Sustainability Goals!
Under Armour (@underarmour) – you know them as the champions of performance wear, helping athletes crush their goals. But what’s also impressive is their serious commitment to sustainability. They’ve laid out their eco-friendly ambitions on their website, making it clear they’re all in. By 2030, they aim to use only recycled polyester in apparel and accessories, with at least 35% hitting the racks by 2025. We applaud companies that create and publicly announce sustainability goals. And the footwear? By 2030, the uppers in their most popular shoes will be made from at least 50% recycled or bio-based materials. That’s a major step toward a greener kick. They’ve also set goals for extending the life of damaged or defective products—75% of them will be repaired and recycled by 2025. Plus, they’re rolling out a take-back pilot program in select regions by 2023, with plans to expand those circular solutions globally by 2025. Oh, and let’s not forget their packaging game. By 2025, they’re looking to slash single-use plastic brand product packaging by a whopping 75%. Their roadmap for ensuring recyclability of apparel and accessories by 2030 is already in motion, and they’re aiming to ditch 75% of spandex from all their products by then. The good news? Many companies, big and small, like Under Armour, are stepping up to the plate for sustainability. So, whether you’re a startup or a global giant, let’s keep this green momentum going. Finally, our thanks to the University of Maryland’s (@univofmaryland) Center for Social Value Creation for hosting the Sustainability in Business Conference in October 2024 where we learned about many diverse companies and their sustainability ambitions. Bark on! 🌍
This Ain’t No Pawty!
Plastic: the not-so-fabulous creation made from gas, oil, and a sprinkle of toxic chemicals! It doesn’t just vanish into thin air; instead, it breaks down into tiny microplastics that sneak into our water, land, air, food, and—yikes—our bodies! Not exactly a party invite we want to accept, right? Recycling? Oh boy, that’s a wild ride too! With thousands of plastic types out there, not every recycling facility can handle the quirky requirements. Talk about a plastic puzzle! And don’t even get us started on those flashy television ads for “new and improved” plastics, like single-use bottles. It’s like they’re throwing a plastic parade, and we’re stuck watching from the sidelines. But fear not! Many eco-warriors are on a mission to create healthier alternatives and improve recycling systems to tackle the plastic mountain we’re climbing every day. So, what can you do? Flex your consumer power! Say “no thanks” to single-use plastics whenever you can. Together, we can make a huge impact and pave the way for a cleaner, greener future. Let’s team up and kick plastic to the curb! 🌍💪✨
Fun Sustainability Campaigns
Using ‘Fun’ to Promote Plastic-Free and Sustainable Living In an age where environmental concerns are at the forefront of global conversations, fostering a deeper understanding of plastic-free and sustainable living is crucial. While the urgency of climate change and plastic pollution might seem overwhelming, integrating fun activities into awareness campaigns offers a powerful strategy to engage people and drive change. Here’s why using enjoyable and interactive methods can be an effective way to promote a sustainable lifestyle. 1. Engaging Experiences Drive Lasting Impact Human beings are naturally drawn to enjoyable experiences. When learning about complex issues like plastic pollution and sustainability is presented in an engaging and interactive manner, individuals are more likely to retain information and develop a genuine interest in the subject. For instance, our annual ALX Bark Bingo campaign challenges participants stroll the City’s streets visiting stores and playing doggie bingo – all the while the bingo game draws attention to plastic-free and sustainable living. These types of activities can make the concept of reducing plastic use more relatable and memorable. 2. Breaking Down Barriers to Learning Environmental issues can often seem daunting or abstract, which might deter people from taking action. Fun activities like ALX Bark Bingo can break down these barriers by simplifying complex information and making it more approachable. Activities like plastic-free challenge events (ALX Dog Walk!), eco-friendly workshops (our Plastic-Free Kitchen Workshop!), or sustainable cooking classes provide practical, enjoyable ways for people to understand and adopt new habits. By embedding these lessons into enjoyable experiences, we can make sustainability feel achievable and less intimidating. 3. Fostering Community and Collaboration Group activities and events can create a sense of community around sustainability. When people come together for a common cause, such as participating in the ALX Dog Walk annual event, a beach cleanup, or a zero-waste market, they build connections and share experiences that reinforce their commitment to plastic-free living. These communal activities also help spread awareness organically, as participants often discuss their experiences and encourage others to get involved. 4. Encouraging Creative Solutions Fun activities often encourage creative thinking, which can lead to innovative solutions for environmental problems. Workshops that involve upcycling materials into art or organizing sustainable fashion shows can inspire individuals to think outside the box and come up with their own unique contributions to reducing plastic waste. Creativity not only makes the learning process enjoyable but also empowers individuals to take proactive steps in their own lives. 5. Reinforcing Positive Behavior Positive reinforcement is a key component of behavior change. Fun and rewarding activities and challenges can help reinforce the benefits of sustainable living. For example, at our annual dog walk event, we challenge participants to bring a reusable coffee mug to receive a free coffee. These positive experiences can encourage individuals to continue practicing sustainable habits long after the event has ended. 6. Making Education Accessible Fun activities often reach a broader audience, including those who might not otherwise engage with environmental issues. Interactive events such as educational games or DIY workshops can attract diverse groups of people, including families, students, and community members. By making education accessible and enjoyable, we can engage people who might not be reached through traditional methods. 7. Leveraging Social Media and Trends In the digital age, social media plays a significant role in shaping public perception and behavior. Fun and visually appealing activities are more likely to be shared and promoted on social platforms, amplifying the message of sustainability. For example, viral challenges or creative sustainability campaigns can reach a wide audience and generate buzz around plastic-free living, making the cause more mainstream and appealing. Conclusion Incorporating fun activities into efforts to promote plastic-free and sustainable living offers numerous advantages. By making the learning process engaging, accessible, and enjoyable, we can effectively raise awareness and encourage meaningful action. From fostering community connections to inspiring creative solutions, fun activities not only make sustainability more approachable but also help build a culture of environmental stewardship. As we continue to tackle the challenges of plastic pollution and climate change, integrating fun into our educational strategies can play a vital role in driving lasting and impactful change Bark on!
Microplastics in the Potomac River
Article by Potomac Conservancy: There’s been tremendous progress in cleaning up the Potomac River. We now see birds, fish, and other wildlife thriving along the river. And, crowds of people are flocking to the Potomac’s shorelines like never before. We’re on the right path to a swimmable and fishable river for everyone, but we’re not there yet. Pollution remains a pesky problem. While industrial and agricultural pollution is declining, polluted runoff from urban areas on the rise. In fact, polluted urban runoff is the only growing source of pollution in the Potomac River. When we experience storms, excess rain flows off streets and rooftops and into our streams. This runoff carries harmful sediment, fertilizers, car oils, and litter directly into our local waterways. Plastic trash can then break down into microplastics, tiny plastic pieces that measure less than five millimeters across. How does something so small cause a big issue? Photo by Potomac Conservancy The waste we leave behind often finds its way into the river. The toxins from various products then bleed into the water, harming water quality and wildlife. Some of the common types of plastic waste found on the shorelines are straws, water bottles and caps, and plastic bags. While there are trash bins in areas around the Potomac River, if someone doesn’t see one close enough, they might leave it behind. A study by Allegheny Front showed people do care about litter, but the hassle of bringing their trash back with them is not convenient. Individuals can also dispose of or leave trash because they don’t feel a deep connection to an area. However, most people don’t like to see trash around their property or neighborhood. Trash Free Maryland recently found those living in litter-filled communities were disappointed and wished it was cleaner. Those same people, though, can hesitate to remove trash because of concerns about disease and contamination. What can be done? In Potomac Conservancy’s latest Potomac River Report Card, we graded our hometown river’s health a “B” based on over 20 ecosystem indicators. This is a drastic improvement from when the Potomac scored an abysmal “D” back in 2011. While conservation efforts are making a big difference, the Potomac River is still not yet safe for swimming for fish consumption due to unsafe pollution levels. Washington, DC has banned local swimming and locals are advised against eating fish in area waters. Ubiquitous trash and plastic litter do not help with public confidence either. One fun way we can all do our part is to get into “plogging” – picking up trash while we’re out for a walk, bike ride, or jog. t originally gained popularity in Sweden in 2016 as “plogga,” which translates into “to pick up.” Simply grab a small bag next time you head out, pick up any small trash you see, and drop it off at a nearby trash can. This simple act will inspire others to do the same too! Every little bit helps in making our waterways cleaner and our wildlife healthier. Photo by Potomac Conservancy Another way to combat local litter is to join a community cleanup. For over 30 years, Potomac Conservancy has been fighting to revive our “Nation’s River.” You can help us improve its health by joining a cleanup. Each year, hundreds of volunteers across the DMV connect with their local lands and waters by participating in our hands-on stewardship activities. Our volunteer cleanups restore shorelines, raise awareness, and inspire residents to make a difference. Volunteers of all ages are welcome: friends, family, co-workers, or neighbors!
Naughty Cup Vs Good Cup
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness about the environmental impact of single-use plastic products. As a result, alternative options like aluminum cups have gained popularity. While the iconic red cup, often associated with parties and gatherings, may be convenient, it is essential to consider the ecological consequences. This article explores the advantages of using an aluminum cup over a plastic cup, highlighting the environmental, health, and durability factors. Naughty Cup: – Over 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans each year. – Plastic cups, made of non-biodegradable plastic, persist in landfills for hundreds of years. – Plastic cups, including red plastic cups, often contain harmful chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) or phthalates linked to various health issues, including hormonal disruption and developmental disorders. – Plastic cups are designed for single-use and are not durable enough to withstand multiple washes. Good Cup: – Aluminum is a highly sustainable material due to its infinite recyclability. – Approximately 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today. – Recycling aluminum requires only 5% of the energy needed to produce new aluminum, making it an eco-friendly alternative. – Aluminum cups do not leach harmful chemicals into beverages. – Aluminum cups are robust and built to last, making them reusable for an extended period. – Unlike their plastic counterparts, aluminum cups can be washed and used repeatedly without deteriorating in quality. – Aluminum cups come in various sleek and modern designs, offering an aesthetically pleasing alternative to the traditional plastic cup. – They can be customized with engravings or colorful prints, making them suitable for personal use or as unique promotional items. – Aluminum cups are suitable for a wide range of events, from casual parties to elegant gatherings. – Their durability makes them ideal for outdoor activities like camping or picnics, where plastic cups are more prone to damage. By choosing an aluminum cup over a plastic cup, you can actively contribute towards a more sustainable and eco-conscious lifestyle. The environmental benefits of aluminum, coupled with the absence of harmful chemicals and increased durability, make it a superior choice. So, next time you plan an event or grab a cup for a drink, consider making the switch to aluminum and join the movement towards a plastic-free and greener future!
Teaching Youth about Plastic Pollution: Make it Fun!
Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue that affects our planet in numerous ways. Educating youth about this topic is of paramount importance as it empowers them to become environmentally conscious individuals and advocates for change. While teaching about plastic pollution may seem like a serious and daunting task, it can be made enjoyable and engaging for young learners. Here’s why it’s crucial to make this learning experience fun: Teaching youth about plastic pollution is crucial, and making the learning experience enjoyable and engaging can significantly enhance its impact. By incorporating fun activities, fostering curiosity, and promoting active participation, we can empower young learners to become environmentally conscious individuals and active participants in combating plastic pollution. Let’s make plastic pollution education a thrilling and transformative journey for our future generations!
Recycling by the Numbers
What do recycling symbols mean? When you use plastic packaging, you will find a number on it. No, it’s not the number of belly rubs we want… or is it?! It’s actually something that is known as an SPI code – a guide to tell you what type of plastic it is and whether it is recyclable or not. Also, if the product contains the three arrows forming a triangle – the universal recycling symbol – it doesn’t mean the item can be recycled. Some items use the symbol to indicate that the product is made of recycled material. The same piece of plastic can only be recycled about 2-3 times, and then it reaches a point when it can never be reused. Here’s our handy guide to the seven different plastics and what the symbols mean. The higher the number, the more difficult the material is to be recycled. Please remember, all plastic contains toxic chemicals that end up in our environment whether or not we recycle them. Steer clear of using plastic. #1: PET or PETE Polyethene terephthalate is commonly used for packaging as it is light, cheap and can be recycled. You can find it in water bottles, salad dressing, peanut butter, jam, pickles, sauce containers, and even in polyester! This plastic can leach chemicals into anything you store in it. To recycle it, give it a clean and pop it in your curbside recycling. #2: HDPE High-density polyethene is similar to PET. It’s commonly used in packaging and is easily recycled – but should only be used once before recycling. You can find it in juice bottles, shampoo bottles, plastic bags and plastic wrap. Bottles can be put in your curbside recycling, but bags and plastic wrap generally can’t be recycled – best to check with your local waste management team. #3: PVC or V Polyvinyl chloride and vinyl are tough plastics that can withstand the elements – think piping, windows and siding. These plastics typically can’t be recycled, but some plastic lumber makers may accept them. You should never burn PVC or vinyl as this can release dangerous toxins into the atmosphere. #4: LDPE Low-density polyethene is a flexible plastic often used to make everything from squeezy bottles to furniture! This plastic didn’t use to be recycled, but more and more places now accept it. Check with your local waste management team to see if they’ll take it. #5: PP Propylene has a high melting point and is used for containers that hold hot items. PP is generally accepted in curbside recycling. If it is, just give it a clean and pop it in! #6: PS Polystyrene is commonly used for packaging as well as disposable plates and cups. You’ll be sure to recognize it’s lumpy, bumpy texture! Polystyrene is one of the hardest plastics to recycle, and not many curbside recycling programs will accept it. If you put polystyrene in the trash, pop it in a bag before putting it in the bin to stop it from breaking up and dispersing. #7: Miscellaneous Got a plastic that isn’t on this list? It will fall under this number! Plastics like polycarbonate and polylactic acid come under this category. These plastics aren’t usually recycled, but check with your local waste management team. So, there you have it! The seven different plastics that you may encounter during your day-to-day routine! They all leach toxic micro plastics into our air, food and water supply – all of which we consume! Our advice… avoid plastic use at all cost.
Eco-Candy!
Got a sweet tooth but love to recycle? Don’t get your snickers in a twist! We’ve got you! Here is our guide to tasty eco-packaged candies. What’s the issue with candy wrappers? Many candy wrappers are made from a combination of plastic and aluminum. This makes the wrappers hard to recycle, and most recycling facilities won’t accept them. The good news is that are lots of yummy alternatives out there. 1️⃣ Go for foilFoil can easily be recycled, making sweets like Hershey’s Kisses a fabulous option. 2️⃣ Get candy in bulkYou can buy loose candy at some stores where they will pop it in a recyclable paper bag for you. It’s not the ideal choice for Halloween or parties as the individual candy isn’t wrapped, but it’s great if you fancy a cheeky bag of sweets all to yourself! 3️⃣ Buy candy in a paper boxAh, Milk Duds. Is a trip to the movies complete without them? The great news is the paper box that this candy comes in can be recycled. So, if you’re looking for green packaging, Nerds, Hot Tamales, Lemon Heads and Milk Duds are fantastic choices. Candy packaging is evolving all the time with companies coming up with lots of innovative ideas. Use your #consumerplasticpower to encourage companies to continue down this path! 🐶 Bark on!
Why Do People Litter?
By the Potomac Conservancy Polluted runoff is the fastest growing source of pollution to the Potomac River. So it’s understandably frustrating when people add to the problem by flinging their trash on the ground or not recycling properly. It’s easy to oversimplify the problem by blaming thoughtless litterbugs, but in reality, the story of litter isn’t as simple as “good citizens versus evil polluters.” If we want to understand why there’s a litter problem in our community, and how to fix it, we need to understand the mindset of litterers. So, why do people litter? Oftentimes, people litter simply because there isn’t a trash can nearby. Rather than uncomfortably carry trash away with them, people decide it’s easier to leave it behind, according to research done by the Allegheny Front. An easy step toward a solution, then, is to contact local park officials to ask about installing more trash receptacles. Furthermore, Robert Cialdini, a psychology professor at Arizona State University, says the decision to litter is based largely on environmental cues—or what people see around them. “It all comes down to norms, and you get those cues from the environment,” Cialdini told The Atlantic. “People litter for reasons of convenience. They don’t want this thing. The crucial question is why don’t they litter, since the easy thing is to litter. Why would people hold onto a piece of trash? Their attitudes toward the environment make a difference, but what they perceive as the norm is key.” In other words, the decision to litter is based on the actions of other people—for both good and bad. If an area is already highly littered, people are more likely to add more litter, while the cleaner an area already is, the less likely people are to disrupt the scene by littering. 🌟 Solution: Advocate for better local recycling programs or organize a Potomac River cleanup and help create an environment where people feel less discouraged and are less likely to litter! Why Don’t People Pick Up Litter? There is some personal responsibility involved in littering. According to a report done by Keep America Beautiful, people are more likely to litter when they feel “no sense of ownerships for parks, walkways, beaches, and other public spaces.” This sense of ownership, instead, is found around people’s homes and neighborhoods. A study done by the Trash Free Maryland initiative determined that many people, facing litter-filled communities, feel disappointed about the state of their community and wish it were cleaner. However, they hesitate to remove litter from their community because of sanity concerns such as diseases spread and contamination from hidden needles. They also feel a “sense of futility in picking up litter, as there is so much that a new batch of litter blows in almost as soon as the old litter is picked up.” 🌟 Solution: We can combat the feeling of futility by advocating for systemic fixes to stop litter before it gets to our homes, like legislation promoting reusable, non-plastic products. How does litter affect our mental health? While being outside is one of the best ways to boost your mental health, that effect is dampened when the outdoors is trashed with plastic and litter. A 2016 study found that littered coastal environments were less liked, resulting in a lower mood, and were less likely to be restored. So how do we work with community members to solve this problem? According to the Trash Free Maryland study, many community members feel disheartened by the litter in their neighborhoods and wish they were part of trash-free communities. 🌟 Solution: This is good news because if people long for a nicer community, all it takes is organizing to turn that willpower into action! So let’s do our part, lead by example, and share with neighbors and friends the simple ways we can all contribute to a trash-free environment. Want to break the cycle of harmful litterand keep the Potomac River clean? Volunteer at a trash cleanup! SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER 🚮 Correction: In a previous version of this post, we mistakenly stated that the state of Maryland has passed a plastic bag ban. We sincerely apologize for the error! Here’s what actually happened: Maryland’s state House has passed a single-use plastic bag ban with wide support, but the state Senate voted it down two years in a row. The bill would have gone into effect July 2022. The good news is that cities and counties in Maryland are leading the way! 1) Plastic bag bans are in effect in Takoma Park and Baltimore County 2) Straw bans are in effect in the District, Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties 3) Foam container bans remain in the District, Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties A special shout-out to our friends at Trash Free Maryland and Maryland LCV who have been leaders on this issue and working with Potomac Conservancy and the community to fight for litter-free waterways. Together, we’ll continue to strengthen water protection laws!