Meet The Woman Who Wants To Banish Waste

STORIES

BY LUCIE MORRIS-MARR

For her 2018 new year’s resolution, journalist Lottie Dalziel decided to live more sustainably. But making small, practical changes to what she purchased each week proved more difficult than she’d thought. “It was hard to find information, or credible brands,” she says. “I just wanted someone to tell me exactly what to do and I’d do it. So, I thought, why don’t I use my skills as a journalist to pull together the knowledge I need and provide people with actionable steps that they can take.”

The result of Lottie’s epiphany was Banish, a straight-talking, informative website and online store, where you can buy environmentally-friendly replacements for everyday items like kitchen dish brushes and bin liners, as well as sustainable beauty products and haircare. Two years later, Lottie launched BRAD (Banish Recycling and Disposal program), which recycles household items such as blister packs, toothpaste tubes, bread tags – you simply send them in a shoe box to their Sydney warehouse and BRAD’s 80-strong team of volunteers does the rest.

“About a month ago, we recycled our two millionth blister pack, which was one of our biggest achievements. It was such a pinch-me moment, as there have been so many organisations and individuals along the way that didn’t take me, or BRAD, seriously – they didn’t believe in the collective impact of individuals."

– Lottie Dalziel, NSW Young Australian of the Year

Quitting my job in magazines to work full-time on Banish was a pretty big moment! I’d always wanted to work in media (I have a double degree in nutrition and media) and I was working as digital content manager for Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Beautiful. We weren’t financially secure [at Banish], but I couldn’t keep working on it as a side hustle as I knew I’d burn out.

I love our volunteering sessions. With BRAD, we have 80 volunteers who give up three hours on a Saturday once a month to sort through other people’s recycling and it’s just the best thing ever. It’s so lovely to connect with other people who want to roll up their sleeves and work together for a purpose. Their excitement is infectious.

Meet The Women Making Thousands From Their Wardrobes

BY CAROLINE ZIELINSKI

Read more about why Lottie Dalziel started her sustainable online store – and why she really wants your old toothpaste tubes

READ IT HERE

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