St. Ann Launches Zero Waste Initiative
As stewards of God’s creation, we’re excited to take the first steps toward becoming a Zero Waste parish, beginning with the La Salette Laity Summit the weekend of Sunday, June 8.
The Zero Waste initiative focuses on reducing what we send to landfills by rethinking how we use and dispose of materials. At the summit, you’ll notice some meaningful changes aimed at sustainability.
Our goal is to cut our overall waste haul in half—a bold and hopeful step toward more faithful care for our environment.
Here’s how we’re making it happen:
- Goodbye Disposable Plates: We’re phasing out single-use paper, plastic, and foam. Instead, you’ll see reusable or compostable options, including washable plates and bamboo cutlery.
- Composting Waste: We’re introducing compost bins for food scraps, liquids, and other biodegradable materials. Volunteers will be available to help guide you on what goes where.
- Recycling Right: Clearly marked bins will be available for aluminum, plastic (until our current supply runs out), paper, and cardboard—helping us dramatically reduce landfill waste.
- Hydration with Purpose: We’ve installed five filtered and cooled water filling stations across campus to reduce single-use plastic bottles. You’ll find them in the parish office hallway near the restrooms, in front of La Salette Hall, in the Launch area, the gym, and the narthex. We’ll also be selling $5 reusable aluminum water bottles—made from recycled materials—to encourage everyone to fill up and stay sustainable. (They’ll be available at the Parish Festival on Sunday, May 18).
These changes may seem small, but they reflect a larger commitment to care for our common home, as Pope Francis urges in Laudato Si’. By launching this effort, we hope to build awareness and establish habits that will grow across all parish events.
As a head start, we’ll be introducing some of these Zero Waste practices at the Parish Festival. Our team will be available to answer questions, help with sorting, and share how you can bring these sustainable practices into your own home.
Let’s celebrate together—faith, fellowship, and a future that respects and protects God’s creation. This is just the beginning.