More Waves Less Plastic: Rob Greenfield
Rob Greenfield is an activist and humanitarian dedicated to leading the way to a more sustainable, just, and equal world. He is best known for his Trash Me campaign, where he wore every piece of trash he created for 30 days. As part of our #plasticfreejuly initiative, More Waves, Less Plastic, we wanted to hear from various communities around the world, and learn how plastic has impacted them specifically– and in Rob’s case, what how he is wearing the change he wants to see in the world.
Photo credits to Sierra Ford
Where it all Started
In 2011, I was living a fairly typical consumer lifestyle, pursuing the “American dream.” I was focused on materials, money, and how to get more of it.
The change for me began just from starting to learn more and educate myself through books and documentaries. The Story of Stuff Project was a major tipping point because I realized I was a hypocrite and my actions were not in line with my beliefs. I decided that it was time to align my actions with my belief system and began my journey of one positive step at a time.
In looking over my actions, one major issue I saw was how much garbage I was creating. And while I was looking at all of the ways I was creating waste, I could see very easily how much my consumption of single use plastics was adding up.
Photo credits to Sierra Ford
I started to make personal changes by: buying unpackaged food at co-ops, shopping in the bulk and package-free section, going to local farmers markets instead of buying packaged produce, cooking more and eating less processed foods. At the core, I started to respect my body and the earth with my actions. I also made switches to reusable alternatives – swapping disposable paper towels for reusable etc.
I really just wanted to break free from consumerism and corporate control, which led me to the question: how can my work also be the change I wish to see in the world?
Photo credits to Sierra Ford
How to Break Free from Materialism
I have always had an insatiable quest for truth. When I learn that corporations or politicians or people have lied to us, it is not only important for me to know, but to share that truth with others.
My advice to anyone looking to live a more minimalist lifestyle is to start small and start where you are. It will take hard work to get where you want to be – don’t get down on yourself! Start one change at a time.
Sit down and brainstorm your long term goals. Then, write down the short term goals that can get you to that long term goal – what you can do every week to simplify a little more? Make it a goal to make one positive change per week. If you do that for 2 years, that’s 100 positive changes! This cadence allows for radical transformation in a way that’s manageable.
It was a full-time job to break free from consumerism. I was in a web of consumerism with hundreds of strands holding me into it, and I had to break free from one strand at a time and replace with alternatives.
Let go of the delusions of grandeur that you need to change the world, and let go of the responsibility that you need to. You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders – it’s not your duty as an individual to solve the world’s problems. Be realistic and ask yourself: what can I do? How can I use my privilege, resources, and skills in a way that improves the world while still living a life of joy?
Be realistic and ask yourself: what can I do? How can I use my privilege, resources, and skills in a way that improves the world while still living a life of joy?
Photo credits to www.livewonderful.com
One big positive change for me was taking my money in all ways out of anything that funded destruction or inequity. Whether that is your bank, grocery store, or clothing company – be cognizant of where you are putting your money and what those companies support.
Plastic Suit Movement
The Plastic Suit idea came from the movie Supersize Me, where Morgan Spurlock ate only McDonalds for 30 days. It was so effective in getting people to question and change their eating behaviors and I thought: how can I do that with trash?
So the idea behind the Plastic Suit was to live the average consumer lifestyle, but wear every piece of garbage I created. It was all about inserting this absurd image of what a month of consumerism looks like, so that people have something that sticks with them as a positive reminder when they consider their own habits.
I first did it in NY in 2016, and then again in LA in 2020. Both times the initiative reached millions of people, with just a simple positive message of sharing what we can do as individuals to break free from consumerism and take our power back.
In NY in 2016, I was a little worried initially if the project would even catch people’s attention (because people in LA and NY have really already seen everything). Early on in NY, someone approached me and said “You know, I know I’m from New York, and I’m supposed to have seen everything, but I gotta ask - what are you doing?”
So I explained to them, and they said, “Well, I’m supposed to have seen everything, but I have never seen that before.” And I remember that being really reassuring. I realized that this was unique and was really going to capture people’s attention.
For the most part, people were interested, intrigued, and curious about the Plastic Suit, which ultimately led to meaningful thought, conversations, and positive change. That’s what kept me out there; everyday I went out, people were listening and receiving the message in a positive way.
Photo Credits to Sierra Ford
If you want to learn more about Rob’s Trash Me campaign, or any of the other moves he is making for the environment, visit https://www.robgreenfield.org or give him an Instagram follow @robjgreenfield.