Conduct a #BreakFreeFromPlastic Brand Audit

By categorizing and counting the branded plastic packaging that you collect during a cleanup, you will help identify the corporations who are most responsible for plastic pollution in your local area.

Big brands have continued to push the narrative that community members are responsible for plastic pollution, but the brands that make and sell these hard to recycle single-use plastics should be held to a higher standard when producing them. 

Follow the steps provided on the Break Free From Plastic – Brand Audit Tool Kit website.  You will only earn hours for this action if the Brand Audit is conducted outside.

• ​Safety first: make sure you follow social distancing rules and wear a mask during your brand audit. We also recommend going with an adult and refrain from picking up anything dangerous or hazardous.
• Focus on plastic pollution that is easy to identify. For example, if you do an audit at a beach that has lots of microplastic pieces, you’ll find it is usually impossible to identify which brand they came from. For the brand audit, start by separating out the microplastics and any items that aren’t plastic. 
• We recommend bringing a reusable container to use for your collection/cleanup. We like using 5 gallon buckets. Also, try reusable, washable gloves instead of single use plastic ones. Have a tarp or old sheet ready to lay out all your plastics during the sorting and data collection phase. 
• You can do your brand audit on your street, in a nearby park, at the beach, etc. 

• Before you start,  watch the Brand Audit training video, print out the visual guide and the datasheet. Before you start sorting and categorizing your plastics, study the visual guide with everyone doing the Brand Audit so you understand the different categories.
• Remember, this exercise focuses only on plastic waste – so while you are free to pick up non-plastic waste during your cleanup, please record the brands of just the plastic items you find. 
• Take pictures of your Brand Audit and share on social media to spread the word and shift the narrative away from blaming consumers.
• If you need help with any part of your brand audit, reach out to the brand audit team for support! brandaudit@breakfreefromplastic.org

Submit 10 Action Hours for approval: Complete the form below.  

Complete your Brand Audit by submitting your data to the Brand Audit website where it will be incorporated into the global data set! 

Earn 2 extra hours!

Box up the branded items and send them back to the manufacturer. Include a letter to the company describing the purpose of your brand audit and urge them to #breakfreefromplastic!  Take a photo of the trash and the letter you are sending, and email them to wayfinder@algalita.org to earn your extra hours.