The “Choose to Reuse” Campaign for the

Santa Barbara area

In October 2007, the Center for Sustainability agreed to be the fiscal sponsor for a community outreach program called “Choose to Reuse.”  The purpose of this project is to educate area residents about the need to reduce or eliminate many types of single use plastics.  These plastics are harmful to our marine environment, our health and our atmosphere.  The project focuses on Styrofoam food service containers, plastic grocery bags and plastic water bottles.

The program will roll out in the Fall of 2008 and include presentations at several local schools and to interested adult groups.  “Choose to Reuse” includes a Power Point presentation and a bag giveaway.  The project has purchased 1500 organic cotton canvas bags (made in the USA!)  and has funding to purchase 1500 more bags in early 2009.  In addition, the program will distribute 500-1000 Chico Bags, handy polyester bags in their own stuff sack.  Both bag syles will feature the “Choose to Reuse” graphic, created expressly for the program by the artist Shawn Stussy, along with the Center for Sustainability’s logo.

“Choose to Reuse” has enough funding from privately obtained grants to continue through the Spring of 2009.  For more information, contact Program Coordinator Kathi King at kathibking @ ccox.net.