Plastic Free July
Plastic Free July is a global movement that encourages millions of people to get involved in creating and implementing solutions to plastic pollution, so that we’re able to have cleaner streets, clearer oceans, and make our communities more nature friendly.
This month Matchable wants to highlight an Impact Organisation for every week of July who are creating more awesome and inspiring solutions to plastic pollution.
CLAY INTIMATES
Research has found that sanitary products are actually the fifth most common item found in beaches over Europe, which makes them more common than single use coffee cups and plastic straws. It is also estimated that 2.5 million tampons, and 1.4 million sanitary towels are flushed down the toilet every DAY in the UK alone.
Insaaf, the Founder of Clay Intimates was shocked by the fact that the number one product for menstruation was created way back in 1930, and that on top of this, companies don’t actually disclose the materials that are used to create these products. You won’t be surprised to find that it’s plastic - and that actually the amount of plastic required to make one sanitary towel is equivalent to 5 plastic shopping bags!
Clay Intimates is working to tackle this problem, and have created the world's first biodegradable underwear and reusable pads that are made from 100% natural materials. They are designed to be returned back to earth after use.
If you’d like to learn more, visit their website: http://clayintimates.com/
OUR ONLY WORLD
Over 14 millions tons of plastic end up in our oceans every single year, making up 80% of all marine debris that is found on beaches, surface waters, and deep sea beds 🐠.
Our Only World 🌊 is a not-for-profit charity who engage with schools and businesses to raise awareness of this issue, working to avert the effects of this climate crisis. They run multiple projects, including installing water refill stations, siting harbour walls, and creating fun, interactive content to promote marine conservation to younger generations.
For example, they’ve created a song for children and schools to educate them about our fight against marine plastic, conveying a powerful message about the detrimental effects that plastic and waste in our oceans and beaches have on our world, thus encouraging younger generations to make a difference 💚. Watch their video here!
TOPUP TRUCK
TOPUP TRUCK was born out of love for local communities and a deep concern about the plastic pollution generated by the retail industry. The founder, Ella, looked at the models of her local ‘refill stores’ and saw the potential to make this shopping accessible to more people. Within less than a year of operation, TOPUP TRUCK has prevented over 25,000 pieces of plastic from being used. Currently operating in London from an old electric milk float, it has a range of quality, ethically-sourced pantry, bathroom and household products without individual packaging.
The great news is that we’re already beginning to adapt - a 2020 PwC Global Consumer Insights Survey found that 45% of consumers avoid plastic usage wherever possible, and 41% of retailers want to eliminate plastic packaging and plastic shopping bags for perishable items!
KLEEN HUB
Kleen Hub is a Denmark based organisation that has developed a digital return system for reusable packaging. By doing so, they significantly reduce the need for single-use packaging, preventing it from entering waterways and destroying ecosystems. By partnering with various restaurants, cafes, universities and corporate offices, they also help other businesses transition to a greener future.
Up to 50% of the 380 million tons of plastic produced annually are single use plastics - plastics that we will only use for a moment, but they will exist on the planet for at least several hundred years after that! Kleen Hub are doing their bit by enabling the rest of us to do our bit for the world around us.
If you want to join the reuse revolution, visit their website here.
If you want more ideas on what you can do to make a difference, take the Pesky Plastics Quiz now!
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ABOUT MATCHABLE
At Matchable we work with companies and their employees to match them with high impact and innovative skilled employee volunteering projects at non-profits and impact startups.
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