LTC 377-2021 Plastic Free MVP's Celebration377-2021
MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC# LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Honorable Mayor Dan Gelbw r. n mbers of the City Commission
Alina T. Hudak, City Mana r
September 9, 2021
SUBJECT: Plastic Free MVP's Celebration
I am pleased to inform you of the upcoming "Plastic Free MVP" event scheduled for September
17, 2021 from 7 p .m. to 9.pm. at the Kimpton Angler's Hotel. This event will celebrate the
conclusion of a summer-long initiative with Ocean Conservancy, Big Blue & You, and Debris Free
Oceans.
The flagship initiative was made possible through the city's partnership with Ocean Conservancy's
Shores Forward partnership. The Shores Forward program focuses on addressing areas
impacting ocean health by collaborating with municipalities to support projects that reduce marine
debris, protect marine wildlife, expand water quality programs, and prepare for sea level rise, and
engage residents.
The summer initiative involved training students from the Design and Architecture High School
(D.A.S.H) to help Miami Beach businesses move from single-use plastics and to register them for
the city's #PlasticFreeMB program. #PlasticFreeMB is a free business certification and education
program that recognizes businesses that have taken action to reduce plastics within their
establishments.
The Big Blue Crew was made up of 16 students who visited businesses throughout Miami Beach
to discuss the goals and benefits of the #PlasticFreeMB program. Students registered an
additional 15 businesses, bringing the number of certified businesses to 149 that have pledged
to reduce single-use plastics in their operations . Through this youth-driven environmental effort,
students learned how plastic reduction efforts can mitigate the impacts of plastic pollution in the
environment. Students came away with an understanding of sustainable business operations and
will showcase their experiences as well as results during the scheduled event.
The event will be open to the public at a limited capacity. Attendees can register here:
https://www.classy.org/event/celebrate-the-%22plastic-free-mvps%22-efforts-on-the-shores-
forward-initiative/e355248
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Elizabeth Wheaton, Environment &
Sustainability Director at elizabethwheaton@miamibeachfl.gov.
ATH/AK/ESW/YP
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