A new initiative wants people to “think reusable” for a healthier planet and healthier athletes.

Reducing plastic pollution is the goal of the Beaches Go Green’s Reusable Sports Bottle Program. Through the sponsorship of Publix and Publix GreenWise Market and a partnership with Beaches Go Green, more than 12,000 youth athletes will receive a SIC stainless-steel reusable sports bottle as part of their sport’s uniform for the 2022-23 school year.

Student athletes who receive bottles bearing their school’s custom logo will receive education on plastic pollution and will be strongly encouraged to use and reuse the bottles at practices, games and beyond.

“Our Publix Mission challenges us to be responsible citizens in our communities,” said Maria Brous, Publix director of communications. “Part of that mission is to meet today’s needs while being mindful of what's essential for tomorrow. We are proud to support student athletes and share in the responsibility to educate our youth on the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle."

Beaches Go Green Founder Anne Marie Moquin added

"Our goal is to create awareness about wasteful and polluting single-use plastic,” added Beaches Go Green Founder Anne Marie Moquin. “Plastic does not biodegrade. It breaks up into tiny pieces of plastic called microplastics, which are now found almost everywhere, especially in our soil, air, water and food. As a society, we are just beginning to understand the negative impact of plastic on our planet. The schools/teams benefiting from this program also have Beaches Go Green Student Environmental Education Clubs. BGG Student Club members help to educate their peers and help to put the ‘reuse’ ideas into action. We are optimistic that student athletes will adopt these reuse habits and skip single-use plastic at school, on the field/court, at home and in everyday life.”

Beaches Go Green, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, aims to create awareness and education around the waste that people produce and how it impacts the planet. With a focus on single-use plastics and the oceans, BGG encourages people to take small steps to decrease their plastic consumption and overall waste.

For more information or to sponsor a team, contact annemarie@beachesgogreen.org or go to beachesgogreen.org.

For more information about Publix, go to sustainability.publix.com/storefront.

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