For millions across the globe, Google local business listings influence our decisions on places to visit. It is essential for both businesses and consumers.

In this decade of Climate Action, simple addition can propel local businesses to adopt sustainable practices and build a stronger movement towards responsible consumption and production.

Over 8 million tonnes of plastic waste enters the ocean every year, equivalent to a full garbage truck every second! Much of that waste is single-use plastic items like bags, bottles, straws, cutlery, food packaging.

Single-use plastic items are used on average for less than 10 minutes and last a lifetime. Plastics can take 500-1000 years to degrade and release toxic chemicals, some of which can cause severe human health problems. They never completely break down, turning into millions of microplastics, which end up in our land and waterways, being ingested by marine wildlife and finally in our food chain!

People are generally more aware of how harmful single-use plastics are and their devastating and lasting impacts on the environment. Research now shows that a third of consumers choose to buy from businesses they believe are doing social or environmental good. Click Here

This is an appeal to Google to make an announcement before Earth Day April 22nd, 2024 (theme for which is Planet vs. Plastic) to include an icon in Google Business Listing for "Single-Use Plastic-Free". It helps consumers make informed decisions while choosing the places they visit. (Most relevant for food outlets) 

We hope this will also encourage Businesses to attract conscious consumers by the pledge to go single-use plastic-free. They can add the icons to their listing.

Visitors can review the listing to verify the claim, and accordingly, based on a specific score, the icon status may change for the listing. 

Please sign and share this petition if you believe this simple idea could be a step forward towards strengthening the movement towards a more responsible consumption and production.