Waste Fighters, Facemasks, and Beeswax Wraps, Oh My!

This week, Pulp editor Nicolette Petra spoke with Irene Higgins, Vice President of the Waste Fighters Society, to discuss what the society’s executive has in store for the semester. In true 2020 style, the interview was conducted over Facetime and the ever-green VP drank her vegan protein shake from a metal straw.

Nicolette Petra (NP): What is the Waste Fighters Society and how is it different from other environmental societies on campus?

Irene Higgins (IH): The Waste Fighters Society aims to be a community in which we can share our knowledge and passion for the environment and its conservation. The way we do that is by having as many varied events as we can. We want it to be the kind of place where people of varying opinions and interests could come together and have an open discussion. Our previous President, Olivia Arkell, was very passionate about that. And while previously the society has avoided going down the activism route, I feel that with our current executive and political climate, this is likely to change.

NP: Over the past few months, social distancing has made it difficult for people and societies to connect. How has the Waste Fighters Society sought to connect with its members over the past few months?

IH: We held our AGM completely online in June. There was a mix of feelings because we were excited to get started and I was and still am really excited about the executive team we have this year but with everything going on, we haven’t met in person...yet - I’m hopeful we’ll be able to. 

With that said, the team has adapted really well to being all-online. The executive has taken the situation and run with it. Genevieve Law, our Secretary, is the seamstress of the group. She really came in hard for the Fabric Face Mask Making event we held for Wellness Week with the USU. Isabella D’Silva, our Communications Officer, has worked really hard in promoting all of our events online. And our President, Madeleine Rowell, is always amazing - she worked with the Usyd Food Co-Op and has done a lot of work with the Usyd Enviro Collective so this is something she’s really passionate about. She’s an idea factory and has a great vision for the society this semester.

NP: Speaking Wellness Week, what does the society have planned? 

IH: We’ve had Daily Challenges all through the week. One day we encouraged members to avoid cars and public transport by walking to work and uni. Another day was encouraging members to go plastic-free all day. Doing these small things is our way of showing members you can be environmentally conscious in day to day life. I firmly believe that our small choices make a very large impact.

On Saturday, we’re encouraging people to try to shorten their shower time by one or two minutes, which can save up to 560 litres per month.

NP: That would save the environment and your water bill.

IH: Exactly - it’s a win-win. And on Sunday, we’re challenging people to educate themselves by reading up or watch a video/documentary on the current environmental crisis and how you can be more sustainable and reduce your current carbon footprint. Here are a couple of recommendations...

PODCASTS: The Minimalists Podcast, No Trash Talk, Use It Up

YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Shelbizleee, Sustainably Vegan, Gittemary Johansen

INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS: @queerbrownvegan, @thelocalgreenpages, @wastefreezoe

BOOKS: A Zero Waste Life: In 30 Days (Anita Vandyke), How to Save Your Planet One Object at a Time (Tara Shine), Low Tox Life: A handbook for a healthy you and a happy planet (Alexx Stuart)

DOCUMENTARIES: War on Waste (ABC), A Plastic Ocean (Independent, on Netflix), Drowning in Plastic (SBS)

NP: What other events does the Waste Fighters Society have planned for the rest of semester?

In weeks 4 and 5 we’re collaborating with the Random Acts of Kindness society by running digital clean-ups where we’re encouraging students to go out and clean up their neighbourhoods. We’ll be going out as the executive as well. It’s a very environmentally conscious and covid-conscious way of running an event that will have a great positive impact. I’m really optimistic about it in the sense that you’ll have lots of people doing a good thing which other people in the neighbourhood will also see, causing a ripple effect. It sends a message to your fellow neighbours that you care about the environment that you live in 

We are hopeful we’ll be able to have in-person events but in the meantime, for the sake of social distancing and respecting students that aren’t on campus, we’re staying online. One of the events I’m hopeful we’ll be able to have in person is a beeswax wrap making workshop. 

NP: Last question - what exactly is a beeswax wrap?

IH: They’re a sustainable replacement for glad-wrap or clingwrap plastic. And the great thing about beeswax wraps is that they’re cost effective, easy to maintain, can last 3-6 months, and are compostable! We’re also going to be sharing more environmentally-friendly resources like this online through our Facebook page @usydwastefighters.

Like and follow the Waste Fighters Society on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all their events and get your hands on environmentally- and covid-conscious resources.