Plastic-Free Annapolis Initiative Underway With Mayoral Pledge

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The City of Annapolis has pledged to work toward reducing its plastic footprint as part of the newest Annapolis Green campaign "Plastic Free Annapolis." Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley signed the pledge at City Hall proclaiming the community's dedication to this effort.

The campaign was created and implemented by Annapolis Green on behalf of the City’s office of environmental policy. The program took a grassroots approach to having local businesses agree to reduce or eliminate their use of plastics.

“We all know that there is far too much plastic waste. It’s in our landfills, in our waterways, polluting our oceans. We all have a responsibility to make the effort to reduce and eventually eliminate single-use plastics,” said Buckley in a statement. “This information campaign asks people to think about this problem because information is an important first step to finding a solution.”

The campaign aims to inform residents, visitors, and businesses about ways to voluntarily reduce throw-away plastic, including water bottles, plastic bags, straws, carry-out containers and balloons. As implemented, the fall program focused on asking businesses to consider discontinuing the use of these items – or to choose more environmentally friendly alternatives. As of the beginning of December, more than two dozen businesses had signed on.

“The world is drowning in plastic. Oceans and rivers are clogged with it, and a lot of the litter is made up of food and beverage containers,” said Elvia Thompson, president and co-founder of Annapolis Green, in a press release. “We partnered with many Annapolis businesses at the start of this campaign because they can do a lot to keep our environment plastic free by voluntarily changing some of their everyday practices to show their customers that they are good stewards of the environment. We are thrilled that Mayor Buckley is backing the campaign.”

To help businesses get started, Annapolis Green provided businesses that signed on with a toolkit and online resources, including free social media promotion, newspaper advertisements and marketing tools. While the original campaign focused on hospitality businesses, the mayor is encouraging the extension of the campaign and the messaging to the City, Annapolis residents, visitors and all businesses.

Annapolis businesses and organizations participating in this initiative so far are:

49 West Coffeehouse, Winebar & Gallery

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

Annapolis Maritime Museum

Annapolis City

Annapolis Waterfront Hotel

Annapolis Yacht Club

Annebeth’s

Anne Arundel Bird Club

Bakers & Co.

Café Olé

Carrol’s Creek Café

Chesapeake Bay Trust

Chesapeake Bayhawks Club Level

Chesapeake Brewing Company

Eastport Democratic Club

Eastport Yacht Club

Evelyn’s

Flamant

Fleet Reserve Club of Annapolis

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant & Pub

Harry Browne’s

Harvest Wood Grill + Tap

Hilton Garden Inn Annapolis

Inn at Horn Point

Iron Rooster

Luna Blu Ristorante Italiano

Main and Market

Market House

Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge

O’Learys SeafoodRestaurant

Preserve Grille

Pusser’s Caribbean Shop

Rasa Juice

Rutabaga

Sailor Oyster Bar & Tsunami

Schooner Woodwind

Taro Smoothies

Tsunami

The Red Bean

The Westin Annapolis

Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County

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