Laura Wilson World Ocean's Day Interview

World Ocean's Day

Last year, Laura Wilson travelled to Roatán, a small island off mainland Honduras that every year, is engulfed by the garbage dumped into the ocean from the mainland. As a Plastic Fighter she was involved in a four day mission with 300 SodaStream executives, local youths and environmental NGOs cleaning the Caribbean Seas and Roatán shores. Shockingly, the team collected 9 tonnes of rubbish which only equates to 30 seconds of what is dumped into the ocean each year!

Interview with Laura Wilson

Question: What inspired you to travel to Roatan?

Laura Wilson: Our Trip to Roatan was a global initiative driven by the CEO of SodaStream, Daniel Birnbaum. He'd seen a documentary on ocean plastic that moved him so deeply that he was compelled to take action. He gathered 150 key decision making personnel from across the Sodastream global team, and flew them across the world to immerse right in the very centre of the problem. I was one of the lucky 150!


Question: Can you tell us about your time in Roatan?

Laura Wilson: Roatan was eye-opening, heartbreaking, disheartening and moving. We spent two entire days in the searing sun, in teams of 30, collecting decomposing plastic waste which we found in mounds from all around the island. The rubbish consisted of everything from plastic bottles and bags, to plastic children's toys, toothbrushes, shoes, containers and often, grey matter than was so slimy and putrid that it was impossible to identify. We ended up collecting around 9 tonnes of waste, which we later discovered, only accounts for around 30sec of what ends up in the oceans each year.


Question: How is plastic pollution affecting Honduras?

Laura Wilson: Honduras, and in particular the island of Roatan, does not have an effective waste collection, removal, and recycling system. The people are poor and uneducated, often with little to no knowledge of the detriments of plastic pollution on our environment or to them personally. The rubbish is right at their front door, floating in the oceans in which they swim, and decomposing in vacant spaces right beside their homes. Shockingly, the children play amongst it on the streets and in the playgrounds. As a mother, it is so heartbreaking to see this and I found myself close to tears too often.


Question: When did you first become a 'Plastic Fighter'?

Laura Wilson: I've always been conscious about my impact on the environment. I've read so many articles and made changes in my life to lower my carbon footprint, but my trip to Roatan instilled in me a sense of absolute urgency to do more. I came back a Plastic Fighter. In fact, on my first trip to a supermarket post my trip, I remember standing in an aisle, looking around me and seeing for the first time, an Ocean of Plastic just waiting to happen. I approached the store manager and made my first complaint and pushed for more sustainable alternatives. I do this regularly now.


Question: What changes can we implement in our own home to fight plastic pollution?

Laura Wilson: There are truly so many quick and easy ways. Of course, the SodaStream system is a great way to enjoy sparkling beverages sustainably. I'm really proud to work for a company who is a part of the solution. But why not use containers with lids for food storage instead of cling wrap. There are so many great alternatives to food storage now that there really is no excuse to still be using cling wrap. I only ever use Eco Bags when I go shopping and for the fruit and vegetables, I reuse the plastic bags I've already got. If there is a glass alternative to a grocery item I'm after (such as Olives) I'll chose that over the plastic container. How about taking containers to the butcher and buying the meat rather than the pre-packaged option at supermarkets? I could really go on and on…

Question: How else have you created a low-waste lifestyle?

Laura Wilson: All of the above. I look into everything I buy, and try to think of/find a sustainable option. For example, I'm lucky because my neighbour makes handmade soaps, so I buy soap from her. I stopped using body gels and body washes as they come in plastic containers. I buy bread at local markets where they are sold to me in paper bags. I have lots of reusable containers for food storage, and also beeswax sheets.


Question: What message do you hope to spread for World Ocean's Day?

Laura Wilson: We have to act now and make a real and true commitment to making changes in our everyday lives. Changes that will save our oceans and our planet from the devastating impact of plastic pollution. World Ocean's Day is one day in the calendar, but we need to be making changes every day to really make a difference.


Question: What's next for you?

Laura Wilson: I'm lucky to have a position within an environmentally conscious organisation that allows me to spread the message. In September this year, SodaStream will be launching it's biggest ever environmental campaign right in the heart of Sydney. I'm proud to be heading this project and hope that it creates waves so big that every Australian is compelled to make life changes that benefit out oceans and planet.


Interview by Brooke Hunter