Hi Beloved Interfaith Community,
Every Sunday at our Center, we say together “I am a Center For Spiritual Living and I love Mother Earth.“ When Rabbi Lisa mentioned the Plastic-Free July Campaign at our Chico Area Interfaith Council meeting, it was the perfect invitation for our Center to come together with the interfaith community and to learn how we could Love Mother Earth better by eliminating so much plastic.
I’ve known for a while that plastic is harming our oceans, our wildlife, and even our own health. I wondered what I could personally do to make a difference. After signing up for the Plastic-Free July newsletter and focusing on what I was buying and using, I learned a lot of new things and became aware of new ways to live without buying more plastic.
I happened to be vacationing in Canada during July. What I noticed is that every time we were at a restaurant, the leftover food was put into containers that were cardboard, not plastic. Those cardboard containers were so compostable that when we got caught in a rain storm, I wasn’t sure whether that food was just gonna be left in my hand, as the box was decomposing quickly in the rain.
Also being in Canada, I kept wondering why there were so many stores offering bar soap of various kinds. And then it finally dawned on me after my daughter said something that this was the Canadian way of moving beyond plastics for the many different kinds of soaps we use each day.
I visited the Chico Refill store on E. 1st Ave. across from In Motion fitness. I wouldn’t have visited this store if it weren’t for the Plastic-Free July campaign. I met the kind and committed owner, Sara, who gave me a full tour of the store showing me all of the refill options. I learned a lot about the product offerings and even bought some soaps. I realized how many more prudent choices I could make. I know I will be back to the Chico Refill store to purchase refillable soaps and to continue to find more ways to live without buying items in plastic. I’m still far from the ideal of not using any plastic but I know that each step builds momentum to making an impact as I choose to show my love for Mother Earth.
I look forward to working together to eliminate the ways we use so much plastic and to improve the ways that we can show our Love to Mother Earth.
Just Love,
-Rev. Kathy