Mutual aid networks have begun popping up in cities all over the country in response to social movements and a growing need for community solidarity. First, it was the coronavirus crisis, then the galvanization of Black Lives Matter by worldwide protests. People everywhere are identifying an urgency to aid their neighbors in need directly, rather than through charities. Beyond coronavirus, mutual aid networks show potential to tackle all sorts of systemic inequalities, including those caused by environmental injustice.

Plastic Free Ecochallenge

The Plastic Free Ecochallenge is over, but that doesn't mean your new habits have to end! We encourage you to continue your new habits to help make a positive change in your homes, workplaces, communities, and the world! 
Plastic Free Ecochallenge is an annual month-long effort for all of us to refuse and reduce our single-use plastic consumption in creative and innovative ways while still prioritizing public health and safety during this pandemic. This year it took place July 1st to July 31st, and our St. Louis Goes Green! Ecochallenge team completed 279 actions with 3,399 points!

Green Your Home Series

We kicked off our virtual Green Your Home Series with a Recycling 101 program that included plastic waste and reusables info, along with a Q&A. It was followed by Perennial teaching us how to make and store Reusable Disinfectant Wipes and Unpaper Towels from common household textiles, and "Green Jean" Ponzi of the EarthWays Center presenting Smarter - Greener - Cleaner, covering green-savvy effective cleaners, cleaning vs. disinfecting, DIY cleaners, and resources. Our Green Your Home Series page also has a Living a Zero Waste Life presentation by Leslie Gittemeier from the Saint Louis Zoo, a list of places to take hard-to-recycle or reusable items, and a DIY air freshener recipe from Better Life! 

#EatGreenSTL Virtual Symposium:
Celebrating the Local Food Movement

earthday365 presented a day of virtual programming focused on thought-provoking discussions with leaders in the sustainable food movement. This included a workshop, an interview with a Green Dining Alliance Certified chef, a cooking demonstration, short films, and more. See what you missed!

The Green Dining Alliance is a year-round program of earthday365. The restaurant sustainability certification program helps over 120 restaurants in St. Louis reduce their environmental impact.