Reduce the Use

In March of 2019, myself and half a dozen others set up a few tables in the hall of where I work. We sold brownies for a dollar a piece with a free coffee mug in an effort to “Reduce the Use” of plastic lined coffee cups with plastic lids. Neither of these recycle in anyway and convincing people who are unaware of this came pretty easy for most. Convincing them to use washable mugs all the time is a little harder.

We were to start selling at 11:00 a.m. but were ready at 10:45 a.m. We were sold out by 11:00. We had 300 brownies and 200 mugs. We actually took the names of everyone who did not receive a mug and got them to them within the week. Had we known . . . well, you know.

Our IT building has about 2000 employees. 12 kitchenettes with free coffee, tea and cocoa. Over 5000 of the plastic lined cups are used each month.

Last week I found that we had a couple hundred more mugs sitting at one of the teammates desk. My desk is in a high traffic area so I set up a sign on the desk itself and on the mug box. (Picture included) In 5 working days we have sold 50 mugs with a lot of enthusiasm! New coffee machines are going in and signs will going next to each of those machines to come purchase their coffee mug at my desk.

“Jackie” who started all this is stopping people in the halls to teach them the “Reduce the Use” motto. Last year she convinced our cafeteria to change to recyclable plates and straws.

If we could all do this where we work, it would be a great start to stopping the use of plastics.

About the Author:

Diane Lonsway is a digital magician with an avid love for animals and the natural world and will support any efforts to make this world a better place.