If the thought of a healthier you and a healthier planet is your goal this new year, why not begin taking the first steps today to move forward, make a difference, and be the change.
Take action this holiday season and learn how you can have a positive impact on your community and the planet.
PBnJ proudly introduces Holly Thomas, Corpus Christi’s first Sustainability consultant. Holly is your local resource for tips, tricks and personal coaching to help you improve your daily choices and better care for yourself by supporting your planet, locally.
Holly was born and raised in the Coastal Bend. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) and a minor in Communication Studies, She serves as the Public Outreach Coordinator for the Surfrider Foundation-Coastal Bend Chapter, and is a volunteer with Texas Parks & Wildlife. Holly’s credentials more than qualify her for her role as your sustainability coach. She is certified by OSHA in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act as well as certified in Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency response Standards for Marine and Inland Waterways. Other certifications include Water Operator Class C, Surface Water and Wastewater Treatment Operator Class D as well as Railroading Emergency Response, Boater Education Certification and Diving First Aid for Professional Divers,
You recently launched your business, “Holly’s Habits” , as an Environmental/Sustainability consultant for the Coastal Bend. Please tell us about your business and the services you offer.
I started the @hollys_habbits page as a place to share knowledge and the importance of sustainability here in the Coastal Bend. Over the past six years, I have been transitioning my personal life to live more sustainably with a focus on living a minimum waste lifestyle. My eyes were really opened to the growing global issue of pollution, especially plastic, and I started making simple changes like investing in a reusable water bottle and shopping bags. Then, over the years, I realized how much our community needed someone to help make these simple swaps and eco-adjustments at a large scale.
I am the first Sustainability Consultant in the Coastal Bend. I offer the following sustainability services: personal coaching, home audits, sustainable shopping trips, glass reuse recycling, and battery recycling. The journey to change the world starts with one action. My goal is to provide people with knowledge, education, and support on their sustainability journey. My promise, is that I am committed to transforming lives because I know that it will change the world we live in. Sign up for any of our services and get started with your journey today!
What inspired you to begin this business?
Over the years of transitioning to a minimum waste lifestyle and living more sustainably, I realized how much our community needed someone to help make these simple swaps and eco-adjustments at a large scale.
What was the biggest challenge starting your business and how have you overcome?
So far, some of the challenges have been gaining a following locally and just kind of getting the word out about what I am trying to do. However, I think that is just the way it goes when starting a business. It doesn’t happen overnight; it takes time and effort to put yourself out there. Additionally, one of my main goals with the glass reuse program is to collect all the bins second-hand that way it keeps the circle of reuse closed to our local area. So finding all of the bins at resale shops and thrifts stores has been taking some time and effort, but ultimately worth it rather than buying new storage bins.
Where do you see your business in the next two years?
In the next two years, I hope to have many more customers & businesses signed up for the glass reuse program locally. I would also love to have more one-on-one coaching sessions and sustainable grocery shopping trips booked with locals who want to focus on living a more sustainable lifestyle. I would also hope to be doing this (my passion) full time and working from home.
PBnJ’s objective is to bring awareness of the power that our food choices have on our health. Do you see a correlation between food choices and sustainability? If so, please explain.
100%! Living a plant-based lifestyle is one of the most sustainable eating practices individuals can have, that being said, plant-based is not the only way to do things. I think it is very important that you listen to what your body and gut need and make the best choices based upon those needs. Specifically, when you are eating more plants and items that have no packaging you are completely avoiding any means of waste. Most plants can be fully consumed, or the scraps can be composted which keeps the circle complete.
If you are someone who needs meat in your diet, the best way to make a sustainable choice is to obtain meat locally. Living on the Gulf Coast we are so fortunate to be able to go out and catch our food or purchase it from local fisherman and farmers. There are many local farms that provide the best clean meat options in our area and when you buy from local small business you are putting money back into your community, again keeping the circle closed.
Please share your top tips for someone wanting to transition to a more sustainability lifestyle.
Some of my ultimate tips for making the transition to a more sustainable lifestyle are get involved with like-minded individuals. If you can, surround yourself with people who will be interested in what you are doing and why. Having support when making changes is everything. Also, the best tip is to start with what you have and start small. Begin making small changes like bringing your own reusable water bottle, or coffee cup and reusable bags when you go to the store. Keep some reusable bags in your car so you always have them easily accessible when you go shopping. As things deplete around your home start making small changes around the house with products, foods, packaging, etc. do not feel like you must do everything all at once. It takes time, like all good things!
How would the Coastal Bend community benefit from your services?
The Coastal Bend is behind in reducing our carbon footprint and we need to get with the “green-movement” that is happening all around us. For future generations sake, we need to make our city a place that cares about the planet. My services and what I am attempting to do for our community are just the beginning.
In the midst of the holiday season and as the end of year is near, let a passion for sustainability fuel your future. Learn how your choices can collectively make a difference in your own health and the health of your community. Know, that with each thoughtful action, what lies ahead will be as good, or better than what you have left behind.
The holiday season is a time of reflection, gratitude and hope. We learn from yesterday and appreciate today, fostering trust, that we have the power to control our future by changing our present habits.
To begin your sustainability journey, follow @holly_habbits for creative tips from reducing food waste to choosing and sharing your Christmas gifts in mindful ways or message @hollys_habbits to schedule a consultation.
PBnJ of Corpus Christi 