Before you dive into the rest of this quest, check out these videos for more information about what is plastic made of, how it’s created, and what happens when we throw it away. Learn what we can do as a society and individuals to slow the lasting effects this material will have on our planet and lives:

Watch 1: Plastics 101 (National Geographic)
Watch 2: What happens to plastic when you throw it away (TED-Ed) 
Watch 3: Our relationship with plastics (Clean Seas)

LEARN + INTERACT

Learn what's in your bathroom and join the CLEANSEAS challenge sharing the sustainable switches you have already made or plan to make. (for all ages)

Execute a plastic audit to understand what plastics you use at home. You can use your smartphone to track plastic sources with the Litterati App. Calculate your own plastic footprint with the Plastic Calculator and compare it with your friends. (for ages 10+)

Photograph plastic waste and submit your pictures using your smartphone to participate in this international contest. (for ages 10+)

Learn how our plastics make it all the way to the ocean (for ages 5-10) and how we can keep plastics out of the ocean. (for ages 10+) 

Say goodbye to plastics. Think about how much plastic you use every day, where you use it the most, if you REALLY need it, and if you can replace some of it with something reusable. Create a fun roleplay between you and the plastic items you can see in the break up video. Think about how you can tell plastic you don't want to continue the relationship anymore. (for ages 10+)

Reduce your plastic use very easily by changing habits like not using straws anymore or choosing a cone whenever you buy ice-cream. Reducing plastics doesn’t have to be inconvenient: Why not have a plastic-free spa day? (for all ages)

ACT + SHARE

Replace your plastic. Make plastic bags dispensable by making your own shopping bag from an old t-shirt with this tutorial. Try making one for your parents or friends to help them cut back on plastic, too. (for ages 8+)

Upcycle your plastics. Old plastic bottles don’t need to end up in the trash. Make your pencil holders, plant pots, reusable lunch bag or even build a musical instrument from stuff you would otherwise throw away. For inspiration, check out these people who use trash to make music and even built a sea-going ship out of old flipflops. (for all ages)

Invent a plan for your family to reduce your plastic food print. Check out this teacher’s experience to get some inspiration and then tell us about your ideas for the “Food-Waste Warrior” campaign by posting to #EarthSchool. (for ages 11+)

WANT MORE?

Watch: Learn more about great people and initiatives like zero-waste living Lauren Singer, plasticbank, and package-free supermarkets. (for ages 10+) 

Be inspired by amazing young environmental activists Melati and Isabel Wijsen who started the campaign to ban plastic bags in Bali. (for all ages)

Jump aboard a repurposed bamboo traditional fishing boat along with the Wijsen sisters and a group of activists as they circumnavigate Bali to bring awareness to marine plastic pollution and celebrate communities leading the clean up movement. (for all ages)

Read about the different ways living things are helping with plastic management, from the waxworm who eats plastic to the people helping the 22-year-old running from ocean to ocean for Clean Seas. (for ages 12+)

Take action to turn the tide on plastic by joining the #CleanSeas movement, Take the Clean Seas pledge and reduce your plastic footprint. (for ages 10+)

Become an Ocean Hero at this June’s virtual Bootcamp and take action against single-use plastics. (for all ages)

Submit your campaign concept to reduce plastic pollution and have the opportunity to earn grant funding while connecting with other youth leaders! See how other youths are making an impact today. Who knows, you might even end up founding a startup like The Plastic Tide! (for all ages)

This Earth School Quest was created by the following incredible educators and environmental experts:  Dr. Caroline Harth; Johanna Petrich; Danny Witte, Lonely Whale; and the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS Secretariat)