Get Started – Start a Group for Your Local Area

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Here are the basic 1-2-3 steps to get started with the BYO Reduces movement in your area, via the original Canada Reduces website. We recommend you check out the link as it explains everything in detail.

Below is a condensed version to jump-start your group.  

 

STEP 1: Connect with Your Neighbors 

Here are things to do to find like-minded people in your area:

  • Post on your existing social media accounts such as Facebook and Nextdoor
  • Set up a private Facebook group, and/or a Google group, for an online discussion forum for your new local BYO Reduces group members.    
  • Post on your neighborhood email list
  • Chat with your neighbors 
  • Post flyers on bulletin boards around town
  • Start having regular coffee/meetings and stick to regularly scheduled meetings.

 

STEP 2: Get a Sticker & Contact Businesses

Once you have some interested people on board …

You may want to fundraise for the cost of stickers and flyers. You can ask your group members to contribute, crowdfund, do a bake sale, or look for a neighborhood mini-grant from a local non-profit.

Start contacting businesses. Visit during non-busy hours. Take photos and videos for your social media. Document your journey for your website.

And stay in touch by joining our bimonthly US Reduces meetings for support, comradery, brainstorming, trouble-shooting and canvassing tips. 

 

STEP 3: Spread the Word

Putting stickers on storefronts is half of the work. Let’s get to the other half—getting the word out and inspiring people to start bringing their own containers to businesses.

 

  • Create social media pages for your group.
  • Launch a website  (Examples: Ithaca Reduces, Silicon Valley Reduces, Sacramento Reduces). 
    • Map (Most of us uses Google’s My Map).
    • List of businesses.
    • We’ll link our map to your local website!
  • Celebrate each business who adopted your stickers with your post on social media. Share the news on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube… Business owners will really appreciate you and your community will love the posts!
  • Slow and steady is the key!
  • Publish op-eds and press releases in local newspapers.
  • Keep your membership informed with email newsletters in addition to social media.
Join Our Bi-Monthly Meetings every First Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT for Conversations and Troubleshooting with Fellow Local Leaders. We Also Feature Inspiring Guest Speakers! Don't forget to sign up for our newsletters to stay updated on meeting announcements and registration links!
After reading this page, please fill out this form to get on our map!

Recommended:

Find even more support, webinars, and workshops dedicated to plastics and useful discarded materials also known as “solid waste”.  Join two outstanding organizations that champion this cause:

1. GAIA (Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives): Gain access to valuable resources and become part of a global community committed to zero waste strategies.

2. Beyond Plastics: Participate in their 2-times free training series and become an affiliate group, strengthening your fight for BYO.

Embrace the opportunity to elevate your knowledge and advocacy for BYO with these empowering platforms. Join for free and make a difference!