Season 2, Episode 5: Kate

In this episode, John introduces Kate, a recent sustainability graduate. They discuss Kate's education, practical projects, and her role at Roots Refillery. The show highlights innovative sustainability practices and the importance of community involvement in climate actions.

00:00 Introduction to Climate Action Figures

00:30 Quick Fix: Glenda's Sustainable Solution

01:05 Meet Kate: Sustainability Graduate

01:52 Kate's Educational Journey in Sustainable Innovation

02:55 Capstone Project: Water Conservation

04:17 Discussion on Water Usage and Conservation

06:35 Kate's Experience with the Center for Innovation

08:58 Roots Refillery: Reducing Packaging Waste

12:04 Kate's Climate Action: Reusing Containers

13:06 Hope for the Future: Practicing Sustainability

15:05 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Transcript

Kate: 0:00

Hi, I'm Kate. I'm a recent sustainability graduate and you're watching Climate Action Figures.

John: 0:15

and welcome to this week's edition of Climate Action Figures. My name, as always, is John Whidden, and this week on the show, you get to meet Kate. This week's quick fix comes to us from Glenda in Edson, and she tells us that: I needed to insulate my weeping tile pump, so I had my farmer father help me gather and install all reused material from the farm to get the job done. We used a frame from an old freezer, we used some old baler twine, and S hooks from dead tarp straps. So, well done, Glenda from Edson, thanks for sharing that with us, and welcome Kate.

Kate: 1:06

Hi, thanks for having me. Um, yeah, that story sounds, it sounds like a lot of work, but it sounds really

John: 1:12

Yeah, I'd like to, I want to picture that, what does that look like?

Kate: 1:16

Yeah. Yeah. I love the idea of reusing stuff and things that you already have. And, uh, but yeah, I'm curious about, I don't know what a weeping tile is. So I'd be

John: 1:25

Ah, good question. Weeping Tile, I know this because I've adjusted the Weeping Tile in a house before, is the, it's like a pipe That's at the base of your foundation, surrounded by gravel, usually that allows the water to go into the pipe and drain away from your house so you don't get flooding in your basement.

Kate: 1:42

Okay.

John: 1:43

The pump that would pump the water out of there. They needed to insulate that and used all the. All that material for that. very interesting story. So Kate, when we, uh, talked first about you being on the program last year, you were in post secondary finishing up your program, I believe. Is that right?

Kate: 2:02

Yes, that's right. So, uh, yeah, to give you a little idea of what it was. uh, the program is called Sustainable Innovation and it's at, uh, Medicine Hat College. we were the first, cohort of graduates, um, just this past summer. So, yeah, it's pretty exciting to be part of a brand new program. and basically it was, It's, you know, super multidisciplinary, it covered a lot of things from, you know, kind of business and entrepreneurship all the way to, um, kind of learning about ecosystem science, um, doing like data mapping, things like that. it kind of prepares you for a lot of different avenues. Um, and a lot of us went different, lots of very different avenues.

John: 2:44

So when you look back in that program, Kate, was there something that was really the most amazing thing you learned or a couple of things that you want to share with us? Thank you

Kate: 2:52

I think my biggest accomplishment from the program. So we had a, we had a capstone project that we had to do at the end. And I think that I really learned a lot from that. it was basically a kind of master level like research paper that we had to do. Um, and it was all kind of self guided. So it was something that we were passionate about that we wanted to research. Um, and I chose water conservation, um, here in Medicine Hat because, the idea that conserving water is, is very important and it's going to be. more important in years to come. Um, and so what I wanted to do is kind of, um, research how people were kind of responding to the, like, restrictions. Um, I wanted to see how much people, how much water people were actually using, um, things like that. So, um, it was kind of this really cool, um, project where I had my primary research. So I did like surveys and stuff. And then, um, I also had, um, one of the science instructors, actually, he, he really helped me out and, uh, got me some data. So I was figuring out, um, rainwater harvesting. I was figuring out statistics for that and like how much money it could save you on your, you know, water bill and things like that. So, um, I think it was just a really cool opportunity to showcase, um, You know, some of the things that we've learned throughout the program and also our own interests. So that was really fun.

John: 4:13

right. This makes me think of a question that you're the perfect one to answer. Often I've watched people in my neighborhood using tons of water, it's running down the street, you know, and I think we need to charge more for our water. But water being what it is, such an essential part of our lives, you know, we can't necessarily charge for that. But I mean, if we charge it a small amount, would that be a good solution? You know, so that people don't just waste tons of water all the time.

Kate: 4:42

well, I was talking to that, uh, science instructor about this, cause he's very passionate about, about rainwater harvesting too. And he, he basically said something along those lines about that. You have to, Yeah, you have to kind of make it difficult in a way for people to continue doing the, bad habit or, or whatever, um, it's kind of, you know, circumstances kind of have to push people. Like we're all, you know, we all do kind of what's easy or uh, you know, so, so sometimes the thing that's healthy for the environment or, you know, it, it isn't the easiest thing. and so that's kind of what he said, you know, there's going to be, have to be like kind of a, a major change or, or something like to make people you know, kind of respond to that in a, healthy way. And, and of course, you, you try not to like punish people too much for things, but at the same time, yeah, it's like, if you need a widespread change, then something does need to take place for sure.

John: 5:29

Well, even if we charge for water, I think the amount of water we drink is going to cost nothing, but the amount of water you use to power wash your entire property might start to add up. Right.

Kate: 5:41

that's the interesting thing. Um, when I was doing my research, it seems, well, like the outdoor water usage is kind of, I would say like the most policed, they give you kind of tips and tricks that you can do inside your home. Like, you know, um, only run your dishwasher when it's full and, you know, things like that. but I think outside water usage, and that's kind of what I was focusing on because rainwater harvesting, there is a way that you can make the water potable, like that you can use for like consumption and stuff, but I was just focusing on just like collecting it straight and then using it. Like on your yard and things like that, you'd be surprised, how many gallons of water that you could save just from implementing those. And I think, especially for outdoor applications, it would really help, um, because it doesn't matter. Like, you know, you don't have to treat the water. It doesn't have to be all fancy. You can just. Um, kind of hook a hose up to it and

John: 6:26

And

Kate: 6:26

go from there.

John: 6:27

and gardens, right? Well, that's fascinating. Now, Kate, this program was very interesting to you. And then how, where has it led from there?

Kate: 6:35

well, I guess, well, during my studies, I had, um, quite a, a few really nice like opportunities, um, to kind of build some experience. Uh, one of the main things I was really happy to be a part of, there was a new department at the college and it was, it's called the Center for Innovation and they do a lot of different kind of, um, projects. So it can range from like, you know, tech, And new things and new technologies to, um, what we were doing, which was, um, we were doing soil sensing and also, harvesting and growing native plants to reduce, to again, reduce like water consumption and things like that. Um, so it was kind of this also as a multidisciplinary project that I was, I was a part of, it was really neat to see because we had kind of all these. Um, different people coming together. Um, so yeah, we had the soil sensors put in the ground both on the college and a couple blocks away. and we were basically testing to see how much water the college was using to, you know, water the trees and grass and everything, um, versus what kind of what was in the natural area. that data was kind of visualized. Um, we had a, we had a really cool, like kind of, it was kind of an artistic interpretation. We had some artists, we had the art department come on and, um, we had, the interpretation of that data that we gathered, which was really cool to see. And it, brings it to people's minds, you know, when they can look at something and see it. It was a theme about trees, too, and trees and togetherness and, um, kind of that connection to nature, so they did a whole, like, art installation about that as well, and we went around and collected native seedling, uh, seeds, and then we grew them in the college greenhouse, so, yeah, it was kind of all about raising people's awareness and having their connection to the land, and then also, that message of kind of reducing You know, irrigation and stuff like that, reducing water usage. So I was the main kind of communications person for that project, um, which is a really cool like opportunity cause I was working on it while I was doing my studies. yeah, that was really neat.

John: 8:41

That's very interesting. And has that led you to a job or a career now that, has to do with the program of studies.

Kate: 8:48

I will say that the majority, like the, the jobs that I had, so that one, and then I did, um, work for my practicum and then even at Roots Refillery, which is where I'm at now. I started working there, through my studies and then, um, I'm still working that's my main job right now is the refillery. lot of what I've done so far is about communicating sustainability. Which I found is very interesting. Because it's a big part of our program, like a lot of people, when I say our program is sustainable innovation, a lot of people have a lot of questions about that too, so, um, and even they're wondering, you know, what sustainability is, that kind of thing, because it's a, it's a very broad subject, I would say, and so I think, I think people have You know, kind of their own interpretation or different ideas of what that, what that is.

John: 9:35

Now we have to go back to roots refillery because, uh, my wife, Colleen loves roots refillery and I do too, but she's better at using roots than I am. I was talking with a friend the other day about a refillery. I said, you know, check a refillery out in your, neighborhood of Calgary. And they said, what's a refillery? So I thought, wow, people need to know what refilleries are. They're so amazing. So fill us in.

Kate: 9:57

So for anyone who doesn't know, uh, refilleries are basically places you can go. well, in our case, you can either bring your own containers or, uh, we have containers for you. And the whole idea is to reduce, um, packaging waste. So the idea is that you just, refill your container, with, for instance, we do kind of the whole range. So like personal care products, like shampoos, conditioners, body washes, deodorants, things like that, and also like cleaning products. So, any sort of like multipurpose cleaners, disinfectants, laundry detergents, things like that, um, we can refill it all at where we are.

John: 10:35

garbage, it's amazing how many of those bottles and containers we're constantly throwing away, right?

Kate: 10:40

I'm always surprised. Cause you know, when people donate things, the packaging is just so nice on a lot of things. Like it's, you know, there's, there's a lot of thought put into a lot of the packaging. Like heavy duty. It feels, you know, nice. It's glass or, it's very interesting to think that, some people maybe would just kind of be like, yeah, you know, I don't need it or, you know, or throw it out or, it's just, it's about changing your your mindset in regards to that. Cause it's like, well, why couldn't I reuse it? You know?

John: 11:05

This podcast is a not for profit, but if we needed a sponsor, boy, Roots Refillery or any refillery would be the best sponsor for this program. I'm sure when you, we were talking earlier, you said we could share here How Many Containers You've Saved. Is that right?

Kate: 11:21

Yes, so my boss keeps track of, um, she, she kind of tallies up all of the containers that we've refilled over the course of a year. Um, and then, yeah, she kind of keeps a little chalkboard note up by the, the till there, so you can actually see, How many? I think we're at, what was it, 34, 000 or something like that. Um, so that's every time since, since the beginning of the year. That's, you know, every time someone refills a container, that's, that's, uh,

John: 11:48

Amazing. That's

Kate: 11:49

pretty amazing.

John: 11:51

great, uh, great place to work, I suppose, because you can work at a place you really believe in what is going on there, right?

Kate: 11:58

Yes.

John: 11:59

Now, uh, we should get on to your climate action, Kate. Do you have something chosen for, uh, climate action for us today?

Kate: 12:05

Yes, so I guess it, well, it ties right in to what we were just talking about with the containers, because that is what I chose to do as my climate action, because I think that it's something that I, well, I'm doing it regularly since I'm at work, but it's also something that I've kind of really started to enjoy. I don't know. It's very satisfying to me. I spend a lot of time in the back room and I, uh, peel all the labels off and I wash everything out. it's very therapeutic. I have like a, I have a whole system. I have, you know, yeah, it's just very satisfying to take, you know, like, cause you just get, you know, bags of, you know, Of stuff that people bring in. And it's, it's very satisfying sometimes they're, they're covered in sticky stuff or, you know, things like that, and it's just really satisfying to like scrape it all off and, and clean it, and then you're like, look, you can, you can use it again, you know? Yeah,

John: 12:55

Therapy at work. What more could you ask for?

Kate: 12:58

yeah, yeah, exactly.

John: 13:00

And, uh, before we let you go today, uh, could you tell us what gives you hope these days?

Kate: 13:06

With my work and like communicating sustainability so far, what I've noticed is, there's a lot of people like trying, I think that that's the big thing. Um, I think in their, their own way, they're finding, their own reasons to practice sustainability. what I love is the concept of this podcast is really cool. Cause it's just like the little things that we are all doing. example, to tie into the refillery again, you know, a lot of people, they, they have other reasons to shop at the, at Brutes as well. Like, you know, they, they like the convenience or they like the quality products that we have, but then also, you know, of course, that they're helping the environment along the way, because they're, Bringing in their containers and they're able to just quickly fill, you know, fill things up and not, not have to worry about it. Um, reducing clutter in their own homes and stuff as well too. yeah, if we can each find our kind of own reason for sustainability, like it doesn't necessarily have to be just environmentally based, but, you know, maybe to save money or just. You know, other benefits like that as well. I think it's really cool and it's really cool to get in a conversation, uh, with people about it because, you know, once they start to realize the other benefits and stuff, then it's like, Hey, you know what, maybe I can, do this and make a difference as well.

John: 14:16

I just realized when Colleen goes to to get her stuff from Roots, she is happy. So you must have a lot of happy customers because they know they're doing a good thing by by going through the door and getting their products where they don't have to have containers thrown out all the time.

Kate: 14:31

that's our biggest thing. I mean, we, we are really, we're, we're, we always say that we're really blessed to have really great people around us. Customers that just, they get excited, you know, when they come in, it feels very familiar. We, we get to know people on a personal level. and yeah, and a lot of our new customers are coming in because of word of mouth, because. Um, their friend or their family member, um, told them about us. it's just, it's really cool and we're always growing.

John: 14:58

out to Refilleries Everywhere for doing the good thing. So thanks for sharing that. And thanks so much for joining us today, Kate.

Kate: 15:05

Well, thanks so much for having me. I was really happy to be, be a part of this.

John: 15:09

And thank you, dear listener, for joining us. I think you will agree that it is interesting and inspirational to hear these kinds of stories of young people taking action, and you have a part in that. Let us know about a young person who is inspiring you in some small or huge way, and we'll try to get them on Climate Action Figures. And, as usual, we will be back again next week, same time, same place, to hear from another Climate Action Figure. Until then

Kate: 15:36

Uh, Oh, go figures. I remembered it took a minute.