Change starts with me: young people campaign against plastics for World Ocean Day

_{Plastic waste littering the ocean floor. (Photo credit: Pixahive)}

Children can have an impact in the fight against plastic waste and to save our oceans, say the teenaged founders of Kids Against Plastic (KAP) on the eve of World Ocean Day tomorrow. 

Amy and Ella Meek, now aged 19 and 17 respectively, founded KAP in 2016 to raise awareness about the dangers single-use plastics pose to the planet, especially in oceans and to unsuspecting wildlife. 

“It’s really easy – and understandable – to think that a small change you make in your life can have no impact at all on our planet, especially as kids who aren’t able to vote or make purchasing decisions at home. But, that’s absolutely not true!” said Amy Meek. “ If you’re only able to make a change on your street, by litter picking or putting up posters, then that’s still hugely important! “

KAP teamed up with Common Seas and World Ocean Day for Schools to provide resources and information for schools this year. This includes an educational film that will be released tomorrow. 

KAP organise many other events and campaigns, such as worldwide litter picks. The need to focus on plastic waste is urgent: UK supermarkets produce 800,000 tonnes of plastic and the UN Environment Programme estimates there is more than 75-199 million tonnes of plastic in the oceans. It projects that the amount of plastics entering aquatic ecosystems will rise to 23-37 million tonnes per year by 2040 unless there are changes to the ways in which plastic is made, used and discarded.  

KAP’s Plastic Clever positive award scheme which recognises efforts made to reduce the use of single-use plastics. It is being used in 1300 schools and over 50 cafes, businesses and festivals around the UK. 

Not long out of school herself, Amy loves going back to school to encourage children from an early age to ‘Be Plastic Clever’. 

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