025: How to live a zero-waste life with Kathryn Kellogg
In this episode, we talk to Kathryn Kellogg. She is an author, professional actor, the founder of the leading zero waste living blog, Going Zero Waste.com. She is also a spoke person for National Geographic’s Planet or Plastic campaign.
During the episode, we take a look at how her journey started, her involvement as a spoke person for National Geographic’s Planet or Plastic. We also talked about her book, 101 Ways to go Zero-Waste. Kathryn also provided us with some tips to help up reduce our waste and to embrace the inner three-year-old to ask more questions.
Episode Highlights
[00:19] How did your sustainable journey start?
[03:00] When we talk about living a zero waste lifestyle, what exactly does that mean?
[03:03] The simple definition is to send nothing to landfill, but the more complex definition, the one that I really like is to completely wright waste out of existence.
[03:32] The goal with a zero-waste lifestyle is to recycle less and not to recycle more.
[04:08] How Kathryn’s GoingZeroWaste.Com blog start.
[05:24] Love a Lonely Banana: A Song About Food Waste.
[08:29] I recommend to people to start with the big 4 and they are, say no to straws, bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store. Produce bags too and then to bring a full reusable water bottle with you whenever you go out and then the last one is to say no to coffee cups.
[11:43] The photographer Randy Olsen was actually on this assignment for two years.
[13:41] Release of Kathryn’s new book 101 Ways to go Zero Waste.
[15:41] What has been one of your most important decisions that you have made around mama earth?
I feel like every decision that we make is very important and I think that some of the traps that people fall into are feeling like one person and that the small things don’t make a difference but really the small things, when they are done over a really really long period of time, are some of the most impactful things that you can do.
Final Five
1.What is one social media account that you follow?
2.What is your hope for mama earth going forward?
I just really, really hope that people will learn to see that connection.
3.What advise can you give our crazy birds this week to help out mama earth?
Really start to ask yourself questions. I always say, embrace your inner three-year-old.
4.What is one sustainability fact that you like to use in a room with people not yet on a sustainability journey?
[20:15] The water footprint for all the items we use is just crazy. It takes 3 litres of water to make one litre of bottled water. It takes 37 gallons of water to make a roll of toilet paper. It takes 8 gallons of water to make a paper plate
5.Where can people find you?
Key Take Away
“ Really start to ask yourself questions. I always say, embrace your inner three-year-old. “
Question everything! Find out where your clothing is made, what is the process, where is the fabric from, who is the farmer that grows your food? It is only when we start questioning items in our life that we realise that not everything presented as good is always good and that you need to be able to make those conclusions for yourself based on real facts rather than marketing campaigns influencing our decisions without doing our research to confirm.
About the author, Mariska
Hi, I’m Mariska – podcast host, artist, sustainability advocate and consultant, and storyteller driven by a deep passion for our planet. Sustainability isn’t just a topic I discuss; it’s a way of life I embody through my work, actions, and everyday choices.
My journey began several years ago when I started experimenting with trash as a medium in my artwork. What began as creative curiosity quickly turned into a deep dive into the environmental impact of waste. That curiosity expanded into a broader connection with nature—including a life-changing trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, where I found both clarity and purpose. It was there that I made the decision to leave the corporate world behind and commit fully to environmental work.
In 2018, I took that message public in the UAE by wearing every piece of trash I generated for 30 days. The result—65 kilograms of waste—sparked national conversations around sustainability and waste reduction. That bold experiment also became the catalyst for my podcast, Mama Earth Talk, where I’ve since connected with global thought leaders to explore sustainability and inspire meaningful action.
Over the years, I’ve collaborated with organizations such as Nespresso, Costa, and Dubai International Airport to implement practical and impactful environmental solutions. From optimizing waste management systems to leading awareness campaigns, I specialize in designing strategies that create real, lasting change.
My artwork—blending environmental advocacy with creative expression—has been collected by public figures including comedian Trevor Noah, environmentalist Adrian Grenier, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, radio host Kris Fade, Grammy Award-winning DJ Black Coffee, and NBA player Mason Plumlee. Through public speaking, podcasting, and art, I aim to inspire individuals and organizations to rethink their relationship with the environment.
With over a decade of international experience in design and project management across Australia, South Africa, the UK, India, and the UAE, I bring a unique mix of creativity and strategic insight to sustainability challenges. My global perspective allows me to collaborate across cultures, drive innovation, and empower others to make a meaningful impact.
As a lifelong learner and passionate advocate, I focus on practical, holistic solutions to environmental challenges—guided by systems thinking and a deep commitment to action. I hold a BA in Design, a postgraduate degree in Environmental Science, and a Master’s in Sustainable Design.