Brief 7: A Plastic Planet

A Plastic Planet are a group of people campaigning for plastic-free isles in our supermarkets. Amongst many other efforts to reduce our use of single-use plastics, these guys are hitting the problem before it could even become more of one.

As consumers, we sometimes don't have many options but to buy plastic instead of any other alternative; because there aren't always alternatives in the supermarkets. So by campaigning for plastic-free aisles, it will give consumers wanting to make a difference, the opportunity to do their bit by shopping plastic-free.

"Working collaboratively with the supermarkets rather than campaigning against them and then they having to make change is the way forward."

'But right now, the public have no choice but to buy their food and drink packaged in this indestructible plastic. When you can buy gluten-free, fat-free, dairy-free; why can we not buy plastic-free?'

They are currently petitioning for these plastic-free aisles in supermarkets; they've already managed to integrate this into a supermarket in Amsterdam for Dutch supermarket Ekoplaza.

The aisle enables shoppers to choose from 700 everyday products that are free from plastic packaging. Before the end of the year, Ekoplaza plans to roll the plastic-free aisle out across each of its 74 stores.



https://www.change.org/p/all-ceos-of-the-uk-supermarkets-we-want-a-plastic-free-aisle-in-our-supermarkets

Supermarket in Amsterdam

The grocery retail sector accounts for more than 40% of all plastic packaging. 

Plastic-free aisles make sound commercial sense, with a Populus poll last year revealing that 91% of Britons back the measure.

'Plastic has replaced so many forms of packaging that consumers wanting to reduce their plastic footprint at the moment find it impossible to do so.'

This is just one effort amongst many to reduce the amount of plastic in circulation within the world be that in our supermarkets, homes or oceans.
Sources

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/28/first-plastic-free-aisle-is-an-example-for-other-supermarkets-to-follow

http://www.aplasticplanet.com/