Kids these days... are tackling global injustices through art & activism.
Hello again Zero Wasters,
We are stoked to announce our keynote speaker for the 2021 Zero Waste Festival: Solli Raphael! Solli is an award-winning slam poet, environmental & humanitarian activist, and not-for-profit founder. Solli's work as a poet, speaker, activist and youth coach has given him the opportunity to reach and inspire people the globe over to take action for a better world. But perhaps the most impressive and surprising thing about Solli is his age - he is just 15 years old.
At the age of 12, Solli was named the winner of the Australian Poetry Slam held at the Sydney Opera House - the youngest person to ever be given the title. Since then, he has used his platform to pursue the work he is most passionate about; helping people and the planet. We are so excited to hear about his journey as a young person into taking personal and collective action to create change. The date of the Zero Waste Festival will be Saturday 11 September at Kambri, ANU.
Check out Solli's powerful 2018 TEDx performance about taking on the waste crisis with people power:
"We Can Be More" by Solli Raphael
Plastic Free July is right around the corner. Are you up for the challenge?
Maybe it's your first time trying Plastic Free July, or you've been at it for a few years now. Either way, it's a challenge that calls on all of us to rise up. The goal of Plastic Free July is to clean up our streets, communities, waterways and oceans from plastic pollution. How does it work? By collectively reducing the plastic we buy and waste, we are stopping it from ending up in the environment, reducing consumer demand, and placing pressure on producers to stop pumping out so much of it in the first place.
Despite the name, you don't have to go completely plastic free to have a go. Just like how you don't have to become completely zero waste to get involved in our movement. We don't need a few people doing plastic free perfectly, we need millions of people doing it imperfectly - and that's what Plastic Free July is empowering people to do all over the world.
Not sure where to start? The team at Plastic Free July have created a whole heap of resources to help you, starting with the Pesky Plastics Quiz. After the quiz, head to their website to find out more and sign up to the challenge.
If you don't want to go it alone, head to SEE-Change's free screening of The Story of Plastic. It's a documentary that takes a deep dive into the real impacts of plastics in communities around the world, featuring experts and those on the ground. It's a great opportunity to learn more, connect with like-minded people, and share ideas for Plastic Free July. Click here for tickets.
'The Story of Plastic' trailer.
Tip of the month!
Want to get involved? We'd love to have you.
Our organising committee is in need of a Secretary, particularly as we get busier in the lead up to the Zero Waste Festival. If you've got a couple of spare hours a month and would be happy to attend fortnightly meetings and take minutes, please get in touch at zerowasterevolution@gmail.com. Our efforts are almost entirely made by volunteers who want to see positive change in our community, so the more people on the team, the more we can achieve!
Stallholder callout for 2021 ZWF:
As we mentioned up above, this year's Zero Waste Festival is being held at Kambri, ANU on Saturday 11 September. As well as an exciting keynote speaker, inspiring panels and informative workshops, we are also organising a number of stalls for attendees to peruse throughout the day. Stalls include community organisations, businesses, kid's activities and more. If you've got something you'd like to show off at the festival, please get in touch with Jess by clicking here. Volunteer, not-for-profit and community-based organisation stalls are free of charge, and there will be a $50 fee for businesses.
In solidarity for the planet,
Zero Waste Revolution