Our purpose is to educate the Brunswick (pop. 20,000) and Topsham (pop. 10,000) communities about the problem of plastics in the environment and to promote the use of reusable bags and containers.  We are targeting single-use, carryout bags and Styrofoam food and beverage containers because they are lightweight and blow into the environment easily. Also, they are recycled at very low rates in Maine (3-15% recycling of plastic bags; 0% recycling of Styrofoam). Here is the insight we are trying to share with the community: While plastics are made from non-renewable petroleum products and last thousands of years, our usage of them is often for temporary purposes like single-use bags and take-out containers! Our group has staffed an educational booth at over two dozen venues to educate the public, visited 104 local businesses to talk about single-use bags and Styrofoam, done PowerPoint presentations, held press conferences, written editorials, met with other groups promoting sustainability in southern Maine, and raised some funds for reusable bags to give away in the Brunswick and Topsham community.