Single-Use Plastics: Thrive Impact Group Findings & Next Steps

Transitioning to Phase 2 of Countywide Collective Action

In April 2020, thirty County leaders formed a cross-sector Thrive Impact Group to study single-use plastics consumption in SMC. Extensive research uncovered big challenges that transfer enormous costs to our cities, residents, and business owners. Hear group leaders share the challenges and solutions to our single-use plastic crisis. Learn how collective impact can unify cross-sector leaders, define measurable goals, and align siloed efforts. Then join a discussion on the Impact Group’s Phase 2 Plans -- fall 2020.

Featuring: Eun-Soo Lim, Senior Sustainability Specialist, County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability; Ava Peyton, Leader, Menlo-Atherton High School Surfrider Foundation Club; Laura Porter, Owner, Byrd’s Filling Station; Alejandra Warren, Founder, Plastic Free Pacifica. This session will be moderated by Doug Silverstein, E&S Lead, Thrive Alliance.

Supported by: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE)

Zoom link will be sent to registrants before the event.

SPEAKERS

Eun-Soo Lim, Senior Sustainability Specialist, County of San Mateo

Eun-Soo Lim has over 12 years’ experience in sustainability as an environmental nonprofit consultant, auditor for mandatory and voluntary greenhouse gas reporting programs in California and Massachusetts and supporting local governments and schools in climate change efforts. In the last five years with the County of San Mateo’s Office of Sustainability, Eun-Soo has led the development and implementation of waste reduction programs, including the County’s disposable food service ware ordinance and the 4Rs Grants Program. She holds a bachelor’s in environmental science from Barnard College and a Masters in Climate & Society from Columbia University.

Ava Peyton, Leader, Menlo-Atherton High School Surfrider Foundation Club

Ava Peyton is a senior at Menlo-Atherton High School. Since freshman year, she has participated in beach cleanups and running the table for the Surfrider Foundation Club (SFC). This year Ava is excited to lead the SFC and hopes to reduce plastic in M-A’s meal system. Ava has been working on the Impacts to Schools section of the Story of Single-Use Plastics in SMC project and updating the SFC members with events like paddle outs for Black Lives Matter, solo beach cleanups, and reef-friendly sunscreen articles.

Laura Porter, Owner, Byrd’s Filling Station

Laura Porter is now a plastic-free and zero waste enthusiast and owner of San Mateo's first Zero Waste store. Her career began in public accounting with Deloitte & Touche, where she gained experience with some of the largest companies in the Bay Area. After 15 successful years as a CPA, however, she became tired of the difficulty of living a plastic-free life. She decided to bring her experience to bear to make a zero-waste lifestyle more accessible by opening San Mateo’s first plastic-free Zero Waste store. Laura is an active member of the San Mateo Rotary Club, as well as Citizens Climate Lobby.

Alejandra Warren, Founder, Plastic Free Pacifica

Alejandra Warren is a strong advocate of sustainability and environmental conservation. She currently manages and assists on sustainability projects across the Bay Area and works as a zero-waste consultant for San Francisco Environment. Alejandra co-led efforts for the passage of the single use plastic ban in Pacifica, CA in 2018 and founded Plastic Free Pacifica in 2019, an initiative to educate the public on the importance of reducing the use of single use plastics and advocating for the use of reusables.

FACILITATED BY

Doug Silverstein, Environment & Sustainability Lead, Thrive Alliance

Doug Silverstein joined Thrive in April 2020 after two years as a dedicated volunteer and consultant helping unify the cross-sector E&S Community and building capacity for its more than 100 organizations. Since 2015, Doug has provided guidance for local nonprofits including Citizens’ Climate Lobby and Citizens Environmental Council of Burlingame where he serves as board member and treasurer. He also serves as co-chair of the Resource Management and Climate Protection (RMCP) Committee of the City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG) of San Mateo County. Doug is a Bay Area native and formerly worked in the finance and technology industries with Cisco, Oracle, Symantec, BNY Mellon Investments, Dresdner RCM Investors and others. He earned an Economics B.A. from UC Berkeley and an MBA from Northwestern University.