Where’s No Foam?: 12.6.10 GreenDrinks--Mayoral Candidate Forum

GreenDrinks is a monthly event hosted by Foresight Design, “Greens” from around the city gather for networking, discussion, and informal mingling. This month, the event was extra special as it featured five Chicago mayoral candidates: Danny Davis, Miguel del Valle, John Hu, Carol Moseley Braun, and Patricia Van Pelt Watkins.(Please note that although all candidates were invited some were not in attendance).

The proposed City-wide “Styrofoam” ban and other green initiatives gained tremendous visibility tonight through this forum. The second candidate to speak, John Hu, discussed banning “Styrofoam” in the city as part of his green platform and even mentioned NFC’s appearance in Saturday’s Chicago Tribune (see article HERE). Others to follow also mentioned Styrofoam--Carol Moseley Braun mentioned the benefits of the ban in respect to waste reduction.

Follow up questions probed deeper into the candidates’ commitment to green issues. This included proposals for eradicating the dreaded polystyrene!!

No Foam Chicago shared our message with the audience as well as the candidates, and showed that banning polystyrene is not preposterous or unnecessary. On the contrary, NOW is the time to turn the tide! John Hu followed up on our question regarding how to combat CPS's "styrofoam" use. We are especially happy about this exposure after gaining a new partner is ACE (more info HERE) and spending Saturday morning educating student leaders from Chicago Public Schools. All on top of the Trib article!

The candidates presented environmental issues they plan on championing as well as some thoughts on how to implement them. Through the speeches, it is evident that communication from government to citizens and businesses needs to continue to grow. Citizens--in all areas of the city--need more education regarding the problems we face. Incentives for pursuing green initiatives need to be provided for individual citizens. Funding sources should also be explored. Some candidates discussed potentials for privatization and the inherent risks involved (noting the Parking Meter Scandal) and government provided subsidies for recycling, water use, and other measures. Several candidates also discussed expanding measures to harness the creativity of the public to propose new solutions. Issues such as chemicals leaching from “Styrofoam” into children’s food and the presence of food deserts in certain areas showed the combination of the ‘green’ movement with human rights.

Log In on November 6 and Fight Plastic

Got a computer? How about some friends? If both of the above apply, get a group together and check out the Plastic Pollution Coalition’s TedxGreatPacificGarbagePatch event! This event is a video conference streamed live over the Interne. It will bring together leaders of all walks of life. They will teach you how to refuse disposable plastic that ends up in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, so often.

Speakers include: Dr. Sylvia Early, Van Jones, David de Rothschild, and Ed Begley Jr.

Getting involved is easy! Just screen the event starting at 11 AM CST from any laptop or computer with Internet connection and educate yourself about plastic consumption. OR join a pre-formed watch party in your area.

After the conference, tune in here or on other political blogs and discuss how you think the issue should be addressed. Should the focus be on individual responsibility, or should we focus instead on over-arching social reforms?

For more info, click HERE!!

Here's the Agenda, too with speakers and topics listed.

Coffee. Work. Repeat

As the cold weather begins to consume us, lets spend a few minutes thinking about that beverage that warms us up and keeps us moving throughout our day: Coffee.

Unbeknownst to many, there are alternatives to simply sipping out of a disposable cup. Simply ask for a “house ceramic mug” if you plan on staying in the coffeehouse. If the barista gives you a hard time, simply explain politely that you are dining in and would like a reusable cup. This way, you’ll avoid the guilt of using (an oftentimes virgin wood pulp) paper cup that will clog landfills. On top of the aforementioned problems, many cups contain plastic liners (polyethylene) that cannot be recycled.

Many coffee shops have switched from reusable cups to paper ones because they can quickly be handed out, without worrying about needing staff or equipment to wash them. However, many are willing to provide customers with reusable mugs if asked. If they aren’t able to give you a mug, politely inquire why. This way, we will know the cause of eco-unfriendly strategies and what can be done to help businesses change these habits.

Taking it “to-go” before running to class or work? Forgot you cup?…Again? We’ve all been there. Next time, pack your extra mug or cup in your bag. It can also be used as another container for small items such as pens, lipgloss, spare change, etc (but you might want to wrap these in reusable cloth so you don’t have penny-tasting java…yuck).

How to break the system of disposables? One solution is to educate the business owners by showing your commitment to eco-friendliness. Also, support organizations that push for packaging reform and who band together to promote social change. Legislation, organized political actions, consumer choices, and other methods must constantly work together to make our world greener.

The Importance of Ingenuity

Here at No Foam Chicago, we are obsessed with finding new materials to replace the nasty “Styrofoam” clamshells. Perhaps some of our supporters are already familiar with items such as bagasse (sugar cane) or bamboo; alternative materials such as these do not contain petroleum based products like “Styrofoam” does and they break down much faster. They do not leach chemicals and toxins into food, nor are they linked with cancer-causing agents, like “Styrofoam” is.

While there are already many excellent alternative options out there, we must constantly pay homage to the individuals and think tanks across the country (indeed across the world) that continuously develop new strategies.

This video from TED describes how fungus can be turned into packaging materials. There are extreme implications for such a product, especially since it is an actual living material. If living containers, packaging, and home insulation sounds space age to you, check out this video!! It also discusses the horrors of “Styrofoam”.

http://www.ted.com/talks/eben_bayer_are_mushrooms_the_new_plastic.html

Another idea involves mimicking ants. Yes, you heard that correctly. Insects. This "Inhabitat" article describes how the animals’ many virtues, such as a tough exoskeleton, can be harnessed by designers and used as inspiration for packaging!

http://inhabitat.com/2010/10/01/packaging-the-future-inspiration-from-ants/

Oh The Trouble A Bag Can Cause...

A recent proposal to ban single-use plastic bags in California has unfortunately been struck down thanks to a combination of advertising and big-name lobbying groups, particularly the American Chemistry Council. You may be asking why this is relevant to our campaign against "styrofoam". After securing the city-wide ban, we would be interested in taking our case state-wide. When this time comes, we need to show that we are aware of the opposition against such measures and have tactics to face them. Despite the loss of a battle in California, the fight is nowhere close to completion. California would have been the first state to establish a ban against plastic bags.

The American Chemistry Council has used a portion of its $100 million [earlier, spend millions fighting ban] budget to convince the State's Senate to reject the bill. They spend millions fighting bans and regulations such as this one. To get a better picture of their budget E, The Environmental Magazine, quotes the AP:

“[The ACC] spent millions in lobbying fees, radio ads and even a prime-time television ad attacking the measure.”

Several main proponents were Heal the Bay , Clean Water Action Group, and Californians Against Waste. If the plastic bag ban were to pass, upwards of $25 million could be saved. This is the current cost of transporting the $19 billion bags to landfills.

Despite actions designed to educate the public such as this PSA video, ultimately the lobbyists were able to convince the Senate that the costs of the ban would be too great. This is unfortunate because Governor Swartzenager was ready to sign it into law.

Despite this setback however, Palo Alto and Santa Clara Counties have already begun implementing bans of their own and San Jose is poised to follow suit. Proponents of the ban are also regrouping and attempting to educate the public about the harmful effects of plastic bags. These include both environmental and economical consequences. This is especially important in California because of its location on the West Coast and proximity to water.

Links:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/01/1802136/californias-plastic-bag-ban-plan.html

http://www.emagazine.com/view/?5319

http://www.cawrecycles.org/

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129570458

http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_acc/sec_news_article.asp?CID=206&DID=11325

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Ban-the-Bag-or-Bag-the-Ban-101825238.html

http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics/doc.asp?CID=1106&DID=6983

http://www.stopthebagpolice.com

NEW CO-SPONSORS!

We have reached a tremendous breakthrough today in our fight against styrofoam...

and are pleased to announce two new Aldermen co-sponsors of our ordinance proposing to ban styrofoam!! They are:

--Alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno (1st Ward)

--Alderman Danny Solis (25th Ward)

In either of their Wards? Why not send a quick thank you email? Their contact information is available here! Unsure who your Alderman is? Check out a map delineating Ward boundaries! See our post entitled "Know Your Alderman?".

These new co-sponsors will be a crucial component of our success. We will continue educating other Aldermen, as well as the public, about our cause.

In other news:

No Foam Chicago participated in the Lake View Music Fest on August 29, Glenwood Ave Arts Fest (as a guest of Alderman Moore), and 'Green Parenting: Growing Healthy Kids' at Uncommon Ground. Want to know where we'll be next?? Keep checking this blog for updates, sign up for our e-blasts (Just leave a comment in this post with your email address), and become our 'fan' on Facebook.

Thanks again to all our co-sponsors!

Where's No Foam?: Farmer Fridays

This Friday, August 6th, No Foam Chicago will be participating again at Uncommon Ground's Farmer Fridays Farmer's Market! The event continues until October, and NFC has already been present on a couple other Fridays.

So come out, sign a petition, grab some produce, sip an organic brew, and learn about some other great causes. Farmer Fridays are not your typical farmer's market. There will also be children's readings and music, as well as a performance by the Taverna Trio and Honky Tonk Happy Hour.

More details found here!

National Media Attention for Styrofoam Out of Schools

In the August issue of Redbook Magazine, there is a mini-blurb about the organization Styrofoam Out of Schools, in New York. It discusses the founder, mother Debby Lee Cohen's goals to banish styrofoam trays from New York Public Schools.

Because of her efforts, "Trayless Tuesdays" have been established where children eat out of paper boats instead of styrofoam trays. She wants to replace these with sustainable options. Most importantly, the magazine discusses how she wants to involve the children in the mission and encourage awareness:

"My dream is for them to design their own sustainable trays"

Congrats, Debby Cohen! Your group is an outstanding organization of passionate people and we look forward to continuing our partnership with you!

-NFC

Eat, Drink, and Be Green!

Hello No-Foamers!

Red solo cups may be the quintessential party accessory . Despite their notorioty on college campuses, Asher Roth videos, and convenience store check-out lines, many people also know how wasteful they can be. Despite being a #1 PETE plastic (the most widely recycled plastic), these cups are often thrown away into landfills instead of recycled. It's a shame too because Solo has a line called Bare, made with 20% post-consumer content.

Even better than recycling plastic or paper cups, would be a system that would allow partiers, picnickers, or anyone to cut down on waste and actually eat the cup when they're done!

Well look no further! Check out this link from TreeHugger!

As a way to cut down on trash, clever inventors have created "Jelloware" cups that can be eaten or composted after consuming the beverage inside. They won a design competition by Gowanus Studio Space by beating out all the other Jell-o mold entries.

The cups are aesthetically pleasing, with cute designs on the sides (see this blog, Yanko Design for more pictures). But more importantly, they are made out of agar agar, which they say is a seaweed extract. As an added bonus, you can bury them in your garden because the seaweed extract is good at nurturing plants! The company designed them to be thrown on the ground. But unlike Dixie, Solo, or other cups who will just sit in mass piles of debris at street festivals and other gatherings, these "thrown away" cups will be aiding your garden or yard.

They even come in swanky flavors!

So to sum it all up...these cups are great because they naturally biodegrade: unlike styrofoam which will take 500+ years to breakdown and even then is not fully biodegraded. They don't create more trash, because they serve multiple purposes. They are well-designed and pleasing to look at, encouraging people to use them. Now, I'm not sure how the creators at The Way We See The World are planning on distributing them or when, but hopefully they will spark peoples' creativity.

I know I want to attempt making my own glasses for my next picnik or party! Mmmmm, jell-o plates would be awfully tasty.

-NFC

Where's 'No Foam'?: West Fest, Roscoe Village Garden Walk

Today (Saturday, July 10) and tomorrow (Sunday, July 11), No Foam will be at West Fest on Chicago Avenue between Damen and Wood. The festival will feature live music and DJ sets, vendors, food, and drinks. According to the website there will be an:

emphasis is all-things “local,” from the food to the talent.

No Foam will be floating around the festival asking attendees to sign a petition that will eventually be hand-delivered to Mayor Daley. There will also be a Kid's Fest and a Pet Fest. a $5 donation is requested. More information available on their website.

Also, No Foam will be participating in the Chicago Conservation Corps', "Sustainable Backyard Workshop". The event is from 12-3 at Hoyne and Roscoe. They have snacks, raffles and will even have great rebates on rain barrels and composting bins. The maximum amount for at rebate is $60!! They will also have information about the different types of composting bins/ rainwater buckets that are on the market, so you can make an informed choice that's good for the environment AND your wallet. A calendar featuring this event and other Sustainable Backyard workshops are located: here.

Representatives from No Foam Chicago will also be on hand to provide more information about our campaign and help potential volunteers get started with the cause.

Looks like we're in for an excellent weekend!! See you all soon!

-NFC

Intersections of Marketing, Economics, Environmentalism...and Coffee?

One of my favorite movies, You've Got Mail, has a great quote regarding Starbucks. Sure, the technology they use throughout the move is outmoded. Who has to listen to the whir and chips of dial-up? Let alone actually hear the three words of the title? Nonetheless, the character Joe Fox's attitude towards Starbucks is hilarious:

So people who don't know what the hell they're doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino.

Recently, however, Starbucks has been trying to seriously change their image. And in the process bring about more eco-friendly changes. In an article in the Chicago Tribune today, Melissa Allison writes about the company's plan to convert their paper cups into napkins for their stores. While their current napkins do list their post-consumer recycled content, this move will hopefully produce larger changes. With 3 billion paper cups per year, the company can keep the recycling internal to produce other needed products.

Other critiques however also need to be appeased. For example, the article discusses how recycling efforts may be blocked because of the lack of markets for paper products. Starbucks wants to step up demand through its paper napkin project.

What the article doesn't mention however, is what will happen to the 1 billion used plastic cups. These are made from #5 plastics, which can be difficult to find recycling centers for in some communities around the country (see this website for more info). These issues make the importance of reusing very evident! When grabbing some coffee, bring a reusable mug if possible. If you forget (and let's be real, it can be so easy to!), ask the barista/o for a house ceramic mug. This is an option that many people may forget about! Although they may not be available at all times throughout the day/ at all locations, using a ceramic mug will cut down on waste. Even though the paper cups will be recycled in greater numbers, producing less waste will still be better for the environment.

Through this example we can see how paper clearly trumps styrofoam! Paper can be turned into useful products, but this is not possible for styrofoam. Luckily, Starbucks is currently using paper cups and not styrofoam ones or these changes obviously wouldn't be possible.

You can read the full article--> here.

No Foam's New Summer Intern!

Hi everyone,

I'm Kristen and I'm interning for Summer 2010 with No Foam Chicago! I'm so excited to have the opportunity to see the 'behind the scenes' functioning of a non-profit organization. I'm helping to run this blog, so you'll be hearing from me fairly often.

I'm going to be a Junior at DePaul in September. I'm double majoring in International Studies and Women's Studies with a Minor in French. I'm also studying abroad in Paris in January, which I'm ecstatic about! I love all things French. I also love animals, dancing, and living in the city. My concentration in International Studies is Sustainability (or Political Ecology...I'm still working out the logistics because we choose our own courses for the concentration).

If you have any questions, would like to know more about me, or have suggestions about things to blog about, feel free to comment!

--Kristen Maddox

No Foam Chicago, Summer 2010 Intern

Where's 'No Foam'?: Chicago Green Music Fest 2010 and Farmers Markets

Wondering where No Foam Chicago will be or when we'll be in your neck of the woods? Look no farther than the section of our blog called, "Where's 'No Foam'?" to stay posted on NFC happenings, actions, educational opportunities, events and MORE.

This Saturday, we will be romping through the Chicago Green Music Fest with clipboards to let people know how they can support our cause and learn more about styrofoam and NFC. The event looks like it will be a unique, awesome time! Who doesn't want to enjoy a Chicago summer by listening to eco-friendly bands, stroll through a "vendor village", and sample the "craft beer booth"? We're sold and we hope you are too! The event runs from June 26 and 27 from noon-10:00pm on both days. It's located on Chicago Avenue between Ashland and Noble and there is a $5 suggested donation. Can't beat that for a full day of live music! More information and the music line up is found on their website.

Also, this Friday (June 25), July 16th, and August 6th, we will be attending Uncommon Ground's Farmer Fridays! We start this Friday so come get your fresh, organic produce and stop by to sign a postcard that will be sent to Mayor Daley to show citizen support behind the proposed ban! From the looks of it, this appears to be no ordinary farmer's market. Oh no, instead, there are organizations, shops, and even breweries present. The folks at Uncommon Ground are always looking for ways to push the green and activist envelope and this market seems like a great way to entice people to do the same. The Market will be right in the parking lot of the Devon location and more info is found on the website.

YES! It IS Possible to Save Money AND Be 'Green'

Inspiration found here.

It can sometimes seem that going 'green' is only for those who can afford fancy new 'green' gadgets, or have knowledge on the latest and greatest scientific research. Though this can sometimes be the case, there are also stories of individuals who transform the green movement into an everyday, lived reality. These people know the power of conserving. This applies to various parts of their lives from energy, space, resources...and YES even money.

Also, when talking about the costs and benefits of being Green, one can't be too caught up in just the 'here and now'. The costs of practices harmful to the environment and humans will only multiply in the long run!

But what about the short-term costs?? Sure it's easy to say these things, but not always easy to implement changes. You may feel held back by financial restrictions, especially in today's economy and of course saving money is a valid concern. Still, in order to incorporate a Green lifestyle, we all need to change the ways we view consumption and daily habits (myself included!!). Being involved in the environmental movement (and indeed any other social movement) means countering what is believed to be 'common sense' or the dominant way of doing things. Scholars call this 'hegemony'. At the root, most social movements' goals are to implement their own counter-hegemonic reforms. Think of the Civil Rights Movement, for instance. These activists envisioned a different society. One with equality granted to people of any race, instead of the institutionalized racism they were raised to take for granted.

The Environmental Movement is attempting to do the same thing: change people's thinking about daily life. These things can start small, and build into larger and larger projects. By thinking creatively, these projects can save money as well. A great example is this blog post from Yahoo's blog, called Shine. It details how a woman has saved more than $10,000 by 'greening' her life.

This was the point of this post. Please excuse my ramblings, I find research on social movements to be fascinating :) [don't get me started on the Danish Redstockings]. But seriously, CHECK OUT THIS LINK! Kudos to you, Nancy (shame they don't give her full name). This story is really inspiring. I was expecting the usual fluff from Yahoo, or the old-standby "green" tips. But alas! I was pleasantly surprised!

She even discusses how her spirituality (she's an Episcopal priest) is tied to her eco-consciousness. She talks about the interconnectedness of nature and how her path to saving green and being green have lead her to see spirituality and her surroundings much differently.

HOWEVER, several of the price estimates do seem to be off. Regardless, they are things that people might skip over when thinking of ways to save money. That being said, do take the price estimates/ how much she claims to have spent before with a grain of salt (okay, more like a good tablespoon).

Finally, in a lovely bit of irony, check out the ads for other posts on the same page. In an article about a woman choosing her needs over wants, many of the other headlines are for products trying to make your life better. And no, these aren't really your run of the mill, "Buy this!" kinds of things. They just might be the clutter that Nancy cut out.

So in case going green doesn't work, at least you'll know where to find, "10 fun and functional ice cream accessories" or a handful of kitchen gadgets. Just kidding.

Link to article

Know Your Alderman?

Pop quiz! How many aldermen serve the City of Chicago?...Don't know? Check out the Office of the Chicago City Clerk to learn this answer and other information about what the Alderman position is all about, as well as learn who your alderman is (psst: the answer is 50).

The City of Chicago is divided into 50 districts and each one elects an alderman, who will be in office for 4 years. The job of each Alderman may be dependent on the particular Ward that he or she serves, however each Alderman must sit on the City Council. This is part of the legislative branch of government and meets about every month. City ordinances are discussed at these meetings.

So why write about Chicago's Aldermen on the No Foam Chicago blog? Because we are proposing a City-wide ordinance to ban styrofoam.

Soon, you may be asked to call your alderman and discuss this issue. It is important for citizens to be actively aware of what is occurring in their local government; knowing your alderman and how to contact him or her, is an important first step.

--No Foam

Additional Information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_City_Council

http://www.chicityclerk.com/key_legislation_votes_2009.html

No Foam-Created Resource Sheets

Here are some good PDFs that are located on the No Foam Chicago website:

The first is called "Intro to No Foam". It gives an overview of the cause including why NOW is the time to act and what sparked the first anti-foam actions. Click the title to go to the link!

--Intro to No Foam

To understand the movement in a snapshot, we've created a "Top Ten List" of reasons Chicago is working to ban Styrofoam. This is a great, quick read if you're in a hurry but still want to become more educated!

--Top Ten Reasons Chicago is Banning Styrofoam

Next, we have "The Facts on Styrofoam". This sheet describes what Polystyrene is, particularly what makes it so harmful. It discusses why it cannot be recycled, damages to the ozone layer that occur because of styrofoam, as well as alternative products and what YOU can do.

--The Facts on Styrofoam

For the more scientifically-inclined among us, we have "The Chemistry and Properties of Styrofoam". This resource is particularly useful in getting at the heart of the issue: the chemical reasons why the product is so dangerous. It illustrates the complexity of the issue, as well as the scientific proof behind the movement's claims.

--Chemistry and Properties

Finally, here is a list of cities that have already banned polystyrene. This can be a great starting point to find out what methods have worked elsewhere!

--Cities That Have Banned Styrofoam

Hope these help introduce you to our cause as well as spur your interest in our current and future efforts!

-No Foam

Welcome to a new era...of a foamless Chicago

Welcome!

If you've found this blog, we assume you've already seen our website, http://www.nofoamchicago.org If not, go check it out!

This blog is meant to enhance our website and provide YOU with all kinds of tools to be a more powerful, environmentally-conscious, civic-minded Chicagoan. We'll routinely post interesting items we find online that pertain to our determined struggle to ban styrofoam packaging in the city, as well as articles and tips about eco-friendliness and the environmental movement. This blog is meant to be fun AND useful.

So come follow our cause. Hopefully through our peaks and valleys you'll learn more about us. We hope to learn more about you, as well.

There may be times when we call on you to help us. If you'd like to become involved, hopefully you'll be able to use this blog (and our website) as resources.

Thanks for reading. You'll hear from us again...promise :)

--No Foam Chicago