Community Projects
Sustainable Business Forum
In July of 2019, the City of Lambertville hosted a Sustainable Business Forum with local businesses to discuss successes, concerns, questions and ideas with regards to sustainability. The forum had a special focus on minimizing the consumption of single use plastics in our community. This forum gave businesses the opportunity to voice concerns and ask questions about the Plastics Ordinance, as well as learn more about plastic alternatives.
Many local businesses participated in the forum, ranging from restaurants, retail establishments, and other small businesses and interested parties. Vendors were invited to educate businesses on affordable alternatives to plastic throwaway items.
Community Canvassing Day & Reusable Bag Education Campaign
On September 22, 2019, the city of Lambertville and the Environmental Commission celebrated Clean Up The World Weekend (https://www.cleanuptheworld.org) with a day of community engagement focused on minimizing Lambertville’s consumption of single use plastics.
We wanted a personal and fun way to reach out to the community, educating and empowering them to choose reusable over disposable bags. We designed and produced reusable shopping bags, made from recycled cotton, to distribute for free to Lambertville residents. Volunteers went door to door in town handing out bags and educational materials on Community Canvassing Day. Residents were receptive and excited about receiving the bags.
Additionally, we donated 50 reusable bags to each of the local Lambertville food pantries, and offered extra bags at City Hall for households that may have more than one family. Residents who were not at home during canvassing were left with their bags and an informational door hanger explaining the initiative.
Repurpose a T-Shirt Event
In June 2019, the Environmental Commission hosted an event bringing together community crafters and creative recyclers to repurpose old t-shirts into reusable shopping bags.
Community crafter volunteers led residents through the process of repurposing their t-shirts into reusable shopping bags. Residents brought the shirts and other volunteers brought their sewing machines (and skills!) to the event, hosted at the Lambertville Public School.
This event was a wonderful opportunity to craft as a community, talk about sustainability and support residents’ transition away from disposable bags. Many of the crafted bags were donated to the local Lambertville food pantries.
