sustainable margate press information
SUSTAINABLE MARGATE PRESS INFORMATION Contact: Monica Coffey Telephone: 609-272-6921 E-mail: [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 17, 2015
Margate, Ventnor and Longport partner to raise awareness about single-use bags Local businesses are invited to a screening of the award-winning documentary ‘Bag It’ at Steve & Cookies on Tuesday, March 10 Margate City, NJ – Sustainable Margate, the Ventnor Green Team and Longport Borough, in conjunction with the Surfrider Foundation South Jersey Chapter, are partnering together to host a showing of the award winning documentary film Bag It for local businesses at Steve & Cookies by the Bay on Tuesday, March 10 from 6 – 8 pm. There is no charge to attend. Light hors d’oeuvres will served and a cash bar will be available. Bag It follows “everyman” Jeb Berrier as he tries to make sense of our dependence on plastic bags. The average American uses about 500 plastic bags each year, for about 12 minutes each. This single-use mentality has led to the formation of a floating island of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean more than twice the size of Texas. “The purpose of the screening is to raise awareness and change the culture by getting more residents to use reusable bags,” said Margate Mayor Mike Becker. “As coastal communities, we have a burden of responsibility to try and limit the amount of trash and litter created by single-use bags. We feel businesses will be key in changing behavior, which is why we are hosting a special screening just for them,” Becker added. “Trash and litter know no boundaries,” said Ventnor City Mayor Mike Bagnell. “Our communities depend on clean beaches and a clean environment. By raising awareness, we are hoping to have a significant impact on the problem.” “This is about sensitivity; this is about awareness,” said Mayor Nicholas Russo. “This is about protecting a fragile seashore environment that, at times, has been abused, neglected and taken for granted.” Surfrider Foundation supports increasing education about plastic bags, which is why we are partnering on this important issue with Margate, Ventnor and Longport,” said Beth Kwart, Chair of the South Jersey Chapter of Surfrider Foundation. “As an organization, we are committed to protecting and enjoying our oceans, waves, and beaches. Plastic bags are an unnecessary nuisance – they harm wildlife, are made from oil, cannot decompose, are not easy to recycle, and no one wants to see them stuck in the dunes or blowing into the ocean,” noted Kwart. John Weber, Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager for national Surfrider Foundation, will lead a discussion following the movie. All Downbeach businesses are invited to attend the event. The event is free, but seating is limited. Please RSVP by March 3 to [email protected]. ###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 17, 2015
Margate, Ventnor and Longport partner to raise awareness about single-use bags Local businesses are invited to a screening of the award-winning documentary ‘Bag It’ at Steve & Cookies on Tuesday, March 10 Margate City, NJ – Sustainable Margate, the Ventnor Green Team and Longport Borough, in conjunction with the Surfrider Foundation South Jersey Chapter, are partnering together to host a showing of the award winning documentary film Bag It for local businesses at Steve & Cookies by the Bay on Tuesday, March 10 from 6 – 8 pm. There is no charge to attend. Light hors d’oeuvres will served and a cash bar will be available. Bag It follows “everyman” Jeb Berrier as he tries to make sense of our dependence on plastic bags. The average American uses about 500 plastic bags each year, for about 12 minutes each. This single-use mentality has led to the formation of a floating island of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean more than twice the size of Texas. “The purpose of the screening is to raise awareness and change the culture by getting more residents to use reusable bags,” said Margate Mayor Mike Becker. “As coastal communities, we have a burden of responsibility to try and limit the amount of trash and litter created by single-use bags. We feel businesses will be key in changing behavior, which is why we are hosting a special screening just for them,” Becker added. “Trash and litter know no boundaries,” said Ventnor City Mayor Mike Bagnell. “Our communities depend on clean beaches and a clean environment. By raising awareness, we are hoping to have a significant impact on the problem.” “This is about sensitivity; this is about awareness,” said Mayor Nicholas Russo. “This is about protecting a fragile seashore environment that, at times, has been abused, neglected and taken for granted.” Surfrider Foundation supports increasing education about plastic bags, which is why we are partnering on this important issue with Margate, Ventnor and Longport,” said Beth Kwart, Chair of the South Jersey Chapter of Surfrider Foundation. “As an organization, we are committed to protecting and enjoying our oceans, waves, and beaches. Plastic bags are an unnecessary nuisance – they harm wildlife, are made from oil, cannot decompose, are not easy to recycle, and no one wants to see them stuck in the dunes or blowing into the ocean,” noted Kwart. John Weber, Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager for national Surfrider Foundation, will lead a discussion following the movie. All Downbeach businesses are invited to attend the event. The event is free, but seating is limited. Please RSVP by March 3 to [email protected]. ###
