Girl Guides vow to cut plastic consumption in UK’s largest female-led climate campaign

Commitments include using reusable water bottles and avoiding disposable cutlery

(Getty Images)

Roughly half a million children from girlguiding groups in the UK have pledged to cut their consumption of single-use plastic.

As part of the “Plastic Promise” those in groups such as Rainbows, Brownies and Girl Guides will choose from a list of environmentally-friendly commitments, including using a reusable water bottle, refraining from using cling film or disposable cutlery for school lunches, or campaigning to reduce plastic waste.

Members who sign up to the pledge via the Plastic Promise website will earn a digital plastic promise badge.

Leaders of girlguiding groups are also being encouraged to lead pack meetings that have themes surrounding plastic pollution, meaning any projects children work on during the meeting will have that focus.

The move comes after the Girlguiding’s Girls’ Attitudes Survey found that 86 per cent of women aged 11-21 think young people should be more active in conversations about the environment.

Angela Salt, chief executive of Girlguiding UK, told The Times: “Plastic pollution is a defining issue of our time. It has mobilised girls and young women in Girlguiding because they’re worried about their future. If each of [our] girls and volunteers in Girlguiding makes a plastic promise – nearly half a million people – we can make a big impact as a powerful force for change.

“Girlguiding is here to support girls to make a difference for their future.”