This December, we're breaking tradition to spotlight an entire family whose dedication to zero waste has become legendary across Tennessee. Cherokee Group Chair Dave Hoot shares why the McElrath family - Zach, Sadie, and their children - embody the spirit of environmental activism in our state:
"Not long after becoming active with Sierra Club, I heard talk of the 'Bag Monster.' This is a wearable rig of plastic grocery bags that makes it look like a creature made of these discarded items is walking among us. My understanding is Sadie first wore this to a Conservation Education Day at the capital to bring awareness to our plastic pollution problem - and it indeed DID!
In the years since, I have seen the Bag Monster worn by Zach, Sadie, even their kids during the many times they've taken the time to speak at events or host their own zero waste workshop. Zach and Sadie have chronicled their family's zero waste journey in the Zero Waste Chattanooga website/blog. There is also the Zero Waste Chattanooga Facebook group. Both are invaluable resources for reducing waste in the Chattanooga community.
Most recently, Zach presented on the Waste to Jobs Act at a well-attended Cherokee Group public meeting on solid waste. There was enthusiastic public participation. Along with Volunteer Director of the Waste to Jobs Coalition, Gary Cohen, he lobbied Chattanooga mayor Tim Kelly for TWTJ support (which was won). And Zack + Sadie organized and hosted two public screenings of 'From Waste to Wages' and 'The Good in Garbage.' Their persistent, positive approach to green living and activism is infectious and encouraging. They have, and continue to, make a real difference in the environmental quality of our region and state."
Late-breaking update: We just learned that Zach's dedication to the Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act goes even deeper than we knew. After diving into the legislative details, he identified a critical error in the bill's fiscal note related to employee salary calculations. Thanks to his careful research and advocacy, the fiscal review committee corrected the error and zeroed out the fiscal note - removing a major barrier for passage. This kind of in-the-weeds work doesn't make headlines, but it's exactly what could make the difference when TWTJ comes up in the upcoming session.