COMMONWEALTH CLEAN OCEANS PLASTICS CAMPAIGN
The Commonwealth accounts for one-third of the world’s ocean waters, and almost half of Commonwealth countries are Small Island Developing States that disproportionately suffer from the impact of plastic pollution. Together, we must take action to prevent plastic from entering our waterways and help fulfil United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, ‘Life Below Water’.
The Royal Commonwealth Society’s Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign has prevented more than one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways.
The campaign combines education and local action to encourage people to reduce their plastic waste, highlight alternatives, and reduce pollution across the Commonwealth.
For the action component of the campaign, the Royal Commonwealth Society has partnered with Commonwealth Sport to deliver the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign as a core component of The King’s Baton Relay. This newly envisioned King’s Baton Relay will focus on sustainability and environmentalism and was launched by His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day 2025, beginning a 500-day journey to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July 2026.
Journeying through every Commonwealth nation and territory, this partnership brings together young people, athletes, conservation groups, and the local community for a week of activities including a plastic clean-up.
COMMONWEALTH CLEAN OCEANS PLASTICS CAMPAIGN: IMPACT REPORT
In October 2024, we set out to prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways. This week, on the banks of Glasgow's River Clyde, we reached that target.
Over twenty months, more than 50 partner organisations and 15,000+ volunteers across 74 nations and territories removed over 23,000kg of plastic from beaches, rivers and coastlines throughout the Commonwealth, alongside The King's Baton Relay.
This report tells that story in full: the milestones, the partners, and the communities who made it possible.
NEWS AND STORIES
DONATE TO SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN
As a charity dedicated to tackling plastic pollution, the Royal Commonwealth Society relies on the generosity of individuals and organisations to fund our initiatives. Your donation can help us continue to drive the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, to have a meaningful impact in the fight against plastic pollution. Together, we can ensure cleaner oceans, a healthier planet, and a more sustainable future for all.
