Gear up for Earth Day 2024 by helping tackle the plastic crisis
On 22nd April people will come together across the planet to mark Earth Day 2024. As the largest secular observance in the world, the annual event raises awareness about the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability. This year’s theme is Planet vs. Plastics, calling for a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040 for the sake of human and planetary health. Businesses are in an ideal position to influence the debate, reduce plastic production and consumption, and help secure a more sustainable future.
Apply your expertise to help build a plastic free future. How can you use other materials in your products and supply chain that are not made from oil and toxic chemicals?
US senator and environmentalist Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day back in 1970 in the wake of the catastrophic oil spill in Santa Barbara and saw 20 million citizens take to the streets. IIn the decades to follow, Earth Day went global and provided a platform for activism and debate. This year the spotlight is on the impact plastics have on health and the environment and the event provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of reduce our consumption.
Plastic is a major source of pollution. According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) an incredible eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the world’s oceans every year and the United Nations estimates that around 89% of this waste is single-use items like plastic bags. Microplastics are now impossible to avoid, and evidence is mounting about their impact on human and environmental health.
Earth Day is demanding a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by 2040, as well as calling for the phasing out of all single-use plastics by 2030. Eliminating plastic will require a significant change of mindset. Individuals are being encouraged to demonstrate their commitment by taking steps including signing the petition calling for a Global Plastic Treaty Global Plastics Treaty (earthday.org), challenging manufacturers of fast fashion and measure their own plastic footprint as part of a commitment to reduce consumption Plastic Calculator – Earth Day.
For business, Earth Day provides an ideal opportunity to address your relationship with plastic and wider environmental impacts. By doing so, companies will not only improve their ESG credentials but future proof operations by building resilience and gaining competitive advantage by embracing sustainable practice.
Top tips for marking Earth Day 2024 include:
- Understand your impact
Take stock of your reliance on plastic and draw up a strategy to reduce consumption. Focus on areas like packaging and explore how you might source more sustainable materials.
- Harnessing innovation
Apply your expertise to help build a plastic free future. How can you use other materials in your products and supply chain that are not made from oil and toxic chemicals?
- Be nature positive
Plastic plays a major role in biodiversity loss. Do your bit to support local species and habitats. Organise tree planting, encourage staff to counter their time to support conservation projects or transform an area of your own site into a haven for nature.
- Think circular
Embrace the circular economy and do all you can to keep resources in the value chain and divert plastic waste from ending up in landfill. How can you reuse, recycle or reengineer to combat plastic pollution?
- Set goals
Be bold and set ambitious targets to reduce consumption such as setting a date when you intend to stop the use of single-use plastics.
- Helping hand
Provide staff with reusable water bottles as well as crockery cutlery, cups and glasses to reduce the use of disposable items.
- Spread the word
Be it through your website, social media channels or company newsletter, talk to people about what you are doing. Effective stakeholder engagement will help raise awareness and encourage others to follow suit.
For business, Earth Day offers an opportunity to engage with the environmental agenda and demonstrate commitment to the cause. By putting sustainability at the heart of business strategy, companies not only help reduce their negative impact but improve efficiencies and open new revenue streams.
At Wylde Connections, we help business transform their operations by developing robust sustainability strategies. Waste reduction and responsible resource management sits at the heart of that process and as a trusted partner we are always on hand to help deliver positive interventions to serve the triple bottom line of people, profit and planet. To find out more about how we might help your business thrive please visit: www.wyldeconnections.co.uk or book a discovery call with a member of our team.
For more information on Earth Day visit: www.earthday.org