I’ve learned so much since this project began to take shape about a year ago (but really, what is time?). This week’s recent lessons have been in some practical items like adding a frame around a video and now how to make that frame look a little more visually appealing (easter egg: it’ll likely change again as I understand more about design…hopefully for the better!).
At the same time, I’ve been thinking a lot around the shout out that Emma Grose (CEO & Co-Founder of MABLE & HAY! Straws) had for local zero waste stores. I had admittedly not known about a zero waste store in Louisville, KY where I’m based, but I did know of a couple that were in the Kansas City area. I found one, Peace of the Earth, and lucked out enough to meet the owner when I went to check it out. The nerdy part of me was thrilled when she immediately opened up to me about how difficult it is to open and operate a store like this. She mentioned how others in the city had tried to open similar stores, but rather quickly went out of business. Her store was able to stay open because she had both a refillery shop and a more traditional retail shop to balance each other out.
While opening a brick & mortar store of any kind is likely a difficult venture, it seems to be especially difficult for sustainable businesses. One recent hurdle that we’d discussed and I’ve seen play out for a handful of zero-waste stores is where products are imported from. It’s no secret that manufacturers and retailers have been facing new challenges due to the chaotic changes to import tariffs, but to dig a little deeper into that is how some countries have prioritized sustainable products and manufacturing well beyond the capabilities of the US. Canada, the US’s neighbor to the north, has a country-wide goal of reducing plastic waste by 30% 2030. The incentives and focus on eliminating plastic waste allows for an increased production of plastic-free and zero-waste items which the US directly benefits by importing and selling these products. As we know, this raises the cost of these types of products in the US, and, unfortunately, forces many of those zero-waste shops out of business. As I’ve been researching zero waste stores for upcoming interviews, I’ve witnessed a handful of shops throughout the United States announce that they’re closing their doors in May 2025.
While it’s tough to see companies that prioritize sustainable activities and manufactured goods struggle to the point of closing up shop, there are still reasons to be hopeful. In the conversation with Kyle Parsons (Founder of Indosole) talked about the push...
Purchase the full Collection of Between the Interviews episodes (includes video option) here or at Patreon.com/CapitalismForGood
All the ways to find, follow, & support the Capitalism for Good universe:
Apple Podcasts (Bittersweet Paradox) | Apple Podcasts (Capitalism for Good) | Apple Podcasts (Capitalism for Green) | Bittersweet Paradox Patreon | Bittersweet Paradox Writing Club | Bluesky (Bittersweet Paradox) | Bluesky (Capitalism for Good) | Capitalism for Good’s Between the Interviews Podcast | Capitalism for Good Patreon | Capitalism for Green Patreon | Capitalism for Green: The Blog | Company Mentions | Email Bittersweet Paradox | Email Capitalism for Good | Email Capitalism for Green | Facebook | Instagram (Andrea & her 2026 Goal = No New Things, Only New Experiences) | Instagram (Bittersweet Paradox) | Instagram (Capitalism for Good) | Instagram (Capitalism for Green) | Spotify (Bittersweet Paradox) | Spotify (Capitalism for Good) | Spotify (Capitalism for Green) | The Store, by CFG | TikTok (Capitalism for Good) | YouTube (Capitalism for Good)
","author_name":"Andrea Masterson"}