PFQAC Newsletter - Fall 2024

Welcome to the PFQAC Newsletter. We are excited to bring you news of our activities and progress. The newsletter is provided both online (here) and via email. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please let us know. Enjoy reading the update and let us know if you have any questions or suggestions. Volunteers to help out are always welcome!
Think Before You Shrink

This year, try a REUSABLE cover...

This past winter Queen Anne’s County Government, the Marine Trades Association, and PFQAC broke records by achieving a 370% increase in the amount of single-use shrink wrap recycled in the county. A total of six tons of boat shrink wrap was kept out of the landfill this year, compared to 1.62 tons in 2023.

You ask, what could be better than a 370% increase in recycling? This fall, why not make the choice to reduce the volume of plastic waste by using a reusable boat cover or opting for no cover at all?

  • Reusable boat covers can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years—or even longer!
  • Plus, semi-custom reusable covers cost roughly the same as shrink-wrapping a 30’ boat for just two seasons.
  • In the long run, not only do you save money, but you’re also using a product that’s better for the environment and offers the same protection for your boat.
  • The time to start is NOW!

Below are a few options to help you find a reusable cover that suits your boat and budget:

For more generic reusable cover styles and fabric options, check out these sites:

Important note: Winter tends to be the slow season for covermakers. If you're interested in making the switch but can’t purchase a reusable custom cover this fall, consider starting the process now and paying later to avoid next year’s summer/fall rush.

Another option to consider is “Undercover” boat storage for the winter months. This way, you avoid both the plastic wrap and the reusable covers!

Do you own a boat or know someone who does? PFQAC’s supporters are crucial in helping boat owners understand the environmental and economic benefits of using reusable covers and alternatives to single-use plastic shrink wrap. Please help us spread the word by sharing this newsletter with friends and neighbors. If you try out one of these eco-friendly options, send us a photo of your boat’s winterizing method so together, we can all help reduce single use plastic and encourage others to do the same!!

Annual Appeal

The second PFQAC Annual Appeal is coming up. Look for your Appeal letter in October. Please consider donating to this local nonprofit to increase awareness of plastics in our local environment. Proceeds are used in our efforts to work on a county-wide bag ban and other initiatives such as recycling boat shrink wrap.

Shopper's Bag Survey

Research Finds Centreville Plastic Bag Ban a Success

Recent shoppers’ surveys observing shoppers exiting grocery stores conducted by Plastic Free QAC (PFQAC) demonstrate the significant impact of the Centreville “Bring Your Own Bag” ordinance, which went into effect on January 1, 2024. The ordinance, aimed at reducing litter and plastic pollution while encouraging the use of reusable bags, has shown remarkable results. The ordinance, passed unanimously by the Centreville Town Council on July 28, 2023, requires retailers to eliminate plastic carry-out bags and charge at least 10 cents for paper and other carryout bags, incentivizing shoppers to bring their own or forego bags altogether.

Key findings:

  • Reusable bag usage at Centreville’s ACME and Food Lion stores increased from 6.7% before the ordinance to 31.1% after implementation.
  • The combined percentage of shoppers using reusable bags or no bags rose dramatically from 13% in 2020 to 80.2% in 2024.
  • Only 19.1% of shoppers in Centreville grocery stores used 10 cents paper bags. In contrast, at grocery stores in Chester and Stevensville, where no such ordinance exists, 71.1% of 719 shoppers surveyed still used single-use plastic bags.

PFQAC also conducted an interactive shoppers’ survey while distributing 500 free reusable bags at the four grocery stores in QAC, gauging public opinion on eliminating single-use plastic bags. Of the 322 people who responded, 85% expressed support for the initiative to expand the elimination of single-use plastic carry-out bags to the rest of the county. So, now is the time for the Commissioners to pass the ordinance to the rest of the county.

Visit our website for more information about these two recent surveys:

Organization Updates

We are excited to welcome new additions to our team:

  • Maggie Gates has joined as the PFQAC Communications Team Director.
  • Ron Burr has joined the Board of Directors as Secretary and Website/Technology Coordinator.
  • Kerry Burns, a UMD graduate student at the Horn Point Laboratory, is collaborating with PFQAC on a new series of learning articles.

Biographies can be found on the About page of the website: plasticfreeqac.com/about

Upcoming Events & Clean-Ups

Join us in keeping Queen Anne’s County beautiful! From May to October, we host clean-ups at different locations on the third Saturday of each month. Our beaches, shores, tributaries, and roads suffer from discarded plastics, fishing litter, and trash. Let’s do our part by properly disposing of waste, recycling when possible, and encouraging others to do the same. Our clean-ups are fun, build camaraderie, and are a GREAT workout!

Join our next clean-up and help us make a difference!

  • October 19, 2024, 9-11 AM
  • November 16, 2024, 9-11 AM
  • March 15, 2025, 10 AM - 12 PM

plasticfree.com/events

plasticfree.com/volunteer

Volunteer opportunities are also available for upcoming events:

  • Fall Thing Centerville Middle School, 10/24/24, 4:00 - 6:30, Centerville Middle School
  • Centerville Day, 10/26/24, 11:00 - 3:00, Centerville Town Square

Please contact Bente at [email protected]

Website Updates & Plastics Science Series

A team of project volunteers has created 2 new learning pages on our website: (1) a set of learning articles and (2) a chatbot page so that people can ask related questions and the custom AI-based chatbot will answer them. There is also a section for the most commonly asked questions. The system will continue to evolve and learn as it is used.

As part of the learning series, a researcher, Kerry Burns, from the University of Maryland and the Horn Point Oyster Hatchery is creating a series of articles on microplastics and their interaction with the environmental ecosystem.

Learn more at plasticfreeqac.com/learns