Bexley Green: EcoChallenge team made waves during Plastic Free July
In celebration of the Plastic Free July, Bexley residents and enthusiasts participated in the Plastic Free Ecochallenge competition, along with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and 300 teams nationwide.
Throughout the month, we refused plastic straws, water bottles, cups and all the other things you know you should be saying no to. We picked up litter, did waste audits and reflected on our time spent making the world a more sustainable place to live.
Our actions made an impact and a drop in a larger ocean of sustainability. As Howard Zinn said, “We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”
Despite all the tangible actions, I’m most proud of the indirect actions the Green Bexley EcoChallenge team took last month.
Those actions that didn’t handle plastic – or lack thereof – directly, but instead involved learning and outreach, were as meaningful. As of halfway through the challenge, the team had collectively spent almost a dozen hours learning and also spent time speaking with others about the crisis and contacting public officials and leaders. This is how the drops make waves.
It becomes easier to share when you learn more. Sure, “the climate is in a crisis” isn’t the most captivating conversation starter, but when you know that 77% of test subjects have trace amounts of plastic in their bloodstream, you have an enthralling statistic to justify your reason for bringing a reusable cup with you on your next coffee date.
As I’ve been celebrating the many victories the Green Bexley team has made this month, here are a few highlights I want to share:
• “I can work (sustainability) with my family and hopefully it lets others see it’s just as easy to bring and use reusable dining items and so much better for our environment!” – Elizabeth W.
• “I am proud to share that my 13-year-old daughter schooled my husband in what they were selecting at the grocery store yesterday. She refused to buy several items packaged in non recyclable plastic It appears one can listen and roll one’s eyes simultaneously. I could not have been more proud.” – Lisa G.
• “Normally at home I use my own plastic straws, but with my frequent coffee runs throughout the week, I've realized how much of an impact I can make by rejecting the straw and cup the coffee shop provides. I haven't visited a single coffee shop that wasn't willing to use my own mug.” – Sam M.
These reflections tell me that my teammates are teaching their families, who are reinforcing these messages. Furthermore, when we reflect on our actions, we’re able to see pain points and areas for improvement. We can widen our lens even more by taking a look at best practices and sharing them with others while we implement them ourselves.
Green Bexley has done its best to make both the learning and the conversational aspects of these easy for you. We’ve compiled all our favorite resources on a variety of topics at greenbexley.org/learnmoreandgogreen, including information about how to have “The Talk.” Take the plunge, live more sustainably and spread the word. We’re counting on you.
Elizabeth Ellman is the city of Bexley’s Sustainability Programs coordinator. Learn more about the city’s sustainability programs at bexley.org/sustainability and how you can take action at greenbexley.org and @greenbexley on Facebook and Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Bexley Green: EcoChallenge team made waves during Plastic Free July
