PFQAC Newsletter - January 2025

The global plastic crisis demands our attention—2025 is the perfect time to make small, meaningful changes that add up to a big impact. Reducing single-use plastics benefits the environment, protects wildlife, and secures a healthier future. Here’s how YOU can make a difference:

REFUSE...

Be intentional about saying NO to plastics:

• Choose products with minimal or no plastic packaging
• Replace single-use bags, ziplocks, produce bags, and plastic wrap with reusable alternatives.
• Switch to glass storage containers.
• Visit refilleries for soaps, detergents, and personal care items. (Learn more at refillgoodness.com)

REDUCE...

Start with simple swaps that make a big difference:

• Bring reusable bags when you shop and commit to making them a habit. Keep bags in your car for convenience and to help you remember.
• Carry a reusable water bottle and decline water and beverages in plastic bottles.
• Use reusable straws and utensils when dining out.
• These small, mindful changes significantly reduce waste over time.

REUSE...

Extend the life of everyday items and keep them out of the trash:

REPURPOSE...

While it’s impossible to eliminate all single-use plastics, find new ways to give them purpose:

• Repurposing reduces waste and can often replace the need for new items.

RECYCLE...

Only as a last resort, after you’ve made every effort to Reduce, Refuse, Reuse, and Repurpose.

Every small step you take adds up to a significant impact. Together, we can tackle the plastic crisis and protect our planet for future generations!

HELP SPREAD THE WORD and be an advocate for change!

• Share sustainable practices with friends and family.
• Encourage them to take small steps toward a plastic-free lifestyle.
• Join or organize local cleanups to make a direct impact in your community.

TOGETHER FOR A GREENER 2025

Change does NOT have to be overwhelming. Every reusable bag, bottle, or container you use is one step closer to a healthier planet.

Let’s make 2025 the year of LESS WASTE AND MORE ACTION—because every small effort adds up to a big difference!

From all of us at Plastic Free QAC, we wish you a happy, sustainable, and impactful 2025. Together, we can make a difference for generations to come!

Sara Shelley
President, Plastic Free QAC Team

Moving forward with the Queen Anne's County

It is up to you and me!

The time is ripe to let the Commissioners know that you care about cutting down on single-use plastics, and one good way to begin the process is to introduce and pass the BAN on single-use carry out plastic bags in Queen Anne’s County. They have done it in Centreville, they have done it in Salisbury, in Chestertown, in Easton and all of Delaware and many other places around the country. Why not Queen Anne’s County?

Right now, the Commissioners are considering whether or not to go forward with the ordinance. They are looking at the results from a survey of the QAC businesses that they requested conducted by the Director of Tourism and Economic Development. The county survey information, as well as, extensive data collect by PFQAC will be presented to the Commissioners on Tuesday, February 25th.

Call To ACTION:

It is of the utmost importance that everyone who cares about the environment contacts the Commissioners to let them know that they need to take action! Leave a message: 410-758-4098 or email them at [email protected]

In 2024 PFQAC conducted 8 roadside cleanups. This included participating in the Countywide “Clean Anne County” with Shore Rivers and other environmentally responsible organizations in Queen Anne’s County.

Over the course of the year 83 volunteers collected 118 bags of trash. Most of items collected were the typical plastic bags, plastic bottles, beer bottles and fast food containers, and realty signs and store advertising. Some of the more unusual items included a 4-foot white cooler, truck tire, assorted clothing items, store

The volunteers included 29 new volunteers who had never participated in a cleanup before. We had great participation from Kent Island High School students. It was good to see these teenagers involved and interested in improving the environment in their community.

Next year’s cleanups are scheduled for the third Saturday of the month starting in March, so mark your calendars for these 2025 dates: March 15, August 16, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, September 20, October 18, and November 16.

The 2nd Annual Appeal for Plastic Free QAC is underway and many of you have already contributed. For those of you who have donated to this worthy, local, environmentally-friendly cause, we thank you for your generosity!! If you have not yet donated, please consider doing so. You may donate on-line at:

http://www.plasticfreeqac.com/donate

or send in your check to PFQAC, PO Box 104, Grasonville, MD 21638.

Funds raised from this Appeal will be focused on furthering our mission of educating, raising awareness, and clarifying the choices individuals and organizations can make to enhance our environment. One of main goals for 2025 is to welcome a county wide bag ban, following the successful rollout in January, 2024 of the Centreville Bag Ban. In addition, PFQAC is looking to develop a mini-grant program for students, teachers, community groups or anyone with a good idea to reduce single-use plastics or expand upon PFQAC's efforts in the areas of education, advocacy and community involvement.

Thank you for your commitment to our cause and helping to keep our roadways and waterways plastic-free.

Exciting Start for 2025

There were lots of improvements in Plastic Free QAC's use of technology in 2024. As a result, website traffic is way up and increasing (~8000 views last 30 days) and distributed to the most active sessions (e.g., learns, events, news). Optimization and automation will continue in 2025.

Among the improvements was that Plastic Free QAC received a non-profit workspace account and classification from Google. This allowed us to create team member accounts and groups that gives us a way to organize and share, our documents and digital assets in shared storage All new and historical information is now stored in this centralized and secure storage location.

Plastic Free QAC also migrated its website to a more modern, flexible, and faster framework to improve user experience and make it easier to maintain. This updated tool can evolve based on user feedback. The focus is on driving dynamic content (learns, news, events) that is regularly added encouraging users to return for the latest information. In addition, a learning module and chatbot using artificial intelligence have been incorporated!!

Regular learn articles are now posted with the help of Kerry Burns, a UMD Graduate Student. We have also added a customized pages module for the problem, bag ban initiative and donate/appeal. Updatable call-to-actions (buttons/links) on the home page and elsewhere (CTAs) guide users to the most recent and appropriate content.

A big thanks to all who have contributed content!

Since joining PFQAC, Tom has consistently AMAZED us with his unwavering dedication and positive attitude. As our Volunteer Coordinator, he goes above and beyond, always ready to step up and fulfill his role.

Tom's responsibilities include:

• Coordinating and recruiting volunteers
• Organizing and leading our monthly clean-ups
• Ensuring that essential equipment and supplies for PFQAC community events are available for volunteers

Tom's commitment to our cause is truly inspiring. His friendly demeanor and infectious enthusiasm keep our team motivated and engaged. Before retiring to Stevensville in 2020, Tom was a successful healthcare consultant. His passion for environmental issues dates back to the 70s when he worked to pass the bottle bill in Massachusetts.

When he's not volunteering, Tom enjoys spending time on the bay with his family and friends, boating, fishing, and crabbing.

We are incredibly fortunate to have Tom on our team. Thank you, Tom, for your invaluable contributions and unwavering dedication to our mission!