Do you want to make a positive impact for the environment, but aren’t sure where to start? Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned eco warrior, this webinar is perfect for anyone looking to make a difference in this new year.
This week, Re.Use.Full welcomed Eliza Cantlie, the owner of Simplicana, a decluttering and organizing business who shared how to start an eco challenge.
Eliza discussed her personal challenge of intentionally reducing her consumption in 2024, limiting herself to acquiring only 24 new items throughout the year. She explained her motivations for this challenge, including her love for minimalism, financial constraints following her wedding, and her responsibility as a citizen of the planet. Eliza also highlighted the problems with plastic, including its impact on the environment, its persistence in the ecosystem, and the challenges of recycling it. She mentioned her intention to eventually tackle the issue of plastic packaging in the food industry.
Plastic-Free Challenge
Eliza discussed her experience with the plastic-free challenge she undertook in 2024. She shared her strategies for tracking and accountability, including a spreadsheet to keep track of her points and consequences for exceeding the 24-item limit. She also highlighted the items she counted towards the challenge, such as new clothing, toiletries, and home furnishings. Eliza noted that she exceeded the limit and had to donate to eco-minded charities for each item over the limit. She also shared her plans for the 2025 challenge, including politely refusing freebies and better communication with friends and family about holiday gifts.
Promoting Sustainability and Reducing Waste
Eliza discussed her efforts to reduce waste and promote sustainability in her daily life. She shared her experiences with acquiring and disposing of items, emphasizing the use of secondhand resources, local buy nothing groups, and creative reuse centers. Eliza also highlighted the benefits of refillery shops, composting, and recycling programs for electronics, pet supplies, and clothing. She encouraged others to adopt similar practices and to check local resources before disposing of items. Additionally, Eliza shared her experiences with bulk shopping and using reusable containers to reduce waste.
Eliza’s Eco-Friendly Challenge and Accountability
Eliza discussed the creation of her own eco-friendly challenge, focusing on plastic reduction, minimalism, and frugality. She emphasized the importance of setting a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goal, and the role of accountability through consequences. Eliza also shared her experience with other eco-friendly challenges, such as Project 333 and the Mason jar challenge. She wrapped up the webinar by encouraging everyone to consider whether they are addressing the root cause of environmental issues or just treating the symptoms.
Watch past webinars and find out more about our webinar series
Be sure and register for our next Wednesday 101 Webinar, Introduction to Electric Vehicles, which will happen February 5, 2025 at 12:00pm CST.