Zero Waste Week 2021: Change begins with each of us

​What is Zero Waste Week?

Zero Waste Week (6th-10th September 2021) is an annual campaign that aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact of waste. Whilst it’s important to consider all types of environmental waste and how we can reduce it, we want to shine a light on plastic waste given our ongoing partnership with Seven Clean Seas.

​What is plastic pollution?

Simply put, it’s plastic where it shouldn’t be. This waste negatively impacts the natural environment by creating problems for plants, wildlife and even the human population. While it’s tough to say exactly how much plastic is in the ocean, scientists have estimated that 8 million pieces of plastic are entering the oceans every single day.

​How does plastic waste end up in the ocean?

Approximately 80% of it originated as waste on land. It comes from waste being improperly disposed of or incorrectly managed, whether that’s from litter being washed down rivers and drains, badly managed landfill sites, or by being flushed down the toilet.

​How do Seven Clean Seas help to reduce plastic pollution?

Seven Clean Seas is a charity which we have close ties to via our Singapore office and their past volunteering initiatives. In 2018 Seven Clean Seas started as a beach clean-up community based in Singapore. They now organise regular international beach clean ups, hold talks to help fellow ocean lovers all over the world and are currently piloting pioneering ocean and river cleaning technologies via innovative floatation crafts. Find out more here.

​What is Spencer Ogden doing to support Seven Clean Seas?

We recognise that it is up to each one of us to restore our earth, not just because we care but because it’s the environment in which we all live and have a responsibility for. We’ve made a commitment to help fight the ocean plastic pollution crisis through plastic offsetting. For every successful candidate placed into a job, Seven Clean Seas will remove 1kg of plastic from the ocean. So far, we've managed to save 1 tonne of plastic from the ocean (and that's in just 3 months!).

​How can I get involved?

At present Seven Clean Seas have clean-up teams operating in Southeast Asia. If you’re based nearby you could use one of your four paid annual volunteering days and join their next clean up. You can also do your bit by supporting Zero Waste Week at home. Reusing everyday items and making sustainable swaps is an easy and effective way to reduce your wastage. The Zero Waste Week’s website features plenty of ideas on how you can do this.