Promoting a plastic-free PEC

Promoting a plastic-free PEC are: Debbie Rankin, Camille Bettonville, Julie Miller, Kate MacNaughton & daughter, Mayor Steve Ferguson, (a passerby), Sarah Doiron, Sam Toth, Toby Toth, Sofia Faga and Aaron Miller. Jeanie Perruzza photo

A group of like-minded citizens has come together to work toward eliminating single use plastics in Prince Edward County.

The ‘Plastic Free PEC’ group hopes to change attitudes, habits, and business practices in Prince Edward County that will result in the reduction of single-use plastics.

But organizers note it’s not an all-or-nothing approach, noting impact can be made by encouraging everyone to make small, incremental changes.

They are starting by focusing on eliminating six items from everyday use: water bottles, straws, coffee cups, ziplock bags, plastic bags and cutlery.

While it is still a newly-formed committee, Plastic Free PEC sought Mayor Steve Ferguson to proclaim Earth Day April 22 as Plastic Free day in Prince Edward County.

Other short-term goals of the committee are to purchase a mobile event water station – akin to a Quench Buggy, but on a smaller and more affordable scale; to provide education about moving away from a life full of single-use plastics and to seek commitments from other community groups to ban single-use plastics at meetings and events.

Plastic Free PEC seeks volunteers to join the group. Possible volunteer roles could involve staffing an educational booth at an event; fundraising to purchase a the water station; assisting with trash bashes; or advocating to PEC community groups and businesses to change their consumption of plastics.

More information on joining the group can be found on the Plastic Free PEC Facebook Page, or by emailing plasticfreepec@gmail.com.