You Spoke, We Listened
In Fall 2024, we administered a survey to better understand community needs, preferences, and barriers to sustainable lifestyles. The results showed that the community would like to see:
- Organized swaps or sales (i.e. children’s toys, sports equipment)
- Recycling of items that cannot go in curbside bins (i.e. film plastics)
- Grant-funded projects around town
- Community events
- Assistance to local businesses regarding sustainable practices
In response, we are planning a 2025 packed with all sorts of sustainable events, recycling projects, grant applications, and business visits.
Check out our Upcoming Events below to see what we are planning!
UPCOMING EVENTS IN ROWLEY
February 27, 2025 @ 1:00 pm: Striving for Sustainability Informational Session with Rowley Council of Aging
Come join our information session and discussion at the Rowley Council of Aging (COA). We will be sharing our mission and goals, exploring the informational resources on our website, discussing community priorities, and requesting input on how we can better support sustainable lifestyles across all generations.
March 29, 2025 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Toy Swap with the Rowley Public Library
Stay tuned for information on how to donate to and participate in a Toy Swap organized in partnership with the Rowley Public Library.
April 10, 2025 @ 6:00 pm: Screening of “We’re All Plastic People Now” and discussion with Andrea LaCroix
We will be hosting a free screening of the film “We’re All Plastic People Now,” followed by a discussion with Andrea LaCroix, a volunteer member of the Beyond Plastics Speakers Bureau. Details forthcoming!
Date TBD: Green Festival
We are considering options for a Green Festival in Rowley this summer. The goal of the Green Festival would be to foster opportunities for our community to explore local options for sustainable lifestyles. If you are a local vendor that wants to be involved, please contact us.
UPCOMING WEBINARS, PRESENTATIONS & CONFERENCES
April 1, 2025 @ 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm: Sustainability for Life Sciences Conference, DoubleTree Hilton in Danvers
**FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES** This conference is intended to expose small to medium life science companies to the range of tangible, actionable solutions that are bringing sustainability to bio-science companies throughout the North Shore today. Learn ways companies are taking the initiative head on – looking at upstream and downstream policies and best practices that build a culture of sustainability. We will focus on energy, waste, conservation, procurement, technology, products, and other green strategies that help to create a culture of sustainability in your organization. Cost to attend varies. See event site for details.
Saturday, May 3, 2025 thru Thursday, May 8, 2025 @ various times: Grassroots Organizing Training with Beyond Plastics
Join Beyond Plastics for a free, virtual, 2-part grassroots organizing training that will teach you practical, powerful ways to help end plastic pollution and engage your larger community. This online training is divided into two sessions that will take place between May 3 – 8, each of which is roughly two hours long. You must complete both sessions, but you can attend them in any order you wish, and they are each offered twice to ensure you can find a time that works with your schedule. Head to Beyond Plastics’ trainings page to register for the two dates that work the best for you.
GRANT-FUNDED PROJECTS
On December 18, 2024, Striving for Sustainability received a seed grant from New England Grassroots Environment Fund to support the start-up of our community-developed organization as it grows into a sustainability staple for all residents and businesses of Rowley, Massachusetts and its surrounding communities. We are so thrilled with and grateful for the generous work of the Grassroots Fund.
More on this exciting development soon!
PAST EVENTS
Check out past events that have been supported or sponsored by Striving for Sustainability.
Striving for Sustainability hosted a Kids Upcycled Holiday Shop at the Rowley Public Library on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. The event allowed children to “shop” a selection of donated goods for everyone on their holiday shopping list! All shop items were donated or upcycled, and there was no cost for participation.
The event was well attended and we hope to do it again in 2025!
Click here to see the newspaper article from The Local News!
This annual event in May gets neighbors together to remove litter from the sides of our roads and in our public spaces.
The first annual Mass Eco Fest was hosted by Unpacked Living on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The event supported businesses who champion sustainability through practices such as pre-cycling, using natural materials, and upcycling existing resources!
PAST WORKSHOPS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 AT 6:30 PM – HEAT PUMPS 101: Presentation hosted by the Hamilton-Wenham Climate Action Team at the Hamilton-Wenham Library
The Hamilton Wenham Climate Action Team (HWCAT) invites you to their Heat Pumps 101 Presentation where you can learn all about using electricity to heat and cool your home efficiently. Expertise on the most recent rebates and incentives for purchasing heat pumps will be provided. Hamilton and Wenham residents who own heat pumps will also be available to chat about their experiences.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 AT 12:00 PM – FOOD RESCUE IN MASSACHUESTTS: Online webinar hosted by Recycle Smart, with speakers Chris Foote (Wegmans), Liz Miller (Spoonfuls), and Gabriella Snyder Stelmack (Bread of Life in Malden)
Ever wonder what happens to all the excess food at grocery stores? Does it get trashed? Is it going to people in need? We’ve got answers! Join us as we explore the fascinating story of food rescue in MA. You’ll hear from three organizations – a grocery store, a food rescue organization, and a food security organization – working together to distribute excess food to people in need. And bonus: Keep it out of the trash!
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 AT 12:00 PM – BATTERIES ARE EVERYWHERE! HANDLE WITH CARE! Online webinar hosted by Recycle Smart
Batteries are in everything these days! Not sure how to safely dispose of them? You’re not alone. Come learn from a Call2Recycle battery expert who will help you identify different types of batteries and show you the right way to get rid of them. We’ve also called in a recycling expert to explain how dangerous they can be if you put them in the trash or recycling. Spoiler: They can cause huge fires!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21 AT 12:00 PM – ASK ME ANYTHING ABOUT RECYCLING IN MASSACHUSETTS Online webinar hosted by Recycle Smart
Ever wonder how clean your recyclables need to be? Unsure what to do with loose bottle caps? Overwhelmed by recycling numbers? This is the webinar for you! The Recycle Smart team is excited to host this year’s Ask Me Anything about Recycling in MA. We’ll give a refresher on what makes something recyclable, dig into why smart recycling still matters, and share some rules of thumb before jumping into Q&A.