Our August workshop was about Plastic and how we as consumers can support reusables, become more aggressive in terms of legislation and activism and how we can put pressure on corporations to stop producing single-use plastic in the first place. Below are resources and links from our fantastic panelists.
Sanitation Foundation: SanitationFoundation.org
Instagram: @sanitationfoundation
Marti Richenstein: Co-chair of the Plastic Free Committee at 350 Brooklyn and Legislative Chair of Beyond Plastics
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act (BFFPPA)
House and Senate Bills:
Beyond Plastics article recapping the bill:
https://beyondplastics.org/article/the-break-free-from-plastic-pollution-act/
Letter: Ask Your Store to Bring Back Reusables & Refillables During Covid
https://beyondplastics.org/article/ask-your-store-to-bring-back-reusables-refillables-during-covid/
Straw Bill Actions
September 9th: Tweet-a-thon Day
Sample tweet:
Good to see @NYCSpeakerCoJo using a metal straw. Time to bring Councilmember @HelenRosenthal proposal for Straws by Request up for a vote. Time to end #singleuseplastic.
September 10th: Call Corey Johnson Day
Sample call script and phone number:
Phone Number: 212-788-7210 (legislative office)
"Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME]. I'm calling from [YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD] to urge the Speaker Johnson to please bring Council member Rosenthal’s Straws by Request bill to a vote. This would require that plastic straws only be handed out upon request and not automatically be given to people. This is important to me because I am very worried about our growing plastic pollution crisis which is threatening our oceans and wildlife and also all our health."
Thank the staffer for taking your call. They may ask you to provide your full address to verify that you are a constituent and also offer to put you on their email list - that's up to you.
Post on social media and tune in to the live Zoom Meeting on September 9th at 12pm EST, here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2499601931?pwd=citPRGJJb3NtRDg1TndoL1IvRHdhQT09
Dr. Anu Anandaraja: Founder of Covid Courage
Website: www.covidcourage.is
Twitter: @covidcourage
Instagram: @covidcourage.is
NY1 news piece about Reusable Respirator project: https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2020/08/10/public-advocate-jumaane-williams-calls-on-city-for-reusable-ppe
Info and letter to Gov Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio about Reusable Respirators: https://advocate.nyc.gov/press/public-advocate-medical-professionals-call-sustainable-reusable-ppe-strategy/
Brochure about Brooklyn Sustainable PPE project: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19sPRUhaV_jufJXeh3neE6c6pcHgvyBz2/view?usp=sharing
Google signup sheet to get on the Covid Courage email list to learn about outreach and future actions (like a tweet-a-thon!)
Covid Courage general email (which they check all the time): contact@covidcourage.is
100+ scientists release Covid safety report: https://www.greenpeace.org/international/press-release/43730/reusables-safety-covid-19-health-experts-statement/
Ben Kogan: Founder of Reusable Solutions
Deliver Zero (zero waste takeout): www.deliverzero.com *For 10% off your first 2 orders enter code: plasticfree10 at checkout
If your favorite restaurant isn't on Deliver Zero yet tag them here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEE38o3j72W/?igshid=k2ukdpoia3t
Save the Date: 9/30, Zero Waste Showcase co-hosted by Beyond Plastics: virtual event to highlight companies that are providing reusable solutions. Follow @reusable_solutionsnyc on Instagram for more details.
Sign the “We Want Reusables” Petition: www.change.org/wewantreusables
Other zero waste companies to check out:
Diaperkind (reusable cloth diapers): www.diaperkind.com/
CupZero (Reusable cups for bars, restaurants and events): www.cupzero.com/
Plaine Products (reusable personal care): www.plaineproducts.com/ *For 20% off enter 350BK at checkout (customer gets 20% off and 20% gets donated to 350 Brooklyn!).