The Zero Waste Teen: Small Actions, Big Impact

Gain nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram? Check. Launch a youth-led climate movement to advocate for systemic change? Check. Provide education on intersectional environmentalism AND share sustainability tips? Check and check.

Meet Ava Langridge, the brains behind Zero Waste Teen. Ava has a passion for sustainability and activating young people to advocate for change. Ava’s journey as a climate activist started when she realized that our youngest generations will be impacted most by climate change, yet they are the ones with limited access to quality climate education. So. Not. Cool.

Through her platforms, Ava has created a community that shares a passion for learning about and helping our planet. Ava is dedicated to promoting sustainability as a means to improve our planet, and knows that small actions can have a huge impact.

We had a chance to chat with Ava, and can we just say we are in awe? Check our conversation below to learn more about Ava, her sustainability journey, and how you can make a difference starting today!

DoSomething: Tell us a bit about yourself! What causes are you most passionate about?

Ava: I am a 17-year-old from the Bay Area, driven by the positive impact I can have on climate change. I started my sustainable journey at the age of 12 after coming across a video about zero-waste living. After helping my family transition into a zero-waste lifestyle, I realized I wanted to help others do the same, and social media seemed to be the best way to reach the masses. I am most passionate about finding new methods to offer accessible and quality climate education.

DoSomething: What moment or experience made you want to change the world?

Ava: I watched a Youtube video about how Lauren Singer fit two years worth of waste into a 16 oz jar. This short 5-minute clip introduced me to the zero waste movement. But, I wanted to learn more. I started having conversations via social media about mobilizing our youth and climate justice, which quickly became the founding reason for my activism. I realized I could and wanted to do everything in my power to ensure a healthier planet and future.

DoSomething: You talk a lot about how small actions lead to a big impact. Can you share how you turned your passions into projects?

Ava: I made zero waste living a project from the very start. Before jumping right in and trying to make every product I used plastic-free, I broke everything down. I detailed all the steps it would take for me to achieve my ultimate goal. I then did my best to slowly change my habits so I wasn’t burnt out, and to make the swaps permanent.

DoSomething: You're known on social media as Zero Waste Teen. What's the inspiration behind the name?

Ava: In all honesty, it was the first thing that came to mind when I created my account. But, I have since embraced the brand of ‘The Zero Waste Teen’ as an individual trying to take tremendous strides by doing small actions.

DoSomething: At DoSomething, we believe that environmental justice is a social justice issue. How does the work you do tackle these issues?

Ava: The movement I founded, Our Youth For The Climate, focuses on empowering young people to use their voice to create systemic change and advocate for policies that prioritize the wellbeing of marginalized communities. Our weekly climate classes focus on topics such as intersectional environmentalism and climate justice to help spread awareness and offer resources about how the students can advocate for these communities.

DoSomething: We think it’s pretty awesome that you founded Our Youth For The Climate. What are your goals for this movement?

Ava: Our Youth For The Climate wants to give young people the opportunity, direction and platform to learn how they can fight to guarantee our future. We are focused on enforcing policies and laws that align with our demands:

1. Make quality climate education accessible to all
2. The climate crisis is approached through the lens of intersectionality
3. Hold countries accountable to their promise of keeping 1.5 degrees C within reach and achieving net-zero by 2050
4. Collaboration to drive systemic change

DoSomething: How can young people get involved with Our Youth For The Climate?

Ava: We are launching OY4CCommunities in the beginning of February 2022. This program enables anyone around the world to bring Our Youth For The Climate to their local communities. These communities, local or regional, enable activists to take initiative in their learning and build leadership, communication and collaborative skills. Once communities are started, any young person from that community can join!

DoSomething: You’re such an inspiration to many young people wanting to get involved with advocating for systemic change. What young person or group of young people inspires you the most?

Ava: I continue to be inspired by every young person taking initiative in their climate learning and demanding change. It makes me feel like I am not alone and that there are people standing behind me, amplifying my voice. No one is in this fight alone, and while the issue may seem so big, we can make a difference through collaboration.

DoSomething: What advice would you give other young people who want to make a change?

Ava: START SMALL! While I know you want to do it all now, there is no benefit. You will be burnt out. Join one protest. Then join an organization (I hear Our Youth For The Climate is a good one)! Then become a team member. Or if you want to live a more sustainable lifestyle, start with one super small swap, like napkins instead of paper towels. Then build up the habits over time. But remember, it isn’t sustainable to throw away a disposable item while it is still usable. Wait until you can’t use it anymore and then replace it with a more sustainable option.

DoSomething: Our See Us, Hear Us: Greener Futures program asks our members to envision a greener future. In your eyes, what exactly does a green future look like?

Ava: A greener future means involving the communities most impacted by climate change, specifically indigenous and marginalized communities, in the policies we make. A greener future means listening to young people because they prioritize their future over money. It involves policies that focus on climate justice, cleaner air and water, and intersectional environmentalism.

DoSomething: Leave us feeling inspired! What is one way we can introduce sustainability into our lives this week?

Ava: Educate yourself about climate change as much as you possibly can. You can watch videos, read articles or read a book about climate change. My personal favorite is All We Can Save!

The climate crisis is REAL y’all, and it’s time we start taking action. Young people like Ava are driving the conversation forward to help promote a more sustainable future. And to that, we say, “thank you!” Here’s hoping we can all find some ways to go waste-free this week!