Apr 17, 2019
In honor of earth day approaching, in this week’s episode I speak with Leslie VanKeuren Campbell, Founder and Principal of Sustain LA, a company which offers a refill station, consulting for zero waste events, event rentals, and more zero waste services in Los Angeles. Leslie and I chat all about the zero waste lifestyle, what it means, and how to integrate it into your personal life and/or your business. There are a ton of useful tips and tricks in this episode as well!
In this episode, we discuss:
Leslie’s background and how sustainability went from personal to professional
How the zero waste has changed since she started her business 10 years ago
We why need to shift what we perceive as convenience
How to minimize your impact on the planet
The upsides and downsides of instagram and the sustainability movement
The definition of zero waste and its history, including why the terms like low waste can be detrimental
What a circular versus linear economy is
What is the purchasing hierarchy and how to evaluate your purchases
Leslie’s advice for being zero waste with kids
How Sustain LA reduces waste in events
What the challenges are with bioplastics
Simple things businesses can do to become more green
How to lead by example in the zero waste movement
How we can hold companies accountable
Mentioned in this episode:
Cradle to Cradle by William Mcdonough
The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard (also the website)
Food Justice by Robert Gottlieb and Anupama Joshi
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
The Zero Waste Solution by Paul Connett
Green Collar Economy by Van Jones
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
Garbology by Edward Humes
Being the Change by Peter Kalmus
Anything by Bill McKibben
Reduce your Amazon packaging via mama eco
Instagram accounts Leslie recommends to follow: @bezerowastegirl (also has great list of resources on her website), @5gyres, @zerowastechef, @mamaeatsplants, @vintage_is_eco, @zerowasteguy, @adventuresinwaste, @plasticpollutes, @storyofstuff, @climatereality, @350org, @aurijackson
All the deets:
Check out Sustain LA’s services and get a calendar of their events and refill stations on the Sustain LA website
Follow along with Leslie at @sustain_la where she also shares where their refill stations will be (and she just announced she is opening and brick and mortar, stay tuned for the location!)— go say hi and tell her you listened to this episode!
Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Leslie on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode!
Related episodes:
Episode 7: Sustainable living, global health, and building an impact-driven business with Megan Faletra
Episode 11: Simplifying, turning inwards, and finding clarity with Hilary Pearlson
Episode 15: Building a brand that sticks, celebrating women in food, and going green with Kerry Diamond
Episode 16: Grounded wellness, adapting through adaptogens, and living with curiosity and empathy with Lopa Van der Mersch