Seabrook Celebrates Earth Day

Seabrook residents are saying no to plastic bags. Scientists estimate that every square mile of ocean contains about 46,000 pieces of floating plastic. Seabrook’s Green Committee is doing its part to change this alarming statistic by encouraging residents to kick their plastic bag habit. On April 22, committee members handed out 400 reusable bags to their neighbors at an Earth Day event on campus. The Borough of Tinton Falls provided the heavy, green, cloth bags free of charge to the Seabrook retirement community.

“The goal of this event is to educate residents on how not to be dependent on plastic bags for grocery shopping,” said Phil Freedman, coordinator of the Seabrook Green Committee. “If we all make a habit of using reusable bags, it will make a huge impact on the environment.”

Freedman, who lived in Colorado before moving to Seabrook 3 years ago, was part of the “Green Team” in Basalt, Colorado. The group, comprised of citizens, town staff, and elected officials, successfully campaigned Aspen Valley to ban the use of plastic bags.

He brings his passion for “going green” to Seabrook. Seabrook’s Green Committee is looking at other green initiatives such as having biodegradable bags available on campus and installing containers for recycling plastic bags.

Seabrook is one of 18 continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Living. The scenic 98-acre campus is located in Tinton Falls, New Jersey and is home to more than 1,400 residents.

Photo: from left, Seabrook residents Pat Driscoll and Phil Freedman