DITCHING PLASTIC WASTE WITH STIIIZY X LA WATERKEEPER
JOINT EFFORTS JOINS FORCES FOR A CLEANER COMPTON CREEK
At STIIIZY, our three I’s stand for Influence, Innovate, and Inspire, and we embody that ethos everywhere we go. It even extends to our community partners, in this case the LA Waterkeepers, who hosted a community clean-up in the South LA City of Compton. The clean-up was held specifically to bring awareness to the concept of “Plastic Free July.”
"Plastic-Free July" is a worldwide campaign that encourages people to reduce their plastic usage throughout the month of July. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact of plastic pollution and the importance of finding sustainable alternatives. The campaign also promotes adopting reusable and eco-friendly alternatives to reduce plastic waste and its harmful effects on the environment and marine life.
People can participate in Plastic Free July by making small changes in their daily routines, such as using reusable water bottles, bringing their own shopping bags, and opting for products with minimal or no plastic packaging. At STIIIZY, we were inspired to take collective action to create a positive impact on the planet.
KEEPING WATER FLOWING AND PLANTS GROWING
LA Waterkeepers hosted three community clean-ups during the month of July, and influenced us to participate at Compton Creek on Saturday, July 22nd. We enthusiastically agreed and encouraged our staff to show up as volunteers.
Compton Creek is a branch of the Los Angeles River located in the city of Compton, California. Historically, the area surrounding Compton Creek was primarily agricultural, with the creek serving as a natural waterway, but over the last 20 years the creek became heavily polluted due to stormwater runoff, industrial waste, and other pollutants entering its waters.
However, recently due to the work of organizations like the LA Waterkeepers, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of restoring urban waterways and reconnecting them with their natural environments. Restoration projects along the LA River, including Compton Creek, have aimed to remove concrete linings, improve water quality, and create more natural habitats for wildlife.
GETTING THE JOB DONE
It was a hot Saturday, but we were blessed with some cloud-cover to decrease the sun’s rays and give us the energy we needed to pick up trash located all along the LA River. All twelve of our STIIIZY Joint Efforts volunteers joined together to innovate on ways to collect the rubbish and discard it. We worked in teams and after two hours of service, numerous plastic items and other garbage were retrieved alongside the riverbank, even a plastic mannequin. It is estimated that over 100 pounds of refuse was collected.
"LA Waterkeeper’s annual beach and river cleanups raise awareness of our growing plastics problem and motivate people to reduce their plastic use...Last year, LA passed several new laws to reduce the volume of plastic pollution in our community, and California passed SB 54 to hold industries accountable for the plastic waste they produce. Our work is paying off!" -- Bailey Duarte, LA Waterkeepers
For more information about the LA Waterkeepers Plastic-Free July Initiative, please visit the LA Waterkeeper site here.
