Big plastic problems, local solutions
It's Earth Day and there's lots you can do. Read on for results of the Big Plastic Count, meet our newest Plastic Free Champion and find out about green opportunities, local events and news.
Molly Pickle makes plastic-free gifts easy
You don’t have to be a coffee shop or retailer to become a local Plastic Free Champion. Molly Pickle Design, a small, artisanal design company based in Ramsgate, is our newest Plastic Free Champion promoting eco-friendly gifts and makers.
She hosts solo exhibitions and markets through Pickle Pop-Ups, and sells a range of items, from homewares to illustrations, on her website.
Already being sustainably-minded, Molly logged her actions to cut plastic and became a Plastic Free Champion in March.
Businesses from hairdressers to health and wellness groups, cleaning companies to cafes are making a difference across Thanet.
Becoming a Plastic Free Champion is easy - ditch three items of single-use plastic from your operations and tell us about it. Like Molly, you’ll get a certificate from Surfers Against Sewage and a wooden plaque to display.
Sign up now on the Plastic Free Communities website.
If you get stuck, we can help. Email plasticfreethanet@co-relate.co.uk
The Big Plastic Count reveals more than half of plastic waste is incinerated
It’s Earth Day and the results of The Big Plastic Count 2026 are shocking. UK households are throwing away 82 billion pieces of plastic every year – and over half (59%) of that is being burnt, not recycled! 😱
Our friends at Everyday Plastic (based right here in Thanet!) run The Big Plastic Count, which happens nationally every year. Nearly 70,000 people took part this year, counting the plastic they threw away for one week to see what happened to it.
The results reveal the immense scale of the UK’s big plastic problem:
🗑️82% of household plastic waste comes from food and drink products
🗑️An estimated 13 billion pieces of fruit and veg packaging are thrown away in the UK every year
🗑️Tesco and Sainsbury’s alone account for nearly half (46%) of the fruit and veg packaging counted
This is not about better waste management or blaming individuals. The reality is, recycling simply cannot keep up with the sheer volume and mixed types of plastic being produced.
If we make less plastic, we burn less plastic. It’s that simple.
We can’t burn our way out of this crisis.
That’s why the Big Plastic Count is asking the government to👇
Remove plastic packaging from uncut fruit and vegetables by 2030
Stop the construction of new waste incinerators immediately
End plastic waste being sent abroad for other countries to deal with
Dive into the results and take action at thebigplasticcount.com.
Local action is making a difference
Here at Plastic Free Thanet we’re supporting businesses and people locally to reduce the amount of single-use plastic ending up on our streets and beaches or going up in smoke.
Alongside supporting local businesses to become Plastic Free Champions, our reusable cups scheme and #ChooseToReuse campaign means fewer disposable coffee cups in our environment.
From businesses ordering directly to people picking up their cups at events like POW in the Park and the Sunken Gardens Ecofair, there are now 456 Margate Cups and 135 Ramsgate Cups out in the world.
Thanks to everyone who’s bought one and especially to our media partner Don’t Miss Margate/Don’t Miss Ramsgate for buying them to give away to paying subscribers.
Profits from each sale go to Rise Up Clean Up (Margate Cup) and Ellington Park (Ramsgate Cup).
Each cup can be used around 900 times and even if it breaks it can be recycled in your home recycling.
Together, we’re saving a LOT of single-use cups (which are usually plastic lined).
We have both Ramsgate and Margate Cups in stock and are looking for a business to partner with to launch the Broadstairs Cup. To get hold of them, email plasticfreethanet@co-relate.co.uk.
Spotlight on A Perfect Place to Grow
The Perfect Place To Grow is a cafe and training kitchen in Margate supporting 18-24 year olds facing barriers into sustainable employment. They support young people to gain skills to help them get into work.
But as well as growing opportunities, they’re growing food too. The Perfect Place to Grow allotment takes trainees outside to learn about food production first hand.
They also work with butchers, bakers, baristas, and a huge range of guest chefs from all over the world at regular fundraising events.
Volunteers meet every Wednesday at the allotment in Quex Park to produce food for the kitchen at drop in sessions from 10am-3pm.
Find out more on The Perfect Place to Grow website or email them at hello@theperfectplacetogrow.org.
Green opportunities in Kent and beyond
Free camping experience in Wales for 16-25 year olds.
Want to have the chance to meet new people and explore your future? The Ecological Futures Camp is a free, five day residential camp hosted by Black Mountains College. You’ll be cooking, swimming, camping and building with natural materials in Talgarth, Wales. Apply by 1 June. Find out more and apply.
Female gardener wanted for Enchanted Gardens
Are you based in Whitstable or the surrounding areas and want to get paid gardening work, for around 1-3 days a week? Enchanted Gardens are looking for female gardeners (ideally with a driving licence - van provided) to help with gardens for their elderly and vulnerable clients. See their Instagram post.
Become an Education Communications Coordinator with Blue Marine
Blue Marine is Europe’s biggest ocean conservation charity, whose aim is to protect and restore life in the ocean. The successful candidate will be responsible for creating compelling social media/ educational content that will inspire thousands of young people about the need to protect the ocean. It’s a part-time, 3 day/week role based at Somerset House, London, although flexible and hybrid working are encouraged. Apply by 30 April. Full details on the Blue Marine Foundation website.
‘Externship’ with National Geographic Society and The Nature Conservancy
Do you have a great idea that can tackle marine challenges? If you’re 18-25, based anywhere in the world, and can commit 10 hours a week for eight weeks starting from June, this could be a great opportunity to gain experience. A $US500 stipend is on offer. Apply by 17 May. Find out more and apply on the Extern.com.
Community updates
Naturehood Thanet met at The Perfect Place To Grow on Wednesday 25 March, and the group gave updates on what each organisation was doing. Find out more about group by emailing naturehoodthanet@gmail.com or contacting their Instagram account.
Bon Volks is again selling Swift boxes as part of their Swift Guardians Project, with the space’s members helping to create them. They will be installed on the homes of those who supported their crowdfunder last year. Find out more on the Swift Guardian Project page.
Broadstairs Town Team was featured on the new Broadstairs Life podcast hosted by Barry Sticking MBE. Listen to it here.
Windmill Community Gardens Margate won gold at this year’s Wilder Kent Awards in March in recognition of the hard work by staff, volunteers and participants to help maintain a Wilder Kent. Read more about their work in their newly released 2025 annual report, see their recent news and get involved with workshops and events.
FLINTS is collaborating with Windmill Community Gardens Margate to run hands-on, family-friendly sessions exploring permaculture and nature-friendly activities, from Tuesday 21 April to 19 May. Find out more through this Instagram post.
Litter picks and beach cleans
Rise Up Clean Up Margate - Sunday 10 May 11am, Octopus beach hut opposite Arlington House, Margate Main Sands. Just turn up!
The Old Curiosity Shop - Sunday 17 May 11am- 12pm, See Insta for more info.
Thanet Coast Project - Set up your own clean or join their next one on Thursday 25 June 2.30pm, Pegwell Bay, Cliffsend. Find out more.
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