The Howard County Conservancy is asking residents, students and businesses alike to “Take a Pass on Plastic” and rethink their use of single-use plastics such as straws, shopping bags, utensils and plastic water bottles. On Thursday, November 15, to coincide with National America Recycles Day, locals are invited to stop by from 9am- 3pm, visit the nature center and trails, and receive a FREE reusable shopping bag and spork. Visitors can also learn more about the campaign and ways to get started at home. For more information about the Howard County Conservancy, please visit www.hcconservancy.org or call 410-465-8877.

“We chose to start our campaign on America Recycles Day to make Howard County residents aware that although recycling is terrific, we use products every day that are not recyclable and the results are harmful to our environment. Our county alone produces 30,500 tons of recycling but 11% still ends up as garbage in landfills,” said Meg Boyd, Executive Director at the Howard County Conservancy. She added,” We’re trying to educate and encourage people to make small changes in their lives by taking a pass on plastic…saying no to plastic utensils and straws with carry-out, bringing your own water bottle, or asking for alternatives to Styrofoam, as examples.”