More evidence that change is possible in our global effort to reduce single-use plastics.
On April 26, 2017, we partnered with the U.S. State Department and B-Green to screen A Plastic Ocean at the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru. The results? Change!
We are happy to report that after screening the film the Embassy announced that they would be announcing an initiative to phase out all styrofoam containers from their cafeteria, which translates into over 28,000 containers per year. That’s 28,000 fewer pieces of plastic-based pollution potentially making its way to our oceans!
Panel discussion after screening.
“We couldn’t be happier with this decision,” said Julie Andersen, Global Executive Director of the Plastic Oceans Foundation. “The Embassy is showing leadership in the global efforts to reduce plastic pollution. It’s one piece of a very large puzzle, but every piece is a must.”
Styrofoam is made from polystyrene, which is one of the most widely used plastics, with the scale of its production being several million tonnes per year.
“It has been inspiring to witness how this film has helped mobilize a civil society campaign to raise awareness of the impacts of plastic pollution on Peru’s uniquely biodiverse marine environment,” said Andrew Griffin, Regional Environment Officer (South America), U.S. Department of State. “We will continue to partner with the Plastic Oceans Foundation to use the film to identify and recruit new partners for this important effort.”
We applaud Embassy leadership for making this decision and will use it as an example to encourage others to keep taking similar steps to reduce, reuse and recycle.