REAL is hosting an evening featuring two local women who can help you get started on the path to reducing waste and living more sustainably.
Michelle Dunford and her family of three practice a near zero-waste lifestyle near Kemptville, and produce just a small Mason jar’s worth of waste every two weeks. Michele has shared her experience with area residents at April’s North Grenville Sustainability Fair and a meeting of Transition Brockville. She has agreed to describe to a Smiths Falls audience how her family has reduced their environmental impact through their choices for heating, transportation, housing, food, consumer goods, clothing, and garbage. She will talk about the costs and benefits of a sustainable lifestyle, and how to go about changing habits, and share her best zero waste tips.
Heather Mitchell-Adams, owner of Modern Thymes on Russell Street, has been taking steps to reduce waste in her store. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own containers for their purchases, she provides a jar bank for customers who don’t, and she carries products that help people reduce their waste and their use of plastics She will address the topic“ Zero Waste – What the Heck is That?” Zero waste is one extreme that shouldn’t discourage people from taking small steps to reduce waste in their households. She will talk about the 5Rs, how and where to shop to reduce your waste, and share some resources, and how to get started.
The presentations begin at 7 p.m. on Wed. Oct. 2. at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre, 71 Cornelia Street. Doors open at 6:30 so you can browse a few related displays, including the alternatives to plastic collection REAL has used at two other events. There will be a half hour allotted for discussion after the speakers, so the evening should wrap up around 9 p.m. This presentation is an initiative of REAL, in collaboration with Environmental Services of Smiths Falls, Trinity United Church, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 95, the Smiths Falls Chamber of Commerce and others.
