Signature is committed to doing our part to protect our local environments and contribute to worldwide sustainability efforts, so we all signed the Plastic Free Pledge, promising to make small but impactful changes in our daily lives:
- Say no to single-use cups
- Refuse plastic food wrap
- Ditch single-use plastic drink bottles
The statistics are staggering – over 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans yearly. The UK alone produces more than 2 million tonnes of plastic packaging each year. By participating in Plastic Free July, we hope to raise awareness about the environmental impact of single-use plastics and inspire long-term changes in behaviour in the team.
Our Plastic-Free July plan
Throughout July, our team made conscious efforts to reduce plastic consumption in both our professional and personal lives. We’re implementing several strategies to reduce our plastic footprint:
Reusable shopping bags: stocking up on cloth bags for food and general shopping, as well as in the office for errands.
Water bottles: remembering to pack a reusable water bottle daily, eliminating the need for disposable plastic bottles.
Mindful shopping: looking for items or brands which offer products with minimal packaging or packaging made from eco-friendly materials, like paper.
Zero waste shopping: shopping (where possible) at the local greengrocers, butchers and delis, which typically use less packaging, as well as using our own containers to reduce packaging waste.
Use your own coffee cup: Unless we have a reusable coffee cup, we didn’t get a takeout coffee.
Participating in Plastic Free July not only reduced our immediate plastic consumption but also fostered long-term habits that will continue well beyond the month-long challenge. It was eye opening as to how much single use plastic is used and we can avoid. We believe that these small changes, when adopted collectively, can lead to significant positive outcomes for our planet.
The results
We’re proud to share the results of Signature’s recent participation in Plastic Free July and our key takeaways:
Our Director, Sharon led the way for the team, but there were still obstacles to overcome: “My first fail was forgetting to take my water bottle on the train to London. I bought a metal reusable water bottle from Caffè Nero to use; it was a relief to have the option.
“I have definitely become more organised and grateful to have a good-size work bag and tote to chuck everything in. Not having an online food shop delivered can be annoying and time-consuming visiting multiple shops, but I feel more invested in my food purchases.
“Also, my son thoroughly enjoys filling containers in Scoop Wholefoods, so every cloud. There is so much single-use plastic everywhere! It can be more expensive and it takes effort to find plastic-free toys, especially when life is all about Paw Patrol!”
Across the team, we held each other accountable and our use of single-use plastic this month was minimal. We also added recycling bins to our office to prevent other waste.
Moving forward
The scale of plastic pollution is staggering. A 2022 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reveals some sobering statistics:
- 72% of all plastic produced ends up in landfills or the environment
- Only 9% of plastic ever made has been recycled
- 19% of plastic waste has been incinerated
These figures underscore the urgent need for action and highlight why initiatives like Plastic Free July are crucial in raising awareness and driving change in our consumption habits.
The good news is that it is easier than ever to go plastic-free, with many more eco-friendly options available.
Signature remains committed to maintaining these eco-friendly practices. We’re exploring ways to further reduce our environmental impact and encourage our clients, candidates and fellow businesses to work together for a cleaner, greener future.
