earth day

Celebrate Earth Day on Friday, April 20 at the Gov Porch at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center from 1-3 p.m!

 

Here at Healthy Communities, we truly believe that if we take care of our environment, it will take care of us. Show your appreciation for the planet and all that it provides by celebrating Earth Day Sunday, April 22! Here are eight things you can start doing now in honor of Earth Day! 

  1. Use brown paper bags or reusable bags at the grocery store. Even though plastic bags are reusable, they ultimately end up in the garbage and are quickly filling up landfills. Reusable bags are great alternative to plastic bags. Reusable bags hold more items, reduce waste and can be washed and reused time and time again. Brown paper bags are also a great alternative because they are compostable.   
  2. Stop using plastic water bottles.  Although recyclable, plastic has become a detriment to our environment. Plastic is filling up our landfills, ending up in our oceans, and destroying habitats. Do away with plastic water bottles and get a refillable, reusable water bottle. You can take your reusable water bottles everywhere :: work, the gym and even to restaurants. 
  3. Switch to e-bills. Going digital can be one of the best things you do for yourself and the environment. When you switch to e-billing you are saving time by paying bills online and saving resources like six pounds of paper, 23 pounds of wood and 29 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.
  4. Donate old clothing and items. Take a look in your closet or garage and donate items you have not worn or used in the past year or more. 
  5. Compost. Composting replenishes the soil and is a great alternative for food waste disposal. A simple and easy way to compost is by using the brown bag composting method. Learn more about brown bag composting @ http://tiny.cc/bbcomposting.
  6. Attend a local Earth Day event. There are a variety of Earth Day events happening in Charlotte. The City of Charlotte Office of Sustainability is hosting an event on the Gov Porch Friday, April 20, from 1-3 p.m. that is free and open to the public. (Flyer pictured above.) To learn more about the event visit cltearthday2018.eventbrite.com.  
  7. Sign up for the fourth cycle of the Food Too Good to Waste Challenge. Through taking the Food Too Good to Waste Challenge you'll learn about how eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and composting can not only help your waist, but your waste. Past F2G2W Challenge participants lost 9 pounds and three pant sizes by following our formula of reducing waste to improve your personal health.
  8. Take the Straw Challenge Pledge. According to the Plastic Pollution Coalition, over 500,000,000 plastic straws are used each day in the United States. In only the past twenty years, people have come to expect plastic straws in every drink, in an example of extreme waste being generated for minimal convenience. Help significantly reduce plastic waste by signing the Straw Pledge. Learn more information below. 

repurposed

Model from REPURPOSED Fashion Show +Acution. Her romper is made from a bed sheet and her vest is made from a comforter.


More than 100 attendees joined Dupp & Swat  and Solid Waste at REPURPOSED Fashion Show + Auction on March 10.  The event featured 15 local designers and models who ripped the runway in beautiful, unique garments made from items found in GoodWill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. The items were auctioned off for over $3,000 which was given to CrownKeepers, a nonprofit dedicated to the creation, mobilization and sustainability of artists in the Queen City. This event not only benefited the non-profit, but also the community and environment. Upcycling clothing and furniture is a great way to reduce items going to the landfill. To learn more tips on how to reduce your waste visit healthycommunitiesclt.com.

straws

Stainless steal straws are a great alternative to plastic straws. Most stainless steal straw sets come with 6-8 straws and a cleaner. Take the Straw Plege today!

 

The average American eats out four times a week and almost everyone gets a straw (or two). That means there are an astonishing 175,146, 608 straws being used annually in Charlotte alone. Plastic waste is detrimental to the environment and is the source of tons of waste going to the landfill annually. Help be a part of major change by signing the Straw Pledge. By signing the Straw Pledge you are committing to the following :: 

  1. Make a personal commitment to say "no" to plastic straws. When ordering a drink, politely request “no straw, please.”
  2. Purchase and use your own paper, glass, bamboo, or stainless steel straw instead of plastic ones. If others ask about your reusable straws, explain the pledge and why you decided to join. Encourage them to sign up. 
  3. Spread the word and share by posting photos of you with your alternate straw on social media using the hashtag : #Strawpledgeclt and #CLTSWS

Help reduce plastic waste and sign the Straw Pledge today!