KINGMAN – In a 1960 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study Americans produced approximately 88.1 million tons of solid waste. Fast forward 58 years to 2018, and we have tripled that, producing 292.4 million tons of solid waste. That is 4.9 pounds per person per day. Solid waste is glass, paper, food, metals, in-organic waste, plastic, rubber and leather, textiles, wood and yard trimming. A local company is trying to combat the staggering amount of waste produced here.
Kaylee Baker is the founder of ZippNada, a company aiming to reduce or completely eradicate waste produced. The company’s mission statement is, “To provide you with high quality, affordable, and locally made (when available) zero waste gear, information, and inspiration to shift into a more sustainable lifestyle.”
Baker hopes to accomplish this by educating the community on ways to reduce waste in the household. She says even with a lack of a municipal recycling program; there are still ways to recycle or reuse. Baker teaches classes on subjects such as discussions about zero waste principles and composting. There is also a clothing swap scheduled in the coming months.
ZippNada produces and sells products to fight against trash including reusable and portable products such as environmentally friendly soaps and eating utensils. Baker says if, at all possible, she locally sources materials and products sold on the website and used in the classroom.
While earning a degree in business management from Arizona State University, she started an eco-club with its guiding principles being to be part of the solution, not the problem. She began teaching classes three years ago and has taught and lectured from Arizona to Philadelphia, speaking at events and in the classroom setting. Her primary concentration is rural communities.
Kayley Baker will be teaching a class on composting Friday, June 25, at the Art Hub. The class will cover composting basics. She will also discuss how to build a compost bin. Her class will cover ways to compost anywhere. “Yes, even in an apartment,” she says.
Her zero-waste courses run monthly. Baker says she has found it much more realistic for people to commit a few hours once a month to zero waste education. She also felt that though her company sells products, the most crucial pillar is, “You don’t have to buy Zip Nada products to practice zero waste principles.”
For information on attending classes, go to The Art Hubs website at kingmanarthub.com. For details about ZipNada and its principles and products, go to zippnada.com. You can also contact Baker about further education and book her for speaking events and individual instruction.
Chad Walker
