Green Gown Awards 2020 - London School of Economics & Political Science - Finalist

Plastic Free LSE

The Plastic Free LSE campaign responded to a rise in global awareness about plastic pollution, including LSE students and staff. Delivered during 2018-19 academic year, the campaign successfully engaged with more than 750 students and staff, who jointly delivered 25 Green Impact projects reducing single-use plastics.  

The theme also encouraged exciting student-led mini research projects and behaviour change campaigns funded by LSE’s Sustainability Projects Fund; a fund created through an internal tax on bottled water sales.  

Projects funded in 2018-19 included LS-Sea “Free the Flush” which was aimed at reducing plastic waste flushed down LSE toilets, Sail Britain collaboration with LSE’s SU Marine Society studying plastic waste in oceans, and funding for LSE Catering to subsidise the sale of reusable cups. 

Top 3 learnings:

1. Create a buzz.  Our Director was challenged on twitter to reduce her plastic use. 
2. Sustain the momentum. We kept the topic on the agenda through sustained engagement activities. 
3. Collaborate. We worked closely with our catering team and engaged with the #OneLess network. 

Videos

• Video #1 (click to hide)