Plastic-free WNC

Plastic-Free WNC was begun by a Mountain True French Broad River keeper who was finding lots of plastic in the river and learning more about the dangers of microplastics. It is a program of MountainTrue that uses a variety of methods for getting the word out. Media have the widest reach through print, TV and radio. MountainTrue has a large email list that targets individuals who are interested in environmental issues in Western North Carolina. Word-of-mouth is also a key method; it is very effective when passionate individuals share an issue verbally, post on social media, write an op-ed, etc. Several folks from Mountain true joined with the WNC Sierra club, SELC, They have been working on this since 2020. They some initial research with the Duke Environmental Law Center, which is helping Durham create a similar ban.

Linda Tatsapaugh joined them as part of a project with leadership Asheville, and she has continued, focusing on Black Mountain. They already have Asheville working its way toward a ban, and have been doing a lot to convince Buncombe County commissioners.

Anna Alsobrook - MountainTrue link [[1]]

Ken Brame– Sierra Club WNC

Jane Laping– MT volunteer

Hartwell Carson – MT/French Broad Riverkeeper

Karim Olachea – MountainTrue

Sarah Ogletree – MT/Creation Care Alliance

Sarah Knox – SELC

Henry Gargan – SELC

In Black Mountain, current volunteers include

Rev. Bill Moore First Christian Church [[2]]

Robin Stiles, BM Presbyterian Church

Julie Lehman, Montreat Conference Center

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