New Goals for APHA 2011 -- Less Trash! Less Plastic!

The 2011 APHA Annual Meeting theme "Healthy Communities Promote Healthy Minds and Bodies" gives APHA members an opportunity to build on the 2009 and 2010 themes of Water and Social Justice as public health priorities.

Green Goals. The APHA Food and Environment Working Group, the Environment Section's 100th Anniversary Committee, and APHA are setting goals to reduce waste and promote a sustainable, just, and healthy food and water system.

Got Trash? We encourage everyone at the 2011 APHA Annual Meeting to increase efforts to reduce trash, especially paper and plastic.

The Diversion Rate (the recycling/trash ratio) in D.C. at APHA 2007 was 34 percent.
The Diversion Rate in Denver at APHA 2010 was 52.75 percent.
Can we achieve a Diversion rate of 75 percent at APHA 2011?

-- The D.C. Convention Center’s water fountains and food service sinks provide filtered water! Bring your own refillable bottle to the conference to cut down on plastic waste.

-- Plan events using local resources and services that encourage wise use of water and other resources. If you need advice or suggestions, contact us: apha.fewg@gmail.com

-- Buy food sourced from sustainable producers and distributors. -- If using disposables, use compostable products and use the facility compost program. Label containers so compostables do not go into the waste stream.

-- Take advantage of the DC Convention Center's Green Initiatives: http://www.dcconvention.com/Planners/Large/GreenInitiatives.aspx

 -- Learn more about APHA 2011 Environmental Initiatives: http://www.apha.org/meetings/highlights/environment.htm

Be an Ambassador of public health and social justice in your own community. Share information about the social justice, public health and environmental problems caused by bottled water and water privatization, especially disposable plastic water bottles. Use the "Resources and References" below and on the Food and Environment Working Group’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=134564799935654&topic=6959

Share ideas for waste reduction at 2011 APHA Annual Meeting programs, scientific sessions, events and exhibits. Send your questions and suggestions to Ellie Goldberg ellie.goldberg@gmail.com and join the conversation on the Food and Environment Working Group’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/APHA.food.and.environment.

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The APHA Food and Environment Working Group is a multi-disciplinary collaboration across APHA Sections, housed in the Food & Nutrition and Environment Sections. Colleagues work together to protect public health by promoting and cultivating a safe, healthy, just and sustainable food system.

If you would like to work with us toward these goals, contact Rebecca Klein, rklein@jhsph.edu, Working Group membership is open to all APHA members.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Resources and References ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bottled Water Myths http://www.storyofstuff.com/pdfs/storyofbottledwater_myth-v-reality.pdf

Bottled Water: Get the Facts http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/bottled/

Blue Gold, Maude Barlow Book: http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Gold-Fight-Corporate-Worlds/dp/1565848136/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302634088&sr=8-2

Film: http://www.bluegold-worldwaterwars.com/

Rebecca A. Klein