Aliyah's Climate Campaign

Climate Campaign Aims are Not Plastic

A teenager is leading a campaign to reduce the use of single use plastics in her hometown and save money at the same time.

“With my container in hand, I gave him my regular order and explained to him why I brought in my own tub. I asked if I could have some money off to which he gave me 50p off the food order.”

17-year-old student, Aliyah Bangi, is asking youngsters to take in reusable food containers to local takeaways rather than accept their takeaway delicacies in single use plastic polystyrene containers provided by some food outlets.

“Worldwide, 73 percent of beach litter is plastic bottles, bottle caps, food wrappers and polystyrene containers. It’s common for takeaways and small businesses to package their food in these cheap and efficient containers,” says St. Wilfrid’s student Aliyah.

“Blackburn is bustling with small family favourite takeaways, that offer good and affordable food. This is what makes them so loved. But their polystyrene containers end up polluting beaches and landfills. They also make their way to our vast oceans which is particularly harmful to marine organisms. It’s estimated that plastic lasts from around 450 years to forever and are single use to their inability to be recycled.”

Polystyrene containers are just another of a long list of harmful single use plastics, yet our love for takeaway food means more are sold and produced every day contributing to the global climate crisis even further.  

“At first the idea didn’t seem too nerve wracking but as I got to the until I became more nervous. I questioned how I would present my campaign to the manager and if he would just laugh at me,” said Aliyah.

“With my container in hand, I gave him my regular order and explained to him why I brought in my own tub. I asked if I could have some money off to which he gave me 50p off the food order. Though at first, I was nervous to present my campaign to him the result of walking back with my container of discounted food had me feeling empowered. When I got back to Sixth Form, I noticed my peers looking at my packed food, questioning why it was in a reusable container to whom I explained my campaign to. They were surprised and wanted to go to the same takeaway with their own reusable containers. 

“The most rewarding part was that there was no cost or inconvenience to bringing my own container, yet it prevented one less piece of single use plastic of ending up in the landfill.”

Aliyah is now working as a lead with the West End Girls (WEGs) group, to encourage them to take part in her campaign. 

“Climate change is a real issue, and it is our moral duty to look after the earth. Though the campaign involves the entice of discounted food, I realised how easy it is for me to do my own part in tackling the issue of plastic pollution as it took nothing of me to bring my own container. It’s the small impactful changes which make a great difference.”

Other takeaways are now coming on board the campaign with Sultan Shawarma on King Street also agreeing to reduce the bill by at least 50p if the customer brings their own containers.

“I would urge all takeaways and other fast-food outlets to offer a reduction on their meals if customers bring in their own containers. Do your bit to reverse climate change,” says Aliyah.