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When students like these high school seniors do the AWAY Project, community & personal health merge with sustainability for deep-rooted impact and tangible changes in their daily lives.

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Last month San Diego City Council unanimously approved a long-term plan to make San Diego more bike-friendly. We are looking forward to safer and more navigable streets for cyclists in America's Finest City. Miles of protected cycling lanes in San Diego will not only increase safety but will also create a more visible platform on which to encourage a healthy and happy planet for all.

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We're developing a prototype of a food transportation exhibit to help San Diegans visualize the journey their everyday food goes on to make it to their plate. On a giant global map, students will pin the growing location of common foods they eat, and connect it to another pin located where they live with string. Soon, you'll be able to experience this onboard STACKED: A Mobile Learning Farm. #STACKED1to1 #mobilelearningfarm #sustainability #sandiego #education #buylocal (at DeskHub San Diego)

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What We Can Learn From Peter Wege (1920-2014)

Two years ago on July 7, former chairman of Steelcase Inc. Peter Melvin Wege passed away at the age of 94. Mr. Wege fully embodied the ethos of 1to1 Movement - far before there was a 1to1 Movement - and our nonprofit organization is proud to play a small part in carrying on his enormous legacy. While Mr. Wege focused most of his philanthropic energy on West Michigan, his passion extended well beyond the region, and beyond any one cause.

Mr. Wege was an unconventional industrialist, coining the term “economicology”, which combined the words ‘economy’ and ‘ecology’. He took Steelcase “green” before corporate social responsibility was a consideration in doing business. In his book “Economicology: The Eleventh Commandment”, he articulated a vision that a healthy economy and healthy ecology are compatible.

He was passionate about the environment, but also about education, arts and culture, healthcare, and human services - and he supported those causes generously. He once said that “I’m going to give away a lot, and there will be a lot left over”. Indeed, what was left over was left to the Wege Foundation, a charitable foundation continues to focus on those same pillars.

While most of our readers aren’t in a position to become philanthropists in the same way that Peter Melvin Wege was, there’s a great deal we can learn from his life and legacy. Mr. Wege aspired to never accrue wealth beyond his family’s needs, prioritizing the community and planet that enriched his, and his employee’s lives. Mr. Wege believed passionately in the cause of saving the planet, while also finding the capacity to care for the sick and vulnerable, and to invest in the future. I believe every single one of us can, in our own ways, do well and do good.

If we can learn just one thing from Peter Melvin Wege, it’s that ecology is about much more than preserving what’s ‘out there’. It’s about finding and maintaining balance in our lives, and in our relationships to each other, our communities, and the environment we all rely on to survive and thrive.

The Wege Foundation uses the Six Es to evaluate grant requests: Education, Environment, Ethics, Empathy, Ecology, and Economy. Can’t we all use those principles to guide the choices we make - big and small?

If mankind could only realize That we all are a small part of the whole, And we fit in the overall plan Like a glove fits the hand.

By creating an inclusive conversation around conservation, and by empowering youth to be everyday environmental champions, 1to1 Movement is working to honor Mr. Wege’s legacy. On this day and all days, we’re grateful for, and motivated by, the belief that the enduring Wege Foundation has in the mission and purpose of 1to1 Movement. One of Peter’s 17 surviving grand-children, Caitlin Wege, stewards her family’s legacy of philanthropy for 1to1 Movement in her service as chair of the board of directors.

Pictured above: Caitlin Wege and her daughter Eden

For discussion:

What does philanthropy mean to you? Is the concept of philanthropy inclusive or exclusive of your contributions?

What do you think about the concept of “economicology”?

By: Nate Bernitz

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Inspired by Loam

Kate Weiner and Nicole Stanton make sense of pressing environmental issues, big and small, through art. Since starting Loam, an environmental arts magazine, several years ago as a passion project while in college, over 20,000 people all over the world have been influenced by their passion, story-telling, and activism. Kate and Nicole continue today as co-editors of Loam – Kate from San Diego, and Nicole from Aspen -  which has since evolved into an online and print magazine.

The inspiration for Loam first grew while Kate and Nicole studied at Wesleyan University. Kate, studying Environmental Studies, found that she herself understood environmental issues best through the lens of art, rather than math, science, and statistics. She wanted to create a collaborative and expressive platform where people could explore their relationships to the natural world. In Nicole, she found a kindred spirit who wanted to explore the relationship between the arts and community development. 

Loam is inspired by the most fertile and critical layer of soil horizons, conceived as a space to grow and nourish innovative ideas. The project turned magazine showcases individuals, and organizations, using their talents to creatively advocate for the environment. Each profile highlights the accessibility of activism.

Garrett Blad, recently featured on Loam, uniquely uses collage art to connect with both the earth and people across the globe, and advocate for climate change.

Another profile featured farmer Grace Oedel from Dig in Farm, a small farm in Massachusetts whose mission includes cultivating activated hope and farm-based education for young people.

“I found my interview with Grace Oedel uniquely profound,” Kate told us. “The way she talks about the need to activate hope gives anyone feeling eco-anxiety life affirming goodness. Loam is my life affirming goodness- even if no one else reads it, Loam sustains my love of writing and art, and gives me hope.”

Since launching the online magazine last year, Loam has published two print magazines (using a carbon-neutral printer), and hosted experiential workshops all over the country. While the online portion of the magazine reflects current environmental issues, and their immediate responses to them, print issues are crafted with the intention of creating something timeless and beautiful.

Kate believes “print is important because we want to go back to a culture that values meaningful objects. Our goal [for print magazines] is not just a magazine you read and dispose of, but something you will hold onto. We want something permanent people can treasure and share.”

The printed magazines are available by preorder, hand packaged, and delivered (with a gift!) to show readers Loam’s gratitude. 

While Loam has remained a passion project for founders Kate and Nicole, they’ve generated sustaining revenue from magazine sales, a successful Indiegogo campaign, philanthropic grants, and speaking fees. They don’t intend to fund the project with extensive paid advertising, as is the norm, but rather by selling “objects that are both useful and encourage sustainable living,” like trash-light tool kits. When they do eventually sell ad space, they will know when something feels good and when it doesn’t. They aren’t afraid to say no, and won’t provide ad space to companies they don’t believe in. Kate and Nicole want Loam to continue growing, with plans for a bigger staff, more workshops, and more magazines. As Kate puts it, “We all want more Loam!” 

Any challenges Kate and Nicole face are more than made up for by the connections Loam has forged, and the tangible impacts it has made in people’s lives. Readers’ reactions sustain Kate and Nicole, and motivate them to continue writing. After Kate received a Brower Youth Award, partially in recognition for her work on Loam, she was approached by a group of 3rd graders who had learned about Loam from their teacher. Reading Loam inspired the girls to make a garden at their school and start their own magazine. They’ve also received many messages from friends and acquaintances sharing their excitement about Loam, including their plans to eat plant-based diets, and to live ‘trash light’ lives. Many have told Kate that reading Loam was the first time environmental issues have resonated with them.

Loam not only illuminates unique sustainability initiatives, but also affirms the crucial role creative arts play in environmental activism. I think we can all hope to live in a world with more Loam.

By Mariah Banks and Nate Bernitz

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Summer Intern Team (Part 2)

Get to know the next 4...

Brianna Duplessis 

Hello, my name is Brianna DuPlessis and I am so excited to be working at the 1 to 1 Movement for the Summer. I am a student at UC Santa Barbara working on my major in Environmental Studies and a minor in Education. In my free time, I enjoy playing beach volleyball, hiking camping, cooking and spending time with family and friends.  I wanted to work at this organization because of their innovative approach towards environmental education. It is not uncommon to see programs focused on the heavy issues that we face globally and locally. Unfortunately, that can be an overwhelming way to experience the environment and may cause people to avoid the issues entirely. Alternatively, 1to1 is focused on projects that connect people to their environment and the community, as well as provide them with experiences and tools that help them make feasible changes in their daily lives. I firmly believe that this is the most long lasting way to effect change when it comes to issues of sustainability.

To me, sustainability means living in a way that allows you to meets your needs and the needs of your community, without affecting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. I can’t wait to work with 1to1 on creating ways for people to learn more about and experience sustainable living practices.I hope giving community members the tools to implement these practices will help them connect to their environment and learn how to better protect it.

Claire Flynn

I’m so excited to be working with the 1to1 Movement this summer! My name is Claire and I’m going into my senior year at the University of San Diego.

Growing up in Portland, Oregon, sustainability and environmental consciousness has been a growing interest for me since Outdoor School in 6th grade. This has translated into my academic, personal, and professional life. During the school year, I work with the USD Office of Sustainability on campus campaigns, events, and mobilization. I’m currently studying Environmental Studies and Sociology and have found a passion for environmental justice, opportunity, and education. I hope to decrease environmental inequality in low-income communities as well as increase environmental awareness and accessibility through education.

This past year, I spent a semester in rural Tanzania studying wildlife management and the effects of climate change on local people’s behavior. This has inspired me to broaden my sustainability interests to a global scale. Through interviewing and talking with locals, I learned the power of sustainable practices, such as rainwater collection systems, in changing household well being. I truly believe that through education, accessible programs, and grassroots awareness and change, we can foster global and local sustainability. Sustainability, to me, is cultural, social, and environmental sustainability that results in a healthy Earth and a socially-conscious and respectful population.

Beyond my environmental interests, I love to read outside, hike, play guitar, and enjoy San Diego. I’m looking forward to helping out with 1to1 campaigns and events!

Nathan Rocha

My name is Nathan Rocha and I am stoked to be interning here at the 1to1Movement for the Summer.

What sparked my interest into living a more sustainable lifestyle is my love of the ocean. For as long as I can remember the ocean has been my playground. I have had the amazing opportunity to be able to surf around the world and dive in amazing places. What I have realized from these experiences is that the ocean is much more than just my playground, it is environment for so much life. Initiatives that promote environmental practices need to be created to fully ensure that the many lives that depend on the ocean can continue to be supported. For this reason I joined the 1to1Movement team because I feel that they are doing something new and special.

I was born in La Jolla, and grew up in Temecula. Even though I live in a different city, I still feel a strong connection with San Diego. I hope that one day I will have the ability to live in San Diego and work at a non-profit organization that focuses on the community. I am currently a student at the University of California, Irvine, where I am majoring in political science and minoring in business.

To me, sustainability means being able to live in an environment where life can be maintained and actually can grow. I am looking forward to continuing my knowledge on the subject and am delighted to see where it will take me.

If you ever need to find me when I’m not in the office; I’ll be at the beach!

Brie Hornig

Brie is very excited to be interning with the 1to1 Movement this summer and hopes to change the mentality of environmentalism through various programs and education efforts.

She is a nature enthusiast and an upcoming 3rd year Sustainability major at San Diego State University. Most of her time is filled with planning events for various organizations at SDSU and doing schoolwork. If she isn’t doing something school related, she likes to travel to different countries and learn about various cultures, go to the beach and snorkel with the fish, hang out with friends, hike, and pretty much anything outdoors related!

Growing up in the bay area with an environmentally friendly family, Brie was introduced to the concept of sustainability at an early age and soon intertwined it within her lifestyle. While traveling to different countries, Brie realized that environmental issues are a global problem and can’t be solved through just one community or country. Trash from one country will enter the ocean and pollute the beaches of another. However, it is amazing to see how much of an impact a group of individuals can make when everyone strives to achieve a universal goal.

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Welcome the 2016 Summer Intern Team (Part 1)

Here it is.  The first half of the 2016 Summer Intern Team at 1to1 Movement.  Welcome.  

LAUREN HAMILTON

While she enjoys spending her days trying new foods or swimming with turtles, she hopes to implement her studies and experiences to help bridge the disconnection humans have made with their environment. There is a remedial connection between the environment and humans, yet we have far separated ourselves from this link. Through the tool of education and engagement, she believes we can begin to change the current pattern of destruction of our communities. Through hands on learning, community engagement, and innovative projects of the 1to1 movement, she will learn the best methods to motivate people to recognize the importance of our environment. The 1to1 movement recognizes the importance of the health of our planet, and helps other humans act the same attitude and make a change. She aspires to work with other passionate change makers to improve social and environmental sustainability on our planet. The Earth is a big and beautiful place and it’s time to take care of it and each other.

Lauren Hamilton is a native Philadelphian with a passion for outdoor adventures and holistic wellness. She is an upcoming senior at Penn State University, studying Anthropology and Sustainability Leadership. In the past year, she has backpacked through the Wind River Range in Wyoming and experienced the vibrant culture of Thailand and Southeast Asia. Both experiences have propelled her passions for the environment and the appreciation of the diversity of our world. She believes in the empathetic nature of the human spirit and the importance of harmony between all organisms on our planet.

ALLY CELONES

Ally most enjoys spending time off the grid,camping and backpacking, immersing herself in the environment. She aims to keep a very active lifestyle and strives to do at least 1 fun thing a day. She loves riding her bike or skateboard, practicing yoga, boxing, playing soccer, rock climbing, running, hiking, and the blissful feeling of free falling.

Ally Celones is striving to be a conscious global citizen. When she isn’t traveling and eating her way through new and different cities, she’s exploring hillsides and mountain peaks. She has learned to love the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life, but also enjoys the quiet solitude of losing yourself in nature. She is currently aiming to combine her background in Cultural Anthropology and familiarity with Latin American histories with her active pursuit of a Master’s of Science program in Environmental Engineering.

She attempts to orient herself towards developing her appreciation and understanding of people’s and the ways in which they interact with their environment in respect to their cultural histories and regional identities. She is most passionate about alternative transportation, food systems, and localism.

Her career focus is on community outreach and development. By integrating her experiences gained through travel and work, both nationally and internationally, with her scientific studies and research, she actively engages in discussions surrounding growth within communities in regard to rising environmental concern. Her aim is to bring ideas surrounding sustainability to the broader public through education, social advocacy, and mobilizing active participation.

To her, sustainability means building the understanding and support needed to withstand our rapidly changing global and social climate and to reinforce new and innovative ideas in regard to the human factor on the earth.

Also, she’s a local (San Diegan).  

CHANEL TIMMER 

Hi! My name is Chanel, I’m an International Tourism Management and Consultancy student from The Netherlands and I am super excited to be interning at an awesome, inspiring and innovative organization like 1to1 Movement for five months. This is my first time in the US and San Diego definitely has been the perfect introduction to what I expect to be many more visits in the future.

If I am not in school or working, I like to spend as much time as possible traveling, drawing, cooking and listening to (live) music. I used to play soccer and nowadays enjoy running and yoga. I also recently started getting into photography and like to take my camera around to capture and show appreciation to the beauty in the places I visit, the things I see and the people I meet.

I grew up on the beachside of a small town, so always being outdoors and growing up on the beach definitely sparked my love and appreciation for the environment. It wasn’t until I left the nest and moved to the south for my studies that I really started seeing the massive disconnect between people and the earth - including my own. I started incrementing small changes to live more sustainably and the ball started rolling from there.

To me, sustainability means making efforts to live more in harmony with nature. I believe it starts with awareness, which is what I think is so great about what the 1to1 Movement does. They bring back the awareness and connection with our planet in an inviting way and make people of every background feel like they can have an impact, no matter how big or small. Once people are reconnected with nature, I feel like the desire to take care of it will flow from that organically.  And I think America’s Finest City is the perfect place to start.

MORITZ KOZA

Aloha,

I am joining the 1to1Movement this summer, so please give me a second to introduce myself.

I am Moritz and if you have heard of “Max and Moritz - A Story of Seven Boyish Pranks” you already figured that I am from Germany and I like to challenge others and myself. After studying cool stuff in really cool places and working short-time in interesting positions in even more interesting projects around the world I graduated with a Masters Degree in Geography last year. Throughout my studies the interactions among humans and the environment as well as the consequences of those interactions moved into my personal focus. In my past many opportunities came up to sneak out and explore different corners around the world. And even though great things usually don’t lie far away I am really thankful for those opportunities and hope that my curiosity for new cultures, places and food is going to hold on for the rest of my life. 

My time abroad and traveling on a low budget taught me a lot about myself but also showed me the exclusive beauty our world has to offer. This includes many people who are pushing limits with their own visions. This got me inspired to find my own path and starting to shape not only my life but also the world I want to live in.  In my understanding a sustainable world serves the needs of current generations without risking the ability of future generations to do the same. Therefore I am really excited that I am crossing path with the 1to1Movement team who carry a strong vision. I am looking forward to contribute not only my energy but also my thoughts and ideas as well as experience to make this a successful summer with a little step into the right direction. ...Oh and did I mention that I like Avocados and Coconut Water?

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Dude Making A Difference (and 1to1 Friend)

Long time 1to1 Movement friend and supporter Rob Greenfield has written a book for all us folk looking to make a difference.  Be it by biking across the country on a bamboo bike or changing one, simple, daily habit, we are all a part of the environmental solution in Rob’s eyes.  

This quick but inspiring read tells the story of average dude turned eco-activist, Rob Greenfield through the lens of his cross-country bike ride, producing 2 pounds of trash, using 160 gallons of water, eating 284 lbs. of dumpster food, and going the full 4,700 miles without turning on a switch. 

Rob’s strength (and the book’s accessibility) comes in the form of maintaining a relatable feel despite this crazy experiment.  Rob’s inquisitive nature and open dialogue make it possible for him to attempt media-worthy stunts while still promoting inclusivity.  At the end of the day, Rob just wants us all to explore our own lives, and find areas in which we can make a difference.  

Think he’s just in it for the fame and fortune behind eco-celebrity-ness?  You’re wrong.  Rob, as always, has committed to supporting the causes he cares about, by donating 100% of the proceeds to various nonprofits (including our very own STACKED program. 

Once again, Rob has proven to be an innovator, ally, story-teller, and generally interesting and difference-making dude with the release of his book.  It’s a funny, thought-provoking, and fascinating journey which is a joy to follow along.   

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NOW HIRING - DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

1to1 Movement is seeking a first ever Development Director. Nearly four years into the organizational growth, 1to1 is now uniquely positioned to bring in a founding Development staffer to continue to increase capacity, partnerships, and fundraising efforts.

Given the nature of this position, coupled with the young (but growing) state of the organization, 1to1 is seeking a flexible staffer who is able to "wear many hats", "think outside the box", and serve various additional corporate cliches.

The Development Director will be responsible for:

Grant applications, reporting, and management

Event sponsorship & Corporate partnerships

Year-end & additional fundraising appeals

A good team member will have:

Passion for social causes

Experience in development

Ability to handle multiple responsibilities

Self-management skills

And most importantly, resourcefullness

1to1 Movement is not a traditional organization, and thereby not the perfect fit for some candidates. 1to1 is young and fun, fiercely ideadlistic and relentlessly resourceful. Think of 1to1 like a tech startup. If you would be a good fit at the bean-bag chair, happy hour, standing desk life, you might be a good fit at 1to1. If you prefer Dockers pants, Windows Vista, or cubicles, 1to1 might not be the best fit for you.

1to1 Movement is an innovative environmental nonprofit focused on experiential educational programming, community campaigns, and events.

Please submit the following documents to Executive Director, Jonathan Zaidman, at [email protected]

Resume Cover Letter Salary Requirements A Haiku About Yourself

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FINAL AWAY PROJECT

For our final day, we gathered to assess the amount of recyclables and trash we had collectively produced, and to brainstorm ideas for avoiding future waste. Many of the solutions we came up with involved bringing your own container, utensil, bag, etc, as well as making things by hand at home. We also filled a few bottle bricks with our more flexible, non-biodegradable items. All in all, it was great to do this project with multiple people so that we could tackle the problems and solutions together. Everyone had a unique take and an area to improve on; the hope is that we can continue to improve and spread our newfound knowledge to others, little by little.

Bridget All the interns gathered for a meeting to wrap up the AWAY Project and discuss our findings. I was ready to see how the others had done throughout the week and hear their challenges. I was especially excited to learn how I might solve some of the waste issues that I dealt with myself. Our wonderful educator, Monica always has insightful tips on how to be more zero waste. An interesting point was brought up by one of the interns, Crystal, about how she was surprised at how much unsolicited waste was produced (i.e. junk mail, straws that were already in drinks, plastic utensils, etc.). It made think about how much waste would be saved if all disposable plastic products were only given out upon request (or better yet, not at all). I compiled a mental list of all the reusable items that I might need to keep reducing my waste and then came my favorite part…bottle bricks! I had worked on the AWAY Project with Monica before and I loved the idea of creating something new and exciting out of our waste. I hope to maybe continue making them with waste I collect so that it is being productively used rather than taking up space in the landfill. Overall, I think I learned a lot from the experience and really learned how to challenge my own consumption choices.

Hannah The last day was fairly easy to take on for a work potluck, home dinner, and no shopping meant no activities in which we usually get our trash from. The Away project forced me to address the amount of waste I was producing, and then made it seem much more realistic to manage it. I wish more people knew about easy adjustments they could make to very much limit their impact whether it be reuseable bottles, straws, containers, bags, or utensils. We need to stress the effects of too much trash disposal more in society and participating in the Away project was extremely influential.

Nikki When we met to discuss our findings I was interested to hear the challenges and ideas the other interns had. Crystal noted that a lot of things were given to her, like junk mail, straws, plastic utensils, and plastic bags. I was a tad surprised to realize how true of a statement that was. People are constantly giving us things! And it’s not just trash; last week I was given one of those plastic bracelet-for-a-cause things that every non-profit organization gives out. I was also given a T-shirt. And over the weekend, when I went to whole foods, I was given samples and pamphlets and a lot of jabber about another cool and exciting product. Do we really need all of that? I can’t help thinking that having a bunch of stuff that I’ll never use and/or probably throw away is pretty pointless. And all those different types of protein shakes and granola bars and crazy snack things? I kinda just like the simple joy in fresh fruit and vegetables, especially when they are made with care. Maybe that’s why so many people don’t like fresh foods-half the stuff we find at supermarkets is crap. Maybe if we had a better food system, we wouldn’t need to disguise the contents with more contents. That was a bit of a side track, but it just goes to show how it’s all related. When I eat fresher and healthier, I use less packaging and resources. I also feel better and healthier. It’s also pretty fun to come up with new ways to eat the same things. I honestly don’t think it’s so hard to simplify; just one step at a time is all it takes. I’m glad I had the opportunity to do this project.

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WRAPPING AWAY PROJECT

Our project is nearly at an end! On the last day, we'll compare recycling items to trash items and reflect collectively on solutions.

Day 4

Bridget The week is slowly coming to an end and I feel like I’ve been carrying my AWAY bag for a lot longer than I have because of how full its getting. I’m looking forward to getting together with the rest of the team and going over what we’ve learned throughout the week and collaborating on how we can improve our actions. What has shocked me the most so far is how I had previously believed that I didn’t create a ton of waste. Granted, I produce less than the average American does daily, but I know I can do better than that. Today at lunch it was another granola bar wrapper and fruit snack pouch for me. I think I’ve been making slow progress over the week but after I review everything on Friday I think I’ll have a real conclusion. Later this night, I went out with my roommates for one of their 21st birthdays and I was happily surprised to notice that they never handed out plastic straws! For all the water and sodas, the only plastic straw I saw was in my roommates Moscow Mule, which is unusual of most restaurants! It was small changes like this that made me happy more people understand the implications of using so much disposable plastic. My dinner came with no trash for the evening, which was a relief. We’ll see how my last day of the AWAY project will pan out, we’re having a no-waste vegan potluck so it should end up better than earlier in the week for me.

Hannah I wanted to continue yesterday’s task to accumulate no trash. It was definitely a challenge for my mother went grocery shopping as well as got my incredibly fat and long living guinea pig more timothy hay and pellets meaning plastic bags and wrapping. However, by bringing reusable grocery bags and buying the food items in bulk I was able to avoid the problem...the trash. I am very pleased that in the past two days I was able to identify the waste items that I was producing the most and then minimize them. Trash accumulated: none

Nikki Today I once again produced fairly little waste, though I did add another oatmeal packet and a sanitary wipes package to the mix. I decided to hold on to my plastic fork, since it is much lighter than silverware and totally reusable (at least until it breaks). I also decided to go shopping this evening, and as I was doing so, I tried not to think about all of the containers and packaging that I will have to throw away as a result. I was a little heartened when I realized I could just put all of my raw fruits and vegetables in my reusable shopping bag. I was a little worried that the checkout guy wouldn’t know how to handle that, but he didn’t even complain; in fact it took him very little time at all to get all my mangoes, peaches, corn, and avocados through the line. I also realized that some of the items I was buying might go bad if I bought them now, since I am after all only one person. I decided in favor of the tortillas and the checkout guy kindly offered to take my loaf of bread back.

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Mid-Week AWAY

Tuesday 6/23: On days 2 and 3, we really started to see our impact as the amount of items accumulated. We are all increasingly aware of the many different avenues that our trash comes from, and being aware is the first step towards improvement. It's pretty funny how many items we waste but don't even think about using in our day to day lives, such as toilet paper rolls, tags, and salsa containers, to name just a few.

Bridget I started off my day slightly better than the first, but only slightly. I grabbed the last paper towel in my kitchen and therefore found myself with a cardboard roll now in my bag. When I went to grab a new roll of paper towels, as to not piss off my roommates, I realized that EACH roll of paper towels was individually wrapped in plastic and then inside its plastic casing! Why on earth would each roll of paper towels need to be individually wrapped?! Frustrated, I moved on with my day and found myself finishing off another small crate of raspberries, the small plastic box now in my AWAY bag. When it came to lunch I made myself a bowl of instant oatmeal…another little paper pouch. And then a cup of tea when I needed a little pick-me-up at the office…yet another little piece of paper wrapped around the tea bag.  More and more I noticed the unnecessary packaging found on everyday things. Not to mention all the food waste I was producing every day and not collecting. I could probably start a small compost pile with everything over these past two days! How much food we waste in America is becoming an increasingly hot topic and this project sure is making me realize it more and more. Having the AWAY bag with me has really made me more aware of every choice I make in a day, and I had already thought I was a fairly conscious consumer before. So far I ‘m proving myself wrong.  

Hannah Beginning with day two I started with considering what I would be consuming and doing today in order to better plan how I could limit my waste. I only use reusable plastic lunch containers and an aluminum bottle which minimizes food packaging, ziplock, and plastic drink containers; however, I noticed that the main problem was small pieces of trash that before I had never truly thought about. It is definitely challenging avoiding the smaller things like tags, magazines, and junk mail but it is just about finding alternatives for the flexible items so that you can still use the necessities. It is about balance. I plan on unsubscribing from companies that continue to send me thick magazines that immediately go into the bin and holding onto paper scraps for future notes and letters. I’ve been carrying a reusable bag around with me lately to avoid any extra unneeded packaging which has been incredibly helpful. Tomorrow I plan on seeing if I can produce no waste… we will see how that goes.

Trash accumulated: granola wrapper, banana peel, chocolate-covered raisin container, tag

Nikki Are paper towels allowed in out bag? I guess not, because they are wet/potentially unsanitary items. But we go through so many a day! I wonder if hand dryers are better from the environment. I didn’t really add much to the bag today because I haven’t been buying anything or eating out and I have a lot of leftovers. I did use a plastic fork and a Naked Juice and an oatmeal packet. I’m thinking a better breakfast would be to just buy fruit for breakfast rather than eat something with packaging. I feel like juice is pretty unnecessary if you already have delicious fruit to eat. Plus, there's always water, which is free.

Wednesday 6/24 Bridget This morning I really noticed that I had more trash in my bag than I had anticipated for myself. I knew I produced a lot of waste but I thought a lot was around three or four pieces per day. At the end of day two my bag was starting to hold its shape (which meant it was getting more full, unfortunately). During breakfast I had the last English muffin in the pack, which meant I now had a plastic covered piece of cardboard in my AWAY bag. Then I started packing snacks and took the last granola bar out of its box, which meant more cardboard in my bag. Luckily, cardboard boxes are recyclable. Not so lucky is the wrapper for that granola bar which will find itself in my AWAY bag at some point throughout the workday. It was just a chain of actions throughout the day that kept producing more waste than I previously realized. I wanted to stay true to the project and collect my waste as if I wasn’t consciously putting each piece into a bag. I felt guilty every time I placed something new into the bag, so I guess the project was working. I really knew I needed to make a change in my every day actions regarding waste and packaging. I’m excited to be at the end of the week to see how the rest of the team is doing and how we can all improve.

Hannah My goal for today was to produce no trash; none at all. I realized that so much of our choices are interconnected; by eating more fruits and vegetables I have less packaged junk food to worry about tossing; by eating healthier I am producing less trash. When you make one good decision it opens up the space to make more good decisions allowing for many improvements. I was able to produce no trash today by planning out my day. I chose foods that were not already wrapped and could be put into reusable containers. I also made sure I would not need to purchase anything that would end up leading to more receipts, tags, packaging, and bags. I went as far as to eating produce that could be fully consumed so I would not have leftover scraps (i.e. tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, raspberries). It was incredible to see that creating no waste in a day is possible.  It definitely took a bit more thought and time to ensure that I was minimizing my impact but the outcome made it completely worth it.

Trash accumulated: zero, zip, nothing, none

Nikki Being able to visibly keep track of my waste has really helped me see where I can improve. It's kinda fun thinking of creative ways to get around the waste. I can see how it would be conceivable to eliminate most, if not all, of my waste. However, it’s honestly a bit difficult to be 100% sustainable if you are constantly on the move, both in terms of daily schedules and in terms of my somewhat homeless status (that’s an exaggeration; I’m just waiting to move into my apartment on July 1st, so I’ve been couch surfing the past few weeks). Since I don’t want to be constantly carrying around my bags of food while I move from apartment to apartment, it’s so much easier to just eat out. It also helps a lot to have a method of transportation other than your own limbs because the nearest grocery stores are a fair walk, which I don’t really want to do after a long day of work, a workout, and riding the already long trolley ride and walking to my latest couch (courtesy of fellow intern Faith). So I can see why here in San Diego especially so many people eat out. It’s way more convenient. At least, that was my reasoning behind investing in the 4 small tacos and their accompanying Styrofoam, tinfoil, and brown paper bag. I'm also starting to realize the benefits of having a community doing the same things: people to carpool with, people to keep you in check, to give you ideas. Little by little, we change ourselves and each other.

[1to1movement-blog]

AWAY PROJECT - DAY 1

Here’s the deal: we know that trash is a problem. As 1to1 interns, we’re all environmental superheroes-in-training, learning how to become more aware of our own actions and developing the skills to help others do the same. Still, none of us is perfect — there are so many ways to live more sustainably and consume more consciously. This week, in fact, we’re trying to practice what we preach.

Where does this leave us? To take the AWAY project by storm. An educational campaign implemented by 1to1 in local K-12 classrooms, AWAY stands for Achieving Waste Awareness with Youth — and so much more. It’s a way for us to confront the trash we so blindly toss aside each day, and finally own up to it (in front of our co-workers). AWAY is about accountability and alertness. At the end of the week, it’s not a competition or reprimand, but rather a learning experience, an exercise in empathy.

So, every day this week, we’ll carry the trash we make with us. Anything we dispose of (except, of course, biodegradable, sanitary or hazardous waste) will be placed in our fancy, repurposed AWAY bags, which we’ll dissect the contents of on Friday morning. By carrying the burden of our trash on our backs, we’re hoping to truly understand the weight of our daily actions. Maybe by next Monday, we’ll have our capes, too.

Bridget It’s the first day of the AWAY project and right as I walked through the door of work I became increasingly aware of the poor choice I had made this morning. On my short mile walk to work I had been really craving some orange juice, I didn’t have any at home to enjoy with my breakfast so I stopped at a 7/11. Of course, they were having a sale! Two small bottles of Tropicana juice for a mere three bucks! I got myself some OJ and cranberry cocktail juice. I had already felt guilty about the sugary juice and plastic bottles, but then when I got to work I thought, did I really need this? I couldn’t have just satisfied that thirst with some ice water from the office? The AWAY Project couldn’t have come at a better time, as I question my consumption more and more with every day that passes. I usually try to use as little packaging as possible with my lunches, but when the time came I opened up my lunch box and there was a granola bar and some fruit snacks that I had packed. That’s two more pieces of trash for my AWAY bag. Just before lunch I had watched a quick TEDx Talk about a woman who could fit all the trash she had produced over a three-year period, into one mason jar. I couldn’t believe it; she was making a real lifestyle change! She talked about learning to make things on her own, in the kitchen and everywhere else. I thought, why couldn’t I make my own granola bars? At least then, it would be the exact flavors I want every time! When dinner rolled around I realized that I had planned to eat a pre-packaged salad. I ate it, and scolded myself for my laziness. I share a fridge with four other roommates and often it gets full with five separate food tastes. I have a hard time fitting things in there, so I try to buy packaged and easily stored foods. This causes a lot of problems in the waste department. I felt a bit defeated after my first day of the AWAY Project but I knew exactly where the changes needed to be made in my lifestyle.

Hannah

Day one of participating in The Away Project was incredibly informative. Trash is rarely discussed and we often take on a mindset that we throw trash away in bins and it just disappears. By creating a space for involved discussion about where our trash goes and what occurs when we do not dispose of it properly much more conscious thinking can occur. There is a great misunderstanding about the effects our consumption and disposal have on our environment, our society does not acknowledge our responsibility to reduce the impact we are having. By carrying around a bag filled with trash you produced it is impossible not to see where you can improve your habits to live a more sustainable life. I am very encouraged to see the outcome of my participation and new perspectives I take on.

I was surprised by the small trash items I was accumulating that I so often blindly toss away. Just by tidying my room I found myself with lots of paper scraps and old clothes’ tags. Although slightly ashamed by the amount of waste I have gathered already, I am already finding alternatives to limit my impact and disposal. Trash accumulated: granola wrapper, banana peel, paper products, clothing tag, old tape

Nikki Day one of the Away Project involved me being very surprised and overwhelmed by the amount of stuff and packaging that people buy. And also how easy it is. This was mainly because I chose to shop at IKEA and Target for apartment supplies, since my mom had some spare gift cards. In any case it was a great thought exercise because I would pick up a cool doohickey and realize that I could use something I already had for the same task-like using a single pocket knife that I already have instead of buying a paring knife, a strawberry heeler, a cherry pitter, and an apple corer (just a few of the obscenely clever but unnecessary items to be found at these places). I also realized that half of the stuff I needed could probably be found at a thrift shop in perfectly good condition, or that I could even make them myself, and that my apartment mates might already have stuff that we could all share, like pots and fans and a vacuum. I also had a personal awareness moment when I realized at a restaurant with my parents that I am weirdly intimidated by asking people to accommodate needs such as asking for no straw or refusing a plastic bag. Though they are of course very easy things to both ask for and to actually carry out, it’s even easier to just go through the motions. And maybe there’s some stigma attached to it-I don’t want to be called a “tree hugger” or “yuppie”, despite my pride in trying to be sustainable. I’m thinking that it’s difficult to be fully conscious of our everyday motions and to realize how ingrained we are in wasteful or even illogical habits, however convenient they might be. And the ways that our own feelings, stigmas, and attachments contribute to these actions don’t help much.

[1to1movement-blog]

The Most Sustainable Festival in the World?

The fact that this argument even exists is a great development.  We at 1to1 have been saying for years that you don’t need to compromise fashion for function in world of sustainability, and the music/art fest world are probably the leaders in making this a reality.  

We don’t know what the MOST sustainable festival in the world is (yet) but there is only one festival which has won the Outstanding Award from A Greener Festival three years running: Lighting in a Bottle.  

Photo: Daniel Zetterstrom

Let’s take a look at the facts...

Free water stations (so there’s no need to purchase single-use plastic bottles) 

On that note, plastic bottles won’t be available for sale throughout the event 

Light towers, generators, camping shuttles, and crew vehicles are run on bio-diesel 

LiB requires a Leave No Trace commitment from attendees (Pack it in, pack it out) 

Parking is free for those who carpool 

And maybe most notably, LiB is billed as an educational event, aiming to change the lives of those who attend through inspiring workshops, inspiring speakers, immersive environments, a learning kitchen, a community marketplace, and art at the heart of every event aspect. 

Impressive. 

The CEO (Chief Environmental Officer)

We had a chance to connect with Shena Jade Jensen, LiB’s Sustainability Manager leading up to the event.  We spoke with Shena about the history of LiB’s conservation efforts, the impetus for making these changes, the challenges associated with operating sustainability, and the vision for future events.  

Unlike the cutthroat operate world, Shena and LiB work closely with festival’s like Costa Rica’s Envision festival and even Coachella on sustainability management best practices and resources.  LiB’s efforts are open-source, and they share their Green Report (which is compiled by Shena) with anyone who wants to improve upon their event’s impact.  

The Future

Sustainability is at the heart of everything LiB and their organizing team do, but they do still face challenges (like not owning the land that the event takes place on).  LiB continues to make improvements to their operational and programmatic efforts but they also see a change in adoptability and entry-level access to other events’ environmental plans.  With mainstream adoption of eco-wares lowering prices, consumer demand for eco-friendliness, and a wealth of information from festivals like Lightning in a bottle, it’s never been easier to organize a more sustainable event.  

[1to1movement-blog]

It Is Finally Festival Season! Here’s How To Make It Sustainable …

Festival season is upon us, friends! Clothing stores have been stocked with fringe macrame tops and flower crowns for months in anticipation, Coachella is gearing up for weekend two in the desert, wristbands have been activated, and everyone is packing up and heading out to get a little dirty and maybe a little sunburnt in an effort to curb their cravings for live music.  There is a sense of community and love that spreads throughout festivals because everyone is there to enjoy the same thing; however, there also tends to be a disconnect when you are living in the hot and sweaty dance pit moment: sustainability.  Anyone who has been at a festival knows all too well the sensation of walking through a wake of trash on the ground at the end of a good day/night of dancing.  The main offender? Water bottles.

http://radio.com/2013/05/20/coachella-2014-dates-announced-early-tickets-on-sale-friday/

Many festivals have taken steps to reduce their impacts on our planet.  For example, Coachella has a variety of unique tactics such as “TRASHED: the art of recycling” where artists decorate recycling bins to spread awareness, “CarpoolChella”, “10:1″ - bring ten empty water bottles get one free, and energy playgrounds where you can ride see saws and create energy.  Other festivals have introduced composting and biodegradable cutlery, as well as water refill stations and solar energy in an effort to be more sustainable.

Clearly, when you get thousands of people together in one ‘small’ area, there will undoubtedly be trash, but this year when you are frolicking through the crowds of people, be conscious -- and use these simple steps to reduce your impact on the festival grounds and on our earth!

Carpool! One: its fun. Two: it saves the earth from fumes and energy.  Three, you’re getting the party started early by blasting music the whole ride there!

Bring a reusable water bottle, or even better a CamelPack or something similar.  It’s really important to hydrate while you are in the sun for three days straight, fill up often, drink a lot, and keep on dancing.

Skip the plastic utensils and bring a traveling 3 in 1 utensil or spork. It’ll fit in your fanny pack I promise.

Pack a bandana, wipe up that watermelon mouth with a cloth and  remember, it doubles as a face shield when the dust picks up (Jay Z has got the idea)

Buy all those magical festival clothes second hand, there are some pretty cool things to be found at thrift stores.  Double up on your good karma and shop at a local thrift store that benefits a cause.

Spread the love! Get your friends involved and make it fun! For example, when you’re at the venue try and do your part -- for every artist you see preform pick up five water bottles each as you all wander through the crowds to the next stage.  

http://www.missinfo.tv/index.php/beyonce-shares-photos-from-coachella-2014-weekend/

Be sustainable, be conscious, and go dancing.

[1to1movement-blog]

Brews go Green too!

http://2beerguys.com/blog/2010/12/18/avery-co/

Our hometown is ranked as one of the top places in the world(!!) let alone the US, as one of the best places to grab ‘ol crafted cold one with your friends. No one can deny it is a lot of fun to cruise around and take advantage of some of the best beers San Diego has to offer; however, brewing beer is a huge process that requires  A LOT of water.  It takes approximately 5 barrels of water to make 1 barrel of beer,  why does it take some much you ask? because water is the main component of the whole process, from start to finish.  Water for the crops, water for the cleaning the brew kettles, it’s for the fermentation process, it’s for the creation of beer, it is needed in practically every step of the delicious process.  So how have craft beer masters learned to shrink their water use footprints? Recycling water!  Various companies around the US are exploring the option of recycling wastewater that the brewery has used, as well as using wastewater to make beer - wait what - yup, you read that right! Grey water to beer my friends!  Many of these initiatives are starting up in Colorado and Oregon, two of the top craft brew places in the US.  As a water strapped state and a heavy beer crafting county, San Diego should look into these new alternatives rolling out of these eco friendly brewsters in neighboring states.  

So how exactly is this all going down?  One way that a Boulder, Colorado brewery has been compensating for their water usage is by giving it back to the city!  Avery Brewing Company creates a sugary by product called weak wort, or sweet water, which is being given to the city treatment facility to combat the high nitrogen count in their water systems.  The idea behind it is to dump a natural, locally sourced product into the Boulder wastewater to promote bacteria growth that will break down the nitrogen - which then goes through various purification processes. How cool is that!?  

As awesome as bacteria-growing-nitrogen-fighting-beer-by-products are; Oregon  has some additional beer magic up its sleeve, and so does one wastewater engineer in Milwaukee  who was determined to prove that purified wastewater is drinkable.  Hillsboro, Oregon held a public hearing on February 12th to discuss the process of converting treated wastewater into a consumable beverage.  This idea was sparked from an event held earlier this year, when a OR craft beer competition made brews using 30% treated wastewater; but the state wants to up its ante and allow all waste water to become 100% drinkable and do prove this they are trying to brew beers. Grey water is already used as irrigation, groundwater recharge, and for industrial processes in the state; however, the goal of this groundbreaking beer experiment is to change the way wastewater is perceived by people.

So there you have it, whether its a hobby or a job, beer is breaking new grounds are we sip!

[1to1movement-blog]

5 single use items to remove from your life, starting now!

1. Dryer Sheets

Believe it or not, those lovely fresh rain-lavender-tropical twist-linen scented dryer sheets are filled with various chemicals that can be irritating and harmful to your body! Some of these include: Benzyl alcohol, an upper respiratory tract irritant, Ethyl acetate, which is listed on EPA's hazardous waste list (!) and Pentane, a VOC chemical known to be harmful if inhaled and can irritate and burn the skin after prolonged exposure (hello underwear?!).  It’s easy to ditch this low totem household item, in fact, most people who have quit using them all together see no difference in their laundr -- except for the occasional static cling. Can't ditch it? Get crafty and create your own natural dryer sheets using essential oils and wool dryer balls!   

 < http://www.oursmallhours.com/natural-alternative-dryer-sheets/ >

2. One time Coffee Pods

Repeat after me, “K Cups kill,”  according to NPR, 60 billion K Cups went into landfills since the rise of its creation.  Until 2020, when Keurig plans on switching 100% of the cups to a recyclable material, toss ‘em out of your life.  It really isn’t asking too much to pour a little water over some fresh ground beans.  In fact, I think many of us find it sweet and romantic if we were served carefully crafted coffee rather than K cupped convenience.  If your want to hang on to your K machine, buy a reusable K cup and fill it with your purchased grounds. 

 < http://www.ekobrew.com/ >

3. Plastic Bags

No shock here, plastic bags are harmful to the environment.  By the time you have finished reading half of this article, 1 million fresh bags have been used.  Plastic bags are deadly to our marine environment, ranked as the second biggest water pollutant behind ciggies.  In one square mile there is an average of 46,000 different pieces of plastic in the water.  We might be able to tell the difference between a floating plastic bag (or a released balloon!!) and a jellyfish, but sea turtles and other marine animals can not.  By ingesting these harmful products animals will die from digestive blockage and/or suffocation.  To combat the baggage, next you go to the store bring your own reusable bags, it’s that simple - and if you forget it at home at least opt for paper bags!     

4. Take Out Utensils

So not necessary my friends -- and they are not recyclable! You know you are ordering take out, so just come prepared, and if you’re getting it to eat on your couch with a cheesy movie on, tell them not to pack the utensils - you obviously don’t need them! Go open your drawer and grab a fork, or better yet go get yourself some awesome chopsticks! Some restaurants have eco utensils which is a step in the right direction, but when do you really need plastic sporks? Never.  

< http://www.lekueusa.com/ >

5. Water Bottles

Water bottles are probably the easiest thing to nix in your life if you haven’t already joined the bandwagon.  America alone used 50 billion water bottles last year; and the production (not including transportation) of those 50 bil. took approximately 17 million barrels of oil - that would fuel 1.3 million cars for a year.  ‘Take back the tap’ and purchase a reusable water bottle and coffee cup while you are at it!  For your greenest water purchase look for a glass or aluminum water bottle. Oh hey, by the way, those infamous blender bottles? Resist the brand name and purchase an off brand made of glass!