Saugeen Peninsula Reduces Waste
Submitted by Peninsula Bruce Trail Club and Sources of Knowledge
Everyone has heard of the term BYOB, but there is a new BYO on the Saugeen Peninsula! Bring Your Own Container!
Saugeen Peninsula Reduces Waste – BYO is a pilot project organized by Sources of Knowledge and Peninsula Bruce Trail Club. The aim is to reduce waste by decreasing our dependency on single use containers.
Single-use water bottles and food and beverage containers are two of the most littered items found on the trail – especially at popular trail access points – and in our primary local harbours.
Saugeen Peninsula Reduces Waste – BYO is a practical and low-tech way to engage consumers and businesses alike in reducing waste by choosing to use reusable containers.
We are seeking businesses to proudly profile on our websites, which encourage customers to bring their own container. Customers can choose to use their own travel mugs, waterbottles, foodware, take-home containers, and reusable shopping bags.
This is a grassroots initiative that focuses on building a community of stewardship and sustainability. Each individual carries their knowledge back to their circle of friends, family and community. This knowledge helps to break the cycle of dependency on single-use containers, and shift our thinking and practice toward a re-use practice.
Local merchants like Dan and Molly Bridge at Garden in Thyme near Lion’s Head are wonderful examples of a business which encourages customers to bring their own containers for baked goods and reusable shopping bags for other purchases. Did you forget your shopping bag? Too many bags at home? No problem – Garden in Thyme has a reusable bag drop-off/pick-up spot in the store.
At Reader’s Haven Book Store in Tobermory, you can buy a coffee and fill your own travel mug. Susan and Lindsey Griffith, business proprietors here, say this saves them money on disposable cup purchases and helps promote sustainability at the same time.
Join us at Reader’s Haven Book Store on Mondays – August 19th and 26th from 11am-12pm for a free 12 ounce coffee – if you bring your own mug. Stay awhile to learn about the project and discuss your ideas about pushing the reuse movement forward, too.
If you are a Saugeen Peninsula merchant and want to join the Saugeen Peninsula Reduces Waste BYO community project – contact Marg at pbtcoutreach@gmail.com, or Owen at owenglendon@me.com
