Overview

The Sea Champion pledge is a way to commit to changes that reduce ocean plastic pollution. It’s also a great chance to get creative and make an eye catching pledge poster!

The activities Plastic bin weigh-in and Problem plastic hunt will help you come up with suitable actions to reduce plastic waste at home, and we’ve created a template that can help you with your design. Once you have finished, write your name on the pledge and plan the action you will take to protect our oceans.

Make sure that you put your pledge up somewhere visible at home as a reminder – maybe stick it on the fridge or pin it to a noticeboard.

Activity steps

1. Read the pledge action ideas in the Find out more section and also from the Plastic bin weigh-in and Problem plastic hunt activities to provide inspiration for how you can create positive changes to reduce ocean plastic pollution.
2. Choose the actions you will take and include them in the design of a Sea Champion pledge poster! Get creative – you can use any materials that you want, from paints to collage – you could even write a pledge poem!
3. By writing your name on the pledge and putting it on display in your home you can remind yourself of the actions you’re going to take every day!
4. Lastly, share your pledge to inspire your friends. You could post a photo of your pledge or even record a video of you reading it out loud. Make sure you tag @commonseas when posting, and please use the hashtag #SeaChampions. Thank you!

Use some of the suggested actions below to help with your Sea Champion pledge.

Improving recycling in my home and local area

• Educate others about what can and cannot be recycled in your local area. You can do this by making posters that can be displayed at home, in schools, and local businesses such as cafés and restaurants with the owner’s permission.
• Advocate for better recycling in your local area. Some areas have few types of plastics which can be recycled whereas others have many. If your area is rubbish with its rubbish demand more. Find out who your local councillor is using the Write to them website and write a letter or email explaining that you would like more types of plastics to be recyclable locally.

Encourage others to use less plastic at home, locally, and nationally

• Complete the Plastic bin weigh in challenge and Problem plastic hunt to identify plastics which your family can eliminate from your home.
• Advocate for a local business such as a shop or restaurant to reduce their plastic use. Perhaps they use plastic bags or plastic takeaway boxes and it annoys you. Write them a letter, email, or contact them on social to tell them. Most businesses want feedback from their customers so would be happy to hear your thoughts to improve their service to your community.

Read and watch plastics news stories about plastic pollution and share with my friends

• Read and share articles or videos with family, friends, and teachers.
• Search online for the latest plastic pollution news and share links to plastic pollution articles with family, friends, and teachers. BBC News Science and Environment is a great source.
• Complete the Plastic bin weigh in challenge and Problem plastic hunt to identify plastics which your family can eliminate from your home.

Make informed decisions about buying products as a family to reduce plastic pollution

• Complete the Plastic bin weigh in challenge and Problem plastic hunt to identify plastics which your family can eliminate from your home.

Research different products that can be used to reduce my and others' plastic waste

• Educate others about plastic-free alternatives. For example, ditching cling film for beeswax food wraps or replacing a single-use bottle for a reusable one. You can do this by making posters that can be displayed at home, in schools, and local businesses such as cafés and restaurants with the owner’s permission.