PLASTICS 360:  IMPACT & POSSIBILITIES

Thu Mar 7, 7-9 pm, Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship Hall              Sat Mar 16, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm, Lafayette Public Library

Register for Saturday conference here or call (510) 532-6574

“We may not think about them often,” says the American Chemistry Council, “but versatile plastics inspire countless innovations that help make life better, healthier and safer every day.”  In this view, plastics provide cheap, hygienic, lightweight, and convenient materials for our growing economy.  But plastics are turning out to be anything but convenient.

 In 2010, American manufacturers produced over 51 million tons of plastic.  That same year, American households threw away (not recycling) over half that amount.  What are the costs and effects of this kind of waste in our daily lives?  What can you personally do to protect the environment and your health?

Join us for a comprehensive review of research on plastic in the oceans, plastic toxicity, the costs of disposability, and ways that we each can shift to more life-sustaining materials.  Local leaders in health, conservation, and resource recovery will describe issues and solutions to the plague of plastic pollution.

For students, teachers, business managers and owners, civic leaders, citizen activists, and anyone interested in sustainable living.

Thursday, March 7, 7-9 pm.   Introduction & film night.  $10 suggested donation.  Contact info@greensangha.org or call (510) 532-6574 to register.

• Film shorts:  The Story of Bottled Water (Annie Leonard); Midway Island cleanup (Chris Jordan); We Can Recycle Plastic (Mike Biddle); and more
• Where:  Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar Street (at Bonita Avenue)

Saturday, March 16, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm.   Conference fee:  $30 pre-registration by Mar 1; $40 after Mar 1 and at the door ($10 discount for Green Sangha members & students with current ID).  Register here.

• A brief history of plastics.  Susan Freinkel, author of Plastic:  A Toxic Love Story
• The oil-plastic connection.  Joe Mueller, MS, biology instructor
• Marine litter.  Chris Pincetich, PhD, marine toxicologist
• Plastics in our bodies.  Marion Guyer, MD, MBA
• What we can do.  Beth Terry, author, Plastic Free
• Plus!  Opening meditation and mindful movement break with Gerry Swan

Where:  Lafayette Public Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

Refreshments:  Light, earth-friendly snacks will be provided at registration (9:00-9:30 am).  BYO lunch!  We will provide coffee and beverages.  (BYO mug if you can.)

Reservations:  (510) 532-6574 or write info@greensangha.org

Co-sponsors   ° Clean Water Action  ° Generation Green  ° Sea Turtle Restoration Project

Endorsed by ECOlunchboxes, Lafayette; Jules Thin Crust Pizza, Danville