WHAT IS A PLASTIC FREE ISLAND?
Single-use and disposable plastic does irreparable harm to coastal environments, marine wildlife, and local economies. The Plastic Free Island model brings together stakeholders to reduce and eliminate single-use plastic such as straws, bottles, and bags on islands across the globe.
HOW DOES THE MODEL WORK?
Are you an island citizen? Are you concerned about the onslaught of plastic waste building up in your community? Are you trying to stop the construction or operation of an incinerator to deal with this plastic pollution problem?
The Plastic Free Island model is designed for people like you. Under a zero waste model, you can significantly reduce the impacts of single-use plastic on your island through community building work with your neighbors, local businesses, and your governments.
By engaging with a select group of representatives from your community, you can bring people together in a community dialogue to drive change toward:
- increased availability of alternatives to single-use plastic for local retailers and grocers
- improved management of post-consumer plastics and other materials through Materials Recovery Facilities and recycling
- engaged and educated government officials willing to do what's needed.
The model is informed by the incredible work of partners and Coalition members across the world:
- Clean Water Action
- Mother Earth Foundation (Philippines)
- Zero Waste Europe
- GAIA (Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives)
READY TO BEGIN?
PLASTIC FREE ISLAND KEFALONIA
The Plastic Free Island concept was envisioned by Pam Longobardi, founder of Drifters Project, in partnership with PPC CEO and co-founder Dianna Cohen in 2014 on the island of Kefalonia, Greece. Along with local partners and other artists, Pam and Dianna worked to remove plastic pollution from beaches, create art and sculpture from it, and through those works, engage the local community in a conversation about reducing single-use plastics.
This first initiative created the template for a scalable Plastic Free Island program, which PPC has taken to islands across the globe.
Watch a time-lapse capsule of the 2 week action on Kefalonia, Greece
GREENPEACE Rainbow Warrior III sails into Argostoli port on Kefalonia the day of the collaboration between Drifter's Project & Plastic Pollution Coaltion's Plastic Free Island Project Opening Reception at the Ionion Center in Metaxata
PPC CEO & co-founder Dianna Cohen shares an overview of the Kids Day in the Library and the Plastic Free Island-Kefalonia Project Children's Program
PLASTIC FREE VIRGIN ISLANDS
This collaboration highlights new and innovative ways to reduce and eliminate single-use plastic on the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more about Plastic Free St. John.
PLASTIC FREE ISLAND INDONESIA
Local naturalist Amiruddin Using has mobilized the Plastic-Free Islands program on islands in Indonesia by organizing beach cleanups and educating people in the community. Learn more.
