Words by Smiley Team
Comic Relief has revealed its first ever 100% plastic-free, plant-based Red Nose, which will launch early next year for Red Nose Day 2021.
Comic Relief and its long-standing partner, Sainsbury’s, have created the new Red Nose from bagasse, a natural by-product of sugarcane, chosen for its widely celebrated sustainable qualities.
The new Nose has taken over 18 months to develop, following extensive research and testing into suitable plastic free alternative materials. In keeping with the environmentally friendly theme, the Noses will be available in 10 different characters representing the great outdoors for the public to collect, including a squirrel, fox, badger and more.
Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s had been researching more sustainable materials for some time, when in early 2019, the charity received letters and emails from hundreds of school children from across the country, asking them to create a plastic-free Nose to help reduce single-use plastic waste and protect the environment. Hearing their voices encouraged the charity to step up a gear with their sustainability plans.
One school, Fourlanesend Community Primary School in Cornwall, received the backing of Sir David Attenborough when they wrote to him and shared their alternative Red Nose suggestion. Sir David sent them a handwritten letter which said, “you are perfectly correct to revise the question of replacing plastic products wherever we can, and I hope you get an adequate answer from Comic Relief."
As part of the announcement, pupils aged between five and 10 from the school, will be given an exclusive first look at the new Noses and thanked for their environmental ideas and letters. They met with a virtual panel of guests including Comic Relief co-founder, Richard Curtis, environmental broadcaster, Liz Bonnin, and host TV presenter, Ore Oduba, to discuss their views on the new Nose, why reducing single-use plastic waste is important and further steps we can all take.
“I’m extremely pleased that we have created the first plastic-free nose for Red Nose Day 2021 – it is amazing what you can create from a sugar cane product." Richard Curtis, Comic Relief co-founder, said "Our new Nose marks a strong step on our sustainability journey. We are committed to designing a more sustainable Nose every year, while continuing to make them attractive and fun, and recognise we still have a lot of work to do in creating the perfect model.
“But this journey is an exciting one and we thank all the children and supporters who let us know they wanted a plastic free option. I’m delighted to give the environmental champion pupils at Fourlanesend Community Primary School the first look at the new Noses. Children are at the heart of our Red Nose Day campaign and their opinions are really important to us. The work we support at Comic Relief is more important than ever in the face of COVID-19 - so let’s hope we sell a lot of Noses and continue to help to changes a lot of lives at home and abroad."
Lauren, a pupil, aged nine, at Fourlanesend Community Primary School, said: “We’re very excited and happy to be taking part in the conference. We’re such a small school, but despite that, we’ve been able to do something that is going to make a really big difference to the world we live in.
“Here at school, and in our local community we are very passionate about reducing our use of plastic, so it’s a really good feeling knowing that what we’ve done has encouraged Comic Relief to create a plastic-free Nose. We were all so excited when we heard the news; it’s something each and everyone one of us will always remember and be very proud of."
The Red Nose first launched in 1988 when Comic Relief founders, Sir Lenny Henry and Richard Curtis, wanted to create a symbol for the charity and it’s first event. Thirty-two years later, the Red Nose has raised over £70million for good causes, helping to change countless lives in the UK and all over the world.
Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s are committed to developing the material of the Nose year on year, with the goal being to create a Nose that is compostable at home in the near future. Comic Relief also announces Red Nose Day returning to its annual format from next year. The Sport Relief campaign, which until today would run biannual alongside Red Nose Day, will continue to be one of Comic Relief’s major fundraising campaigns but in a different way that aligns with relevant sporting moments throughout the year.
Ruth Davison, Chief Executive of Comic Relief said: “Reducing single-use plastic is vitally important and Comic Relief is firmly committed to playing our part. Our Red Noses are very popular, and we have been determined to create a more sustainable plastic-free version for everyone to enjoy. We know that making small changes can make a big environmental difference and I’m so pleased that school pupils across the UK have championed our decision to ditch plastic and deliver a ‘greener’ Red Nose!"
For highlights from the school conference and more information, including how to be one of the first to get your hands on a new Nose, visit comicrelief.com/nose(opens in new window)
Red Nose Day will be back on Friday 19th March 2021 and will aim to bring the UK together to show just how powerful humour can be through the toughest of times. It has never felt more important to raise smiles and money for those who are struggling more than ever, as the continued impact of COVID-19 brings unprecedented challenges to many.
To find out more about how you can get involved head to https://www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday, or follow @ComicRelief on social media for the latest Red Nose Day content, news and information.
