The Big Plastic Count is back!
Everyday Plastic has been exploring the impact of plastic throughout its life cycle – on the climate, our health, and the most vulnerable members of our society.
Global Learning London has been collaborating with Everyday Plastic, Disability Rights UK, and Keele University to ensure that no one is left out of the conversation, including disabled people struggling with ‘plastic bans’, people living in areas with high pollution, and young people pushing for justice but excluded from decisions.
About The Big Plastic Count
In 2024, schools, households and communities came together for the UK’s biggest investigation into household plastic waste. With an estimated 90 billion pieces of plastic thrown away each year, the UK topped the charts for plastic waste per person globally, second only to the US.
The campaign found that the UK’s processes for plastic disposal included landfill and exportation, often to countries with even poorer recycling infrastructure than the UK. Over 58% of plastic waste was found to be incinerated in the UK, which releases toxic gases into the air. These facilities are three times more likely to be built in low-income neighbourhoods, and disproportionately affect people of colour.
The results were clear: there is simply too much plastic being produced.
However, these conversations need to consider everyone’s experiences. In Britain, 14.1 million people have a disability, and globally they represent around 15% of the population. Single-use plastic items can be essential for people with disabilities to live independently, and many plastic-free alternatives do not work for everyone.
Together, we’re changing that
We have been onboarding advisory groups in major cities across the UK, who will help to guide the stories, research and policy demands of the campaign over the next 3 years.
Our Advisory Groups are made up of people rooted in their communities, and members have lived experiences as a young person (18-26), of disability or long-term health needs, or of racial inequality. We are working with groups in five major cities across the UK, to ensure that no one is left out of the campaign and its outcomes for policy change.
Take Action
The Big Plastic Count returns in 2026, and people everywhere are invited to take part in the largest citizen-led investigation into household plastic waste. Head over to The Big Plastic Count to sign up for updates for how you and your students can get involved.
We will be sharing updates from our work on the campaign. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on our projects, resources and events.
