A powerful partnership for change
Thirteen years ago a visionary partnership between FEE and the Mars Wrigley Foundation launched a project that would have lasting effects around the globe; LitterLess. What began as a response to FEE’s members and their schools regarding the growing litter crisis, evolved into something far greater- a campaign placing young people at the center of community action to tackle litter and waste on a global scale.
Through FEE’s Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programmes, the campaign empowered young people to lead clean-up initiatives, educate their peers, influence local stakeholders, and advocate for policy change. Its influence extended far beyond the classroom and affected households, schools, communities, and even national policy. LitterLess became a movement that touched hearts, transformed mindsets and mobilised millions.
Legacy of learning and leadership
Across 35 countries, in more than 14,000 schools and through the collective voices of over 7.4 million Eco-Committees members and Young Reporters, the LitterLess campaign helped a new generation to clean up our planet. But this partnership has not just been about the data, it’s also about the individual stories of success it has inspired. It's about the diverse communities in Leicester, England who came together to stop traffic and chant in unison ‘LitterLess’ in a call to raise community action against waste. It’s about the 10th grade students in Bahrain who campaigned about the dangers of e-waste and visited the Bahraini Supreme Council for the Environment. It's about upcycling fashion shows in Australia, crocheting plastic in Kenyan schools, recycled puppet shows in Indian, community gardens in Croatia and much more.
The LitterLess campaign’s impact is both deep and far-reaching. By combining environmental education with action-based learning, LitterLess gave rise to a generation of informed, motivated, and responsible citizens. Students explored real-world issues through citizen science, creative journalism, and hands-on projects while developing the tools to make a lasting difference.
From winning national competitions to changing local waste management practices, the legacy of LitterLess is one of youth-led transformation. It serves as proof that when young people are given the tools and support to act, they can shape the future of their communities and the planet. When you invest in young people from the FEE network; not just as future leaders but as present-day advocates for change, your support makes a real impact.
Looking ahead: Join with us
As we celebrate the conclusion of the remarkable LitterLess campaign, FEE expresses heartfelt gratitude to the Mars Wrigley Foundation for their long-standing commitment and vision. This collaboration has shown how strategic, cross-sector partnerships can deliver scalable, sustainable, and measurable results in environmental education.
Now, FEE is looking to the future and to new partners ready to co-create more impactful initiatives. Our global network spans 85 countries, our programmes are grounded in decades of evidence-based learning and our mission is clear- to empower young people to create a more sustainable world. FEE is ideally positioned to develop and deliver meaningful, mission-aligned projects with corporate, NGO, and institutional partners.
We are now seeking partners, visionaries and philanthropists who believe in:
Environmental sustainability
Youth empowerment
Education for change
If your organisation is looking to leave a legacy like LitterLess then we invite you to talk with us. It’s only through meaningful and genuine partnerships that we can help every young person have a chance to shape how our world looks in the future …we invite you to connect with us.
Let’s explore how we can work together to build a more sustainable world. 📩 Get in touch with Lee Wray-Davies, Director of Education, lee@fee.global. We looking forward to hearing from you!