The SNG Environment Committee wants to help you reduce plastic use and pollution. One good step is to join the Plastic-Free Challenge, a local program during the month of February. The Plastic-Free Challenge website has lots of ways you can get involved, from home to restaurants, kids to pets.
Another way to get started is to join the SNG Environment Committee. We’re happy to see people get involved in a variety of ways, large and small, so if your life is busy, don’t worry.
- You can stop by a meeting on February 27, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, or another month (see https://sng.org/events/).
- You can also email our chair Terry Barnes at Terry@sng.org or me, John Kruse
Why reducing plastic use and pollution is important
Plastic is great stuff, convenient and the best material for some uses. However, we’re producing and using it at unsustainable rates. Part of the reason we’re using so much is that the oil industry is creating new demand and new markets for petroleum-based products because renewable energy might diminish demand for their products. The plastics industry likes to promote recycling, but it’s clear that a lot of plastic does not get recycled. Some experts say that adequate plastic recycling is impossible at present.
Here are a few links to articles explaining why we should use less plastic.
- Plastic pollution is changing entire Earth system, scientists find
Pollution is affecting the climate, biodiversity, ecosystems, ocean acidification and human health, according to analysis
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/07/plastic-pollution-is-changing-entire-earth-system-scientists-find - ‘I have to live in a cocoon’: locals in Pennsylvania feel ‘sacrificed’ for Shell plastics plant
Residents accuse the oil firm of overstating the benefits of its ethane cracker plant – and playing down the harms
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/11/pennsylvania-water-shell-oil - The Fraud of Plastic Recycling
How Big Oil and the plastics industry deceived the public for decades and caused the plastic waste crisis
https://climateintegrity.org/projects/plastics-fraud - Think that your plastic is being recycled? Think again
Plastic is cheap to make and shockingly profitable. It’s everywhere. And we’re all paying the price.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/10/12/1081129/plastic-recycling-climate-change-microplastics
Kickstart your plastic-free journey: Take the Plastic-Free Challenge
With so many single-use plastic items in our lives, avoiding them may feel overwhelming! Fortunately, there is a lot we can do to help create a world with less plastic. Are you up for the challenge? Join the Plastic-Free Challenge to explore what’s possible.
During the one-month challenge, you can focus on learning about plastic recycling, making plastic-free swaps, and advocating for changes in your community. As part of a community acting together, see how our individual actions add up to a big impact!
Sign-up for the Plastic-Free Challenge opens soon!
The Plastic-Free Challenge is a month-long effort starting February 1 to reduce plastic consumption, especially single-use plastics, in ways that fit best in your lifestyle and have the most impact on reducing your footprint.
The challenge runs during the month of February. Get read to join!
…Join the Seward Neighborhood team for Plastic Free Challenge
Tips on how to get started (pdf)
Spread the word and motivate others to join
Many resources are available to help you spread the word and encourage others to join the Plastic-Free Challenge.
Some ways you can help spread the word about the Plastic-Free Challenge and encourage others to join:
- Share the social media posts and graphics from the media kit (docx) to raise awareness about why reducing plastic use is important and encourage others to take action.
- Use the sample newsletter articles in the media kit to share through organizations you are involved with.
- Create a team or join an existing team and invite people you know to join you. Your teammates will keep each other motivated and accountable. Invitations can be sent through the Plastic-Free Challenge website by clicking the “Invite teammates” button in your Dashboard.
- Print and post the posters in common areas at your workplace, apartment building, community center, local business, school, etc.
- Follow and reshare messages posted on the Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington counties’ social media channels:
- Hennepin County: