceptions of plastic by changing the way they see it

15/07/2020

500,000 sign a petition calling for 'plastic-free packaging choices' when internet shopping with firms like Amazon

https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-time-for-packaging-change

A survey shows rising levels of concern about packaging from online retailers - including Amazon - as 500,000 sign a petition for 'plastic-free packaging choices'. The public opinion research was sponsored by Oceana, the world’s largest international ocean conservation organisation. It found: "UK ...

10/07/2020

Supermarket Aldi is cutting 80 million pieces of plastic a year - just changing one product!

https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-aldi-80-million-plastic-cut

Aldi is removing plastic lids from its Mamia baby wipes to reduce single-use plastics - saving an estimated 80 million pieces of plastic a year. From the middle of August, the UK’s fifth-largest supermarket will sell its Mamia Sensitive, Extra Sensitive and Fragranced baby wipes in its 880 UK stor...

04/07/2020

This week's "International Plastic Bag Free Day" showed countries across Europe are still "granting too many exemptions" and need to go further in trying to reduce plastic bag use.

Research by Break Free From Plastic and Surfrider Foundation Europe shows big differences in what countries allow.

https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-europeans-can-still-do-better

This week's 'International Plastic Bag Free Day' showed countries across Europe are still "granting too many exemptions" and need to go further in trying to reduce plastic bag use. The conclusion has come from a new report by Rethink Plastic alliance, based on research it commissioned from Surfrider...

01/07/2020

What are you doing for ?

"Wishing you weren’t so wrapped up in plastic" postcards are being posted to supermarkets from today by Sick of Plastic Ireland group Action Network

https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-bold-start-to-plastic-free-july

‘Wishing you weren’t so wrapped up in plastic’ postcards are being posted to supermarkets from today to mark Plastic Free July. Campaign group Sick Of Plastic says it will be 'directed at the five big supermarkets in Ireland asking them to up their game in reducing the amount of single use pla...

25/06/2020

NEWS: MP asks if sun-seekers who've been leaving litter on beaches have kids who've been taught about plastic pollution in schools

The comments by Simon H***e MP follow pictures of rubbish left in the

https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-time-to-be-littering-role-model

People are being urged not to leave litter on beaches or public spaces, after spending time in the sun today.

11/06/2020

'A car's weight in plastic can be found in the average home', say academics
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-invisible-plastic-home-study

The average person has 473kg of plastic in their possession - with the average household having 1,136 kg, the equivalent weight of a small car. Researchers at the University of Exeter Business School’s plastics research hub have created a tool that calculates household plastic use. The plastics we...

09/06/2020

A good 'SPAR-t' by UK retailer?
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-a-good-spar-t-by-retailer

Spar UK says it has removed almost 300 tonnes of virgin plastic from 53 own brand products in the past year. The retailer says as part of a

08/06/2020

Cara Delevingne and Ellie Goulding will speak at a virtual summit on ocean conservation issues today. World Oceans Day
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-celebs-back-world-oceans-day

Cara Delevingne and Ellie Goulding will speak at a virtual summit on ocean conservation issues today. It's being hosted as part of World Oce

25/05/2020

Thousands of plastic fibres are being swallowed every day by river birds, according a new plastic pollution study- which warns problems haven't gone away due to coronavirus
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-river-birds-digesting-plastic

Thousands of plastic fibres are being swallowed every day by river birds, according to the first major study of its kind - which warns plastic pollution hasn't gone away.

13/05/2020

Superdrug backs campaign by Ella Daish, with a new range saving 418kg of plastic a year
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-superdrug-s-plastic-victory

Superdrug is ditching plastic tampon applicators, saving 418kg of plastic annually and launching a new eco-range.

08/05/2020

UK plastic recycling is being 'stifled' which is causing an 'over-dependence on exporting waste to markets with questionable recycling policies'.
That's according to major new study led by academics.
​https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-plastic-waste-rethink-needed

The recycling of plastic packaging is being "stifled by regulatory and technological lock-in," according to a new UK study led by academics.

05/05/2020

A study suggests 'smaller packaging' could be better for the environment - suggesting, while 'controversial', we should see more 'serving size packaging' not less.
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-more-packaging-not-less

Rather than cutting plastic altogether a study suggests 'smaller packaging' could be better for the environment - suggesting we should see m

01/05/2020

Great garbage patch equivalent studied on sea floor https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-the-underwater-garbage-patch

A new study suggests microplastics are probably accumulating in some of the most biodiverse spots of the seafloor - as well as above the surface in places like the North Pacific Ocean garbage patch. A paper in Science says: "While microplastics are known to pervade the global seafloor, the processes...

28/04/2020

Lockdown plastic free challenge: Can you get through this weekend without needing a single use bag?
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-weekend-single-use-pledge

A new petition is calling on people - while in lockdown - to try and not use any single-use bags for a whole weekend to see if they can do

24/04/2020

Major brands ditch single-use plastic packaging from May
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-single-use-plastic-cut-by-p-g

Plastic free packaging has been unveiled for Old Spice and Secret as the multi-national company behind the brands looks to reduce single-use

07/04/2020

Protected marine sites seeing same levels of plastic from 'public littering'
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-plastic-still-prevalent-on-beaches

Beaches in protected zones suffer from the same levels of litter as those not included in special Marine Protected Areas, according to new r

03/04/2020

"There's still time for oceans to recover," say experts
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-30-years-for-oceans-to-replenish

A new study claims marine life in oceans could recover by 2050 if humans change their behaviour - but warns we are at a 'crossroads'.

30/03/2020

'Shocking' findings as scientists study plastic levels in marine life
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-plastic-risk-per-species-revealed

he size of plastics that different animals are likely to ingest has been predicted, following new research by Cardiff University.

28/03/2020

Greenpeace claims US plastics industry has 'exploited Covid-19 fears'
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-plastics-exploiting-covid-19-fears

Is the plastics industry exploiting fears about Covid-19? A new report by Greenpeace USA suggests it is.

23/03/2020

Looking for fun family activities with the kids which also teach them about plastic pollution?
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/ideas-eco-activities-for-kids-at-home

The United Nations has today suggested a series of home activities to teach children about plastic pollution - as many youngsters remains at

22/03/2020

Meanwhile... in America!
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/untitled

Americans in New Hampshire have been formally told to use single-use plastic bags by their Governor as part of efforts to reduce the spread

17/03/2020

Beginning of the end for plastic tat? https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-happy-meal-changes-confirmed

McDonalds aims to remove 3,000 metric tonnes of plastic by 2021 - its largest reduction to date.

14/03/2020

Coronavirus masks "shouldn't be ending up in oceans"
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-face-masks-dumped-on-beaches

Concerns are growing about the numbers of used single-use plastic face masks being found on beaches in parts of China and Hong Kong - with e

11/03/2020

Chancellor's 'plastic tax' explained:
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-chancellor-s-new-plastic-tax

The Chancellor today unveiled a new plastic tax in his budget, starting in April 2022.

10/03/2020

It's not just their coronavirus response, campaigners want the UK Government to look at Italy's 'plastic tax' closely as well. TIPA want similar measures in the budget and this week's Environment Bill discussions
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-uk-needs-italian-plastic-tax

A new poll suggests 98% of MPs believe 'compostable packaging alternatives can be part of the solution to the plastic crisis' - as calls gr

09/03/2020

Important first-of-its kind study....but very depressing!
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-turtles-like-smell-of-plastic

Scientists claim sea turtles find discarded pieces of plastic appetising because it can look and smell like food to them.

07/03/2020

Campaigners left frustrated as "European Plastic Pact" remains voluntary
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-eu-plastic-plan-could-be-better

A European agreement which aims to 'achieve a circular economy for plastics' does not go far enough, according to campaigners.

02/03/2020

Turns out selling food for cheaper without packaging increases sales!
Should we be surprised?
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-sales-up-in-m-s-refill-trial

Three quarters of shoppers are now 'consciously trying to reduce their use of plastic packaging' according to M&S Food - which is extending

27/02/2020

Most of us don't believe much of our recycling is recycled Here's the first 'State Of Plastic Recycling' global industry report
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-lessons-for-plastic-industry

A sustainable drinks packaging firm has released its first circular economy 'State of Plastic Recycling' global report which found a 'lack o

26/02/2020

Supermarket is 'ditching those plastic lids'
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-packaging-changes-at-aldi

Aldi aims to save 68 million pieces of plastic packaging by removing lids from its own label products.

26/02/2020

Do airlines and train companies still need to do more? What's your experience?
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-trains-and-planes-cut-plastic

British Airways aims to remove more than 700 tonnes of single-use plastic on board its flights in 2020.

24/02/2020

Does this make you more likely to join?
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-plastic-free-members-cards

The National Trust is stopping using plastic in its membership cards, saving 12.5 tonnes of plastic a year - equivalent to the weight of two

20/02/2020

VIDEO: Primary school pupils says Government is encouraging single-use packaging - and they've made a video after feeling ignored!
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/video-schools-take-on-government

Schools in Devon have joined together after finding their attempts to reduce single-use plastic was being scuppered by packaging sent to the

19/02/2020

Why were microplastics found in water at the top of Snowdon? First-of-its-kind UK study to find out
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-national-park-plastic-study

Scientists are now investigating levels of plastic pollution in all the UK’s national parks after microplastics were found at the top of Sno

15/02/2020

Would you leave packaging at the counter?
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-will-you-join-mass-unwrapped

Increasing numbers of groups have pledged to join a mass supermarket protest against the use of plastic packaging - leaving unnecessary pack

14/02/2020

Aldi trialling 'reusable bags made from recycled bottles' as it reveals plans to reduce plastic
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-aldi-s-big-plastic-reduction

Aldi will stop offering single-use plastic bags in 100 stores in a trial which could save 109 tonnes of plastic a year if rolled out nationw

11/02/2020

VIDEO: Children have been donating toys - some that they were still using - for a new exhibition highlighting concerns about waste and the environment.
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/video-kids-toys-help-send-message

Around 2,000 plastic toy animals have been painted white in a new exhibition highlighting concerns about waste and the environment

09/02/2020

An end to plastic bags at airport security?
https://www.plasticfreecentral.co.uk/post/news-plastic-bag-ban-for-airports

Air passengers could soon stop being given plastic bags at security checks after new guidance from the Department for Transport.Air passenge