Eco-Friendly Movie Time at Steve & Cookies

Steve and Cookies LogoMARGATE – Sustainable Margate and the Ventnor Green Team, in conjunction with the Surfrider Foundation South Jersey Chapter, will show the award-winning documentary “Bag It” 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 at Steve & Cookie’s by the Bay.

The screening is geared to businesses. Admission is free, and light hors d’oeuvres will served. Drinks can be purchased.

‘Bag It’ follows “everyman” Jeb Berrier as he tries to make sense of America’s dependence on single-use plastic bags. Although his quest starts out small, He soon learns that the problem extends past landfills to oceans, rivers and ultimately human health.

The average American uses about 500 plastic bags each year – for about 12 minutes each. This single-use mentality has led to the formation of a floating island of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean more than twice the size of Texas, according to a press release from Monica Coffey of Sustainable Margate.

“The purpose of the screening is to raise awareness and change the culture by getting more residents to use reusable bags,” Margate Mayor Mike Becker said in a news release. “As coastal communities, we have a burden of responsibility to try and limit the amount of trash and litter created by single-use bags. We feel businesses will be key in changing behavior, which is why we are hosting a special screening just for them.”

984947Ventnor Mayor Mike Bagnell said trash and litter know no boundaries. “Our communities depend on clean beaches and a clean environment. By raising awareness, we are hoping to have a significant impact on the problem.”

Beth Kwart, chairwoman of the South Jersey Chapter of Surfrider Foundation, said the organization is committed to the protection and enjoyment of the oceans, waves and beaches.

“Plastic bags are an unnecessary nuisance – they harm wildlife, are made from oil, cannot decompose, are not easy to recycle, and no one wants to see them stuck in the dunes or blowing into the ocean,” she said.

John Weber, Mid-Atlantic regional manager for the Surfrider Foundation, will lead a discussion after the movie.

All Downbeach business representatives are welcome.

RSVP by Jan. 22 to sustainablemargate@margate-nj.com.