Source: SK Staff; items from Recontained

Waste Erased…Is It Possible?

by SweisKloss
December 2, 2021

We’d like to think so. As you may know, SweisKloss is a certified green business; it was in 2019 that we received our certification, truly a proud moment for us. But there’s no resting on our laurels because being green is an ongoing effort of staying informed and making changes no matter how big or small. We incorporate sustainability into our design + construct process, but it has simply become something we take into consideration at work and in our personal lives.

Recently, a group of us got together after work for pizza, wine, and a viewing of the documentary The Story of Plastic (Sustainable Works organized the viewing event). To be clear, when we get together for a happy hour, the good times always roll, but on this particular night, we were all left a bit dejected and speechless at the end of the film, which won an Emmy by the way. The amount of single waste plastic pollution is really staggering and a powerful reality. Aimee summed it up when she said, “I thought I was sustainably responsible but watching that made me realize how much more I could do.”

Fire lit.

Many of us had already been using sustainable companies, but we wanted to find even more resources. Amanda had told us how much she loved Zero Grocery, which is a Los Angeles-based store that offers plastic-free groceries delivered right to your doorstep (they even pick up your glass jars). Some of us are now members. It’s a small shift, but it’s something.

Amanda said, “I am super excited and feel very privileged to live in a community where healthy, plastic and chemical free products are available to me. I do my best to buy from local sustainable companies as much as possible (and hopefully one day exclusively), not only to provide a better life for myself and reduce my footprint on the planet but to support their growth so someday these products and resources will become mainstream and available to people all over the country (and the world!).”

Jessica and Aimee discovered Recontained, which is a great little shop in Santa Monica (17th and Ocean Park Blvd.). They sell plastic-free items that range from homeware to beauty products. This place is great for finding gifts for the holiday; plus, you are supporting a local business. Win-win. There’s also Square One on Montana Ave. where everything is packaged in a container that is reusable or made of sustainable materials.

Taylor and his wife Ceci are already using Blueland soap at home and are now checking out The Earthling Co., which was prompted by SweisKloss ordering the solid dish soap in a tin with accompanying compostable brush for the office.

Again, little changes can make a huge impact on getting to zero waste and ultimately net positive. And it has been fun discovering and supporting these great sustainable companies. Jessica stated it perfectly when she said, “After watching The Story of Plastic, I have since consoled myself by ‘taking the green pill’ and doing even more than before to reduce my impact and sharing my efforts.” The green pill…not a hard pill to swallow at all when you know the good it will do.

Check out these links and share with someone who might be interested. The Story of Plastic documentary (can also be seen on Amazon Prime), click here. Zero Grocery, click here. Recontained, click here. Square One, click here. Blueland, click here. The Earthling Co., click here.