#OneLess has played a significant role in policy advocacy for the reduction of unnecessary plastic waste in London, resulting in a commitment from the Mayor to reduce single-use plastic at source in the city.
#OneLess has influenced policy both in London and nationally
to create long-lasting change to reduce plastic pollution
and improve the health of our ocean.
A joint statement to the Mayor of London
The London mayoral elections took place in May 2021, offering a vital opportunity for new commitments to be made, and action to follow, to help eliminate single-use plastic water bottles in London. #OneLess teamed up with 40 sector-leading organisations including Shaftesbury, the Tate, King’s College London and Selfridges to ask the Mayor of London to protect our streets, our river, and our ocean from unnecessary and harmful plastic pollution.
A new network of drinking fountains for London
In 2018, #OneLess partnered with the Mayor’s office and MIW Water Cooler Experts to install London’s first modern day network of drinking fountains. The success of this initiative then catalysed a £5 million investment from London’s Mayor and Thames Water to install 100+ further fountains in the city.
London Assembly Response
#OneLess successfully provided evidence and recommendations to relevant enquiries launched by the Environment Audit Committee. In 2017 this resulted in the London Assembly Environment Committee releasing a report on plastic bottles and calling on the government for more action.
A message for world leaders
On World Ocean Day, #OneLess launched a new experiment to help scientists understand how plastic bottles move across the ocean’s surface. Bottles fitted with GPS trackers were released at various points along the south coast of the UK.
UN Ocean Conference champions refilling in New York
#OneLess teamed up with the United Nations Environment Programme, Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Ocean Conservancy to take the #OneLess movement, and its refill culture, to the first-ever UN Ocean Conference in New York, discouraging participants from bringing single-use plastic water bottles into the venue (the UN Headquarters), and championing a refill culture.
Plastic Free Parliament
In 2018, #OneLess teamed up with Surfers Against Sewage to urge MPs to lead by example and rid Parliament of single-use plastic. The campaign was a huge success and led to the parliamentary estate committing to the elimination of single-use plastics.