Plastic Free Annapolis

Plastic pollution is one of the most important environmental threats we face today. Each of us contributes to the problem, and it’s up to us all to reduce, and ultimately, end it.

Annapolis Green and the City of Annapolis teamed up to tackle the issue head-on with the launch of Plastic Free Annapolis, a month-long public education campaign, from August 20 to September 20, designed to reduce—and eventually eliminate—single-use plastic.

We are now seeking funding to extend the program to Anne Arundel County and rebrand it “Plastic Free Annapolis & Anne Arundel.” 

Plastic Free Annapolis offers residents and businesses an unprecedented opportunity to play a pivotal role in reducing plastic pollution and achieve recognition as leaders in environmental stewardship.

Working in concert with Annapolis Green the City of Annapolis contacted all sorts of businesses including hoteliers, proprietors of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, and charter boat owners. Many are already on the path of significantly reducing the volume of plastic threatening our city and waterways. | Campaign Press Release

Now, more than ever, people are seeking out and engaging in important environmental initiatives. By replacing single-use plastic products with high-quality reusable and compostable ones, business owners can lead by example, educating and empowering their customers to make a real difference. Plastic Free Annapolis makes it easy.

Participating establishments receive a toolkit with the following information. An online version is available here.

• Helpful information on how to make the switch from plastic products, such as take-out boxes, straws, and cutlery, to compostable ones (samples included).
• Sources for procuring high-quality compostable and reusable products
• Case studies containing valuable insights from peers, including those within the hospitality and tourism business, already on the plastic-free path.
• Plastic Free Annapolis campaign artwork .

Additionally, participating establishments will be included in all print and digital marketing, advertising and social media, and publicity and will be invited to a public celebration at the end of the campaign.

Join the movement to end plastic pollution! All types of businesses are invited to participate — just contact Annapolis Green to come aboard!

Created and implemented by Annapolis Green on behalf of the City, the campaign expands a grassroots program focused on reducing the use of plastic straws that was launched by the nonprofit organization last year. The goal of Plastic Free Annapolis is to inform businesses about ways to voluntarily reduce throw-away plastic, such as bags, water bottles, carry-out containers, balloons, and yes… straws, by using environmentally friendly alternatives or by just not using these products.

Plastic Free Annapolis is made possible by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Zone Management Office.

Establishments & Organizations That Have Taken Steps to Reduce Plastic (More to come!)

Special Events

Videos

Background

In 2018, Annapolis Green launched its “Don’t Suck. #SipResponsibly.” campaign by providing restaurants, bars and coffee shops with paper straws along with information about alternatives.

“When we started our campaign to do away with plastic straws we saw a wave of support on the part of restaurant patrons,” said Lynne Forsman, Annapolis Green Co-founder. “Restaurant managers were quick to sign on with either a ‘plastic straws upon request’ policy or a switch to paper or reusable straws, or no straw at all. They could see the tide turning against the 500 million plastic straws used and thrown away every day in the United States. We know that this is the right time to expand awareness and action beyond the straw.”

More than 30 restaurants partnered with us to minimize and eventually eliminate the use of plastic straws. Some eliminated them altogether, others offer them upon request, others offer paper, compostable, or pasta straws.

In early 2019, realizing that the Earth is drowning in plastic, especially the disposable, single-use kind—bags, bottles, cutlery and straws. Much of this petroleum-based material ends up as toxic litter in our streams, rivers, oceans, even the Chesapeake Bay. We broadened that campaign to include a multitude of single-use plastics that end up as toxic pollution in our waterways. Rebranded “It Starts with a Straw,” this more expansive initiative called upon and empowered us all to reduce our use of disposable plastic.

With Annapolis Green and the City teaming up in common cause, we expect this movement to change habits and reduce pollution at its source to expand for a cleaner, more beautiful Annapolis.

Many jurisdictions around the world have banned various types of single-use plastics, particularly plastic bags and plastic straws. Most recently, San Francisco airport banned single-use plastic water bottles.