The evolution of "zero" waste and starting over in a new city and climate.

   

I could write a book about running away from home as a single parent and fair weather entreprenuer.  11:11 was the anniversary of my last day in St. Louis, MO.  One of the highlights of living in St Louis in addition to the culture, the arts and abundance of small business millenials was the low cost of living.  

Flash forward 5 years that were adorned with some heart breaks and break throughs, we traded middle America isolated hubs and lean economies for the Emerald City in it's wealth of diversity and environmental awareness.  We are in a heaven of information that is ultimately changing our habits to refuse single use plastics, buy local and bulk, support products that are reused or recycled materials, make our own cleaners.   Still it is an illusion that any of us could be a net zero, it's merely a goal.

Living on the Puget Sound watershed has made me hyper aware of our contribution to the marine wildlife's health while the waters of gravity take our waste downstream.   While we have been in south Snohomish County, I have completed WSU Sustainable Community Stewardship training for educational volunteer opportunities.   The information from every source of waste management facilities has further opened my eyes to the necessity of adopting a zero waste goal and evolving to create infrastructure that encourages reusables.   We are in an era of redesigning our idea of consuming which is why I stopped creating random works without an owner in mind.   There is no sense in chopping away at something that could at the very least could go to a metal scrap yard for recycling.  This means each piece is created for the one and only you.  

This would be the evolution of how I consider my trash being a treasure or simply a material that needs a second chance at industrial production.   This is a driving source of inspiration as we launch a recycle program in 2019.   While we will source materials as needed from local shops, this is an opportunity to encourage each of us to look at our stored bicycle heirlooms with a creative and resourceful eye.   #recycleyourbikecampaign will collaborate with cycle owners to determine design(s) to be created by salvaging unused bicycle parts.   

The most recent climate studies are on our minds; a constitent message that we all need to reclaim our daily choices with purpose and mindful actions that support sustainability.   

In 2019, we will be exploring the coastal waters in an effort remove garbage and other harmful contaminates, creating one of a kind upcycles from sentimental cycles and continuing our education and advocacy of envirnomental stewardship.   For every dollar raised, we will send 10% to an envirnomental organization of your choice.  

Effort and Optimism in 2019