One Million Pieces of Plastic Removed From Commonwealth Waters Ahead of Glasgow 2026
- William Bolton
- Jul 21
- 2 min read
Today, on the Clyde in Glasgow, we reached a number we've been chasing for nearly two years: one million pieces of plastic stopped before they ever reached Commonwealth waterways.
Since the campaign’s launch in Samoa in October 2024, it has travelled around the Commonwealth and involved thousands of volunteers, highlighting the issue of ocean plastic pollution and collecting tens of thousands of kilos of plastic from the beaches and rivers of the Commonwealth.
It is fitting to reach the milestone of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign as the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games opens, given that Commonwealth Sport and the King’s Baton Relay have been a core part of the campaign throughout. The King’s Baton Relay was launched by His Majesty The King on Commonwealth Day 2025. The King's Baton Relay spent 500 days travelling across every Commonwealth country, uniting communities in clean-up and conservation events. It highlighted the issue and local communities who are tackling the issue of plastic pollution, thereby inspiring others to take action.
Running alongside it was a steady programme of education resources, developed for schools and community groups across the Commonwealth, helping to turn the Relay's momentum into lasting behavioural changes and legacy.
We wish to thank every organisation and community that got involved in the campaign in their own countries, taking action on plastic pollution and helping us to reach 1 million pieces. Every one of these partnerships was essential. The campaign always needed a global network of support, and it through over 50 different supporting organisations giving their time and effort that it was achieved.
From the Clyde this week, we look back through 74 different countries and territories, over 184 different locations, beaches and rivers stretching right around the world. Each event brought together local environmental charities, school and community groups with young volunteers, and sports organisations and athletes. These volunteers came together to help clean their local areas, and help collect a part of those million pieces of plastic, for which we are hugely grateful.
Janet Cooper OBE, Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society, said: "One million pieces of plastic removed from Commonwealth waters is a remarkable milestone, and one I am immensely proud to mark here in Glasgow. The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign has shown the power of collective action, and what impact can be made when communities work together. To the thousands of volunteers and the many partner organisations across the Commonwealth who have dedicated their time and energy to make this possible, thank you."
