Plastic-Free July in Port Washington
A small step in the right direction....
The contamination of our world with single-use plastic is no longer just a pollution problem. It's a public health problem.
This July, we invite you to join with millions of individuals, businesses, and organizations as we work together to take on the issue of single-use plastics and the impact they are having on the world around us. Many restaurants and stores in Port Washington are participating, and you can help!.
Many people are already familiar with the giant patches of plastic garbage floating in our oceans, but new science is showing that the chemicals used to manufacture that plastic are having a negative impact on our own health.
Microplastics and nanoplastics are now in virtually every breath we take and every bite we eat. It's time to turn off the plastic tap!
For more information please see our pages on plastic packaging and health implications of plastic pollution and listen to this recent episode of Green Street News about plastic and human health.
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Buyer's Guide to Non-Plastic Alternatives
BioBag is a leader in providing compostable bags & films made from plant starches, vegetable oils & compostable polymers.
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Good Start Packaging provides a selection of environmentally-friendly restaurant packaging supplies used by thousand of eco-conscious food service businesses.
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Please note: many eco-friendly suppliers carry products containing PFAS linings. See our page on PFAS for more information about this class of hazardous chemicals.
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Plastic-Free July Port Washington is a project of Grassroots Environmental Education. The global initiative is managed by the Plastic Free July Foundation, based in Australia. Read more about their amazing work at https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/
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3 EASY THINGS YOU CAN DO
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1. Purchase beverages in glass or cartons, avoiding plastic bottles whenever possible.
2. If you order take-out, ask the restaurant or store NOT to include plastic utensils, condiment packs or straws, or put your order in plastic bags.
3. Make a kit for your backpack or car with a reusable bag, utensils, cups, and straws to always have a handy reusable option.
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What else can you do? Click here!
3 THINGS RESTAURANTS CAN DO
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1. Ask take-out customers if they need utensils, condiments or straws
2. Use compostable bags and containers for take-out orders.
3. Let your customers know you're doing your part to reduce single-use plastic.
3 THINGS SCHOOLS CAN DO
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1. Discourage (or eliminate) student use of plastic water and soda bottles. If possible, provide students with reusable stainless steel (not plastic) bottles and filtered refill stations.
2. Replace plastic plates, cups, utensils and straws in cafeterias with biodegradable alternatives.
3. Ask suppliers not to package your shipments in plastic bubble wrap, styrofoam peanuts or other plastic packaging materials.
Thanks to our local supporting organizations
