Submitted by Kirsty Symmons

Resident Kirsty Symmons has partnered with Hannah de Soto, owner of Circle Market located in downtown Invermere, to encourage the community to consider refusing single-use plastic for the month of July. The pair is facilitating a four-week program to help community members reduce single-use plastic at home and learn ways to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

The idea is to bring together individuals within the community who want to create change, big or small, to network and support each other by sharing ideas and engaging in discussions on how we can live with less plastic in our mountain community,” Symmons said.

The initiative is focussed on starting with small changes and emphasizes the importance of taking the first step, as opposed to going fully plastic free all at once.

The Plastic Free July initiative started in Western Australia in 2011. Individuals began challenging themselves to see if they could reduce single-use plastic consumption for a month. Symmons, a West Australian native, said bringing this to the Columbia Valley feels like a natural step, as the community is already full of individuals pioneering environmental change through different community programs.

We are encouraging a range of demographics to meet each Tuesday in July at Circle Market at 7 p.m. for a one-hour networking session,” Symmons said.

Each week will focus on a different area of waste, including information on where people can take their soft plastics, reducing organic waste and even discussing alternatives for things like Saran Wrap. 

In session two, on July 12, (which was held after the Pioneer went to press) Symmons and de Soto planned to facilitate a make-your-own evening and discus alternatives to single-use plastic.

In session three, on July 19, we have a guest speaker from the District of Invermere joining us to open a discussion on the recycling system in the valley,” said Symmons.

Circle Market provides refillable containers to stock up on products like dishwashing soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, deodorant and so much more. Reusable containers or mason jars can also be brought into the store to be filled. The pair is also working with cafes in town to encourage customers to bring a reusable coffee cup in order to receive a discount of up to 25 cents off. Participating cafes include: Winderberry Cafe, Circle Market Cafe and Stolen Church. To sign up for the networking sessions, do so in-store or by calling Circle Market at 250 342 2552.