At the Ocean Conservation Trust, we’re privileged to be based in Plymouth – Britain’s Ocean City. We make it a priority to work collaboratively with partners from across the city on a range of important projects.
One of these is the Plymouth Plan for Plastics – an in-depth, multi-organisational plan to reduce the amount of single use plastic that is consumed across our city.
In partnership with local businesses and organisations including Environment Plymouth, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, University of Plymouth and Plymouth City Council, we have played a central role in engaging the city and local community in a bid to combat the issue of plastic pollution, with Plymouth recognised for its efforts by being awarded the Plastic Free Waterfront Status. More recently, the city was also confirmed to have achieved Plastic Free Community status – an accolade awarded by Surfers Against Sewage.
How does this help the Ocean?
Here at the Ocean Conservation Trust, we are spearheading the ‘Connect’ element of the plan, working with staff at our Aquarium and in partnership with external stakeholders to build a more sustainable approach to the use of plastics across the board.
We were delighted to receive a silver BIAZA Award for our efforts in reducing plastic pollution at the National Marine Aquarium in 2019, having fully overhauled all departments at the Aquarium and making changes to our supply chains to achieve our ambitious targets.
How can you help?
The world is beginning to shift to a different pro-Ocean attitude when it comes to single use plastic. But there is still work to be done. We continue our plastic education programme for schools, educate the public on single use plastic alternatives and support the local community beach cleans. If you’d like to support this work, please donate today.