Hello everyone! One way to brighten your days is to take on a new challenge! For 2022, the Green Initiatives Committee has developed a series of monthly challenges to help us all make some simple changes for a greener lifestyle. We are hoping that some of our ideas will interest you, because lots of us making small changes can add up to a big difference.
One of our key initiatives is to promote the sharing economy. This is a peer-to-peer economic model where people acquire, provide or share access to goods and services typically through a community-based online group. This is exactly what our Mount Pleasant buy/sell/trade group on Facebook is for!
This month the GIC is encouraging everyone to “Go Fish” in the community for items or services you might need. This might come especially in handy with back-to-school and harvesting season as well as all the upcoming fall and winter festivities. What does that mean? Check out the challenges below for some ideas.
Challenge #1: Challenge yourself not to buy something you will use only a few times, find an alternative instead (borrow, rent, or at least buy used). When you need to buy something, see if it’s available for purchase in the community or if you can make an exchange with a neighbour or a friend. Things like seasonal decorations or Halloween costumes are great examples of items that can be traded instead of purchased every year.
Challenge #2: If you do need to make a new purchase and it is something you might only use on occasion, consider buying it with a group of neighbours or friends to share. For example, a 3D printer or large tools!
Challenge #3: Check out the community pantry this month! Located near the lower entrance of the Mount Pleasant Community Hall. A great place to grab, exchange or leave non-perishable food items.
Challenge #4: Bring back the bartering system. Get to know your neighbours and suggest a trade of goods or services (ex: I would like to learn how to use a sewing machine, in exchange, I can tutor French) or exchange all the goodies from your garden’s harvest.
If you want to get involved and be a part of making Mount Pleasant a greener community, we would love to have you join the committee. Please email green@mpca.ca for more information or if you have any questions. As well, please check out our Mount Pleasant Green Initiatives Group on Facebook! You can find us on the Mount Pleasant Community Association page. The Facebook group is a great place to share your completed challenges and check in to see what others are doing.
Have fun Going Fish!
The MPCA Green Initiatives Committee
