Carly Mejeur Marine Art - a Plastic Free Interview
Hey Internet! I would like to introduce to you a very talented and exceptional human, Carly Mejeur.
Carly is marine life artist with a passion for the ocean and has been looking for more ways to decrease her environmental impact. We met each other through mutual friends and decided we needed to join forces! We got to talking and we decided to co-blog eachother on our sites for plastic free july! (see her interview with me on her site here) Below is a more about her and her work and our interview about improving your plastic-free life.
But first I want to share a bit more about how brilliant she is. Her current work, The Nautical Chart Series is absolutely breath taking where she utilizes nautical charts as her canvas. Her work is all about connecting marine life with specific locations, and accentuating the natural composition of the original charts. If you have not seen her work, you are missing out. She is a watercolor wizard! She even translated her art on to buffs, leggings and more #wearableart. Her dedication to the ocean and art brings a little bit of the ocean into your life that lasts a lifetime. Now, on to our mermaid-y interview!
Here is our interview on how she got started with Plastic Free July.
Morgan: How did you get started with your series on nautical charts and how does it translate to your love for the ocean?
Carly: The nautical charts kind of fell in my lap. Art can be a pretty wasteful activity... so much paint and paper, and if you don't like your watercolor painting, it's not even like you can paint over it! When my best friend's dad offered his nautical charts from his treasure hunting days, it was exciting to re-purpose something beautiful that was no longer used or admired like it should be.
When I started, I had a slight obsession with octopus. I know you won't believe me, but it really was before everyone else did! Ha, Ha! I was so enthralled by them while diving or in youtube videos. I read tons of articles about them, and studied them intensely. Painting an octopus on a nautical chart made sense, and then the rest is history. It opened up a door to create what I loved, and to share it with others! Truly a dream come true.
Morgan: What motivated you to start doing #plasticfreethursdays and your IGTV and blog interviews with others?
Carly: I was pretty devastated by all the articles and images I found about plastic inside sea creatures. I would research for a painting of a turtle and get stuck for 30 minutes just looking at terrible images of them with plastic in their bellies, etc. It wears on you... I wanted to figure out a way to share what we could do to help, like simple steps every day. It's exciting to have so many engaged friends and followers on social media, because I feel like I can really use that platform for something great and inspiring that can actually make a notable impact in that community. I think having a weekly challenge was also a challenge for me. It made me keep looking for new ways to improve mine and my families lives. We can all be like a big group of accountability partners for the planet! I'm so proud and honored to know people like Morgan, and the others I've interviewed, who are the trail blazers in this huge movement we are moving toward. Whatever I can do to shine that light on them, I will.
Save it, share it, post it, print it, tape it up in the house- whatever you need to do to motivate yourselves to also make small changes everyday!
Roll up your sleeves because this is where it gets interesting.
Below are just a handful of switches for a plastic-free, reduced waste, or zero-waste tips for environmentalists of all shapes and sizes. From beginners to the “all-out” we are constantly evolving to be the best we can, and as long as we do something, you are incredible! SO, without further ado, Here’re some of my tips and tricks that I discussed with Carly so YOU can join the #plasticfreejuly movement.
Plastic-Free Tips and Tricks
The best advice I can give is to start slow. You will start noticing things, spotting single-use plastics everywhere. Don't fear my dear. That's good! That means your brain is working through that plastic habit and critically thinking to problem solve. Our brains crave problem-solving, be creative! It can be devastatingly exhausting and make you feel really isolated without the proper tools (mental and physical). Start small, plan your process, stay calm and enjoy the ride. Pace yourself young Jedi.
Remember, knowledge is power, and as Uncle Ben from Spiderman would say, "with great power comes great responsibility. You got this!
Beginner
1. Observe
1. I want you to literally go through your trash, recycling. Then analyze your bathroom, kitchen, and closet. Take notes on what you see, create some simple quick single-use plastic fixes that you can easily do right now, and work to the bottom on your list. No rush, go at your own pace.
2. Start reusing everything you ALREADY HAVE:
1. This is one of the most overlooked tips people miss and it can cost them. No need to go out and spend hundreds of dollars on social-media-marketed-plastic-free/zero-waste replacements. USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE! Here are the basic single-use plastics you can steal from your own home:
1. Water bottle - I'm sure you have a sports bottle or reusable water bottle for the gym It doesn't have to look pretty. If it holds water, you're already reducing your plastic footprint by refilling that.
2. Bags - You don't need to buy fancy reusable bags, you have purses, backpacks, drawstring bags, fanny packs, handkerchiefs….use everything for anything!
3. Coffee Mugs - Bring your nice mugs and stash them at work or at school for when that 2:30pm feeling hits. For on the go always bring reusable mugs with you. Leave one in your car, bag, stash them at work, at school. No excuses when you get caffeinated
4. Suck responsibly - You have two perfectly functioning lips on your face that can drink from any vessel with ease. Cut that bougie s*** out and drink from your cup like a big kid. We have done it since we invented the cup...get over your smudged lipstick lol - end rant
· Unless you actually need a straw to drink, I would recommend stainless, if, in need of softer material, silicone tips are great or full on silicone straws.
5.
Cutlery - You don't need to go and buy fancy cutlery set for on-the-go-munching. You already paid for silverware in your home, USE IT. Take a rubber band from a bundle of asparagus, or string and stash your set in the car, backpack, purse, work, etc.
3. Only buy new when you need, and check the materials - Make sure you research the source of materials, what material it is and if it is sustainably made. Here are some of the recommended favorites I use daily: Chico Bag - Pirani Cup - Hydroflask or Nalgene (if stainless is too heavy). To-go wear - Knot-wraps (lush has neat ones), they can act like a bag, scarf, gift wrap, sling, booger-rag... the options are endless
Here are some of my Ocean Minded Must Haves on Amazon
4. Don't shop if you don't have your gear - This is a good reason to stash supplies all over so you’re always ready should hunger strike or you need to pick up some stuff. Currently in my Fjallraven Kanken pack I have a pint cup, two chico bags, to-go ware cutlery, a knot wrap, some sheets of folder tin foil for takeout and my canteens. No excuses.
Advanced
1. Start Collecting Supplies, Smart - Again, this is a tip that will save you a lot if you think before you buy. Buying products that are contained in a vessel you like, while also loving the contents of that vessel kills two birds (so to speak.) For example, glass jars from pasta sauces, jars, and honey. These glass containers are my favorites because:
a.) They're cute,
b.) I eat the food inside, #score
c.) I now have a container I can reuse
d.) If I get several, they will all match in my pantry.
e.) Glass is easy to clean and easy to label at bulk refill stations.
2. Learn to love bulk bins - There are TONS of things you can get in bulk, dried fruits, veggies, grains, pasta, seasonings. Make sure you bring your sharpie! to "tare" or “zero” the weight of your jars. Also, if you don't have your jars, you can use those paper bags near the coffee refill station instead of plastic.
3. Plastic - Hack - it - If I can’t bulk it, can’t find it without a wrapper, or find it in a sustainable container, maybe ditch it or try making it from scratch. For example: most ice cream is in a plastic container, BUT Haagen-Dazs now has a tin which is reusable! On the go, opt for a waffle cone for the sweets without plastic.
4. Bar Soap = Life – Use it for hair, body, shaving, lotion bars, even washing your dog. There are tons of brands popping up but my favorite is Pinkalicious from Ethique. Lush as some good ones to. Just have to try them out.
5. To All Who Menstruate -Menstrual cups instead of tampons, reusable pads instead of single-use liners, and even switching to an IUD can SERIOUSLY reduce your waste. Tampons and pads are single-use, plus many made of synthetic materials, dye's, and other not-so-good-chemicals. Your reproductive health and the planet will thank you for swapping these out. Here are my favs: Diva Cup, Intimina Lily Cup Compact, or Lily Pad.
“all in!”
1. DIY life - You can find some pretty awesome recipes for nearly EVERYTHING online and can get most basic ingredients you need from bulk refill. There will obviously be some trial and error so start making small batches so you can test them out. Here is a good place to start your search. deodorant, toothpaste, laundry detergent, dish detergent, hot oil hair treatments, bath bombs, hair products, tinctures, extracts etc.
2. Plastic free online shopping or NO online shopping - Packaging, shipping and driving your online goods takes a ton of fossil fuels and materials for your convenience. Best to shop in person OR online IF the packaging is biodegradable/sustainable AND the item is made of biodegradable/sustainable materials. Try to lump items in one package to reduce packaging and extra driving for delivery peoples.
3. Nothing goes to waste - Use all of those R's! Refuse, reduce, reuse, reclaim, restore, repurpose, and rot. Remember, you won't have much single-use plastic left in your life at this point so recycling is at a minimum.
1. Example: Cut old towels, clothing, or sheets for scarfs, hankies, cleaning rags, create reusable bags from them or even new clothes. Find ways to fix or repurpose what you have and have fun with it.
4. No food waste either - Compost – Compost all of your organic food waste. There are tons of recourses out there on how to compost anywhere, so find what works best for you through research. Some farmers markets, farms, cities and parks have programs also to look up. It can not only reduce your plastic output, but compost is also an organic fertilizer, pest control and nutritious plant fuel for free!
5. Garden - Use that nutritious compost to grow your own herbs, veggies, fruits and reduce your plastic/carbon footprint plus your save money at the grocery store!