What is the latest change you made to benefit the environment?
At the end of last year, myself and fellow Zero Waste Devonport committee member Susanna Grosswiler prepped and painted our local fruit and vege stall that was built by Ian Story. It now sits outside the Devonport Community Centre where the motto is "Take what you need. Leave what you have spare." It is for everyone to use and enjoy so we decrease the amount of wasted food in our community.
Name three things people can do to have a positive environmental impact in their daily lives:
1. Educate yourself. Google plastic waste and its effects. Decide what you can do to make changes in your household. Join Facebook groups such as Zero Waste Devonport, Zero Waste in NZ, Greenpeace, Plastic Free NZ. Ask questions. People want to help you. Sacrifice the basics. No takeaway cup = no coffee/tea. If sitting in, ask for a reuseable cup. Simple! Do not buy plastic bottles or use plastic straws and don't buy food in plastic packaging or Gladwrap.
2. Plan what you need. Buy from bulk food stores and local fruit and vege markets - buy organic if possible. Do what suits your budget. Shop locally. Drive less! Take reusable containers to the supermarket deli and for takeaway dinners. Look for products that are in compostable packaging if you can compost at home. Opt for glass instead of plastic. Buying less meat and cheese will have a massive impact on our planet.
3. Empower yourself. Try making your own bread, pasta, yoghurt, crackers. Recipes are online or in library. It's so important our children learn & appreciate the process of how food is made. Locate a repair café happening nearby to get things fixed if possible rather than throwing it away. It's FREE! Be aware of all the hidden plastic that inevitably ends up in landfill or ocean from felts, pens, cheap plastic toys, lollipop sticks and wrappers, chip packets, ice-block wrappers. Buy things that last and that are made out of sustainable products and clothing made of natural fibres. Avoid clothes made from polyster. Buy second hand. Please do not let helium balloons go. They inevitably end up in the ocean and kill our marine life. Use eco-glitter only!
Can you share a favourite local environmental initiative?
I love how Jane and Andrew at the Devonport Recycling Centre took the initiative to open up their processing plant to the local schools and start an education programme to raise awareness. The children are walked through each department, given information and encouraged to ask questions. It helps to foster the next generation's understanding of where waste goes, how it's processed and how they can minimise their impact on the environment.
Who is your eco hero?
It's impossible to choose just one. Local heroes are Andrew, Jane and the crew from the recycling centre. If only everyone could see the immense amount of waste they have to deal with every single day. Their hard work, knowledge & passion to find solutions is inspiring. Globally, I admire Jane Goodall. My daughter and I had the privilege of meeting her during her latest visit to New Zealand. She has a phenomenal wealth of knowledge, and is so gentle in her approach, yet so powerful. We have immense respect for her and everything her Roots & Shoots programme is doing to inspire and empower the youth of our planet.
