The University of Portsmouth (UoP) in England has partnered with Greenpeace and Everyday Plastic to support the UK’s largest household plastic waste survey. 

Known as The Big Plastic Count, the survey is set to take place from 11-17 March 2024, with participants across the country being invited to record their plastic waste volumes. 

The survey aims to shape future government policies and inform international treaty talks. It covers all 650 UK parliamentary constituencies, and participants can sign up until the 11 March deadline. 

Greenpeace UK and Everyday Plastic are spearheading the initiative, which has garnered the support of more than 62,000 individuals, including nearly 8,000 school classes, from Devon to Dundee.  

This year, the UoP’s Revolution Plastics Institute has joined as an academic partner, bringing its expertise in plastics research to the campaign.  

The institute plans to conduct a thorough follow-up analysis of the survey's findings to bolster key policy recommendations during the upcoming treaty discussions. 

The results, expected in the week commencing 15 April, will be pivotal in providing evidence at The Global Plastics Treaty INC-4 negotiations in Ottawa, Canada, from 23-29 April.

UoP Revolution Plastics Institute deputy director Dr Cressida Bowyer said: "We’re delighted to be partnering with Everyday Plastic and Greenpeace UK to support The Big Plastic Count.  

“Never before has there been such an urgent need to find solutions to the global plastic crisis. As a leading institution in the field of plastics research, we can provide evidence-based research to support the count results. 

“The Global Plastics treaty is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring about real change. For the treaty to work - the targets need to be clearly defined and this can only be done with quality and robust evidence."  

Last year's Big Plastic Count revealed that UK households discarded nearly two billion pieces of plastic packaging weekly, with only 12% being recycled domestically.