By Louise Kjeldsen, Carsten Stormer, Kate Godfrey, Carsten Stormer, Louise Kjeldsen and Kate Godfrey

Why plastic?

Plastic is a revolutionary material. It’s durable, affordable and has numerous applications. But what makes plastic so great has also pushed our planet to the brink of one of the worst environmental crises in modern history. WHY PLASTIC? consists of three powerful documentary films that, together, will put plastic in its rightful place as part of the unfolding climate crisis and as an issue that needs to be resolved if we are serious about working towards environmental justice. The films will cover different aspects of plastic pollution, namely health, recycling and the plastics industry: We the Guinea Pigs: The greatest biological experiment in the history of mankind The Recycling Myth: What really happens to our plastic waste once we put it in the recycling bin? Coca-Cola’s Plastic Problem: Is the world’s largest soft drinks producer really ready to turn the tide on plastic waste? The three films can be viewed separately or as part of a whole. Together, they provide the most holistic, yet in-depth overview of plastic pollution so far. The three films can be viewed separately or as part of a whole. Together, they provide the most holistic, yet in-depth overview of plastic pollution so far.

Sections : Impact Days, Impact Days

Country : Denmark, Germany, Philippines, United States, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Türkiye, Uganda, Samoa

Original language : English

Directors

Louise Kjeldsen
Carsten Stormer
Kate Godfrey
Carsten Stormer (Germany)
Louise Kjeldsen (Denmark)
Kate Godfrey (United States)

Producers

Mette Heide
Tristan Chytroscheck
Alan Hayling
Mette Hoffmann Meyer
Tristan Chytroscheck (Germany)
Mette Heide (Denmark)
Alan Hayling (United Kingdom)
The Why Foundation
Plus Pictures
a&o buero
Renegade Pictures

Completion

September 2021

Impact Statement

This initiative focuses on educating viewers about plastic pollution through film screenings and debates with expert partners. The goal is to inspire both individual and collective action. Viewers are encouraged to share their knowledge via social media, and at their educational or work settings, using provided materials like trailers, factsheets, and a dedicated landing page. Additionally, organizing local screenings and discussions is encouraged to broaden the conversation about plastic pollution and solutions. The initiative also urges viewers to change their consumption, investment, recycling, and disposal habits, and to petition lawmakers for environmental changes, supported by partner organizations.

Through screenings and debates, the initiative aims to educate viewers on plastic pollution, encouraging them to share knowledge via social media, organize local events, and adopt sustainable behaviors. It also motivates them to petition lawmakers for change, with support from partner organizations.

Impact Goals

To inspire the audience to participate in a public, factual debate around the systemic plastic problems the world is facing.
To make the audience more knowledgeable about the multiple impacts of our plastic society and our plastic lifestyle.
To empower the audience to demand accountability and increased transparency from actors on all levels (political, corporate, as well as individual).
To encourage the audience to join organisations working on plastic and environmental issues.

Impact Strategy

Have a joint launch of the series with all participating broadcasters, using this moment in time to initiate a debate about plastic pollution with international reach.
Design and launch a campaign website, which will act as a knowledge base and first point of contact for those who are interested in the campaign.
Tap into and facilitate the online discussion about plastic pollution, promoting the use of the hashtag #whyplastic.
Initiate a Nordic Network of youth organisations working on sustainability issues to strengthen young people’s voice on the matter.
Identify and partner with grassroot organisations with a strong alignment to our cause and expert knowledge on local plastic issues.
Identify, partner and co-brand with global NGOs with a wide reach.
Organise screenings (online as well as physical) both in collaboration with grassroots organisations and global NGOs, as well as ourselves.
Create and distribute guides and toolkits to be used by organisations and/or individuals who want to host their own screenings.

Contact

Primary contact

Martin Lange: martin@thewhy.dk

Participant present at the Impact Days

Kajsa Rosenblad

Existing Partners

NGOs / Organisations
Plastic Change
Break Free From Plastic
MarinePlastic

Funders
DANIDA (Danish Development Agency)
Nordic Culture Point
Wisti Fonden
EBU

Festivals / Programs
Odense Film Festival

Broadcasters
BBC, DR, SVT, NRK, NHK, CBC, ARD,
ARTE/ZDF, SRF/RTS/RSI, EBU

Distributors / Promoters
The Nordic Network

Youth organisations
SEEDS
Navotas
Changemakers
SDG Student Ambassadors
CBS Climate Club