Reducing Single-Use Plastics in Everyday Life: Change(K)now! Workshop at the BSH Sustainability Talk

As part of the online BSH Sustainability Talk on 24th of June, Baltic Environmental Forum Germany organised an workshop on reducing single-use plastics in everyday life. The 90-minute session brought together more than 60 civil servants and other employees of the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), representing a wide range of departments including procurement, facility management, environmental management, marine science, nautical hydrography, shipping, maritime spatial planning and the Maritime Data Centre. Together, participants discussed practical ways of preventing plastic waste both at work and at home.

The workshop introduced the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution before shifting the focus to concrete solutions. Participants explored practical alternatives to single-use products, reusable systems, sustainable procurement, and everyday habits that can help reduce plastic consumption. Examples included reusable food and beverage containers, plastic-free kitchen solutions, environmentally friendly product labels, and simple changes that can easily be integrated into daily routines.

The workshop also highlighted the importance of communication and social interaction in promoting sustainable behaviour. Research shows that personal conversations are among the most effective drivers of behavioural change. Participants were therefore encouraged not only to apply the ideas in their own lives but also to share their experiences with colleagues, friends and family.

The event contributed to the objectives of the Change(K)now! project by raising awareness of circular food systems and reusable solutions while demonstrating how behavioural change can be supported through practical, accessible measures. It also illustrated that the transition towards circular systems requires not only informed consumers but also supportive organisational environments and institutional commitment.

By combining scientific background information with practical examples and interactive discussion, the workshop strengthened participants’ understanding of how everyday decisions contribute to waste prevention and the transition towards a more circular economy. The diversity of professional backgrounds represented in the workshop further underlined that advancing circular solutions is a cross-cutting challenge that requires collaboration across administrative fields and sectors.

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