“I feel a real connection to the beach.  I feel very connected to the ocean and protecting the ocean.  It’s so vast and mysterious.” Beth Terry

Beth Terry and Fake Plastic Fish
Beth Terry is saving the planet by reducing her plastic consumption and blogging about it on Fake Plastic Fish.  She also led a web-based campaign via Take Back the Filter that caused parent company Clorox to set up US recycling for Brita filters.  Beth is also an Advisor to the Plastic Pollution Coalition and a contributing editor to BlogHer. Her activities and determination have inspired many and we are inspired by her as well.  Beth spoke with KissMyCountry about plastic, blogging, being an eco activist and the places she loves.   Days later, Beth filmed a video about reducing plastic and uploaded it to Youtube.

Map of Gyres by Fangz

Beth’s Commitment
“I didn’t set out to change anybody but myself originally”, says Beth when asked about how she became an activist for the environment.  “In 2007 I saw an article about plastic and the ocean – and pictures of albatross chick carcasses filled with plastic.  That astounded me – there were bottle caps, toothbrushes – things I use every day.  They had made their way out into the ocean.  That’s when I knew I had to do something.  I was trying to live Greener, and this was something I could really change.”  Beth had some prior experience with blogging, and decided a blog would be a good way to record and measure her reduction of plastic, as well as to keep her committed and on track.  “It wasn’t until people started asking me questions and I got a following that I realized I was an activist.”Beth says that giving up drinks in plastic bottles and plastic grocery bags were easiest for her to do. “My idea about what’s easy to give up may not be someone else’s”, Beth says, “But these were the easiest for me and have the biggest impact on the environment.   I carry Chico bags and keep them in my purse, use them, and put them back in my purse when I’m done.  Giving up bottled water has an even bigger impact on the environment. ”  Beth also suggests asking for less packaging for items ordered and shipped to you.  “Some companies have thanked me for this; saying they feel as though customers expect all the packaging.  It’s a good way to let people know you don’t need it.”  Beth estimates that she reduced her plastic consumption to 3.8 lbs. for 2009 – much lower than the average person living in the US.

Making A Difference and Inspiring Others
Beth’s Take Back the Filter campaign taught her a lot about the power of the Internet to facilitate change.  “You can reach huge numbers of people through blogs, Twitter, and Facebook, and you can use the Internet to concentrate the views of consumers.  I heard from people who’d written their own letters to Clorox with no response.  When the company saw the petition being signed on the site, they realized the numbers.”  Beth also praises the Internet for ease of use and low cost.  “You don’t have to have much money, and you don’t have to have many web skills.  With the Internet, anybody can make huge changes.”

For Beth, determination and a sense of humor are essential for eco activism.  “You have to be committed.  Don’t give up, just stick with it.  Change takes time.  When you’re frustrated, and there were days when I just sat there and thought ‘what else can I possibly do?’, feel  those feelings of frustration and just keep going.  Contact every media source you know.  You never know who will be interested.”  Beth also knows that showing a lighter side is important to keeping people engaged.  “If you don’t entertain people you’ll lose your audience.  Environmentalists have a reputation for being too serious.  People don’t want to feel bad about how they live – I remember how I lived.  You have to reach people where they are.”  Beth does admit that humor can get lost in translation on a blog.  “There are some things I’ll never try again.  Once my husband wrote a blog post in ‘lol speak’.  My husband loved it – he’s a linguist – but I had people threatening to unsubscribe.”

Fake Plastic Fish and Plans for 2010
What’s in store for Beth and Fake Plastic Fish for 2010?  “I’ll keep writing and will keep reducing my plastic consumption.  Cat litter bags are my challenge now.  For 2010 I plan to write a book proposal about my experience of trying to live without plastic, and then a book, and I intend to make it funny.”  Beth also extended ‘Buy Nothing Day’ to include reducing her use of technology, and is consciously limiting her technology at certain times.  “The downside of blogging life is sitting in front of the computer, and it’s really nice to turn everything off”, Beth says.  “I think about the energy consumption of social media.  It’s addictive, and you have to ask yourself why – out of habit or do you feel you’re missing out?”

Places Beth Loves and Future Travels

Mono Lake by Eeek

Beth admits that the Bay Area – where she lives – is “heaven”  – just a little colder than she prefers.  For traveling Beth seeks places that are unusual.  “I love experiencing places different from where I live.  I like Mono Lake near Yosemite.  It looks like the moon.”

Beth’s favorite place is Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii.  She and her husband spent time in Hilo before they were married.   “The Hilo side of the island has a Berkeley kind of vibe.  I just loved it.  We bought food at a local farmer’s market – foods we hadn’t tried – and stayed in a hostel with a large kitchen.  We made a huge trek across Kilauea crater.   I just loved it.  And I definitely prefer staying in a hostel rather than a hotel.  You meet so many people who have come from so many places.  If you can’t go there yourself you can hear about it from them.”

Beth recently traveled to Los Angeles for the kickoff of the Plastic Pollution Coalition and attended some 350.org events at the beach in Santa Monica.  “In Los Angeles I really liked the warm water and being near the beach, and meeting people who really care about the environment.  There seem to be more green bloggers in LA than in the Bay Area.”

Hilo Bay by Dr. James P. McVey NOAA Photo Library

Beth, it was great to talk with you, and we wish you continued success this year with Fake Plastic Fish, your book proposal, and your plans for reducing your use of technology.  We’ll stay in touch and connect later this year for an update – we know you are always doing something interesting!