TODAY a new free initiative to empower design students to tackle global plastic pollution has launched. The PLASTICFREE FOREVER programme is offering 250 students the opportunity to become pioneers in sustainable product development. PlasticFree is a solutions platform dedicated to educating and empowering designers and brand owners to fast-track innovation in plastic-free solutions.
The new programme recognises that solving the global plastic crisis requires more than awareness and instead will focus on actionable material insights and immediate connections to solution providers. Design students passionate about creating a sustainable and regenerative future are invited to apply for PLASTICFREE FOREVER with select participants gaining unprecedented forever access for no cost from the 5th April.
Made possible through support from impact fund, Ancestors of Tomorrow, the programme gives human-validated case studies, proof points and education in regenerative materials. PlasticFree empowers students with the knowledge to design plastic out of products at the source, directly connecting them with the curated library of plastic-free materials.
PlasticFree was launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2023 and operates in over 23 countries. It has established itself as a trusted authority for designers and brands seeking sustainable solutions to plastic. Its founding design and science council includes design and business leaders such as Design Council Chief Design Officer Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino, Eden Project co-founder Sir Tim Smit, Thomas Heatherwick and Sir David Chipperfield.
More than 500 million metric tonnes of plastic are produced every year for use in a wide variety of applications. Scientists have compiled a list of over 16,000 chemicals present in plastic products and found that more than 4,000 of these were hazardous to human health and the environment. With global legislation on plastic pollution increasing dramatically, the continued use of plastic presents a $100 billion annual financial risk to businesses by 2040.
Ben Parker, Co-founder, Made Thought: "Design is not just about aesthetics; it's about reimagining our relationship with materials. Every sketch, every prototype is an opportunity to design out plastic and design in a regenerative future. This platform doesn't just provide tools—it provides a pathway for the most critical design challenge of our generation."
Sian Sutherland, Co-Founder, PlasticFree & A Plastic Planet: "Plastic has become a toxic default for a business model predicated on ecological degradation. With the PLASTICFREE FOREVER programme, we want to empower students to be design leaders in the post-plastic revolution, challenging the traditional 'take, make, waste' attitude. Creatives are on the frontline of this battle to transition to a model of business that works with nature and not against."
Students can apply for their place in the PLASTICFREE FOREVER programme here.