Plastic Free Cities empowers youth activists at South Florida schools to protect the ocean by working with local businesses to encourage the transition away from single-use plastic. Through advocacy training, outreach to businesses, and community clean-ups, Plastic Free Cities aims to engage upstream and prevent waste from flowing into our precious ocean.
In 2023, 57 students at four high schools earned 370 volunteer hours and increased their knowledge of plastic pollution by 40% and their understanding of sustainable business by 49% as well as increased their comfort with public speaking by 37%. As a result of this activism, Senator Rene Garcia announced a proclamation that recognized Plastic Free Cities for its contribution to making the community of Hialeah a safer and cleaner place to live, and Councilperson Bryan Calvo presented each of our graduates with a certificate of appreciation. Amazing!
We're so grateful to our partners Ocean Conservancy and Debris Free Oceans, in partnership with Miami-Dade County’s Plastic Free 305, for working with us to bring this program to life, to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for funding it, and to the incredible students who dedicate their time and effort to this important mission.
Learn more about program details on the blog and watch our conversation with Plastic Free Cities participants and mentors Alexia Lorie and Alejandro Gananza from earlier this year; these students also participated in our 2023 Sea Youth Rise Up program.
Want to work with plastic free cities?
Are you a student, teacher, business owner, or elected official in the City of Miami interested in working with Plastic Free Cities? We'd love to work with you in 2024! Click here to submit your interest and a member of our team will be in touch.
If you're not in the City of Miami, but want to learn how to bring Plastic Free Cities to your own community, neighborhood or school, download our FREE Plastic Free Cities Student Training Manual below.
Want a copy of our plastic free cities training manual?
Sign up here with your email address to access our Plastic Free Cities Training Manual, including tools and resources to help you take action to reduce plastic pollution in your community!
PFC student from Downtown Doral Charter Upper School, Angela Ucros, was interviewed on the Doral Voice to speak about the programs impact in Doral. Watch the interview below! (In Spanish/En Español)
