Two sisters, Amy and Ella Meek, are fighting for positive change to reduce plastic pollution. How? By empowering young people to make a difference and fighting for less single-use plastic and more reusable alternatives.
Inspired by the relaunched UN Sustainable Development Goals, Amy and Ella wanted to do their bit. They picked 3 goals – Life Below Water, Climate Action and Responsible Consumption – and began their research. It quickly became clear that plastic pollution was a common thread, and so began their on-the-ground activism. In 2016, Kids Against Plastic was born.
Paving the way for less plastic
Now with 50 young members, KAP aims to increase awareness around single-use plastic, as well as empowering young people to take action for what they believe in. The charity works with businesses, individuals, schools and cafes to minimise the use of the Big 4 – drinking straws, takeaway cups, plastic water bottles & plastic shopping bags – and swap in reusable items, while encouraging crowd/social science through their litter logging app.
Inspiring youth action
Dividing time between school and the charity, Amy and Ella aim to grow the youth empowerment side of their work through Amy’s Youth Empowerment Scheme and Ella’s Kids Against Plastic Club for young people. Speaking at events around the globe, the girls believe that the largest legacy of their work will come from the youth they inspire.
More than 100,000 pieces of plastic litter are picked up every year using their app. So far, over 900 schools and 50+ cafes and businesses have signed up to the Plastic Clever scheme including the girls’ local council, Gedling Borough Council.
Inspired by Amy and Ella’s story? Want to do your bit to reduce plastic pollution?
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