Today, Tuesday 5 June, is World Environment Day. This year’s theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ challenges us all to reduce the amount of plastic we use and throw away. For instance, swapping your disposable coffee cup for a reusable one. North London Waste Authority (NLWA) is keen to help north London residents reduce their waste and is running a series of events to help residents make that switch.
Councillor Clyde Loakes, Chair of NLWA, comments, ‘NLWA wholly supports the ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ message of this year’s World Environment Day. We want to show residents that even making one small change can significantly reduce environmental impact and maybe even save money, too.’
It is estimated that nearly 8 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the world’s oceans every year[1]. It can take a very long time to degrade, which is why so much of it has accumulated in the sea. The United Nations Environment Programme estimated in 2006 that every square mile of ocean contains 46,000 pieces of floating plastic[2].
To help tackle this massive problem and support the World Environment Day message, NLWA are holding events in north London workplaces to encourage employees to introduce a few small changes to reduce food waste and reduce single-use plastic. NLWA will be providing information, recipe ideas, and portion-measurers as well as giving away reusable plastic containers (Tupperware) to encourage residents to bring in lunches from home and aim for a zero-waste lunch. Homemade lunches can save a lot of money but are also a great way to use up leftovers and reduce food waste, so it’s a win-win.
NLWA is holding information stalls in each of the seven north London boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest. This week, officers visit Troup Bywaters in Camden, Chocolate Factory in Haringey and Perky Blenders @ The Magistrates in Waltham Forest. Last week, the NLWA team visited Leroy House Workspace in Islington, Development House in Hackney, Metaswitch in Enfield and North London Business Park in Barnet. To view NLWA’s calendar of waste prevention and recycling events, visit our Events page.
[1] The New Plastics Economy, Ellen Macarthur Foundation, January 2016. [Accessed 29/01/2018]
[2] Unesco
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