August Newsletter
 

JOIN US FOR A STUFF SWAP!

August Stuff Swap

Join Plastic-Free MKE at the Riverside Park Urban Ecology Center on Wednesday, August 31st from 4:00-7:00pm for an eco-friendly Stuff Swap! Everyone is welcome to bring in items that they no longer want and would like to swap. In exchange, they can leave with items that they can use! Let's minimize waste and maximize the life of our unwanted or unused stuff in a fun, creative way that saves money and shares items that may be useful to others.

 

At the end of the event, leave any items that you do not wish to bring home and Plastic-Free MKE will make sure they get donated. We ask that attendees refrain from bringing in large items like furniture to the swap, as they are difficult to transport and we have limited space. Items such as gently used clothing, housewares, and school supplies would be great additions to the swap! Make sure to bring a reusable bag for any new-to-you stuff that you may find, as single-use bags will not be provided. We hope to see you there!
 
 

Stay Engaged
 
 
 

Visit: Plastic Solutions Review Website

Created by Break Free From Plastic, the Plastic Solutions Review Website aims to provide clear information and analysis of solutions to the plastic pollution problem. Each entry on the site is reviewed by a panel of scientists in an effort to deliver unbiased information on potential solutions to reducing our reliance on single-use plastics.

Click here to learn more
 

View: Milwaukee Riverkeeper 6th Annual Boat Parade

Join Milwaukee Riverkeeper on Saturday, September 25th from 12:30-3:00pm for the 6th Annual Boat Parade. This unique twist on the traditional family favorite features a parade of floats that really float!  Art installations have been carefully crafted by local artists and performers to celebrate and honor the waterways we love.

Click here to see the route
 

Write: Urge Trader Joe's To Reduce Its Use Of Single-Use Plastic Packaging

Help Beyond Plastics urge Trader Joe's to reduce their single-use plastic packaging and offer plastic free options. By offering customers options like fruits and vegetables without clamshells, increased bulk item selection, and switching to non-plastic packaging for store brand items, Trader Joe's could significantly reduce the amount of single-use plastic packaging that gets pushed onto the consumer.

Click here to take action
 

Reduce: The Green Events Guide

Looking for ways to reduce your environmental impact while planning or attending a public event? Check out the Environmental Collaboration Office's Green Events Guide. From switching to reusables to finding public transit, the Green Events Guide provides many great resources on ways you can up your green game at your next public event.

Click here to read the guide
 
 
 
 
 

Plastics in the News
 

The Search For The Source Of Plastic Pollution

"Clean up efforts in the Pacific Northwest are directing their attention away from the end life of plastic to focus on the beginning."

Read the full article here

Sprite Retiring Its Signature Green Plastic Bottles After More Than 60 Years

“Sprite will no longer be sold in its signature green plastic bottles in favor of more environmentally-friendly packaging."

Read the full article here

How The Plastic Industry Turned The Pandemic To Its Advantage

"With its products proving indispensable to combatting Covid-19, the plastics business is reinvigorated. What will it take to bring this major polluter to heel?"

Read the full article here

This Company Is Turning Heaps Of Plastic Trash Into Construction Building Blocks

"The business has created a system to collect the most troublesome type of plastic trash — the stuff that can't be recycled."

Read the full article here
 

Volunteer Opportunities!
 

Plastic-Free MKE is Seeking Volunteers for Water Refill Stations

Help Plastic-Free MKE provide an alternative to single-use water bottles at local events in August and September! Volunteers will help transport water jugs and work pumps to refill attendees' bottles. Check out the registration form for a full list of events!

 

Click here to sign up