The Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation (IFCF) and its charity partner Surfers Against Sewage were delighted to host the UK’s first Plastic Free Awards in Bristol on 22 November, honouring and celebrating the remarkable campaigners, entrepreneurs, community volunteers, youth activists and influencers who are playing leading roles in the fight against plastic pollution.
The 12 award categories, which included ‘Best Plastic Campaign’, ‘Plastic-Free Hero’ and ‘Youth Plastic Pioneer’ were judged by a panel including Autumn Watch presenter Gillian Burke, author and broadcaster Lucy Siegle, multi-gold-medallist Olympian Helen Glover, and Iceland MD Richard Walker.
Winners included Youth Plastic Pioneers Ella and Caitlin McEwan, who successfully petitioned for the removal of plastic toys from fast food kids’ meals; Sports Champion Lewis Pugh, United Nations Patron of the Ocean; Iceland’s own #TooCoolForPlastic Champion Matt Downes, for his tireless work on our reverse vending machines trial; and overall winner Sir David Attenborough, who received the Sir Malcolm Walker Award for his unparalleled work in raising public awareness of ocean plastic pollution and persuading the world to take action.
Iceland Foods Managing Director, IFCF Trustee and Plastic Free Awards judge Richard Walker said: “It was a fantastic night celebrating so many talented and committed environmentalists! Well done to all the winners, and to everyone who entered the Plastic Free Awards. We are thrilled to have helped establish these awards to highlight the great work that is being done by so many to tackle the scourge of single-use plastic. We are making progress and invite everyone to play their part in protecting the planet from plastic pollution.”
See a list of the winners here.
