Plastic-Free July Turns into a Plastic-Free Lifestyle

Aug 1, 2019 | Action, Advocacy |

Last month, ECOSLO, along with thousands of people worldwide, took on a challenge for a Plastic-Free July. Throughout the month, we shared our plastic-free hacks and encouraged our followers to share theirs with us, and we were so impressed! If you’re looking for ways to reduce the single-use plastic in your life, check out our experience from this past month below. Also, we’d love for you to continue sharing your plastic-free hacks with us on our Facebook or Instagram @ECOSLO Here’s to Plastic-Free July turning into a Plastic-Free lifestyle!   We started by swapping out those plastic single-use utensils and bringing our reusable utensils to our holiday celebrations. Whether you’re throwing a party or attending one, ask guests to BYO utensils, stock up on some from your local thrift store, or invest in a reusable bamboo utensil set! • • This simple switch may seem small, but it could spark a conversation with someone who may have never thought to make the switch.             We wanted to share with you a product that’s made our lives a lot easier and more plastic-free, and that’s reusable beeswax wrap. Beeswax wrap is a great alternative to plastic wrap, plastic baggies, and other plastic packaging. You can use it over and over again, and it’s compostable when you’re done! You can find the beeswax wrap at Mint+Craft in Downtown SLO, or even make your own! Small switches like these can make avoiding plastic fun and exciting, and it’s so easy to use.           We encourage you to rethink some of those online orders....

2019 ECOSLO Schedule of Events

Feb 14, 2019 | Action, Advocacy, Hub |

Volunteer projects listed in blue Community events listed in green Click here for the quarterly schedule of our free SLO Stewards hikes Wednesday, January 16 – Green Drinks: Meet “Sweetie” the Peregrine Falcon at Top Dog Coffee Bar (Morro Bay) Monday, January 21 – MLK Jr. Day of Service, Los Osos Community Park (private volunteer event with CivicSpark) Wednesday, January 23 – Eco-Networking (private event for member organizations of The Hub) Tuesday, February 26 – Save Our Seas, Ride Across America (co-hosts w/ Central Coast Aquarium & Bike SLO County) Wednesday, March 13 – Green Drinks: Arbor Day Edition at Beda’s Biergarten (SLO) Saturday, March 16 – LOVE SLO at Cuesta Park (SLO) Wednesday, March 20 – Eco-Networking (private event for member organizations of The Hub) Saturday, April 6 – Beach Keepers cleanup at Morro Strand Southern entrance, at HWY 41 (Morro Bay) Saturday, May 4 – 2nd Annual Seas to Trees Day (10 volunteer project locations across SLO County, projects to be listed mid-March!) Wednesday, May 15 – Eco-Networking (private event for member organizations of The Hub) Tuesday, May 28 – Beach Keepers post-Memorial Day cleanup at Pirate’s Cove/Cave Landing (Avila Beach) Saturday, June 1 – Beach Keepers cleanup at Morro Rock/Morro Bay Harbor (Morro Bay) Saturday, June 1 – National Trails Day at Lopez Lake (Arroyo Grande) Wednesday, June 5 – Green Drinks at TBD Friday, July 5 – Beach Keepers post-4th of July cleanups at Cayucos Pier (Cayucos) & Pirate’s Cove/Cave Landing (Avila Beach) Wednesday, July 17 – Eco-Networking (private event for member organizations of The Hub) Saturday, August 3 – Beach Keepers cleanup at Morro Strand at Toro Creek entrance (Morro Bay Saturday, August 10 – An Afternoon at the Ranch, music festival fundraiser  Wednesday, September 4 – Green Drinks at TBD Wednesday, September 11 – Eco-Networking (private event for member organizations of The Hub) Saturday, September 21 – 35th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day, International Coastal Cleanup Day – ECOSLO...

Have a Plastic Free 2019

Jan 10, 2019 | Action, Advocacy |

5 Eco-Related New Year Resolutions! Written by Andrea Biniskiewicz In light of the new year, why not make a few resolutions that revolve around Earth? As the plastic epidemic continues to sweep the nation, we’ve compiled a list of 5 ways to help out Mother Nature in 2019. 1. Use Metal Straws Why: Eliminates plastic straws, which Americans (JUST – Americans alone) use up to 500 million per DAY. They’re a conversation starter at your local coffee shop, bar, or restaurant when someone asks where you got it 😉 Doesn’t make your drink (hot OR cold) taste metal-y!! YAY! Where to buy: HumanKind in Downtown SLO (& it comes with a little brush!) Nautical Bean – both locations How to Use: simply clean the straw before first use with warm water and soap (and a little brush if you have one), and put in your delicious drink! 2019 Challenge: Don’t buy from a coffee shop (we know how hard it is!!) unless you have your metal straw with you. 2. Beeswax Wrappers – The New Way to Store Food Why: Eliminates plastic wrap waste Wraps with flexibility and durability using the heat of your hand Keeps food fresh longer – tested & verified! Easy to clean!! Rinse with warm water and soap and ta-da! Is compostable – yay zero waste! Where to Buy: Lincoln Deli, Mint + Craft How to Use: Wrap beeswax wrapper over the top of your container, or wrap your whole food item! Easy peasy lemon squeezy! 2019 Challenge: completely eliminate saran wrap and plastic sandwich bags from your house.   3. Use Reusable Cloth Napkins Why:...

Green Drinks

May 2, 2018 | Advocacy |

Smiling faces and friendly conversation decorated Lincoln Deli’s sunbaked patio during SLO Green Drinks last March. Sandwich wrappers slipped away and bottle caps twisted with a zing during this good-natured networking for environmentalists. As community members settled into their chairs, speakers Bill Waycott and Lindsey Collinsworth took a stand to share the importance of establishing native plants when preserving biodiversity. “Plants and animals are now evolving to a human-dominated environment,” said Waycott, President of the California Native Plant Society SLO Chapter. Excluding natives from neighborhood gardens affect creatures ranging from buzzing insects to morning birds. The Central Coast, marked by a Mediterranean climate, is home to dry, hot summers and rainy winters. Charming native plants are often drought tolerant and capable of sustaining local wildlife.   Lindsey Collinsworth didn’t need a microphone to preach about the perks of native plants brought to Green Drinks from SLO Botanical Garden. With a smile, a captivated the crowd laughed along to her glowing descriptions of yarrow’s medicinal properties and the indestructible nature of evening primrose. SLO Botanical Garden uses recycled water from the California Men’s Colony to display and preserve diverse plant life from Mediterranean climate zones. California Native Plant Society pairs science, education, conservation and gardening to power a native plant movement. Join the ECOSLO newsletter and follow @ecoslo on social media to learn about upcoming Green Drinks near...
Draw the Line Between SLO and fossil fuels

Draw the Line Between SLO and fossil fuels

Dec 10, 2015 | Advocacy |

The UN Climate Summit has been taking place this year in Paris, starting on November 30, 2015 and ending on December 11th.  On December 12, 2015, San Luis Obispo 350, as part of a worldwide effort to send a unified message: there are some things that we as environmental activists can not and will not compromise.  These are our climate RED LINES.  We demand that it is time to keep 80% of fossil fuels in the ground and ensure a just transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050.  In other words, it is time to “Turn Off” our dependence on dirty, dangerous energy like coal, oil and gas and “Turn On” to renewable energy, like rooftop solar, wind farms and energy conservation. Join the SLO community as we join together to draw the line between this beautiful place and fossil fuels.  We join to demand a better agreement than what we got in Paris and to demand an end to fossil fuel infrastructure like the oil train here in San Luis Obispo. Bring your signs and your commitment. Saturday, December 12, 11:00 AM Osos/Jennifer St Bridge at the SLO Train Station San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Signup to attend via...

Tell California Lawmakers to Vote “YES” for Climate Action!

Oct 1, 2015 | Advocacy |

CLIMATE ALERT: Tell California Lawmakers to Vote “YES” for Climate Action! Here is your chance to speak out and make a real difference in the fight against climate change today. Senate Bill 350 (de León), which has passed the Senate and is now in the Assembly, calls for ambitious but necessary changes on a short timeline: http://ecovote.org/ClimateAction Increase from one-third to 50 percent our electricity derived from renewable sources; Reduce today’s petroleum use in cars and trucks by up to 50 percent; Double the energy efficiency of existing buildings; And accomplish all of the above by the year 2030. It’s critical that elected officials make the right choice and support SB 350, because it will have major consequences for all of us: our families, our neighbors, and all those who will come after us. Make sure lawmakers know how voters like you feel about climate change: Send a message to your Assemblymember now and urge a YES vote on SB 350!...