GreenGuardian.com

A year-round educational focus on waste reduction topics was implemented at this St. Paul church, changing with the seasons and tied to Caring for Creation themes. A new Caring for Creation team implemented waste reduction activities at the church (e.g. offering recycling and eliminating the use of styrofoam coffee cups each Sunday) and offered workshops on ways people can reduce waste in their own lives. 220 church members attended events during the year. A changing display board educated people (approx. 250 each month) who use the church building (e.g. for AA meetings, yoga classes) on different waste education topics. 226 people took concrete waste reduction actions, such starting to compost, completing a junk mail postcard, making re-usable holiday bags, making non-toxic home cleaners, and bringing mugs to coffee hour. Articles about the project appeared in Highland Villager, Metro Lutheran, and the Macalester Groveland Illuminator, reaching 50,000 people. The church has joined Congregations Caring for Community.