The national awards ceremony, which is set to take place November 21st, will acknowledge the work of a range of activists working towards the abolition of single-use plastics, including young campaigners, charities, entrepreneurs, community leaders, small businesses and schools.
Entries are now open and will close on September 21st. The award categories include: Best Plastic Campaign, Plastic-Free Hero, Youth Plastic Pioneer, Plastic Product Re-Innovation, Small Business Award, Plastic-Free Venues & Events.
“Communities and individuals continue to lead the charge on plastics, saying no to unnecessary use that commits us to 500 years of hazardous waste,” said Turning the Tide on Plastic author and journalist Lucy Siegle. “Unfortunately for policy makers, it is clear that this energy and focus from people across the UK will not stop until the problem is solved.
“But the activists, from café owners and teachers to school kids and adventurers use their agency to think beyond the plastic pandemic. They’ve swept up progressive businesses and organisations with their enthusiasm, so we’ve decided to celebrate the very best. Credit where credit is due!”
Lucy Siegle has been announced as one of the judges, alongside Olympic gold medallist Helen Glover, Surfers Against Sewage CEO Hugo Tagholm, broadcaster Gillian Burke and Iceland Foods MD Richard Walker.
The awards are being hosted by Surfers Against Sewage in partnership with the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation (IFCF). One additional overall winner will be selected to win the Sir Malcolm Walker Award for outstanding action on plastics pollution and environmental commitment.
“We’re thrilled to launch the Plastic Free Awards to recognise the heroes leading the charge to reinvent our relationship with plastic, protect our ocean and drive sustainable innovation across communities,” Hugo Tagholm, CEO of SAS, said. “We have seen an inspirational wave of action to tackle plastic pollution and excessive packaging over the last two years – change is truly happening. The Plastic Free Awards will help shine a spotlight on the mavens and mavericks creating the changes to stop the flow of plastic into our world.”
Anyone can nominate anyone for the Plastic Free Awards, whether it be a local charity or simply an activist friend or colleague who has made a significant impact on fighting plastic.
Photographs courtesy of Surfers Against Sewage via Facebook.
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