Please note: we’re attempting to make many of our materials available in Spanish but it’s a process as we do not have a budget for translation. Unfortunately, we can’t field questions or provide support in any language other than English at this time as our staff are not bilingual.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Manual for Local Groups | (haga clic aquí para descargar en Español)
Manual for Affiliates | (haga clic aquí para descargar en Español)
Make it Official | Click here to add your new Local Group to the map or, if you represent an existing organization click here to add your new Affiliated Organization to the map.
KEY LINKS
Important Meetings & Webinars
Trainings - register for our next set of two-part online trainings
Register for the monthly Zoom meetings for local groups and affiliates, every second Wednesday of the month.
Calendar of events hosted by local groups and affiliates.
You can add your event to this public-facing calendar by filling out this short Google form (please list at least 24 hrs. in advance of the event).
Get Connected
Googlegroup for local group and affiliate leaders
Slack channel for local group and affiliate members
If you’d like to set up a Zoom account, please contact Christina Dubin - christinadubin@bennington.edu or Nyah Estevez -nyahestevez@bennington.edu.
Guides & FAQs
Action Network Guides
Checklists and Worksheets
Save a copy to select the areas your group needs volunteers for. When inviting new group members, send along the customized checklist with your welcome email so they can find their place right away.
Check out the map above or review this spreadsheet to see all Local and Affiliated groups listed by state.
GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGNS YOU CAN RUN
Artificial Turf (plastic grass) is a massive source of microplastics and PFAS pollution that’s associated with heat islands and injuries. Protect your community by stopping an installation in progress or proactively enacting a ban or moratorium on the installation of artificial turf.
With no federal standards defining or regulating bioplastics, companies have free rein to label whatever they want as “biodegradable” and “compostable.” This lack of regulation has led to misleading marketing meant to falsely convince the public that certain products are environmentally friendly. TAKE ACTION to stop the greenwashing!
Hosting a screening of an award winning documentary is a powerful tool to educate and inspire action to reduce plastic pollution. See our recommendations to build awareness and spark engagement in your community.
As an educator, your time is too precious to waste it reinventing the wheel! We’ve pulled together materials from partners and friends in the movement to help you teach engaging and inspiring lessons around solutions to the plastic crisis.
Join a national effort started by Upstream Solutions to make takeout foodware accessories upon request only. You’ll find everything you need here to customize your campaign, rally support and get a Skip the Stuff policy passed.
Share guidance, information and resources to help convince your local dry cleaning establishments move beyond single-use plastics.
Plastic packaging is the single largest source of plastic waste and it’s also one that we can do without. Send a message to your local chain super market that you want them to decrease packaging and increase bulk and refillables.
Restaurants produce a great deal of single-use plastic trash but reusables and better systems are not only possible, but can even offer savings. Share guidance, information and resources to help convince your local dining establishments to refuse single-use.
Plastic bottles are clogging our oceans, rivers, streets, landfills & poisoning our air when they're burned in incinerators. Convince the management to replace the plastic bottles in your local vending machine with drinks sold in truly recyclable aluminum cans or glass bottles.
Single-use plastic water bottles are clogging our oceans, rivers, streets, landfills & poisoning our air when they're burned in incinerators. Urge your local airport or government office to ban the sale of bottled water.
Help your local Meals on Wheels program switch from damaging, single-use disposable plastic trays and dishes to reusable ones. Reusables save the programs money and reduce waste - a win-win for the programs and the planet.
There’s no time to waste so we recommend attempting to ban many of our most common sources of plastic pollution – plastic bags, plastic straws, stirrers, and splash guards, polystyrene, and balloon releases – in one fell swoop!
ORGANIZING TOOLS TO HELP MAKE YOUR WORK MORE EFFECTIVE
All the printable materials you need to create an event table that’s both engaging and educational.
A petition is a powerful tool to demonstrate public support for a desired outcome AND a good way to build your email list.
Follow these steps to draft an effective news media advisory that will get reporters to your event, webinar, news conference, etc.
Follow these steps to draft an effective news release that will result in coverage of your announcement.
An organizational sign-on letter can be used to demonstrate broad support for, or opposition to, an issue, idea, or action. Learn how to make yours effective.
A call-in day is an effective “outside game” strategy to catch the attention of a decision-maker and demonstrate that your issue has broad support. Follow these steps to ensure that your call-in day is a success.
Hosting a panel discussion is a powerful way to raise awareness about plastic pollution and move people to action to address this global crisis. Whether you’re hosting online or in-person, follow these steps to ensure your panel is a success.
Host a rally to raise awareness, put pressure on decision-makers, and get some media coverage for the cause.
10 expert tips on writing a letter to the editor that will not only be published but also catch the attention of the decision-maker or target you’re hoping to reach.
The single most effective way to influence your elected officials is to meet with them! Find out how to schedule an effective constituent meeting whether it’s via Zoom or in person.
You may not be able to meet in person but that does NOT mean you can’t meet! Use this step-by-step guide to host an effective virtual town hall meeting.
Events tend to generate large amounts of single-use plastic trash BUT THEY DON’T HAVE TO! With planning and a little extra effort, you can keep your event’s waste to a minimum.