Sustainable Sleuth FAQ

This Sustainable Sleuth activity is the first time TSC has piloted it in a public setting.
We looked at different types of poster boards, but none of the materials we reviewed were particularly sustainable.
For a bespoke, Chester-based event, a large investment in signage didn’t make sense.

We settled on laminated paper because we can reuse it in multiple ways — as dry-erase boards, table liners for messy workshops, or even for outdoor dining because of their waterproof qualities.

More sustainable laminates (like cellulose or cornstarch) do exist, but weren’t available for this event.

Creating waste is sometimes unavoidable - even at sustainability events!
But there’s a big difference between creating waste and assuming recycling will fix everything, versus thinking more critically and choosing the best long-term option.

In our case, it's about reusing what we've made. Perfect solutions aren’t always possible, but better decisions always are.

Yes - and it's more common than you might think.
According to the Canal & River Trust, 14 million plastic items end up in UK canals and waterways each year.

Plastic pollution harms wildlife, degrades water quality, and disrupts ecosystems.
It also affects people - including those living on canal boats - who rely on clean waterways.

Great question and this is the really big problem with plastic.

Great question - and a key part of the problem.
Plastic that’s been in the water can grow algae, which smells like food to birds and other animals.

Geese, turtles, fish, and even elephants have been found with stomachs full of plastic. Many animals mistake it for food or accidentally ingest it while foraging.

Animals shouldn't have to deal with our waste - and it's up to us to prevent it from entering their environment.

Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments, usually smaller than 5mm, that come from larger plastic items breaking down - like bottles, bags, or even synthetic clothing.

They’re small enough to pass through water systems, making them easy for animals to ingest - and they can end up in our food too.

Bioaccumulation is when harmful substances - like microplastics or chemicals - build up in an animal’s body over time. The more they eat, the worse it gets.

In our story, the goose eats plastic from the canal, which is a simple version of this.

(Bonus fact: When these substances increase as they move up the food chain, it’s called biomagnification.)

Recycling is great - but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
That’s why we talk about the 5Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle.

Recycling is actually the last step. The more we focus on the first four, the less we rely on recycling to fix things.

Wildlife might rummage through bins, but that waste came from us.
If we manage our food and packaging waste better - securely storing it, reducing it, and sorting it - it’s less likely to end up in nature.

We all play a role in preventing litter from reaching the environment.

Change starts with intention.
A pledge helps us pause, reflect, and commit - even in a small way - to doing better.

Whether it’s saying no to single-use plastics, picking up litter, or educating someone else, small acts add up.

Not at all!
It’s for everyone - families, school groups, curious adults, and anyone who wants to learn.
Sustainability is a team effort, and we need all ages involved.

This version was designed to appeal to a broad public audience, including families.

When we run activities for employees, they’re tailored to that audience - whether they work in warehouses, offices, shops, or something else.

The concept is the same - storytelling, interactive learning, and positive reinforcement - but the clues, messages, and tone are all adapted.

It’s a new, engaging way to bring sustainability to life in the workplace.