Initiatives for Plastic-Free Churches: A Path to Environmental Responsibility
Progressive efforts within the United Church of Christ (UCC) and various faith communities are advocating for the reduction of single-use plastics. The UCC is spearheading programs, press releases, webinars, and partnerships to promote plastic-free strategies among congregations. The Environmental Justice Council is focusing on plastic pollution for Earth Sunday materials. Local churches are taking action by educating on ecological sustainability principles and implementing practical solutions like distributing reusable bags and installing water bottle fountains.
- Plastic-Free Initiatives
- Environmental Responsibility
- United Church of Christ
- Faith Communities
- Single-Use Plastics
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Implementation Conversation
Faith Communities and Plastics Anglicans in the UK and some Countries in Africa have resolutions. In the US , the UCC will be first denomination to call attention for a ban of single use plastics. Individual churches in many denomination have Lenten plastic fasts and/or trying to reduce their use of single use plastics and replacing hem with compostable alernatives.
Within the UCC, it is our primary goal to reach all settings of the church, and aim particularly at local congregations. Our first news release will use the existing structures of the national office and conference offices and ministers to begin this process.
Release UCC Press Release sent to local press by various UCC Churches. Churches sent Press to Local Media Founding of a Team to Implement Plastics Free Strategies Webinars
Fall 2023 Implementation Program Webinars for the Fall Provide a Plastics Free Toolkit for Churches Local Partnership with environmental Organizations working on Plastics Mitigation
UCC Environmental Justice Council From Rev. Brooks Berndt: I pitched to Creation Justice Ministries that they focus their 2024 Earth Sunday materials on plastics and environmental justice, and they are going to do it! I wouldn't have thought to request that if it hadn't been for these resolutions. You are having ripple effects! The tentative title for the resource is "Plastic Jesus: Environmental Justice and Plastic Pollution. It will likely lift up Louisiana's cancer alley and possibly other cancer alleys around the world.
Implementation on Local Church Setting Show: The Story of Plastics https://www.storyofstuff.org/movies/the-story-of-plastic-documentary- film/how-towatch/ Distribute Reusable Grocery/Retail Bags to Congregations. Water Bottle Fountain
Congregational Actions Preaching on ecological sustainability principles on responsible use of ecological resources and the sustainable goal of mitigating single-use plastics. Educating on the importance of mitigation of single-use plastics and plastic straws as well as plastic bottles at our churches, their events, and gatherings. Replacing these with recyclable alternatives such as disposable and biodegradable substitutes. Educating our folks to the toxicity of microplastics to the health of our environment, to our own health, and the health of non-human life.
Changing our consumptive practices: moving to recyclable or compostable solutions. Committing to reducing the use of plastics or looking for recyclable alternatives. Yes Magazine The Solving of the Plastics Issue, https://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/solvingplastic Also see eco-friendly alternatives, Eco-Friendly Alternatives for Disposable Plastic Water Bottles | Cedar (cedarspringswater.ca) Springs Blog
Educate Ourselves and Advocae Publicly Educating our folks to the toxicity of microplastics to the health of our environment, to our own health, and the health of non-human life. Advocating for solutions on plastics and support local and state bans or fees on single use plastics. Look for solutions on plastics whether through mitigation efforts and campaigns to support local and state bans on all single use plastics. Raising awareness of plastic pollution and the dangers to human, non-human life, ecosystems, and the planet
Lenten Plastics Fast for Congregations and Individual Households Why not fast in a way that impacts the world for the better? Three simple Lenten practices. Bring your non-plastic water bottle with you. Don t use plastic water bottles, Don t use plastic straws, use paper straws or refrain from using straws. Refrain from allowing any store to put your merchandise in a plastic bag. Carry canvas bags and put them in the trunk of your car. Or just carry stuff out without a bag.
Organizations Working on Plastic Mitigation Sierra Club, Plastics, https://www.sierraclub.org/plastic Plastics Pollution Coalition https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/ Beyond Plastics (groups are set up in all states) Willing to partner with the UCC on Plastics Pollution https://www.beyondplastics.org/ 350,org Plastics https://350.org/plastic-pollution-and-the-climate-crisis/
Presbyterian USA Presbyterians USA asked Rob Grabill and Bob Shore- Goss to speak since the church wants to adopt a plastic resolution for their General Assembly. Other Denominations have not adopted yet public resolutions. Individual churches in the US are working on specific mitigation efforts of plastics.
