Philly Talks Trash: A Virtual Series on Waste

Litter, open dumping, lingering garbage from missed pick-ups and unmanaged public receptacles, waste is polluting our Philadelphia neighborhoods, landscapes, and waterways. Plastic packaging of all kinds is so pervasive it is hard to avoid and next to impossible to recycle.  How can we tackle these disturbing issues where we live, work and play? How can Philadelphians join the global movement towards  ‘zero waste’ and take action to avoid creating waste from the outset?

Philly Talks Trash: A Virtual Series on Waste is a monthly online program intended to educate and inspire you to participate in the imperative shift towards this new paradigm of zero waste that will replace our throw away culture and help slow climate change.

The Series is a collaboration between the Philadelphia Neighborhood Network’s Environment Action Committee and the Plastic Reduction Task Force of Weavers Way Co-op, event hosts. Beginning January 20th, and ending July 21st, monthly programs will be offered featuring representatives from nonprofits, government programs, and businesses that are working to reduce waste and increase reuse and recycling in the Greater Philadelphia region.  Topics will include single-use plastics, food waste and recovery, packaging, recycling,  incineration, litter and dumping.  Each program will take place on the third Thursday of the month from 6:30 – 8:00 PM.  Zoom links will be provided when you click the “Select a Date” button and register.

The first program of The Series is a participant discussion of “The Story of Plastic”, an Emmy Award-winning documentary that registrants will watch before we gather online.  In addition, during the Jan. 20th program, as a group we will view a film on the circular economy.  Both films provide the context for The Series which will be previewed during the first session.  The discussion will be led by Maurice Sampson, Chair, PNN Environmental Action Committee, and Alisa Shargorodsky, Chair, Plastic Reduction Task Force of Weavers Way Food Co-op.  Registrants will receive a link to watch The Story of Plastics film at their convenience through January 20th.

Programs*

• January 20 – Rethinking Waste: The Story of Plastic and the Circular Economy
• February 17 – Food: Waste Reduction and Recovery
• March 17 – Incineration: Why Philly Needs to Stop Sending our Trash to Chester
• April 21 – Growing Circular Reuse Models in Foodservice and Grocery
• May 19 – Managing Food Waste at Home
• June 16 – Litter and Dumping (Fugitive Waste)
• July 21 – Philly’s Trash and Recycling Crisis