(Photo credit: Shae Deck in Bryson City, N.C. May 10, 2024) |
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In this month's EAC Newsletter: April Activities Wrap-up: Earth Day Convenience Center Recycling EV Raffle Planet v. Plastics Remember to Take Your Reusable Bag Volunteer Opportunities: Creation Care Camp - June 10-14, 11:30 am - 5:00 pm Fontana Lake Cleanup - September 20 & 28 Adopt a Garden Spring Social Gathering - May 18th Action Alert Reminder: Send Your Thanks! |
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Check your email for the EAC fundraising letter which includes a review of some of our accomplishments. We hope it inspires you to donate! |
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April's Activities Wrap-up |
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Earth Day Recycling Bag Giveaway The Plastics Reduction Sub-Group of the Environmental Action Community celebrated Earth Day, 2024, by partnering with Haywood County Solid Waste in an event at four county convenience centers. Fourteen of our volunteers, along with 4 county staff members gave out reusable bags for recyclables at convenience centers in Bethel, Crabtree, Hazelwood, and Mauney Cove. The bags were purchased by the county in an effort to keep single-use plastic bags out of our recycling stream. Many citizens, thinking plastic bags can be recycled too, place recyclables in “blue bags” or other plastic bags and toss them into the recycling bins at the convenience centers. Plastic bags are a hazard for the recycling machinery, and have to be removed by hand and returned to our county where they are buried in our landfill! Haywood County is charged for this service! Teaching citizens to empty these new reusable bags into the recycling container would be a big step in reducing the number of single-use plastic bags in the recycling stream! Zondra Kuykendall, Haywood County Recycling Director, says approximately 600 reusable bags were given away during the four-hour period of the promotion. And, all the volunteers seemed to enjoy the experience! The word “fun” was used to describe the day of engaging with fellow Haywood County residents! Citizens seemed to appreciate the new bags! A well-written article by Laura Armour appeared in the Mountaineer prior to the bag give-away, on the hazards of plastic bags in recycling. Our volunteers came away thinking most folks want to do the right thing in recycling, but are confused about what can be recycled. We, also, came away with a new appreciation for our county staff and the work they do! |
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A customized Rivian R1T or R1S (Truck or SUV) could be yours! |
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We are excited to announce that the EAC’s EV Raffle launched on April 19, 2024!
Help us spread the word - with friends, neighbors, family, coworkers, and through your social media! Visit our Facebook page - Environmental Action Community of WNC - and share posts on your social media. Follow us to get raffle updates! Win a Rivian Premium EV: the R1Truck or R1SUV - your choice. Enter today! Get the details at the website: www.eacevraffle.org. Don’t Miss Out! Buy a Ticket Today! |
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During the month of April, both Haywood County libraries had displays showcasing ways to reduce plastic pollution in our community. We also partnered with Haywood County to distribute sturdy, reusable recycling bags to County residents. These new, reusable bags for recycling eliminate the need for County residents to purchase the blue - or any - plastic bags to dump their recyclables. Using no plastic bags prevents recycling machinery from becoming jammed and the recyclables truly go where we intend them to go. To continue the theme of Earth Day and reduce plastics in your life and our community, visit the links below. |
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Remember to Take Your Reusable Bag |
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Here are a few tips to help you remember to: Bring Your Own Bag! Put groceries back into your cart & bag them at your car Place reusable bags on your front seat Stick a post-it note on your dashboard, “bring the bags” Place your car keys on top of your reusable bag Jot a note on your grocery list or set a phone reminder Bring an extra reusable bag with you, then give it Ask the store for a cardboard box Got another idea? Let us know or pass it on!
Habits are hard to change, be patient with yourself: you can do it! |
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Creation Care Camp June 10-14; 11:30am - 5:00pm. Drivers needed and/or supervise 3rd - 5th graders on environmental field trips. Contact Anna Belle Lamar, alamar@fumc-waynesville.com or 828-226-5086 Fontana Lake Cleanups September 20 & 28 all day. Work with high school students & EAC volunteers Adopt a Garden Help grow a native plant garden at Haywood Community College Interested? Email us at: info@eacwnc.org |
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Save the Date: Spring Social Gathering May 18th Details Coming Soon to Your Email |
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Action Alert Reminder: Send Your Thanks! EAP Sets Strict Standards on PFAS in Drinking Water |
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What do pizza boxes, outdoor gear, carpets, rain jackets, and non stick pans have in common? They all contain PFAS, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl chemicals also known as 'forever chemicals'. They are everywhere--and are recognized now as very dangerous chemicals for our health and our planet. They leach out of landfills, wastewater plants, contaminated sites, and off many plasticized items. They accumulate in small doses in our bodies gradually building up to become a potential threat, especially to babies and children. They have been linked to cancer, infertility, and developmental abnormalities. The EPA announced it was setting strict limits for PFAS in drinking water. This is a big victory!! So this month's action item is to thank those who have brought about this protection for our health and our planet. Thank a government leader who has championed the reduction of these forever chemicals: North Carolina's own Michael Regan, head of the EPA: Regan.Michael@epa.gov; President Biden, and Governor Cooper whose statement about the dangers of PFAS is attached below. You can find out about the PFA levels in drinking water around North Carolina through the Department of Environmental Quality site attached at the end of Governor Cooper's statement - PFAS in NC Water. Roy Cooper, governor of North Carolina: “We are thankful that Administrator Regan and the Biden administration are taking this action to protect drinking water in North Carolina and across the country. We asked for this because we know science-based standards for PFAS and other compounds are desperately needed.” Thank you Mr. Regan, President Biden, & Governor Cooper! |
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Bring Your Own Bag Haywood Reusable Bag-Making Day Fellowship Hall, 1055 Lee Rd, Clyde The focus of this project is to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags in Haywood County. |
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Get Outside Weekly hikes of 3-5 miles each Thursday. Contact George Shepherd at: shepherdgeorge@att.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Facebook Like our FB page - Environmental Action Community of WNC. |
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