Pro bono client Everyday Plastic launches collaboration with Greenpeace UK

Are you aware of how much plastic is passing through your home? Do you know what happens to it? These are the exact questions which our pro bono client Everyday Plastic have been asking, with their recent launch of a partnership with Greenpeace UK to create the UK’s biggest nationwide investigation into household plastic waste. The social enterprise is working to uncover the truth about what happens to our plastic waste through “The Big Plastic Count” – a week in May when they want the nation to come together to count their plastic waste. Everyday Plastic hope the evidence gathered will help them convince the government, big brands and supermarkets to take ambitious action on plastic packaging. 

The initial connection with Everyday Plastic came via Robert Avis, Counsel at Charles Russell Speechlys, who advises Everyday Plastic’s board and who introduced them to our Pro Bono team to discuss the ways in which the wider firm might be able to assist. Initially, Daniel Webb, Founder at Everyday Plastic was connected with David Berry, Partner and General Counsel, and Bella Henry, Trainee, to assist with reviewing confidentiality agreements as well as a Joint Venture Agreement. From there, employment advice was provided by Senior Associate, Clare Davis, and Trainee, Laurence Whymark, to help Everyday Plastic develop template employment contracts and policies as their small team began to grow. As discussions progressed with Greenpeace UK on “The Big Plastic Count”, our Corporate team worked closely with Everyday Plastic to finalise the project’s collaboration agreement, led by Samuel Milne and Tertius Alberts.

Speaking on his work with Everyday Plastic, Samuel Milne outlined “Dan is doing incredible work at Everyday Plastic and when we had the opportunity to support their collaboration with Greenpeace UK, I was excited to be involved. “The Big Plastic Count” is an innovative project tackling the reality of plastic packaging in our everyday lives. It was great to be able to support their work by helping to produce and finalise the collaboration agreement which forms the basis of this new project”. 

Commenting on the pro bono work carried out, Founder and Director of Everyday Plastic, Daniel Webb outlined “Everyday Plastic is a small non-profit, so working with a huge organisation such as Greenpeace UK on The Big Plastic Count is both exciting and overwhelming. The collaboration has enabled our organisation to take a big step and we really couldn’t have done this without such diligent and considered pro bono advice from the team at Charles Russell Speechlys. From employment contracts to NDAs, I’ve received invaluable support throughout the firm. Samuel Milne, in particular, has been instrumental in translating the somewhat complex nature of the project into a clear and robust agreement. A huge thank you to all who have helped Everyday Plastic through this important stage of growth.”

Find out more on the work of Everyday Plastic and how to take part in “The Big Plastic Count” here. If you are interested in hearing more on our Pro Bono practice or to find out how you can get involved, please contact Sarah Farrelly.