July Newsletter
By Shenandoah Marr
The warm days of July often mean spending time outdoors and/or gathering with friends or family to enjoy the long days. We certainly hope you are enjoying summer activities but we wouldn’t be Spokane Zero Waste if we didn’t talk about all of the waste associated with summer fun. We’re not the only ones thinking about it….there is a global movement known as Plastic Free July that we invite you to join. Started in 2011 by the Australian visionary Rebecca Prince Ruiz, Plastic Free July has grown into a global movement with over 100 million people from 190 countries participating. Participation is easy - start with a pledge and then go as big or as small as you feel you can do. The journey to using less plastic has to start somewhere and you can choose how far to go depending on your lifestyle and life circumstances at a given time. Initiatives like Plastic Free July build momentum for long lasting change by inviting people to think more carefully about their choices and joining a community of other people who are doing the same. Your choices, be they small or add up.
If you are just getting started on a lower waste lifestyle, we suggest picking ONE area and really committing to it. Buying and consuming is so ingrained in our culture that it probably feels overwhelming to even think of trying to live entirely plastic free. When we feel overwhelmed we tend to just shut down and/or give up entirely. If you’re not sure where to start, consider reducing your waste around food. Bring your own utensils to work, and remember to use your reusable food and beverage containers. Before you know it, it will feel odd to NOT have those things. Once you’ve mastered your one chosen area, start taking on more of the big stuff.
Tip: if you need a reusable water bottle or coffee cup visit your local thrift store and get one cheap!
Have you heard the exciting news? Spokane has a new outdoor consignment shop! The Evergreen Gear Exchange is filling the gap left when Rambleraven Gear Tavern closed last year. Evergreen is selling high quality, gently used outdoor gear. Not only does the consignment model give things a second life, buying used goods costs significantly less than buying new! If you have some gear you no longer use or (ahem) no longer fits, consider selling it at Evergreen and make a few dollars.
Get to Know the Volunteers who Make Mend-It Cafe Happen
By Shenandoah Marr
SZW: Tell us about how you learned to mend?
Deb: As a teenager I learned to use a sewing machine and to hand sew hems and buttons from my mom and in Home Economics in high school. I also learned embroidery as a craft on my own.
SZW: Do you have a particularly memorable item you've mended for yourself or for another person?
Deb: My first visible mending project was to put superhero material in the knees of my grandson's jeans. They loved it
SZW: What inspires you to volunteer for SZW?
Deb: My very first mending project after I joined SZW was a purple coat. I was chatting with the lady who brought it in, I found out it was for her autistic daughter. This coat was a safe place for her and losing it would be devastating. I have an autistic grandson and I know how important that job was.
Upcoming Events
Mend-It Cafe
Sunday, July 27, 2025
12:00 PM 3:00 PM
Shadle Park Library2111 West Wellesley AvenueSpokane,
A celebration of culture and creativity!
Spokane Zero Waste (SZW) has been awarded a Spokane Neighborhood Business District Activation Grant. The funds will be used to produce a creative community event for the N. Monroe Business District on August 23rd and will showcase the creations of 5 sewists from Spokane Zero Waste’s ReCraft Lab, a jobs training and circular economy endeavor.
The day will include: Tea and treats from the Afghani Grocery, henna tattooing, delicious food and an opportunity for cultural exchange and learning through the art of sewing. This event will have a lasting impact on the N. Monroe Business District as funds will also be used for a new mural and colorful crosswalk flags. The flags will be made by ReCraftLab students, with upcycled materials and enhance pedestrian safety at five important crossings in the area.
This event, co-hosted by Rogue Heart Media with support from Sew She Can and Manzanita House will be a low-waste event supported by SZW. We will work with participants to guide waste reduction both upstream, with materials and operations recommendations, as well as downstream with our waste sorting station. Interested in volunteering for this event? Email volunteerszw@spokanezerowaste.org with the subject Line N. Monroe.
Night Market and Street Fair
August 8th 5-9pm
Catalyst Building Parking lot,
601 E Riverside Ave
Come to this fabulous event that showcases unique vendor artisans, two bars, local food trucks, live music, all the good Summer vibes you need and SZW's waste sorting stations!
Come and support the Night Market and Street Fair's efforts to be the first sustainable outdoor event in Spokane. Alena Horowitz, creator of the Night Market and Street Fair is supporting our zero waste goals by engaging us to provide resources and guides for food vendors to reduce waste upstream and have our waste sorting stations on site to ensure all waste is properly sorted for its best use downstream.
This effort is just the beginning for SZW, we'll be looking to support more events throughout the 2026 season. If you'd like to learn more about our services or volunteer as a waste ambassador email: info@spokanezerowaste.org subject line: zero waste events
