TJ supports Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July® is a global movement that enables millions of people to help in the fight against plastic pollution by choosing to refuse single-use plastics. It is hoped that this effort will result in cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. 

Plastic Free July® is a key initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation which allows us to work towards our vision of seeing a world free of plastic waste. The Plastic Free Foundation Ltd is an independent, not-for-profit organisation established in 2017. Their mission is informed by our their core values:

  • Honesty and integrity
  • Inclusivity of people, ideas, visions and approaches
  • A focus on providing solutions
  • Authenticity and collaboration
  • The belief that small changes add up to a big difference

In July 2020, an estimated 326 million people from 177 countries across the globe took part in the challenge. An IPSOS survey revealed that 29% of people surveyed worldwide were aware of the Plastic Free July challenge and almost half of those chose to take part in 2018.

Plastic waste and pollution is a concern close to TJ’s heart and their recent union with ocean health charity the Final Straw Foundation cemented this. They will now work in partnership to reduce plastic waste and pinpoint waste disposal companies that are responsibly disposing of waste in a bid to reduce fly-tipping and other illegal waste disposal practices.

In support of Plastic-Free July®, the Final Straw Foundation is litter picking every day of July. They’re also encouraging those who want to get involved to ‘plog’, which is walking or jogging, whilst litter picking along the way. People taking part are encouraged to create a fundraising page too so that friends and family can pledge their support by donating to the charity.

TJ’s relationship with the Final Straw began when they stepped in to help them out back in 2019. The charity has a big metal fish structure called Nellie, which acts as a recycling bin for plastic bottles and is positioned in various places around the county, usually to encourage recycling during events. At the time, Nellie was in Winchester city centre and full of plastic bottles, but they were struggling to get it emptied.

They contacted TJ for assistance and they were happy to help and at no charge. TJ’s van driver Phil went along to empty Nellie and ended up climbing inside to get all the waste out! He collected it all and transferred it to his van and took it back to one of TJ’s materials recovery facilities where it was sorted into categories and recycled accordingly.

Lissie Pollard from the Final Straw Foundation said:

“We called the team at TJ Waste because they have helped us before on beach cleans and they got it all sorted within 24 hours. We are so grateful that they made the process so easy and helped us free of charge – we cannot thank them enough!”

Another way in which TJ is doing their bit to aid plastic recycling is with one of their clients, Jude’s Ice Cream. When TJ established a new recycling process for certain types of plastics, they soon realised that Jude’s unwanted plastic ice cream tubs and offcuts would be ideal for it. The plastic tubs are made into a new product – pellets – which can be moulded into new plastic products. The latest equipment for recycling plastic materials is used in this recycling process to ensure that the highest quality products are maintained.

Discover the services TJ Waste provides and find out more about their involvement with The Final Straw Foundation.

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Luke Haskell
8 July 2021
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