RWM & Letsrecycle Live 2022 took place on 14th and 15th September with 12,000 visitors in attendance hearing from speakers in the resources and waste management sector. Wastepack was delighted to invite Kids Against Plastic to open their sponsored Material Village Theatre with an inspiring keynote speech.
The charity co-founder, Amy Meek, and Chief Voice Officer, Inaaya Ijaz, spoke passionately about their efforts in combating misinformation and driving changes in consumer behaviour to reduce plastic pollution.
Amy and Inaaya acknowledged that while single-use plastic in some cases cannot easily be replaced, for example, in the sanitisation of surgical instruments, Kids Against Plastic pushes for changes big and small to be made wherever possible.
Inaaya described plastic pollution as an overflowing bath that should be turned off at the tap instead of mopping up what’s spilt. Her advice is to remember that every action to protect the environment, no matter how small, can make a huge difference!
Both speakers were devoted to their cause, and keen to spread awareness and drive progress. Amy concluded their presentation by calling for a united approach to reducing single-use plastics and proposing a closed-loop circular economy for single-use plastics.
Kids Against Plastic
The charity Kids Against Plastic was launched in 2017 by sisters Amy and Ella Meek when they learnt about the UN’s sustainable development goals. The charity campaigns for the responsible use of plastics and educates children about plastic pollution.
Since launching the charity, Amy and Ella have given TED Talks, authored ‘Be Plastic Clever’ and ‘Be Climate Clever’, addressed the United Nations, and received recognition in the 2022 New Year’s Honours list, receiving a British Empire Medal.
Amy and Ella are keen to keep kids at the heart of the charity, which led them to start the KAP Club. The club now has over 240 young people globally, including 12-year-old Inaaya Ijaz, who was appointed the Chief Voice Officer (CVO) at Kids Against Plastic.
Inaaya worked closely with her school and peers to cut items like bottled water and gained strong support for the Plastic Clever initiative. Inaaya is a passionate campaigner, spreading awareness of the harmful effects of single-use plastic through social media and as a radio presenter on 24 Hours Radio.
The Plastic Clever Initiative
The Plastic Clever initiative’s aim is to raise awareness of plastic misuse and encourage reduction of the four big plastic polluters: bottles, straws, bags, and coffee cups. The initiative is for everyone to get behind, from schools and businesses to households and families.
Currently, the Plastic Clever initiatives have over 1500 schools and businesses signed up and its success is set to continue. The Plastic Clever Schools movement has been a particular focus for the charity and in partnership with Common Seas, they have recently launched all new resources aimed at secondary schools.
The resources aim to encourage learning and discussions on the issues of plastic waste in the 11 to 16 year-old age bracket. They include toolkits, fact sheets and presentations to help students and staff complete audits of their plastic waste produced in school, campaign for change and celebrate the difference they make in their schools and communities.
Find out more about the charity on their website here.
