Guiding Imperfect Environmentalists

“I noticed that when I feel very vulnerable, I'm always onto something good,” shares Sheila Morovati, imperfect environmentalist and waste-free advocate.

Many believe being an environmental changemaker requires a lot more than they have. “I have to drive an electric car, I have to be a vegan, I have to do everything all at once—forget it, it’s too much!” she says, tapping into our fear of imperfection.

We want to help, we want to make a change, but surely, we’re too small, too weak to make a difference? Sheila’s mission is all about connecting to that fear and moving past it to achieve change. “When I wanted to do the Crayon Collection, I was like, ‘Are people going to think this is crazy or weird?’”

The Crayon Collection is just one of several low-waste initiatives created by Sheila. “I began seeing many other problems that could be solved with a few cleaner ideas.” She realised that excess items, like crayons and plastic straws, frequently given out, ignored, and eventually discarded into the overflowing landfills were all “habit of waste” – wastes generated from mindless habits.

Today, she manages the Crayon Collection, the Cut-Out Cutlery Campaign, and Habits of Waste, her environmental action organisation.

Sheila’s journey of becoming a changemaker started when she was nine when she met a group of kids while vacationing in Mexico. They were excited beyond belief over a balloon and trinkets in her hands—goods given by a local restaurant where they dined. Her mother whispered in her ear to give them up for the kids. Young Sheila was hesitant but listened to her mother in the end. Afterwards, she understood that her mom was right. She saw how excited the children were, and the joy of making that small change was unforgettable.

“Going to these restaurants and seeing thousands of crayons thrown away before my eyes… I thought those kids in my childhood memory would have loved those crayons,” Sheila shares as she explains the beginning of the Crayon Collection. The idea came when Sheila witnessed excess crayons being discarded from restaurants that gave them out to patrons with young children. The organisation has been collecting gently used crayons to upcycle and distribute them to underserved schools along with their art education program. They also set a Guinness World Record for Most Crayons Donated in History, with a total of 1,009,500 crayons collected.

“I thought if I went to the city of Malibu and spearheaded the very first plastic straw and cutlery ban in the world, I would have a chance to make a ripple effect, with Malibu being a well-known place.” And that was the beginning of Sheila’s low-waste mission.

Thanks to her work through HOW, we now have the option to reject single-use cutlery on mega food apps like Uber Eats and Postmates. Hollywood executives are choosing to show more sustainable scenes involving reusable props, and the ripple effect she hoped for is happening worldwide. HOW’s website is also a portal for many environmental campaigns that allow users to participate by simply clicking a few buttons to send out emails or leave signatures for our voices to be heard by the policymakers.

Despite her success, Sheila still experiences moments of self-doubt, an emotion familiar to all. However, she simply chooses to take a step forward in these moments of doubt.

“People lose sight of the fact that their efforts can make a real difference because they’re so worried about being an environmentalist the right way.”

In her latest book, Imperfect Environmentalist: How to Reduce Waste and Create Change for a Better Planet, Sheila shares a how-to guide with specific tips and suggestions for those considering taking those small but vital first actions as individuals. “It’s a goal of mine to give everybody the power to be activated as a changemaker without worrying about the perfection demanded of us,” she says. “It’s really about empowering people to make actionable steps towards goals.”

Sheila's book is written for those who wonder, “How can I make a difference in my community? How can I make a difference in my world? I want to do something, but I don't know where to begin,” she explains. “It's about doing what you can and consistently getting better, rather than doing nothing.”

“I have big dreams—I hope this is going to be a movement that will change the trajectory of the planet,” Sheila says confidently. “I want everyone to know they count. They matter. Perfection isn’t what makes a good environmentalist but rather small actions that add up.”

Sheila’s journey reminds us of a vital truth about being an environmental, societal changemaker. Yes, becoming a changemaker isn’t easy. It needs tenacity and confidence, much like what Sheila has. But we often forget those qualities are first cultivated through small successes—the ones we win through taking minor, manageable actions.

“It's not perfect. I will be honest, but I’m trying my best in any way I can.”