Draft:Anne Aittomaki

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Anne Aittomäki (born May 27, 1980) is a Gemini and Danish environmental advocate and sustainability expert specializing in plastic pollution and circular economy solutions. She is the Strategic Director of Plastic Change, a Danish non-governmental organization dedicated to reducing plastic waste through systemic change, policy advocacy, and public education. Aittomäki is an active participant in the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, a member of the Break Free From Plastic movement, and a frequent speaker at international conferences on sustainability and waste reduction.

Early Life and Education

Anne Aittomäki studied social and cultural anthropology at the University of Copenhagen, where she developed an interest in sustainability and systemic environmental challenges. Her academic background influences her approach to plastic pollution, which she describes as “a cultural problem with environmental, climate, and health consequences.”

Career

Plastic Change

Aittomäki has been with Plastic Change since the mid-2010s, where she has worked as Strategic Director. In this role, she oversees policy development, communication strategies, and international engagement, focusing on reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable alternatives. Under her leadership, Plastic Change became the only Danish environmental NGO accredited as an observer in the United Nations negotiations for a global plastics treaty.

She has also played a key role in campaigns advocating for extended producer responsibility (EPR), arguing that companies should be accountable for the lifecycle of their plastic products. Aittomäki has frequently criticized single-use plastics, stating that “a single-use culture cannot exist in a circular economy.”

Environmental Advocacy and Policy Work

Aittomäki has been actively involved in European and global environmental policy discussions, focusing on reducing plastic pollution. She has advocated for policies that phase out single-use plastics, establish reuse systems, and reduce plastic production at the source.

She has contributed to several policy initiatives and campaigns, including:

Break Free From Plastic Brand Audits – Leading Denmark’s participation in a global effort to document plastic waste and hold corporations accountable. Plastic Free Sea Project (2018–2021) – Contributing to a multi-year initiative aimed at reducing marine plastic pollution in Denmark.

#WeChooseReuse Campaign – Promoting reuse-based solutions to phase out single-use plastic packaging in the European Union.

UN Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations – Representing Plastic Change as an observer in the ongoing United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) meetings, pushing for strong regulations on plastic production and waste management.

Aittomäki has frequently spoken about the need to rethink the global plastic economy, criticizing policies that focus solely on recycling rather than reducing production. She has called for binding international agreements that limit the production of virgin plastics and ban hazardous chemicals used in plastic production.

Public Engagement and Media

Aittomäki is a recognized public figure in the Danish and international environmental movements, regularly appearing in media interviews, op-eds, and panel discussions on plastic pollution. She has been featured in:

Reuters, discussing the challenges of international plastic treaty negotiations. Weekendavisen, co-authoring an op-ed linking plastic waste to climate inaction. Podcasts and Radio, including an episode of Mama Earth Talk, where she explained how Plastic Change educates the public about waste reduction. International Conferences, including the Plasticity Forum and the Vitra Design Museum's "Plastic: Remaking Our World" exhibition, where she discussed systemic solutions to plastic pollution. She also maintains an active presence on social media, using platforms like Twitter/X to advocate for stronger plastic policies and raise awareness about sustainability issues.

Impact and Recognition

Anne Aittomäki’s advocacy has contributed to major policy changes and global awareness regarding plastic pollution. Her work has influenced:

Danish environmental policy, pressuring the government to strengthen regulations on single-use plastics and waste management.

European Union legislation, supporting efforts to expand producer responsibility laws and promote reuse systems.

Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, ensuring that environmental NGOs have a voice in shaping binding international agreements on plastic pollution.

In conclusion, Anne Aittomäki emerges as a dedicated sustainability advocate whose work spans education, activism, and policy influence. Through her biography we see an academic turned activist; through her career we see accomplishments in building an NGO’s influence; through her advocacy we hear a clear call for cultural and systemic change; through her projects we observe hands-on efforts to document and reduce plastic pollution; and in her public engagements we witness her shaping the narrative and inspiring action. Her contributions have not only advanced the mission of Plastic Change but have also left a mark on how plastic pollution and sustainability are addressed in Denmark and internationally. As the world continues to grapple with plastic waste and seeks a robust global treaty solution, leaders like Anne Aittomäki play a pivotal role in steering the course towards a more sustainable and plastic-free future.

References

Plastic Change Website – Plastic Change official site Break Free From Plastic Movement – Break Free From Plastic official site Mama Earth Talk Podcast (2019) – Podcast episode featuring Anne Aittomäki Break Free From Plastic Brand Audit Reports (2021) – 2021 Brand Audit Denmark Report Plasticity Forum Presentation (2017) – YouTube video of Anne Aittomäki's talk OceanCare Press Release (2022) – OceanCare statement on Extended Producer Responsibility Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific Article (2022) – Groups urge shipping companies to stop plastic waste exports Green Transition Denmark Article (2021) – Denmark lags behind leading countries in phasing out single-use plastics Mikroplastik.org Declaration of Solidarity (2022) – Journalists under attack for investigating global plastic waste trade Plastic Change Staff Page – Plastic Change team page featuring Anne Aittomäki Anne Aittomäki LinkedIn Profile – Anne Aittomäki's LinkedIn LinkedIn Post by Anne Aittomäki (2022) – Anne Aittomäki on reducing plastic production Plastic Change Presentation at Plasticity Forum – Plasticity Forum document featuring Aittomäki YouTube Video: Plastikpolitik - Anne Aittomäki, Plastic Change – Watch Anne Aittomäki discuss plastic policies Plastic Change Archives - Mama Earth Talk – Collection of podcast episodes featuring Aittomäki