The City of Arcata Encourages you to Participate in ‘Plastic Free July’

Press release from the City of Arcata: 

The City of Arcata encourages community members to participate in the worldwide initiative known as Plastic Free July to help reduce waste this summer! 

Plastic Free July is designed to help people refuse single-use plastic and improve recycling practices. Each year, millions of people around the globe take the challenge in the month of July and choose to refuse single-use plastics to reduce plastic pollution in our cities, waterways and oceans. Small, daily actions can lead to long-term environmentally friendly habits that help make the world a cleaner place. Remember just a few small changes can make a big difference and inspire others to do the same! 

The City of Arcata Environmental Services Department has some tips for community members on how to reduce their use of disposable plastics: 

• Use a reusable water bottle instead of buying single-use plastic water bottles. 
• Buy in bulk to avoid single-use plastic packaging. Most grocery stores with a bulk section allow customers to bring their own containers. Ask a store clerk for assistance before filling a container.
• Always have a set of reusable utensils on hand in your bag, backpack or car. Bamboo utensils are great but silverware from home or bought at a local thrift store work just as well. 
• Take reusable bags to grocery stores instead of using plastic bags. One tip is to have a small reusable bag in your bag or backpack that can stuff into itself so there is always one on hand!
• The City has a Single Use Disposable Foodware Ordinance which means customers can easily bring clean durable containers to use for to-go orders! To learn more visit  

tinyurl.com/SingleUseDisposables. 

• When placing orders to-go, opt-out of accessory foodware that may not be needed such as straws, utensils or napkins. 
• Say “no” to plastic wrap. There are many excellent substitutes such as cloth, beeswax wrap or reusable containers. 
• Encourage family and friends to take part in the Plastic Free July challenge! 

For more information about Plastic Free July, visit plasticfreejuly.org. For more information on the City of Arcata’s zero waste initiatives visit, tinyurl.com/WastePreventionResources or contact the Environmental Services Department at (707) 822-8184. 

About Plastic Free July – Plastic Free July® is a key initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation that allows us to work towards our vision of seeing a world free of plastic waste. From humble beginnings in 2011, the award-winning Plastic Free July campaign is the result of years of hard work. For more information, visit plasticfreejuly.org.