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Phase: Research Missions: Interview Someone

You don't have to get out of your way!

I interviewed Paula, mother of three boys and engaged citizen who has been reducing plastic waste in her household by changing tiny habits.

Photo of Sauyeng Dixon
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Meet Paula, engaged Melbournian who has slowly reduced plastic consumption in her household. Meet Paula, engaged Melbournian who has slowly reduced plastic consumption in her household.
Reuse jars... no more gladwrap! Reuse jars... no more gladwrap!
Biodegradable tooth-brush made with bamboo. Biodegradable tooth-brush made with bamboo.
Replacing plastic straw with stainless steel straw: the art of transforming single usage to multiple usage Replacing plastic straw with stainless steel straw: the art of transforming single usage to multiple usage

Paula lives in Melbourne, in an apartment overlooking Albert Park (the formula 1 track) with her husband Clyde and two of their children, Aaron - their eldest son, and Levy - their youngest son. Aiden their middle son lives in London but is due to return this year. Her family has become more and more engaged with the influence of their son Levy, who actively acts on his belief that every human is responsible for the social and ecological footprint they leave on the planet. He has converted his family to vegan diet and has influenced their habits as consumers, gearing them towards organic and environmentally friendly products. Paula, as the guardian of their household, applies the principles of conscious consumers brought in by Levy. Slowly but surely, they have reduced their consumption of plastic and aims to continue to a zero plastic waste household. I had the pleasure of meeting Paula in her apartment on a Sunday afternoon and was able to chat to her for a couple of hours, during which I learnt about her story.

Watch full interview:

https://youtu.be/gn7GRtSkhK0

How does this research relate to our Use Cases?

Replacing single use plastic wrappers and containers with refillable jars is one of the strategies that Paula has put into practice to reduce plastic wastes. Replacing single use plastic wrappers and containers with refillable jars is one of the strategies that Paula has put into practice to reduce plastic wastes.
Whilst the conversation with Paula was broader than the single-use plastic wrappers, Paula could be qualified as an extreme consumer: 1) Manages a vegan household, 2) Conscious and engaged about social and environmental impacts, 3) Is implementing better practices in her attempt to reduce plastic waste.

What is a provocation or insight that might inspire others during this challenge?

1) You don't need to get out of your way... Paula didn't really get out of her way to start changing her habits. She still shop mainly at Coles (main supermarket brand in Australia) but ensures she avoids plastic wrappers unless there is absolutely no other choice. When she can, she will reuse wrappers and containers - she turned the single usage bag to multiple usage.

Tell us about yourself

I am an Xp Architect at Salesforce and the MD of a non for profit TheHakkas. With TheHakkas, we will take the Melbourne community through the circular design challenge program. As one of the main facilitators of the group, I contributed in the discussion by conducting the interview with Paula.

Inspired by (1)

A Natural Replacement for Toothbrushes
A Natural Replacement for Toothbrushes
View more

This inspired (3)

I'm not the bad guy!
I'm not the bad guy!
Let’s empower citizens to make the right decisions!
Let’s empower citizens to make the right decisions!
Protecting the balance of the environment by eliminating harmful waste project .
Protecting the balance of the environment by eliminating harmful waste project .

4 comments

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Photo of mary abasi

I can’t believe this. A great testimony that i must share to all HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS patient in the world i never believed that their could be any complete cure for Herpes or any cure for herpes,i saw people’s testimony on blog sites of how dr Ero prepare herbal medicine that cure and brought them back to life again. i had to try it too and you can,t believe that in just few weeks i started using it all my pains stop gradually and i had to leave without the pills the doctor gave to me. Right now i can tell you that few months now i have not had any pain,delay in treatment leads to death. Here is his email:(wealthylovespell@gmail.com) whatsapp him with +2348105150446 visit blog http://wealthyspellhome.over-blog.com

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Photo of Sylvain Emeric

Thanks for sharing this "extreme" perspective Sauyeng Dixon ! Would be great to understand some of the workaround Paula developed and see how they might contribute to the idea phase.

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Photo of Sylvain Emeric

Thanks for sharing Sauyeng Dixon !

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Photo of Betty Mbithi

This is awesome Sauyeng Dixon

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