CARE (Creating A Responsible Environment) for the Cape & Islands, Center for Coastal Studies, and Cape Cod Anti-Litter Coalition will host their next summit at the 204 Cultural Arts Municipal Building, Harwich, on Nov. 9 from 8:30 a.m .to 2 p.m.
Representatives from the business community, environmental nonprofits, town health agents, DPW, town committees and chambers of commerce are encouraged to attend, as well as the community-at-large.
Deadline for registration is Nov. 7 and the cost is $30, which includes lunch. To register: go to https://takecarecapecod.org/events
This year’s summit theme is focused on a three-year project, “Cape Cod Coalition to Aid Tourism Business Shift to Sustainable Serviceware,” to be led by CARE for the Cape & Islands in partnership with WHOI Sea Grant. The project is being funded through a NOAA grant.
Building on CARE’s well-established network of community and municipal partnerships, the project will build an action-based coalition of businesses, chambers of commerce, local governments, NGOs, educational entities, Mashpee Wampanoag representatives, and others to expand the use of sustainable alternatives to single use food and serviceware. It will include exploring the potential for a reusable serviceware program to transition businesses away from single-use plastics to more environmentally-friendly containers and serviceware products.
The annual summit, celebrating its fifth anniversary, will present a variety of speakers bringing together local, county, and state officials, businesses and nonprofits, all of whom have a shared goal to protect our environment.
A panel of local “Success Stories,” facilitated by Katy Acheson, Cape Cod Canal Chamber, will highlight three organizations that are making strides to reduce the use of single-use plastic serviceware that is harmful to marine life and their habitats. Jill Talladay, CARE Executive Director, explains: “understanding the challenges and impacts of the products businesses use will help attendees determine where they can contribute to solutions.” The Eddy School, located in Brewster, has begun a pilot waste reduction program that uses reusable serviceware and food waste composting. Mac’s Seafood, with multiple restaurants and seafood markets in the Outer Cape, will discuss what they’ve learned over the years after testing a variety of products, sharing both challenges and successes. Island Eats MV has implemented a successful reusable takeout container business on Martha’s Vineyard that can be replicated on Cape Cod.
Another session will present a variety of resources including commercial composting options, funding sources and evaluation tools that will aid in transitioning to more eco-friendly options. Presenters include Black Earth Composting, ReThink Disposable and the Mass. DEP.
Attendees are invited to participate in a networking lunch that will build upon existing partnerships to form a coalition to work together toward solutions. A silent auction of local products and experiences will be offered that will support the group’s work.
