Coming soon will be an innovative new app launched by the Reduce Single-Use team at Eckerd College. With funds from a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Trash Free Waters Program, the new smartphone application will have two main objectives. First and foremost, we are hoping that app users will be encouraged to refuse single-use plastics in their everyday lives. Additionally, the collective data from the app can be used to inform and promote policies towards sustainability in the future.

Outreach and education will be critical to the success of the app. We plan to present at numerous events and schools throughout the coming years to share the app and encourage people to make changes in their plastic consumption. Additionally, we will be expanding our already existing network of pro-environmental organizations and users. The app is designed to be social- the more people using the app, the more people will share their habits in reducing single-use plastics.

Here is a list of our existing partners:

• Keep Pinellas Beautiful

• Tampa Bay Watch

• Tampa Bay Estuary Program

• St. Pete Youth Farm

• Arts Conservatory for Teens

• Suncoast Rise Above Plastics Coalition

• The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability for the City of St. Petersburg

If you would like to stay up-to-date with the progress of the app and be notified when it is officially released, email reducesingleuse@eckerd.edu, fill out an interest form, and follow our Instagram @eckerdreducesingleuse. We are looking forward to launching the app soon and working with everyone to create a less plastic-filled future!