Plastic Free July virtual support sessions

Plastic is killing animals, causing disease and creating toxic water, land and air.

When I saw the pictures of animals who are killed or injured because of plastic, I really couldn't ignore it. Mother birds mistake plastic litter as food and their babies die with bellies full of plastic. Fish are consuming and dying from plastic not to mention all of the land animals. This doesn't include the harm from fossil fuel extraction and production of plastic. I also found out that oftentimes our plastic recycling is just dumped, sometimes in impoverished communities. I couldn't ignore that either. Not only that, but plastic is a hormone disruptor & leaches into our food & beverages from packaging. Micro plastics are found in the eco-system and our food supply is threatened by this. My own personal attachments to products were no match to my conscience about the consequences of plastic.

Even though many items I purchased were in plastic, I found alternatives that I'm happy with. Over the past year, I have just about eliminated single-use plastic.

By the way, Plastic Free July started in Australia and has become a world-wide movement. You can start by reducing take-out containers or coffee cups or whatever is a good starting point for you. I'm co-hosting virtual support sessions with the Community Ecology Institute. During the sessions I will be giving top tips, plastic free "show and tell", demos answering questions and reviewing scenarios.

Here's the description:
Join millions of people reducing their plastic waste! Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Would you like to reduce the amount of plastic you use but aren't sure how to start? This virtual series is for you.
Info will be provided about how to eliminate the many different types of plastics in your life. We will be meeting on June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19 and July 26. Don't worry if you can't attend all of the sessions. The sessions will be held via Zoom and there will be time for Q&A each week. Donations will help support the Transition Repair Cafe which helps reduce waste going to the landfill by fixing items for free.

Dates: June 28th, July 5th, July 12th, July 19th, & July 26th
Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE or Choose your own donation to the Repair Cafe, give what you can!
Location: All sessions will be held via Zoom

Details: During the workshop, you will learn about ways to reduce and eliminate plastics. No prior experience or skills necessary. Must be 12+ years old to register. If adults supervising youth choose not to participate in the program, they are not required to purchase a ticket.

The workshop will be led by sustainability enthusiasts Stephanie D. and Margo D. Stephanie D., a Howard County resident, was inspired to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle after learning more details about plastic's harmful impact on animals and people. Through online research and previously participating in Plastic Free July she has learned how to eliminate most single-use plastic and has produced less than a full can of trash in a year. She enjoys this new lifestyle and finds it to be an "upgrade" in many ways. Margo D. is a co-founder of Transition Howard County, which focuses on creating sustainable and resilient communities. She has her own consulting company and enjoys doing both online and face to face facilitation.

Donations at work: Donations support the Repair Cafés at Freetown Farm. The Repair Cafés supports a grassroots movement that aims to reduce waste, overconsumption, and planned obsolescence. The Repair Cafés and Maker Space aim to build personal and community resilience by providing the space and resources to restore a place for people to learn lost arts and skills over the generations. With your support of, and participation in, our paid workshops we're able to offer flexible paid work opportunities to community members, earn an income that supports the operations of our organization and mission-delivery, and invest in programs that build community, protect our environment, and support the health and wellbeing of our community members. Thank you for your continued support!

Sign up here: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTgyNTU2

OR go directly: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85321443286?pwd=MWpZNndoSHRhdFN3R2drVjh6V2R2Zz09

Meeting ID: 853 2144 3286

Passcode: 346893