Westport, Conn.— BLACK PLASTIC DRIVE TO BENEFIT FRIDGEPORT

*GRAPHIC ATTACHED

Many of us do not realize that black plastic cannot be recycled. Instead of throwing black takeout containers in the trash, we have identified a way to reuse them for a greater purpose!

Westport Farmers’ Market is partnering with Sustainable Westport and Food Rescue CT to collect black plastic takeout containers to be repurposed to serve food to those in need.

Bring your washed, clean, black plastic takeout food containers (with matching lids!) to the Westport Farmers’ Market at Gilbertie's (7 Sylvan Lane, Westport) on Thursday, December 22 and Thursday, December 29 from 10AM - 2PM.

Food containers will be used by Fridgeport Outdoor Food Pantry to repackage large trays of donated prepared foods into smaller portions for distribution to members of the community facing food insecurity. Many recipients reuse the containers many times over.

Grab that stack of black plastic containers and put them to good use this holiday season! 

Why can’t black plastic be recycled? The optical sorting systems used to sort recycling cannot identify black plastic as “plastic.” When the black plastic is placed incorrectly with other items, it contaminates the overall recycling stream reducing its value. In addition, black plastic has a hazardous level of toxins that increase in the recycling center. Whenever you can, refuse or reuse black plastic!

“Sustainable Westport continues to educate our community on ways to help the environment. We at WFM really likes working with them and this initiative seemed only fitting to rescue food and plastic. Ultimately, we would prefer these containers being banned or not used by choice but for now, we will look for solutions to repurpose” said Lori Cochran-Dougall, Executive Director

About the Westport Farmers’ Market

The award-winning Westport Farmers’ Market (WFM) is held every Thursday beginning in May at 50 Imperial Drive, Westport, Connecticut, and Thursdays beginning mid-November at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Lane, Westport, Connecticut. WFM is committed to providing fresh, local, healthy, and seasonal food. It aspires to create a fun, safe, and healthy community environment for education and socialization. Its mission is to increase awareness, knowledge, and support for local producers focused on sustainable and healthy growing practices.

WFM receives philanthropic support from: Abramson & Company LLC; Aitoro Appliance; Alma Mexican Food; Boxcar Cantina; Cohen and Wolf; Compass Realty, Riolo Team; Dharma Massage Therapy; Doc’s Maple; Don Memo; The Drew Friedman Community Arts Center; Gault Family Companies; Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center; LeafGuard; Pause + Purpose; Pure Barre; Sugar & Olives; Terrain; Wave Hill Breads; and Wells Hill Farm. 

For more information, visit www.westportfarmersmarket.com, and find WFM on FB, Instagram,

and Twitter, too.