Watch Our How-To Video
HOW TO TAKE PART
SIGN UP
Sign up to take part and we’ll email you everything you need to get started – including your Count Pack and simple instructions.
GET READY
Use your Count Sheet to record the plastic packaging you throw away.
Print it at home, at your library, or ask a friend – then pop it near your bin or fridge, so everyone can see it.
You can also count online. Visit the submission page to save your results as you go and submit them by Sunday 22 March – only one person per household can count online.
Get your Count Pack in Welsh.
HOW TO COUNT
From 9 to 15 March, count every piece of plastic packaging you throw away – in the bin, the recycling, and out and about.
You can count as you go, or collect your plastic and count it at the end of the day or week – whatever works for you.
Need help? Use our Plastic ID Tool, or watch the how-to video for guidance.
SUBMIT YOUR RESULTS
Once the week’s up, it’s time to submit your count online by Sunday 22 March.
After you've submitted, you'll receive your own plastic profile which will reveal how much you threw away and what happened to it
Thank you for taking part – every single count helps to reveal what really happens to our plastic waste.
WHAT NOT TO COUNT
Plasters
Medication packaging
Period products
Nappies
Poo bags
Plastic cutlery
Drinks cartons
TetraPak
We don’t count plastic used for medical or sanitary reasons, as these are essential for the people who need them.
If you’re unsure, click the button below to check our Plastic ID Tool.
WHAT WILL WE DO WITH YOUR DATA?
We’ll combine your data with the data of everyone who takes part in The Big Plastic Count. We'll then crunch the numbers to figure out how much plastic the UK is throwing away and where it ends up. We'll take these findings directly to the government. That means the more people who count, the better our data, the greater the evidence we'll have to push for change!
When taking part, you might feel like the plastics crisis is your fault. It’s not. Only governments, brands and supermarkets can create alternatives that work for everyone. Your count will push them to do that.
GOT A QUESTION?
