We often find ourselves wearing multiple hats in our work - and this project is a pretty good example of that. As co-founder of Plastic Free Jersey, Linzi works alongside Sheena Brockie to address the challenges of plastic pollution on island as well as helping people connect the dots between plastic & climate change (hello fossil fuel industry).

This campaign saw Plastic Free Jersey collaborating with Butterfield Bank to create an education programme for local primary schools focusing on ocean advocacy.

Working in partnership with Plastic Free Communities in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney, Butterfield wanted to help to educate primary school children in the Islands about what it means to be an ocean advocate and how single use plastic is negatively impacting the ocean.

We designed the Butterfield Junior Ocean Advocate programme to reach younger students in an engaging way using both storytelling & play. Every primary school across the Channel Islands received a pack with teaching resources, a copy of ‘Somebody Swallowed Stanley’ a children’s book about plastic pollution and a soft toy, Darla the Dolphin.

Each child will become a Butterfield Junior Ocean Advocate and have the opportunity to take home a cuddly dolphin called Darla to look after for a week. But behind the cute, soft exterior lies the sad reality that Darla’s insides are crammed with indigestible plastic items. Initially designed for Sea Shepherd, the toy sparks good conversations at home about single use plastic and helps young children understand the reality of our throwaway culture.

Richard Saunders, Butterfield’s Managing Director, Channel Islands, said: “As an island-based financial services company, the economies and daily life in our communities are tied to the ocean. As such, we are dedicated to assisting with the preservation and improvement of island and maritime ecosystems and supporting the communities we call home. We are delighted to partner with our local Plastic Free Communities on this excellent school initiative, which will help educate pupils on the importance of safeguarding our ocean early on, so they can become the environmental leaders of the future.”