Nearly 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging are thrown away by UK households every year, and just 12% is recycled in the UK.
It’s time the government got serious about tackling the plastic crisis. Your school can help by taking part in The Big Plastic Count!
Days
Hrs
Min
Sec
For one week in March, thousands of schools, households, community groups and businesses will be coming together to count their plastic waste. And we want your class to join them.
The investigation will reveal how much plastic we are throwing away in the UK, and find out what really happens to it afterwards. We'll use the results to convince UK ministers to lead the way at the global talks that could finally phase out plastic pollution for good.
Young people have the power to make a real difference and help shape the future of the planet. That's why we want to get as many schools to take part as possible.
If you are an individual or household, you'll be able to sign-up from January.
Taking part with your class is easy. There are 4 simple steps:
We’ll give you access to your own school dashboard with everything you and your class need to take part.
At home, pupils will count the plastic packaging they throw away for one week, from 11-17 March.
With a personalised link, your class can easily submit their results themselves online, or you can do it together at school. Results will need to be submitted by 31 March.
See how much plastic you collectively used and what happens to it! You’ll get a certificate and tips for how you and your class can use your results to make a difference.
As soon as you register you’ll have access to everything you need to take part. This includes:
Resources to get started: a simple teacher’s guide, a PowerPoint presentation for lessons or assemblies, classroom activities and template letters to staff and parents.
Resources to help you and your class count at home: a ‘How-To’ explainer video, printable tally sheet to make counting really easy, and from March there will be a Plastic ID Tool on our website to help you and your class categorise your plastic.
Plastic footprint action toolkit: you can generate your plastic footprint as individuals, a class and for the whole school. There will be a downloadable certificate for taking part, a guide on how to become a Plastic Clever School, and from early 2024 there will also be a guide to hosting a results event.
What is the Global Plastics Treaty?
Right now, world leaders are negotiating The Global Plastics Treaty; an international legal agreement to prevent the harmful impacts of plastic. This United Nations Treaty is a once-in-a-generation chance to protect our planet from plastic pollution. If the UK government, with its powerful position on the world stage, champions bold, decisive action, we can end the age of plastic.
What if we use a lot of plastic?
Please remember, this isn't about feeling guilty about the amount of plastic you use! Too much single-use plastic is produced and there aren't reusable alternatives that suit everyone's needs. Together we’re gathering the evidence needed to push for proper action on plastic.
How do you work out my footprint?
Once we have a school or household’s count results, we apply national data on different types of plastic to calculate how much, on average, would be collected for recycling, what’s then likely to happen to it, and what that means for your footprint.
Can my pupils get their own individual footprint?
As well as finding out your class’s footprint, as a teacher you’ll have the option to see and print your class members’ individual plastic footprints too. If other classes have taken part, you can also view your school's footprint.
Our website uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you agree to our privacy policy.