The stakes have never been higher. Microplastics have now been found in human bloodstreams, lungs, and even placentas. Recent studies reveal that the average person ingests approximately 5 grams of plastic weekly the equivalent of a credit card. These particles carry toxic chemicals like phthalates and BPA that disrupt our endocrine systems, increasing risks of infertility, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
The environmental toll is equally devastating. Every minute, the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic enters our oceans. By 2050, scientists predict that there will be more plastic in the sea than fish. Plastic production alone accounts for 4-8% of global oil consumption, and as it breaks down over centuries, it releases methane and ethylene, two potent greenhouse gases that accelerate climate change.
But here's the empowering truth: individual choices matter. When we collectively refuse single-use plastics, we send market signals that drive systemic change. That's why we're challenging our global team once again—because meaningful transformation starts with conscious action.
This November we engaged 329 participants (a 92% increase over last year!) from all 11 of the countries where we have offices. The challenges ranged from using reusable tote bags to creating zero-waste lunches, each aimed at reducing our plastic footprint.
The creativity and commitment of our team members were truly inspiring. Participants made 208 plastic swaps throughout the month, demonstrating that eco-friendly options exist for almost every aspect of our daily lives. The most popular transitions included:
Other innovative changes showcased remarkable ingenuity: participants crafted their own tooth powder to eliminate plastic tubes, used beeswax wraps instead of plastic cling film, switched to compostable phone cases, replaced plastic pill holders with glass ones, and even made reusable grocery bags from old yarn. Personal care products underwent a significant transformation, marked by the introduction of solid makeup removers, plastic-free deodorant in cardboard tubes, safety razors replacing disposable plastic ones, and lip balm in biodegradable paper tubes. Some participants went beyond product swaps, replacing plastic pens with bamboo alternatives, using wooden combs and brushes, switching to loofah sponges for bathing and dishwashing, and creating jute bags for shoe storage.
These swaps not only reduced plastic waste but also encouraged a more mindful approach to consumption—proving that with creativity and commitment, nearly every plastic item in our lives has a sustainable alternative waiting to take its place.
To put this into perspective, in just one month, our participants achieved the equivalent carbon reduction of about 30 mature trees working for a month. The plastic weight prevented from entering the environment in November alone (~865 pounds) is equivalent to about 19,659 plastic water bottles or the weight of an adult male lion! And by preventing over 43,000 plastic bags from entering circulation this month, our participants protected countless marine animals from ingestion and entanglement—plastic bags are often mistaken for jellyfish by sea turtles and can be fatal when consumed.
If we continued this practice over the year, the CO2 emissions reduced would be equivalent to the annual carbon sequestration of about 362 mature trees. The plastic weight prevented from entering the environment through swaps and laundry choices alone (7,416+ pounds) is equivalent to the weight of a fully grown male polar bear!
But our efforts didn't stop at action; we also focused on education. Participants watched 42 documentaries exploring the detrimental impacts of plastic on our health and environment, and 16 people delved deeper by reading books on the subject, including the eye-opening “A Poison Like No Other” by Matt Simon and "How to Give Up Plastic: A Guide to Changing the World, One Plastic Bottle at a Time" by Will McCallum. There were also 39 social media posts made by participants throughout the month, spreading the education even further.
As Matt Simon poignantly states in his book, "You might question why as a society we would invest so much money and energy confronting the microplastics crisis when the climate crisis is an immediate threat to life on Earth. And to that I'd say the two crises are one and the same. Remember that by 2030, the manufacture and use of plastic is projected to generate as much greenhouse gas per year as 295 coal plants, and that will more than double by 2050…"
"A special atmospheric sampling aircraft once gathered microplastics 11,500 feet high. The particles are in snow cores from Iceland's Vatnajökull ice cap, 40 miles from the nearest urban area, and on remote Mount Derak in Iran." - Matt Simon
Special shoutout to our top performers in each country:
🇸🇬 Singapore - Rachel L
🇯🇵 Japan - Takafumi F
🇮🇳 India - Ramkumar R
🇦🇪 Dubai - Joseph K
🇳🇱 Netherlands - Ella M
🇬🇧 UK & I - Jacob M
🇿🇦 South Africa - Rhea P
🇩🇪 Germany - Verena R
🇦🇺 Australia - Rosa L
🇧🇷 Brazil - Raquel A
🇺🇲 US - Brooke D