Plastic Free Foundation at risk of closure

Efforts by the Plastic Free Foundation to rid the world of plastic waste could be hampered by a lack of funding, prompting calls from the charity for urgent investment in its outreach and educational work.

Despite over 10 billion kilograms of household waste having been avoided since 2019 thanks to community engagement with Plastic Free July, the group behind the campaign warns that ‘we risk going backwards’ due to the majority of funding being used for cleaning up the escalating problem rather than ‘turning off the tap’.

With 14 years of environmental campaigning behind it the Plastic Free Foundation now fears it may have to ‘close its doors and no longer support this global community to turn the tide on plastic waste’.

Although Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, founder, confirms that global response to the 2024 challenge was ‘overwhelming’ — including an increasing number of larger organizations — it has become clear that if the necessary funding is not procured, the Plastic Free Foundation’s behaviour change work will be in jeopardy. Yet with current projections indicating that by 2040 the amount of plastic waste entering the world’s oceans annually could triple, systems-level change is more important than ever.

After presenting to thousands around the world throughout July, Prince-Ruiz says she has been ‘constantly amazed and inspired by the people taking part and making a difference’.

“Whether that’s people making changes in their own lives or community groups, or corporate offices and business and government leaders, the impact is amazing. This campaign has become the global month of action to tackle plastic pollution. We know it is changing behaviour and reducing waste and we know it’s valued. … we just need to find the support to make it continue.”

By Rosie Greenaway, editor