Staff and pupils at Newbold CE Primary School took in The Big Plastic Count, helping them to learn more about plastic waste and how communities can take action to tackle it. They invited along local MP, Toby Perkins, to help raise awareness and quiz him on the environment.
The Big Plastic Count, run by campaign group Everyday Plastic, invites households, schools, and community groups across the UK to record every piece of plastic packaging they throw away for one week, from 9–15 March, to help reveal the true scale of the country’s plastic waste problem.
Toby Perkins said, “It was great to see that the pupils at Newbold Primary are so interested in this subject and wanting to be ambassadors for protecting the environment and learning more about how much plastic we use and why it’s so important to reduce it. The Big Plastic Count is an important initiative that highlights the scale and impact of plastic pollution and waste.”
The Big Plastic Count encourages participants to record every piece of plastic packaging they throw away during the week and submit their results online. After taking part, participants receive a personalised plastic profile showing how much plastic they threw away and what happens to their waste.
Data from the survey helps campaigners build a national picture of plastic waste and push for policies that reduce plastic production and expand reusable alternatives, rather than relying solely on recycling. Previous counts have found that much of the UK’s household plastic waste is burned, contributing to air pollution, health impacts, and the climate crisis.
Toby added, “I’d encourage all schools to get involved with The Big Plastic Count next year. I will also be using what I have learnt today to put pressure on big business, supermarkets, manufacturers, and the government, to continue to drive down our overall plastic usage.”