Community Partnerships

We already know many of the tactics and solutions we need to solve the plastic pollution crisis, but they require testing in real-world scenarios before they can scale.

Clean Blue Alliance is a methodology that turns our theory of systems change into action – delivering practical, on-the-ground demonstrations of circular economy solutions.

We run Clean Blue projects in Greece, the Maldives and Indonesia, where our local team works with partners to drive new policy, invest in the circular economy and embed a cultural shift in how communities make, use and dispose of plastic.

How it works

Investigate Intervene Influence

Investigate

Identify waste streams and leakage.

To solve a problem, we must first understand it. By building a complete picture of an island’s plastic ecosystem, we can identify the best levers for change and create the right foundations to monitor progress, measure impact and reinforce action.

For example, we explore how local people perceive plastic, how it ‘flows’ around a community, and which items are found where. We gather baseline data on marine, social and waste factors, and use Plastic Drawdown to provide further insight and identify key policy recommendations.

Intervene

Incubate and accelerate solutions.

Real solutions to plastic pollution don’t exist in isolation. By partnering with local stakeholders, we deliver creative, joined-up interventions that remove problem plastics from the economy and prevent plastic from becoming waste.

For example, we invest in local entrepreneurs to pilot new systems that phase out single-use plastics. We also connect with local waste management organisations to demonstrate new systems or optimise existing ones.

Influence

Replicate and scale best practice.

A successful solution is one that can scale. By testing and demonstrating the impact of our interventions, we help them attract support, inform government policy and rapidly scale.

For example, we invest in initiatives with the greatest potential, nurture their growth, track their impact and celebrate success. By shining a light on our impact, we can pinpoint effective policies and build confidence in implementing them. We also invest in education interventions to embed long-lasting change.

A successful solution is one that can scale. By testing and demonstrating the impact of our interventions, we help them attract support, inform government policy and rapidly scale.

For example, we invest in initiatives with the greatest potential, nurture their growth, track their impact and celebrate success. By shining a light on our impact, we can pinpoint effective policies and build confidence in implementing them. We also invest in education interventions to embed long-lasting change.

“Clean Blue Alliance is an exciting collaborative solution-led approach that engages top down and bottom up, combining research, policy, innovation and community action. The Municipality of Paros are proud partners on a journey with Common Seas to eliminate plastic waste from source to sea.”

Markos Koveos
Mayor of Paros Island

Related News

Learn about our other programmes

Learn about our resources

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about our upcoming programmes

academy icon arrow-down icon arrow-left icon arrow-next icon arrow-right icon black-arrow icon clean-blue-alliance icon close icon download icon drawdown icon facebook icon heart icon human-health icon instagram icon letter icon link icon linkedin icon logo-circle-only icon mail icon play icon reset icon search icon strapline icon tick icon translate icon twitter icon youtube icon