Plastic-Free Newsletter – Vol 1

Taking on some of the world’s largest problems can be a daunting and sometimes lonely task which is why we are very excited that Plastic-Free YYC has grown exponentially with new members, partnerships and created a dialogue with some inspirational people!

Introducing New Members

At the end of 2017, Isabelle Couture joined Plastic-Free YYC as a Co-Founder, and the Director of Engagement & Collaboration. Bringing her passion and fervent know-how on zero-waste living, Isabelle has hit the ground running by bringing on new partnerships and spreading the word of Calgary’s plastic-free movement. As the creator of Calgary’s Zero-Waste Meet Up group, Isabelle has introduced our organisation to many new networks. She is a highly engaged community contributor with in Calgary. Her efforts to make this city great include participating in Renfrew’s community garden initiative, being an active member of Alternate Root YYC (a food-waste awareness organization) and also sharing her zero-waste gardening techniques on her personal blog, These Wild Roots.

Plastic-Free YYC has also pleased to announce the addition of our new Logistics and Volunteer Coordinator, Caroline Daigle. Her passion to promote a supportive and dedicated community of like-minded, plastic-free individuals in order to implement positive change, will be the perfect fit for this new role. We’re excited to have Caroline join the Plastic-Free YYC Team.

For more information about our team click here.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Plastic-Free YYC is thankful to have recently created new partnerships with other local organizations with similar waste free, green goals.

We look forward to collaborating with Boomerang Bags YYC in their mission to reduce the need for plastic bags. Boomerang Bags YYC provides a free, fun, sustainable alternative to plastic bags engaging local communities in the making of reusable shopping made using recycled material.  Together, we are looking to engage with Calgarians to educate and promote of reusable shopping bag solution.

We’re also glad to announce that Plastic-Free YYC and Green Calgary are also moving towards the wonderful new relationship.  Green Calgary has been a leading urban environmental charity supporting Calgarians in living a more sustainable life. We look forward to this supportive and integral relationship with Calgary’s green leader.

Stay tuned for upcoming events and opportunities to connect with Plastic-Free YYC and all our new partners.


Speaking Up!

Earlier this month, I was asked to be a guest on a local podcast called Dialogue City to talk about Plastic-Free YYC.  It was an invigorating conversation and an amazing opportunity to share the reasons behind my plastic-free lifestyle and the origins of our organisation.

Jeremy Zhao and Grant Neufeld are the curators, and hosts, for this podcast.  Their goal is to explore issues and discussion beyond your everyday news coverage.

Be sure to follow Dialogue City and listen to Episode #11, featuring yours truly, with special guests, Emilie Maine of Maine Ethics and Erin Bird from Fair Trade Calgary .

Click here to listen.

Awards!

We are very honoured to have been awarded a bursary to attend the Alberta Ecotrust conference this March.

This is their 3rd Annual Environmental Gathering: “Create the Future”. The focus this year will be on idea cultivation, effective collaboration, and re-imagination to create a shift in the way Alberta’s citizens and organizations think about environmental issues and solutions in order to design and build a just, prosperous and sustainable future.
Plastic-Free YYC looks forward to being able to be part of this event to learn, network and collaborate with our community.

We invite you to join us at this event. You can register on than the Alberta Ecotrust’s website, here.


Plastic in the NEWS

Despite talk on reducing waste, federal Liberals gave plastics giant $35M grant – Canada, The Canadian Press, Thursday, February 15, 2018

Queen bans plastic straws and bottles on royal estates after David Attenborough documentary –  UK, The Independent, Feb. 12, 2018

Zero-waste movement goes mainstream in Vancouver – Canada, The Vancouver Sun, February 10, 2018

 More news…. 
By Briana Loughlin, February 20, 2018

Published by

plasticfreeb

I'm a passionate environmentalist at heart. Striving to create a difference in my community and in my home to make the world just a little bit better.