Wednesday, 20 January 2016

Beyond Facebook

I mentioned my general resolution to make the most of life last year but it is also important to have measurable/ achievable goals. (I think there is an acronym - SMART goals? Specific Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely). One of my 2016 goals is to create more public awareness around the issue of plastic microbeads. To this end, I have been trying to get local papers to publish my articles. 

Thanks J for letting me use your hand!
J I know you were bummed about the plastic in your present
but it has been super helpful having pictures - silver linings.

I am not sure if I really expected them to agree, and to be honest, while six (out of 36) have at least responded, I have only seen one article (but YAY the South Coast Herald). I have high hopes about the other papers (eternal optimist) - particularly Kempton Express because they emailed back to ask me my designation. 

I have also contacted 50|50, Cosmopolitan (they are personal care products after all) and GoGetaway and Caxton Magazines (Green = responded, Red = silence). Facebook is remarkably useful for this. I am hoping there will be a guest blog on the Two Oceans Aquarium website soon too. Anyway, I am mentioning all this because I think this is important but I don't have any experience in this kind of thing (I have learnt that it is important to mention my name and organisation in the text in case they don't say who wrote the article - oops). I would love it if anyone has some suggestions. 


I am REALLY excited about the picture that N did for us - I think it is beautiful and you know what they say about a picture saying a thousand words...


 (I tend to opt for the thousand words because my artistic skills extend to colouring in - not always in the lines - but this time I will keep it short). 


PS In my work capacity I have been very careful to not mention brands but that picture is a SORBET product - they say they only have three that include plastic and they are phasing it out - but in the mean time, don't buy it. J has also alerted me to the fact that there are little colourful beads in some household cleaning agents e.g. MR MUSCLE. They don't mention plastic as an ingredient ("encapsulated beads" of what, I ask?) but keep a look out for sneaky plastic.

PPS SO bad at keeping it short. Promise I am done now!