Environmental Issues Action Group

Protecting Our Planet, Empowering Our Community

Welcome to the heart of our movement for environmental justice and sustainability. This committee is where passion meets action - where we turn concern into campaigns, and ideas into impact. We believe that caring for the Earth is inseparable from caring for each other. Environmental harm often hits hardest in marginalized communities, and our work centers equality, transparency, and collective responsibility.

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Sign and Share the Green Giants Eco Action Group's Petitions: A Cleaner, Greener Community Starts with a 5¢ Bag Fee

Sign here:

- Frederick County Petition
- City of Winchester Petition

Residents of Frederick County and City of Winchester, I urge you to adopt the 5¢ Disposable Plastic Bag Tax authorized under Virginia Code §58.1‑1745. This small, proven fee is one of the most effective tools available to reduce plastic litter, protect local waterways, and support a cleaner and healthier community.

Plastic bags are consistently among the most common items found in community cleanups and stormwater systems. They break down into microplastics that harm wildlife, clog drainage infrastructure, and create long‑term environmental and financial burdens for our city.

Communities across Virginia that have implemented this fee have seen significant reductions in plastic bag waste. The fee is fully avoidable by bringing reusable bags, and the revenue collected is restricted by state law for:

- Litter prevention and cleanup
- Environmental education
- Providing reusable bags to low‑income residents

This policy is practical, cost‑effective, and aligned with Winchester's/Frederick County values of stewardship and community well‑being. I respectfully ask you to move this measure forward and help make Winchester a cleaner, more sustainable place for everyone.

Why This Campaign Matters: Plastic pollution is one of the most visible and preventable problems in our community. Disposable plastic bags clog storm drains, litter our neighborhoods, harm wildlife, and break down into microplastics that end up in our waterways and soil. Winchester spends time and resources cleaning up something that doesn’t need to be created in the first place.

A small, avoidable 5¢ fee is one of the simplest and most effective tools available to reduce plastic waste. Communities across Virginia have already seen dramatic reductions in litter after adopting this policy. The revenue stays local and can only be used for cleanup, environmental education, and providing reusable bags to residents who need them.

This campaign is about taking a practical, commonsense step that protects our environment, reduces waste, and strengthens our community’s long‑term health.

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What We Do:

• Community Education: Hosting teach-ins, film screenings, and workshops on climate justice, pollution, and sustainable living.
• Policy Advocacy: Supporting legislation that protects ecosystems, holds polluters accountable, and promotes green infrastructure.
• Local Action Projects: Organizing clean-ups, tree plantings, and zero-waste initiatives in our neighborhoods.
• Creative Campaigns: Designing flyers, social media content, and public art that raise awareness and spark dialogue.
• Solidarity Work: Partnering with frontline communities and other activist groups to amplify shared struggles and solutions.