New PLASTICFREE FOREVER program offers design students free access to sustainable solutions platform

A new initiative aimed at supporting design students in addressing plastic pollution has been launched. The PLASTICFREE FOREVER programme will provide 250 students with free lifetime access to a platform designed to facilitate innovation in plastic-free materials.

The initiative is backed by PlasticFree, a solutions-driven platform focused on eliminating plastic in product design, and is supported by the impact fund Ancestors of Tomorrow. Select students will gain access from April 5, with applications now open.

PlasticFree connects designers and brands with materials and case studies that promote regenerative alternatives to plastic. The programme seeks to move beyond raising awareness by offering actionable insights and direct connections to material providers.

Addressing the global plastic crisis

Plastic production exceeds 500 million metric tonnes annually, with over 16,000 chemicals identified in plastic products, more than 4,000 of which pose risks to human health and the environment.

With stricter regulations on plastic pollution being implemented worldwide, businesses could face up to a $100 billion financial risk per year by 2040 if they fail to adapt. The PLASTICFREE FOREVER project aims to prepare the next generation of designers to develop alternatives and transition towards sustainable business models.

Discussing the programme’s objectives, Sian Sutherland, Co-Founder of PlasticFree & A Plastic Planet, said:

"Plastic has become a toxic default for a business model predicated on ecological degradation. With the PLASTICFREE FOREVER programme, we want to empower students to be design leaders in the post-plastic revolution, challenging the traditional 'take, make, waste' attitude. Creatives are on the frontline of this battle to transition to a model of business that works with nature and not against."

Launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2023, PlasticFree operates across 23 countries and has become a key resource for designers and brands looking to eliminate plastic use at the source. Its advisory board includes prominent industry figures such as Design Council Chief Design Officer Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino, Eden Project co-founder Sir Tim Smit, Thomas Heatherwick, and Sir David Chipperfield.

The initiative offers students access to a curated library of plastic-free materials, alongside case studies and educational resources on regenerative design.

Highlighting the role of design in material innovation, Ben Parker, Co-founder of Made Thought, stated:

"Design is not just about aesthetics; it's about reimagining our relationship with materials. Every sketch, every prototype is an opportunity to design out plastic and design in a regenerative future. This platform doesn't just provide tools—it provides a pathway for the most critical design challenge of our generation."