We’re so excited to share that Ecodemy Education in partnership with the Lambton Kent District School Board has been awarded a $10,000 grant to deliver our Earth Day Everyday program to up to 50 Area schools in the 2022/2023 school year!
Thank you to the Sarnia Community Foundation for their generous support of our Earth Day Everyday program for Sarnia-Lambton schools
As a recent graduate in Business specializing in Global Commerce from the University of Western Ontario, I was eager to explore the job market and find a fulfilling role that aligns with my values and aspirations. However, despite my best efforts, I couldn’t find any position that truly resonated with me and provided me with the sense of purpose and passion that I crave in my work.
As someone who needs to find fulfillment in their work to put out maximum effort and thrive, I started to reflect on my journey and what truly motivates me. I realized that I find fulfillment in helping others and contributing to a better world. This led me to discover the innovative world of environmental sustainability.
Growing up in Ontario, I developed a deep connection with nature through camping, biking, and exploring the great outdoors. I wanted to join the community of creative, passionate, and driven innovators working to take care of our planet. So in the summer of 2022, I began working with a personal mentor to develop solar infrastructure in developing countries. I took pride in supporting communities through the development of sustainable energy sources. I knew that supporting the development of sustainable practices was where I wanted to be.
Having very little experience in the field of sustainability, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in Environment and Sustainability (MES) at the University of Western Ontario in the fall of 2022. This allowed me to expand my knowledge and develop relevant skills that would enable me to make meaningful contributions to sustainability efforts and the environmental community.
Throughout my journey, I developed an understanding that true sustainability lies at the intersection of three pillars: environmental protection, economic viability, and social equity. Achieving sustainability requires navigating contextual puzzles to find solutions that balance and accommodate all three pillars.
For the CO-OP component of my MES program, I was eager to find a role that would allow me to support the development of sustainable practices. That’s when I came across Ecodemy, and I immediately believed in the concept and the need for it in the marketplace.
Coming from a business background, I understand that small to medium-sized businesses face social and financial pressures to adopt sustainable behavior. That being said, many lack the time, knowledge, and resources to address these challenges. That’s where Ecodemy comes in – I believe their mission to support the planet through supporting people will play a key role in building a sustainable future.
I’m thrilled to be part of the awesome team of passionate individuals at Ecodemy. We are developing innovative training courses on up-and-coming environmental topics and supporting businesses on their path toward sustainability. I’m excited to use my knowledge and skills to contribute to this mission, and I look forward to making a meaningful positive impact in the world of sustainability.
Matt Policicchio
With the first stage of the Single-Use Plastics ban well underway with the restriction of imported and
manufactured single-use plastics on the naughty list, we are looking for new and inspiring technology to
create solutions. One company that is leading the pack is A Friendlier Company, who specializes in
reusable takeaway containers.
How does it work? This company sells its signature blue containers in lots of different sizes to local restaurants and food service venues. They then pack customers’ orders in the containers and pass along the deposit cost for a refund by the customer later in their blue designated bins. It’s straightforward and a great way to reduce single-use plastic waste in one of the highest offending areas – takeaway food service.
We talked to one of the participating businesses, The Downtown Market in Sarnia, Ontario, to ask about her experience recently implementing this company’s container program.
Q: We heard you brought in A Friendlier Company recently; how did you find out about them and how was your experience implementing their reusable container program?
A: I contacted AFC after seeing an advertisement; they made it very easy and truly are very friendly!
Great people to work with.
Q: Why did you choose to use their containers?
A: I started to use A Friendlier Company at the Downtown Market to eliminate our use of single-use plastics. They will mainly be used for our frozen meals but will be used everywhere we can.
Q: I know this is new, but what has the customer feedback been so far?
A: Customers have been very receptive to the upgrade, including the small fee that is fully refundable
upon container return, and of course, they are all very happy to reduce, reuse and recycle. I just put the
first meal on yesterday, so haven’t had much feedback yet, but so far, people like the concept!
We absolutely love this idea here at Ecodemy and look forward to watching this company grow to
combat SUPs. So far, they’ve had 300,000+ containers reused through their program instead of hitting the landfill – amazing! You can learn more about the company here (www.friendlier.ca) and ask your
local food establish to consider implementing this solution in your community
In the Spring of 2020, I graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Arts, specializing in Psychology and Sociology. It was at the onset of the pandemic and I had moved back home to Sarnia. I had become intertwined with the Environmental sector in both Sarnia and Guelph and was continuing to learn about the climate crisis on my own time. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for a job, but the environment was calling for my attention in my free time. Upon graduation, a friend and I ended up starting a digital marketing business to help small businesses in Sarnia transition to online ordering and marketing techniques. I found great joy in our work, however there was still a strong pull towards environmental work. I was continually inspired to pursue environmental work in the form of a hobby or volunteer activities.Â
As a future educator, environmental issues and topics are very important to me and something I plan to integrate into my classroom: I want to help my students to become environmental stewards and realize the power and potential they hold when it comes to taking a stand for our planet. Because of my appreciation for the environment and my dedication to constantly evolving my knowledge around environmental issues, I reached out to Ecodemy to complete my placement. The Ecodemy leaders so graciously accepted me to work with them for three weeks, allowing me to learn from them, collaborate with them, and to further enhance my knowledge about such important environmental topics while also advancing my green skills.
We’re so pleased to share that the Awesome Foundation Sarnia Chapter selected The Ecodemy for their February $1,000 Grant. There were two other worthy presentations from other Sarnia organizations and we would like to wish them the best as well.
We will use these funds to invest in an amplification system for our in-school Outdoor Education seminars, building additional durable demonstration activities, and further technology updates of Ecodemy.ca.
Join @theecodemy Thursday evening at 7pm for our next webinar. Kaely will be joined by Great Lakes Refill Co. owner Melissa Matthews to discuss the basics of how to prepare to shop at a refillery & what to do once you are there. They will also be discussing simple steps to start your low waste journey. This webinar will be great for those who are interested in learning more about how to implement zero waste habits & where to begin. There will also be a question and answer period so we can answer all of your questions! Click the event link below! https://www.facebook.com/events/917897578863150
Do you know how much waste is created during the holiday season? It is truly shocking! In this week’s webinar Kaely will be joined by Masters of Environment and Sustainability Student Kelly Moir to discuss ways we can minimize our impact during the holiday season.
Taking a closer look at the importance of reducing and preventing food waste and what we can do to lower our own impacts!
Join us with @kaelykraeft next week taking a closer look at the effects that the fashion industry has on the environment and what we can do to reduce our own impact. Thursday October 7, 7pm on Facebook and YouTube Live. Brought to you by @greatlakesrefillco.
