Sustainability Committee mission statement:

To promote environmental stewardship (Khilafah) within our community in accordance with Islamic principles, bringing educational awareness of sustainability in all aspects (Environmental, Health, Wellness, Financial, and Economical), implementing practical sustainable practices, promoting environmental consciousness and lifestyle, reducing our ecological footprint, wastefulness, creating a No-Plastic Policy and advocating for responsible use of resources that honors green deen and Allah SWT creations.

The MCA Sustainability Committee works on:

• Implementing the No-Plastic Policy throughout all MCA operations
• Educating the community to use the three stream waste system responsibly
• Connecting sustainability on all levels: environmental, health, wellness, financial and economical
• Creating sustainability events for the whole family: children, youth, adults

Policy Statement

MCA is committed to reducing our environmental impact and promoting sustainability and wellness. As part of this commitment, we are implementing a No-Plastic Policy for all operations, all events, all offices, all schools, and the bookstore. This policy aims to end the use of single-use plastics and establish the use of reusable and sustainable alternatives.

This policy applies to all operations held at MCA, including but not limited to:

• Any event done by MCA, committees, schools, and other organizations 
• Private rentals for any occasions
• Conferences by MCA, committees, schools, and other organizations
• Workshops by MCA, committees, schools, and other organizations
• Meetings by EB, BoT, Committee, and other organizations
• Any school functions: assemblies, fairs, meetings, fundraisers 
• Halaqa gatherings
• All staff rooms at MCA and Schools
• Any offices at MCA and Schools
• MCA Bookstore 

Policy Guidelines

1. Single-Use Plastics

       The following single-use plastic items are prohibited at MCA:

• Plastic water bottles
• Plastic plates and bowls
• Plastic utensils (forks, knives, spoons)
• Plastic cups and lids
• Plastic food containers and packaging
• Plastic straws
• Plastic beverage stirrers
• Plastic coffee pods
• Plastic milk pods
• Plastic tablecloths
• Plastic shopping bags
• Plastic decorations
• Balloons 

• Any other items that are single-use plastic  

2. Acceptable Alternatives

       The following alternatives are acceptable: 

• Reusable water bottles 
• Reusable beverage containers
• Compostable or reusable  plates, bowls, and cups
• Compostable or reusable utensils (forks, knives, spoons)
• Compostable straws
• Compostable beverage stirrers
• Reusable food containers and packaging
• Reusable tablecloths and napkins
• Cloth tablecloths and cloth napkins 
• Reusable decorations
• Biodegradable balloons
• Water stations 
• Beverage dispensers
• Reusable bags 
• Reusable totes 

3. Enforcement        

MCA Executive Board will:

• Announce it in Khutba, social media, newsletters, and e-newsletter (President/VP)
• Communicate this policy to all establishments of MCA, BoT, Chairs of the Committees, schools, MCA bookstore, MCA members, and volunteers (Comms)
• Communicate this policy during any booking process of MCA rooms (Admin) 
• Provide information on acceptable alternatives/party rental businesses in the booking process per request 
• Have a copy of the policy in designated places – framed billboard at entrance door #5 and security office (Comms)
• Ensure that appropriate waste receptacles (recycling, compost, and trash) are available at all times (Facility)
• Monitor events to ensure compliance with this policy (Facility)

4. Education and Awareness 

MCA Executive Board will:

• Provide educational materials and resources on No-Plastic Policy (Sustainability)
• Promote this policy through our website, social media, Khutba, and other communication channels. (Comms)
• Encourage community involvement in ending plastic consumption through events, MCA Sustainability Committee tabling on Jummah, MCA Sustainability Committee events (Sustainability)

5. Implementation

This policy will take effect on February 22, 2025. We request all organizers, attendees, staff, schools, volunteers, board members, members, and visitors to embrace this policy and join us in our efforts to create a healthy and sustainable environment at MCA.

6. Violation

• The facility is responsible for monitoring compliance with this policy during any event and will report each violation to the Admin.
• A security deposit is required for all private bookings. This deposit serves as a guarantee against violation of the policy. In the event of non-compliance with the policy, the security deposit will be forfeited.

7. Review

This policy will be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.