Changing the way we drink water
Established in 2016 by the Marine CoLABoration, #OneLess was set up as an experiment to turn the tide against single-use plastic within a complex urban setting.
Led in collaboration by four organisations: the Zoological Society of London, Forum for the Future, the International Programme on the State of the Ocean, and the Thames Estuary Partnership, #OneLess worked with businesses, policymakers, innovators and communities to spearhead a change in the way Londoners drink water – from single-use plastic water bottles, to refilling and reusing.
#OneLess is now a wider network achieving positive action every day. It will continue to grow in different ways as pioneering organisations spread their learnings and new approaches evolve for different parts of the globe.
The #OneLess approach
COLLABORATIVE
#OneLess is inclusive and collaborative. We place great emphasis on working with others, building powerful partnerships, and sharing what we learn.
SYSTEMIC
We use a holistic systems change approach to understand the problem and choose impactful activities and interventions.
VALUES-BASED
We believe that in order to properly protect the ocean, people need to develop an understanding and appreciation of the value it provides.
ACTION LEARNING
We place great emphasis on fostering a culture where monitoring, evaluation and learning is paramount and where best practice is shared.
The ocean plastic problem
The ocean supports all life on Earth and its health is inseparable from our own. It provides us with half the oxygen we breathe, supports the livelihoods of billions of people worldwide, and is home to nearly 200,000 identified species. Yet, it is currently under threat – from plastic pollution.