Go Plastic-Free
Between visits to the pool, picnics at the park, summer evening bike rides and backyard barbecues, a lot of plastic can pile up. Disposable forks. Styrofoam cups. Straws. Hot dog packaging. The list goes on and on.
Sally Stovall, Co-Founder of Green Commmunity Connections and Founding Member of the One Earth Film Festival.
Sally Stovall
Plastic-Free/Low-Plastic Summer Challenge
Named in memory of Sally Stovall, who was co-founder of Green Community Connections, a founding member of One Earth Film Fest, and a tireless warrior for our environment, this contest is a way for our community to develop new ideas and habits that can put us on a path to a greener way of life. Sally, who passed away suddenly on May 21, 2019 from a massive stroke, would approve!
Don't be overwhelmed by how impossible "Plastic-Free" might seem. Let's all do our best to focus on greatly reducing the amount of plastic we purchase and use during any 30-day period June 10, 2019 through August 30, 2019. The Challenge is open to individuals, families, teams and school groups.
Learn more about Sally and her dedication to our environment at https://www.greencommunityconnections.org/recent/2019/5/23/remembering-sally-stovall -- and let's let's continue her steadfast work!
Tips for a Low-Plastic Summer
Join the Zero Waste Oak Park Facebook group to pose questions, and share tips and learnings.
The Village of Oak Park is aware of the immense problem of plastic/waste and its impact on the environment and on climate change. Please learn about and participate in the Village of Oak Park's Plastic-Free July Campaign.
Instead of buying new (which often includes plastic and other packaging), consider buying pre-owned! Here is a list of Oak Park-area resale shops.
Explore Single Use Plastics resources from United Nations Environment.
Read “We Made Plastic. We Depend on It. Now We’re Drowning in it.” (National Geographic, Jun 2018)
Of all trash, plastic trash has the greatest potential to harm the environment, wildlife and humans. Read Impacts of Mismanaged Trash from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Read the New York Times bestseller, "Drawdown" which discusses the problem of Bioplastics.
Explore Green Community Connections’ list of local Oak-Park area resources about waste.
Is something broken? Try fixing it. Visit the Repair Cafe at the Oak Park Arms.
Learn about Oak Park’s recycling rules so you don’t contaminate the waste stream.
Watch "The Clean Bin Project" for inspiration.