Zero Waste Talks and Workshops

In each of these presentations and workshops, I share practical tips and tools I've acquired based on corporate experience leading climate initiatives combined with evidence-based research on my own personal experience moving from a 24/7 busy lifestyle to zero waste living. In covering the "80/20 Way" of zero waste living, you'll learn how you as an individual can have the greatest positive impact in the least amount of time...even if you are very busy. 

These talks and workshops are ideal for organizations (private and public sector, nonprofit, academia, local community groups, neighborhood and condominium associations, gardening clubs) who want to offer a fresh, practical and empowering set of ideas and tools that can be immediately applied to help any busy individual lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

All zero waste talks and workshops are custom-designed for your organization and your audience.

 

Topics for Zero Waste Talks and Workshops

Zero Waste Living, the 80/20 Way: Unleashing the Power of the Individual to Fight the Waste and Climate Crises

What actions can you take today that would help solve the climate and waste crises?

  • Learn easy, achievable steps that busy people can take to have a positive environmental impact.

  • Understand why you only need to focus on three key areas I call the “magic three”: food, plastics and recycling – and how to do this with a busy lifestyle.

  • Discover immediately implementable actions you can take to reduce your carbon and waste footprints.

  • Learn how you can influence others around you to take sustainable actions.

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Purging Plastics in Your Life

Does it feel like single-use plastic is taking over our lives and is unavoidable?

  • Sharpen your knowledge on the key issues around single-use plastic as they affect the environment, health, and equity.

  • Learn key actions you can take that will play an essential role in solving the waste crisis.

  • Discover how to quickly identify your biggest plastic waste streams and how to make easy switches to more sustainable packaging.

  • Test your knowledge about which plastics are recyclable and which are not, a topic full of surprises for most people.

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Ending Food Waste at Home

Did you know that there’s a very strong link between food waste and climate change?

  • Learn the five easy things you can do to drastically reduce your household’s contribution to the food waste problem.

  • Develop a strategic relationship with your fridge and freezer.

  • Explore painless ways you can reduce your carbon footprint through a shift to a more plant-based diet.

  • Discover the benefits and joys of composting.

Zero Waste Recycling Workshop

The workshop includes:

  • an audit of your recycling waste stream

  • the opportunity to benefit from cross-learning based on what others in the group have in their recycle bins

  • tips for ensuring compliance with your municipality’s recycling rules

  • identifying specific opportunities to reduce your waste

  • ideas on how to find sustainable packaging alternatives

Zero Waste Upcycling Workshop

Sustainability and creativity converge in this fun upcycling workshop. We’ll cover:

  • The connection between zero waste and upcycling.

  • Why upcycling can conserve resources and avoid landfill waste.

  • Practical techniques to creatively repurpose everyday items.

  • Other tips for living a more sustainable lifestyle.

Testimonials

 

“Your presentation and delivery were so inspirational.”

— Diana Bulger, Area Director of Public Relations, Fairmont Washington, DC

 

“Stephanie’s discussion of Zero Waste Living provided simple steps to help our community of conservationists put their principles into practice, and great context for why it matters.”

— Jeanne Braha, Executive Director, Rock Creek Conservancy

 

“Stephanie Miller spoke to my group, the Women’s Forum, on zero waste strategies. She was persuasive, articulate, friendly and very knowledgeable about the subject. My group was deeply impressed by her presentation, and I’d recommend Stephanie as a speaker for any group. She won’t disappoint!”

— Rona Mendelsohn, Founder of the Women’s Forum

 

“Stephanie’s talk attracted great interest from our community, and it proved to be as engaging as we’d hoped. Her presentation generated a lively conversation among the group, deepening collective learning as participants were energized to share resources and ideas. Thank you to Stephanie for inspiring others to learn, experiment, act and think in new ways!”

— Benay Brotman, Board Member, DC EcoWomen

 

“Participants to the zero waste talk were very enthusiastic and excited to learn all the alternatives available to reduce our carbon footprint and unnecessary waste. The take-home message of the talk was clear and encouraging: focusing our efforts on just a few things can make a big difference.”

— Serenella Linares, Audubon Naturalist Society

“Stephanie’s empowering recycling workshop, and her inventory of simple pragmatic tips and lifestyle changes, left our group of twenty undergraduates more equipped and eager to take on the climate crisis. Her generous and friendly spirit draws in even the most skeptical. We look forward to her return to do this workshop next year!”

— Leila Austin, Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Impact Fellows Program, George Mason University’s School of Business 

 

"I've had the pleasure of hosting events where Stephanie was a keynote speaker to discerning audiences. Notwithstanding her formidable credentials as the former Director of Climate at the World Bank Group, her call to action is entirely at the local, household level. I know that people who have attended Stephanie's talks, myself included, have been able to make immediate changes in our daily lives, and continue to think about ways in which we can be part of a movement at the household and community levels. I cannot speak highly enough of Stephanie's expertise, passion and commitment to leaving our planet a better place for future generations."

— Atsuko Horiguchi, Leadership Coach and Strategy Facilitator

 

“We’re so glad that Stephanie came to speak at American University! Her presentation was interesting, actionable, and very well-received by our staff, faculty, and students. As one attendee commented, Stephanie’s approach to zero waste living is ‘wonderful and inspiring’.”

— Tacy Lambiase, Office of Sustainability, American University