My Little Plastic Footprint is an app that educates users about their plastic footprint and helps them reduce their plastic consumption through statistics, challenges and stories. The app was developed by The Plastic Soup Foundation, an NGO working to ensure no plastic enters water bodies and its partners – EA, Smäll and the Ocean Recovery Alliance.

Plastic is ubiquitous and only 9% is ever recycled. Of all the plastic in use every day, 50%  are thrown within 20 minutes. Out of all the plastic that ends up in the water, 94% will eventually sink to the bottom of the sea, where it ends up eaten by plankton, fish and other animals. According to the Ellen Mc Arthur Foundation, there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish by 2050. The app helps users beat plastic pollution by educating them about the issue and guiding them to eliminate plastic use. 

While there are apps that allow users to track their plastic usage, the My Little Plastic Footprint goes a step further. It encourages users to go zero-waste and helps them track their progress over time.  The app launched its test version at the Ocean Summit during the Volvo Ocean Race in Alicante, Spain, in October 2017. After a few improvements, the launch of the app took place in Nairobi, Kenya, during the United Nations Environment Assembly in December 2017.

The app is interactive and has three sections: Discover, Footprint, and Inspire. 

• The Discover section is a game that allows users to test their knowledge of plastics. 
• The Footprint section allows users to calculate their plastic footprint and helps them reduce the use of plastics from their day-to-day lives by inviting them to join pledges. 
• The Inspire section shares stories of “Ocean Heroes” such as DJs and star athletes who are working to keep the ocean clean and free of plastics. This section also lets users inspire their friends to join the cause.

The app has both Android and iOS versions and is available for free download. The app is a handy guide and companion for anyone looking to learn about and reduce their plastic footprint.