CREATING CHANGE
An answer to: "What to do with all this
non-recyclable packaging I get?"
By Maureen McCarthy
Abstract
Recently and organically-formed Trash Mob is patterned after "Flash Mob," but is operating virtually. People are mobilized to do the simple, cathartic action of returning the same item to the same manufacturer at the same time (during 48 hours) to provide maximum impact. We send a well-written letter with the package encouraging the manufacturer to support EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility). We have been invited to be the 10th step in the BFFP Brand Audits.
Check out our August Mob here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1023494971422405
Maureen McCarthy
Trash Mob, USA
Trash Mob’s Maureen works for a City’s Environmental Services Department in Colorado. Trash Mob has nothing to do with her work, and was an idea that came to her because:
-
She mulled over the idea of what a “Flash Mob” might look like if it actually had a meaningful purpose, and thought - “Hey, what about a Trash Mob?”
-
She has many people approach her at the Recycling Center where she works, waving their clamshells and exclaiming: “Why are you saying these aren’t recyclable? It says so right here!” ...pointing to the chasing arrows with a number 1 inside them.
-
She watched the documentary by Frontline entitled “Plastic Wars” and had steam coming out of her ears upon learning the history of how the plastics industry subverted the public’s outcry to their pollution.
-
Therefore, she recruited a few other angry “Mobilizers” to get this going!