Reuse International

Andy Keller’s mission to help humanity bag the single-use habit has contributed to helping millions of people start a healthy reusable bag habit by making reusable bags unforgettably compact.  Andy has also inspired thousands to dress up as a "Bag Monster® – the large and awkward embodiment of one person’s annual consumption of single-use bags. Andy’s awareness campaigns caught the attention of the single-use plastics industry, which responded with a crushing lawsuit claiming that And’s statistics on recycling, consumption and oceanic plastic pollution were false and irreparably harming their business. The fight for the truth and to get the lawsuit dropped only deepened Andy’s resolve and dedication to his mission.

Professional Profile:  Andy Keller

Willing to Travel: Yes

Location: California, United States

Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOY4EvNm0bU | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dias6lJAE6s

Cat Fletcher is a waste prevention activist and campaigner in the UK. She is the Head of Media for Freegle – the UK’s 2.4 million strong online reuse network and a design team partner for the iconic award-winning Brighton Waste House with the University of Brighton – 90% constructed with reused ‘waste’ which Cat sourced. She is the only Reuse Manager for a UK local authority, influences waste policy, has created and run waste prevention projects and services for many years through innovative, community and creative collaborations. Cat is media savvy, a passionate public speaker and an inspiring University lecturer on reuse.

Professional Profile: Cat Fletcher

Willing to Travel: Yes

Location: Brighton, England

Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRZ8Vo2fHeI | www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2FHZrh_JTo 

Kari Brizus is a West Point Graduate, certified personal trainer, US Army Veteran, and wholehearted social entrepreneur. Growing up as an avid athlete and educated as an environmental engineer, Kari’s passion for the environment, the planet, and healthy living fuels her entrepreneurial spirit.  Her mission is to provide thought leadership on sustainability initiatives surrounding healthy living, the environment and sustainability messaging. As the mother of two young children, Kari is driven to provide the education and leadership for them to become the future stewards of our planet. She is currently working on making a difference for future generation through Relan and a series of children’s books. 

Professional Profile:  Kari Brizius

Willing to Travel:  Yes

Location: California, United States

Norm Ruttan brings a lifetime of experience figuring out the world and helping it work a little better. From teaching High School science and biology in the 60’s & 70’s, he moved to work as a park ranger & superintendent in 5 Canadian National Parks in the 80’s and 90’s. Then after retirement in 2003 when other olks go golfing, Norm and his family founded Reuses.com and iWasteNot Systems. iWasteNot publishes Reuse Exchange Systems and Reuse-Recycling Guides and Directories with customers ranging from mega-cities including New York, NY, and  medium-sized cities such as Madison, WI, all the way down to tiny towns of Methow, WA.

Professional Profile: Norm Ruttan

Willing to Travel: Yes

Location: Ontario, Canada

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywHD3_4kTRQ

MaryEllen Etienne, the USA's leading reuse expert, is the CEO of Reuse Institute and the Creator and Producer of ReuseConex, an international reuse conference. Reuse is MaryEllen's passion and she has been fortunate enough to work in the "wonderful world of reuse" for nearly two decades increasing awareness of reuse and supporting the reuse movement. She is a co-founder Creative Reuse Association and REUSE.International, the founder of Reuse Alliance and the founding director of ReuseNYC. She sits on the boards of the Association of Ohio Recyclers, Green Drinks Dayton, the National Recycling Coalition and SCRAP USA. MaryEllen who was recently featured in the new documentary: "REUSE! Because You Can't Recycle The Planet".  

Professional Profile:  MaryEllen Etienne

Willing to Travel:  Yes

Location: Ohio, United States

Video: http://www.reusedocumentary.com

Damon Carson is the Founder & President of repurposedMATERIALS.  Damon educates and entertains audiences across America with a presentation on “repurposing” that is equal parts magic show, game show, preschool class, and science class.  His “repurposing” mission/concept have been featured in the likes of the Chicago Tribune, The Dallas Morning News, and The Denver Post.  So, what is “repurposing”?   Eg: 1) A retired street sweeper brush gets “repurposed” as a backscratcher for horses.  2) A decommissioned fire hose gets “repurposed” as a boat dock bumper.  3) An obsolete ski lift cable gets “repurposed” as hand railing.  His company has locations in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Philadelphia.

Professional Profile: Damon Carson 

Willing to Travel: Yes

Location: Colorado, United States