British schoolchildren were invited to devise alternative methods to address the issue of single-use plastics as part of incentive driven by two major environmental charities. 

Pupils at St Gregory’s Catholic Science College in Harrow, were among other schoolchildren tasked by BRITA UK and Keep Britain Tidy to come up with innovative ideas to encourage people to choose less harmful alternatives for the environment.

The project was born from a joint inquiry earlier this year by both charities into the issue of disposable water bottles and single-use plastics, with the results showcased in Parliament’s reception on April 17.

A wider campaign by BRITA UK, #SwapForGood seeks to help eradicate the use of single-use plastics by educating people on its environmental consequences. 

The project, which ran at schools in Hampshire and London during February and March, asked three groups of children for their input into how people could make a difference. During a workshop, the children were shown why plastics were used and their impact.

The children devised a points system earning people vouchers or other rewards for choosing reusable bags, and a “plastic-o-metre” counting how much plastic a business consumes each month.

They also suggested putting stickers up in supermarkets and other public places to educate people, litter picking, and developing an app to remind people to take their reusable bags with them when they go shopping. 

In January the Government launched a 25-year Environment Plan, pledging the elimination of avoidable plastic waste by 2042. The Government is also consulting on measures such as placing a tax on single-use plastics.

Allison Ogden-Newton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “As the UK moves towards ending our reliance on single-use plastics, it is vital that the views of the next generation are considered – especially as it is their future planet we need to look after.”

The managing director of BRITA UK, Sarah Taylor, said there was “widespread recognition” of the need to end the use of single-use plastics, adding: “Despite this, it’s clear there is much more to do to encourage people to change their habits.” 

For more information visit www.brita.de or www.keepbritaintidy.org