New World Habits: Disposable Cup Campaign

A post by Karin de Weille

What can we do to help the earth that requires no money, new infrastructure or technology, no legislation or political will, not even time (to speak of)?

I’ve been wondering, why not kick our disposable cup habit together and make an instantaneous, collective shift? Take three weeks. New World Habits has created a website and partnered with Sustainable Seattle and others--Zero Waste, Green Fest. Coffeehouses are also supportive, including Caffe Ladro, Grateful Bread, and Cafe Javasti. So a structure is in place, something to work with. But it’s continuing to evolve—the messaging, the posters, the outreach (getting individuals as well as coffeehouses on board--it's easy--a flier on the site is all you need to approach your own local shop/cafeteria/office). You can help grow this!

We’re launching the 3-week campaign soon--May 21 with GreenFest, so it’s time to spread this. A signup process is in place through The Point (see JOIN NOW on the site…)

Some stats… We Americans throw away almost half a million cups every 15 seconds. Last year, paper cup usage created close to 400 million pounds of solid waste, and that represents almost a third more than just 4 years earlier! When our addiction to throwing away spirals out of control, it’s not enough to compost or recycle. The rule is reduce first. The disposable consciousness has got to go. There’s a moving video on the site about this. Take a look. NewWorldHabits.org. On the facebook page Disposable Cup Campaign, you can join with others who want to contribute creative ideas and help shape the campaign.

Richard Conlin is a supporter, seeing this as a great opportunity for Seattle to do what it’s good at—test out something new that then spreads. So for those of you who are thinking you want to make this shift in your personal habits or would like to help grow the movement, this is a clear opportunity to explore the power of collective impact.

And if you're looking for last-minute (or belated) gift ideas for the Earth, just sign up now!

Flow 4/17/2011 Issue 6

Flow is based on Sustainable Seattle's Happiness Initiative and is inspired by Vinyasa, which means one leading to another. Flow gives small, but important steps that can improve one's contentment amongst all nine domains of happiness. Flow is a weekly jolt of inspiration, pragmatism and a collection of local events that will raise our happiness. Health 4/17/2011-4/23/2011 Issue 6 This week we are focusing on Health and more specifically physical health habits. We are going to learn some basic steps someone can take to give their body a better chance at getting the nutrients and exercise it needs to ease our minds and raise our happiness. The most important step when taking on a change in habit is to start small. Habit change takes time and it takes small victories to achieve lasting change. So, the first step I recommend is a small one, but vastly important, eat breakfast. A balanced breakfast will have some sort of whole grain, fruit, and calcium source. Examples of simple, yet effective breakfasts are: 1. Whole wheat bagel with jam, glass of milk and a banana. 2. Whole grain cereal with milk, yogurt and a few apple slices. 3. Fruit smoothie and whole grain toast. 4. Morning Sandwich with whole grain bread, tomato, lettuce or spinach, lean protein and a glass of milk. Breakfast can be premade at night in case any of you are thinking: who has time for breakfast? I plan out my breakfasts before I go to bed and have the ingredients ready to go for the morning. Once again it is not about huge changes, but smaller important changes. Studies have shown that a healthy breakfast has many benefits such as: better concentration and mood, more strength and endurance, and weight control. People who eat breakfasts have fewer cravings before lunchtime, healthier metabolism and energy to get their day started without a eleven o’clock crash that coffee and high caloric foods for breakfast can induce. An additional tip for this week is to get rid of your snooze button alarm clock or disable your snooze function on your phone or computer. Getting up just ten minutes earlier will give you the time to eat breakfast and gather your thoughts before the start of the day. If you have planned out your breakfast the night before, you can use the extra time to have a pleasant beginning to your day instead of a harried, hurried rush. Recommendations This week’s website recommendation is: Nutrition.gov This week’s book recommendation is: Good Food, Great Medicine by Miles Hassell M.D, Mea Hassell Sign up for the weekly newsletter. Support The Flow Campaign

Flow Suggests: Peter Kahn: Technology as a Poor Surrogate for Nature Community, Cultural, Environmental www.townhallseattle.org Wednesday, April 20, 2011 | 7:30 – 9pm Beyond Empire: Peace and Sustainability Community, Governance, Psychological Health www.compassionateactionnetwork.com Thursday, April 21, 2011 7PM - 9PM Earth Day Dance Community, Culture, Health, Environmental www.sustainableseattle.org Friday, April 22, 2011 7:30 PM