Very recently I discovered the Plastic Free July Challenge, joining over 90 million people across 190 countries in reducing single-use plastic waste. I first learned about it thanks to another eco conscious small business in my area - The Den. - our local refillery. 

It's incredibly inspiring to see how small businesses can influence each other, fostering growth, and learning all while raising awareness in communities about impactful practices. This ripple effect of positive change is more powerful than we can ever fully grasp. Tofino is such an inspiring place to call home on so many levels - businesses positively effecting one another is just the tip of it!

I'm so grateful to be surrounded by so many inspiring and dedicated small business owners that time-and-time again are prioritizing people over profit, the uniqueness of our region, and on a greater scale our collective home - earth, her oceans, her land, and the peoples that inhabit it. 

The Plastic Free Foundation
Lets dive into it together! Plastic Free July's initiative kicked off back in 2011 in Australia and has grown into the Plastic Free Foundation Ltd., a non-profit charity making waves worldwide since 2017. They're all about educating and inspiring folks like us to make a positive impact. 

They have this amazing quiz:  Take the Challenge!

Now this is some positive change:
• 89 million participants in 2023 campaign
• 240 million kgs of plastic waste avoided in 2023
• 87% of participants made at least one lasting change.
• Participants reduced their waste and recycling by 4.1% 

Living in Tofino, an ocean lovers dream, makes this cause even more personal. At the Hobbyist we're hyper-aware of how plastic affects our environment. Spotting plastic amidst seaweed and shells during family beach walk breaks my heart but we've turned it into a game, happily picking up trash as we stroll, grateful for the chance to lend the ocean a helping hand.

Last year across Canada, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup hosted 1,950 sites and 58,500 registrants cleaning up 3,035 kms of shoreline and filling 10,891 garbage bags. The highest percentage of trash collected came from discarded single use food and beverage items. –Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup

Click this link to: Learn How To Get Involved Here

Millions of plastic bottles used for body wash, shampoo, and hand soap could easily be replaced with a simple bar of soap, eliminating the need for disposable plastic and non-recyclable pumps. Here's why you should consider making the switch:

• Our botanical bars soaps and shampoos are completely free of plastic packaging
• Bar soap is biodegradable and ocean safe
• It cleans just as effectively, if not better
• Our soaps are always crafted from natural, organic and vegan plant powered ingredients
• Buying handcrafted soap supports local small businesses.
• We offer a wide range of scents and formulations in our handcrafted soap lines
• Just 1 bar of soap can replace a typical bottle of body wash

Making the switch to hand crafted botanical bar soap isn't just good for the environment—it's a simple, effective way to make a positive impact with every wash.

We will continue using organic, natural and vegan, plant powered ingredients, finding sustainable ways to bring our products to you using the less amount of signal use packaging and being mindful of our environmental impact.

Learn more about the Hobbyist green initiatives: find out more   

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization that works to protect and preserve the world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Join Tourism Tofino and Surfrider Pacific Rim for the weekly beach clean-up called “Washed Up Wednesdays” -- Don’t live in Tofino? Why not start your own?!

Link up with Surf Rider: Learn more here 

Every little action you take today, paves the way for a brighter tomorrow - A little cheesy, I know - but it really does add up and it does effect your circle and then their circle and on-and-on.

Big companies pay attention to consumers, so let's lead by example and make them take notice! Whether it's making smart choices while shopping, bringing your reusable cups, or simply chatting with friends and neighbors about your efforts to reduce your environmental footprint, every action counts - no matter the size. Social change starts with us, and remember -- it's infectious -- kinda like Jades smile!!

Sending so much love from Tofino, 

Tamara