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.

As Chairs of the Food & Nutrition and Environment Sections, we invite you to get involved in supporting these priorities during the 2011 Annual Meeting:

Green Goals. The 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 the 2007 APHA Annual Meeting 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?

 -- Bring your own refillable bottles.  Please note that the Walter E Washington Convention Center's food service sinks and water fountains provide filtered water.

 -- Plan events using local resources and services that encourage wise use of water and other resources. 

-- Seek 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

Be an Ambassador of public health and social justice in your own community. Promote 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

Learn more about what APHA Environmental Initiatives go to this link: http://www.apha.org/meetings/highlights/environment.htm

Share ideas for waste reduction at the 2011 APHA Annual Meeting's 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.

Sincerely,

Deirdra Chester, Food & Nutrition Section Chair
Sacoby Wilson, Environment Section Chair