Let’s Hang Out

What happens when you’re part of a group that shares common interests and similar values? 

The first thing you may notice is a smile that starts in your belly and bubbles into a silly grin on your face, or it could be that warm, fuzzy feeling of “I belong here.” It’s what I experience whenever I walk into the Impact Earth store or an event where people are gathered around a table of zero-waste products–a sense of community. People who share my value of minimizing what is sent to landfills are focused on making better choices, and being together means we can chat about what that means. 

We understand one another.  I don’t have to explain why I scoop my food waste into a bucket, rarely use a paper napkin unless I’m throwing a neighborhood party (and even then, never a color-printed one), or why I avoid purchasing products in plastic packaging. I don’t receive an eye roll when I bring my own take-out container to a restaurant that doesn’t offer a compostable one, or when I compliment the coffee shop owner who diverts their food waste. These are some of the habits I have changed since joining our local zero-waste community.

What? There’s a membership? Well, actually…

I’m learning that there are a lot of us who live in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, care about our environment, and want to reduce waste.  Some of us periodically assess our habits and seek to go a little deeper; others are just getting started on a journey of lifestyle changes and are looking for support. And it’s fun to bring us together to hang out.

No matter where you are on the road to zero-waste, all are welcome to Monroe Avenue.  Whether you come to an event or just to say hello, we want to hear your thoughts, understand your challenges, and offer the experience of community:  the feeling that you are part of something important.