The Lentil Intervention Podcast

Emma Wingrove - The Clean Up Crew

September 11, 2023 Ben and Emma Season 4 Episode 17
The Lentil Intervention Podcast
Emma Wingrove - The Clean Up Crew
Show Notes

Emma Wingrove is a reuse specialist, passionate about bringing New Zealand to the forefront of sustainability and climate change solutions. In 2014, while undertaking her university degree, Emma established The Clean Up Crew Aotearoa, after identifying the hideously overlooked problem of litter and neglected beaches of the beautiful North Shore of Auckland. Thinking that someone should really address the problem, she realised that someone could be her.

From humble beginnings, the Clean up Crew continues to grow. Emma inspires hope for a better future by proving that one person can make a difference. Anybody can see a problem and start working towards fixing it - solutions don’t need vast acts of grandeur, just passion and determination!

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Emma’s background from environmental science to zero waste
  • Localised NZ and Auckland’s Zero Waste Hubs
  • The scale of the plastic waste problem in New Zealand
  • The source of beach rubbish found on New Zealand beaches
  • Emma’s establishment of The Clean Up Crew Aotearoa
  • Commonly found rubbish items littering Auckland’s shorelines, and how it gets there
  • Advocacy and education work of The Clean Up Crew
  • How to support The Clean Up Crew and get involved in their regular clean-ups
  • Top tips for minimising personal waste


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