Plastic pollution isn’t just a litter issue, it’s happening everywhere, all at once - and causing harm across ecosystems, species and economies.
Plastic doesn’t just disappear, it lasts for hundreds of years, breaking down into smaller #microplastics that spread through ecosystems and food chains. And despite our efforts, waste management systems are struggling to keep up. 🚮
The reality is simple: plastic pollution is not just an environmental crisis, it’s a system-wide one.
And often, those who contributed the least to the crisis - like Small Island States and future generations - face the brunt of the impact.
What is one hidden impact of #plasticpollution that you think more people should know about? Comment below 👇
@Plastic_Clever_Schools ’ program for ending single-use plastics in schools around the world is simple yet effective. Hosted by @commonseas , the program inspires students to take action by teaching them about the harms of plastic pollution in their local water bodies. Then, they equip students to investigate the challenge with tools to audit their school for single-use plastics. And finally, they empower students to act, with creative solutions for how to reduce these pollutants in their communities.
Students from the Xanthi Music School in Greece took part in Plastic Clever Schools International Day of Action last year. Their message to “act now” is reinforced with their understanding of the threats and solutions to plastic pollution.
Register your school and join the movement to end single-use plastics in schools around the world! 👉 plasticcleverschools.org
#GenOcean #OceanDecade #PlasticPollution #PlasticCleverSchools #EndSingleUsePlastics
On Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday, we are reminded of the vision that underpins all of our work: healthy seas and a healthy future, freed from plastic.
David Attenborough is one of the world's most prominent ocean leaders, and has long raised the alarm on the threat plastic pollution poses to the ocean, to biodiversity and to our communities. 🌊
His century-long environmental advocacy touches our work in many ways, whether it's highlighting the urgent impacts of climate change on Pacific island states, or highlighting the importance of empowering the future generations who will inherit our planet. 🌍
How has Sir Attenborough inspired you to protect the ocean? Let's chat in the comments 👇
#DavidAttenborough #OurPlanet #Oceanhealth #plasticpollution
Plastic pollution isn’t just a waste problem, it’s a system problem. 🌍
We’ve been told simple stories about plastic for years, but the reality is more complex (and more urgent):
♻️ Not all plastic is recyclable
🚯 It’s not just about littering
🧪 Plastic doesn’t disappear, it becomes microplastics
So what actually makes a difference?
Real change goes beyond individual swaps. It means rethinking how much plastic is produced in the first place, holding industries accountable, and building better waste systems globally.
Small actions still matter, but they’re only part of the solution.
It’s time to shift the narrative from “manage plastic” to “reduce plastic.”
For our oceans. For our health. For our future.
#PlasticPollution #OceanHealth #EnvironmentalAwareness #Microplastics #CircularEconomy
It's UNESCO World Book Day!
Books can be an amazing gateway into environmental learning for young people, and have the power to connect us to ecosystems, communities, and human impacts far from where we live 🌍
To celebrate this important day, the PCS and @commonseas team have compiled a list of our favourite environmental books for young people (and their teachers!). Here is a taste of some books to explore - make sure that you head to the Plastic Clever Schools website for the full reading list!
#plasticcleverschools #worldbookday #bookrec
Earth Day reminds us: real change starts close to home, and grows together. 🌍
Act locally.
Safeguard health.
Connect global to local.
Collaborate across sectors.
Exercise collective power.
From communities to coastlines, we're working with partners around the world to tackle plastic pollution at its source, protecting people, economies, and ecosystems.
Because when we act together, locally and globally, we create lasting change.
#EarthDay #CollectiveAction #PlasticPollution
The Plastic Clever Schools awards are BACK for 2026! 🌊
Do you know a school, teacher or student making a different to protect the planet? Is it you?!
The Plastic Clever Schools awards are here to recognise those going above and beyond to spread the Plastic Clever message and drive positive change in their community!
Nominations are opening soon, so save this post and get thinking of someone who deserves recognition (and some cool prizes) for their eco action 🙌
#plasticcleverschools #ecoschools #plasticclever
When you think of Saint Lucia, you might picture verdant pitons, idyllic beaches and colourful harbours. But the island's precious ecosystems - and community health - are under growing threat. Plastic pollution is growing, and landfills are almost full.
Without action, over 4,000 tonnes of plastic pollution will litter Saint Lucia's environment by 2035.
But this can change. New evidence-based policy recommendations co-developed by Common Seas, the Government of Saint Lucia and local stakeholders could set Saint Lucia on course to reduce plastic pollution by 38% over the next ten years. 📉
The recommendations outline a comprehensive approach across the entire plastics lifecycle - from prevention and reuse to improved waste management and recycling. The result? Healthier communities, protected ecosystems and a more sustainable future. :ocean:
Ready to dive into the data? 🤓 Find out more via link in bio!
The development of the Report was supported by funding from the UK Government's Sustainable Blue Economies programme, which sims to enhance the resilience of SIDS.
#PlasticPollution #SaintLucia #BlueEconomy #SIDS #CircularEconomy #OceanHealth #SustainableDevelopment
🚨 New research finds microplastic particles in over 37% of fish tested off the coast of Tuvalu.
Of the 201 fish sampled in 2024, around 75 contained microplastics.
Tuvalu is a small nation, with relatively low plastic waste generation and a proactive approach to combatting #plasticpollution.
But the country's main dumpsite sits just metres away from the lagoon, and during harsh weather, waste falls directly into the lagoon, where it can then be ingested by fish and other aquatic species. 🐠
The lagoon is vital for communities' food, livelihoods and wellbeing.
Yet without action, 660 tonnes of plastic waste is expected to leak into Tuvalu's natural environment by 2035, placing the lagoon - and all who rely on it - at growing risk.
✅ Fortunately, the Government has recently launched a bold plan to change this course.
The new National Action Plan to Tackle Plastic Pollution in Tuvalu sets out an ambitious policy roadmap to reduce plastic pollution in the country by up to 40.9% over the coming decade.
Co-developed by Common Seas, the NAP lays out upstream and downstream measures to radically reduce plastic pollution and protect Tuvalu's people, ecosystems and blue economy for the long term.
The project is supported by funding from the UK government’s Sustainable Blue Economies (SBE) Programme, which aims to enhance the resilience of SIDS.
Find out more via our link in bio!
The UK summer term is approaching quickly, so here's a quick recap of what activities you might be up to in the final stage of your Plastic Clever Schools journey! ☀️
The Act stage is super important, as it's where you and your students begin to lead change against plastic waste in your school! Building upon your action plan from the Investigate stage, we've got lots of extra resources and worksheets to help you in the last push towards becoming Plastic Clever.
Make sure you upload your amazing progress onto your school profile on our website as you go!
#plasticcleverschools #plasticpollution #ecoschools #sustainability
How can Papua New Guinea stop the 65,000 passenger vehicles' worth of plastic pollution entering its environments every year? Swipe ➡️ to find out.
In 2024, 118,000 tonnes of plastic leaked into land and ocean ecosystems in PNG, the largest country in the Pacific islands. This puts the country's environment and communities at high risk - driving nature loss, affecting blue economy resilience and harming health.
But, with the new National Action Plan to End Plastic Pollution, PNG can turn this tide. Co-developed by Common Seas alongside the government and local stakeholders, the NAP sets out a tailored, ambitious roadmap of policies to cut plastic pollution by 61% over the next 10 years.
Key strategies include:
📉 Restrictions to drive down plastic waste generation
🚰 Tackling single-use water bottles
🚚 Improving waste management systems
🌊 Preventing leakage into the environment
Dive into the full findings and policy recommendations via link in bio. 🔗
The NAP's development was supported by funding from the UK Government's Sustainable Blue Economies Programme, which sims to enhance the resilience of #SIDS.
How does the new Tuvalu National Action Plan (NAP) reduce plastic pollution by 40% over next ten years? Swipe ➡️ to find out.
Plastic pollution has severe impacts on Tuvalu’s fragile island ecosystems, threatening marine biodiversity, and impacting the health and livelihoods of communities. But, by implementing the targeted policies laid out in the Plan, the country can secure a healthier, more resilient future.
Key strategies include:
📉 Reduce: Upstream policy measures to reduce waste generation by expanding single‑use plastic bans and introducing a pay‑as‑you‑throw system for rubbish bags.
🔃 Reuse: Encouraging circular thinking by facilitating water refill and reuse, and promoting key alternatives such as reusable and compostable nappies and menstrual products.
♻️ Recycle: Invigorate Tuvalu’s recycling sector by expanding the Waste Management Levy scheme and Introducing an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.
🗑️ Further downstream measures to keep Tuvalu clean: improving waste collection, transportation, and disposal and enhancing enforcement of Waste Management Regulations.
🔗 Ready to learn more? Discover the full policy recommendations now via link in bio!
The development of the NAP was supported by funding from the UK Government's Sustainable Blue Economies Programme, which sims to enhance the resilience of #SIDS.
By taking focused policy action, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Tuvalu can protect their unique ecosystems, safeguard community health, and drive a more sustainable blue economy.
"Together we embark on bold, hopeful steps toward a cleaner, greener and more resilient Tuvalu" - Honorable Dr. Maina Talia, Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment
#PlasticPollution #Tuvalu #SIDS #BlueEconomy #EcoSystems
