Park the Plastic is run by Plastic Free West Hampstead. It is part of the Plastic Free Communities (PFC) campaign launched by Surfers Against Sewage a few years ago. PFC encourages community leaders to implement the campaign in their local area. There are targets to meet before declaring an area as a Plastic Free Community.

• Get local businesses to replace single-use plastic with sustainable alternatives
• To get support from local councillors and Council
• Work with Plastic Free Partner organisations

On tackling the climate crisis

• Plastic is a contributor to the climate crisis
• Raising awareness and educating people about why single-use plastic is a problem will encourage individuals to choose sustainable options
• Showing how to dispose of plastic waste responsibly and by holding litter picking/’Leave No Trace’/Mass Unwrap events.

On supporting the community

• Local community litter picks.
• Raising awareness about the single-use plastic problem and awarding local businesses with Plastic Free Champion certificates.
• Educating local cafes to encourage reuse over disposables by providing ‘Bring Your Reusables’ posters.

Partners involved

• West Hampstead library for a film show
• Little Hands Charity for a ‘Make Your Own Bag’ sewing session
• Local scout group for a recycling challenge/education
• Local festival (Jester) to limit single-use plastic
• Local Friends of the Earth
• Greenpeace groups
• Think and Do to run workshops
• Litter picks and anti-litter campaigns such as ‘Leave No Trace’.
• West Hampstead Amenity & Transport.

Find out more here