By Isabelle Reinecke, Sidwell Friends School, founder of Youth Against Plastic Pollution
The plastic pollution crisis affects us all. An issue of environmental racism and capitalism, the crisis contributes to climate change, litters our communities, and harms our health. As awareness around plastic pollution continues to grow, you may be wondering what you can do to help. You can start by using less plastic and spreading awareness, but if you want tools to help with your efforts or go more in depth, you may choose to get involved with an organization working to defeat this crisis. While this is not a comprehensive list, here are some plastic pollution organizations you can get involved with, whoever or wherever you are.
For Younger Activists—Algalita
Algalita connects young people with scientists, experts, politicians and businesses so that they can have real conversations about plastic consumption. These hands-on experiences develop future leaders who are excited to solve the climate crisis by tackling the big picture. Additionally, through their interactive Wayfinder Society, young people from ages 11 to 25 can take the crisis into their own hands and learn how to defeat the plastic pollution crisis through individual efforts, both big and small.
Contact information:
Algalita home: https://algalita.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/algalita/
Wayfinder Society: https://algalita.org/wayfinder/
For Students/Schools—Plastic Oceans International
Plastic Oceans is an international organization working to end plastic pollution and foster sustainable communities worldwide. They offer educational programs which spread awareness about the plastic pollution crisis in an engaging and accessible way to schools around the world, as well as advocating for more environmentally-friendly public policies and sponsoring research on the impact of plastic pollution. To bring their informative programs to your community, reach out to the organization at the email below!
Contact information:
Email: marla@plasticoceans.org
Website: https://plasticoceans.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plasticoceans/
For Direct Action—Bye Bye Plastic Bags
Bye Bye Plastic Bags is a global initiative driven by youth to defeat the plastic pollution crisis one bag at a time. With chapters located all over the world, there are many opportunities for anyone to get involved. Some chapters distribute reusable bags to communities, while others focus on education or building tools to collect trash from rivers. Visit their website to find your local chapter and start saying no to plastic bags today!
Contact information:
Find a local chapter: http://www.byebyeplasticbags.org/global/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byebyeplasticbags/
More for Younger Activists—Lonely Whale Foundation
Lonely Whale is on a mission to protect our oceans using data driven campaigns that connect us all back to each other while also moving the world away from single use plastics. Through their Ocean Heroes network, young leaders can create and pitch their own campaigns to help defeat the plastic pollution crisis and make real change in their communities.
Contact information:
Website: https://www.lonelywhale.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lonelywhale/
Ocean Heroes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceanheroeshq/
For Smaller Actions—Youth Against Plastic Pollution
Youth Against Plastic Pollution is a fully youth-led organization working to put an end to the plastic pollution crisis. They believe that by providing others with the information and resources necessary to make small but impactful changes to their single-use plastic consumption, real change is possible. Through their “Plastic Reduction Challenge,” they invite people to spend one year working on reducing their plastic waste. To take the challenge or learn about small actions you can take to reduce your plastic use, check out their website and Instagram.
Contact information:
Email: youthagainstplasticpollution@gmail.com
Website: https://youthagainstplasticpollution.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthagainstplasticpollution/
For Those on the Go—Plastic Soup Foundation
Based in the Netherlands, Plastic Soup Foundation has one goal: to stop plastic pollution at its source. In addition to working with governments and industry and educational campaigns, the organization offers the “My Little Plastic Footprint” app, which guides users as they go on a “plastic diet” with their engaging resources. Anyone wanting to use less plastic can scroll through almost every disposable product imaginable and select which they want to eliminate as well as see sustainable alternatives. The app rates your individual plastic use on a scale from 0 to 100, providing encouragement to reduce your plastic consumption and lower your score. It also features a list of 100 tips to reduce the amount of plastic you use daily. This app is an accessible and effective resource to those who want to be more sustainable in their everyday lives.
Contact information:
Website: https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/en/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plasticsoupfoundation/
My Little Plastic Footprint: https://www.mylittleplasticfootprint.org/
Whether you’re looking for small individual actions or big commitments, there’s always a way to get involved in the movement. If we all come together and fight for change, there is always hope. And remember, every little action counts!
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