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Naming and shaming the UK’s worst litter producers
The litter we see in our streets and waterways isn’t just unsightly: over time, metals and plastics degrade and release harmful chemicals into the environment.
The client
Planet Patrol :
use citizen science to identify the brands littering our landscape.
Key stats
240+
Total pieces of coverage
39m+
Estimated overall reach
PA, The Sun, Daily Mail, iNews, BBC Newsround, Mail Online, Forbes, Evening Standard, Times Radio
Coverage Highlights
The challenge
As plastic products degrade, they break down into smaller particles known as microplastics. These microplastics can be consumed by marine life and enter the food chain.
Microplastics have been found in our bloodstreams and can cause serious health problems, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke, and leading to infertility.
Planet Patrol is an environmental charity that uses citizen science to monitor the amount of litter in the UK. Since 2016, its volunteers have logged and collected over 400,000 pieces of litter through the Planet Patrol app.
Planet Patrol approached 89up to support the launch of their third annual report.
The solution
Our studio team designed the 58-page report, producing infographics and charts to illustrate key facts and figures.
Our editorial team worked with Planet Patrol to produce an executive summary outlining the report’s key findings and recommendations.
Using Planet Patrol’s data, we were able to identify the brand names that appeared most frequently on pieces of litter logged on the app.
Our PR team created a media story focussed on these brands and highlighted the need for legislation that would make producers responsible for the full cost of consumer waste disposal.
