Plastic Free July is a global initiative that encourages millions of people to join in the fight against plastic pollution, resulting in cleaner streets, oceans, and communities.
Mrs Malaysia World 2019/2020 winner Priyaa Simmi has organised a campaign in collaboration with Zero Waste Malaysia. Small company owners are encouraged to use plastic-free practises in their operations as part of this initiative.
“We’re providing a free workshop to educate them on how they can make more conscious business decisions.” said the Mrs Malaysia World.
She feels that small businesses would benefit from her assistance in learning and growing their brand presence, as she contributes to their visibility within her capabilities and network.
“I hope that these businesses will be encouraged and reap the benefits to continue their eco-conscious journey beyond just Plastic Free July.” Priyaa said.
Last year, the Seremban native began her eco-journey by participating in the Plastic Free July 2020 initiative.
“A year has passed, and I am so excited to share all the changes I have made and how fruitful my efforts have been, even though I have only taken small steps,” she added.
When done consistently and persistently, every small action has a big impact, and Priyaa is a fantastic example of this.
She wanted to make a change in her lifestyle and help in the preservation and healing of our planet last year during the movement, despite having no knowledge of the subject.
“I was still in the process of learning, when the media recognised my efforts and gave me a platform to spread awareness about the challenge and to educate people on the effects of single-use plastic.”
Despite being new to this lifestyle, she used her social media platforms to share with her followers simple steps she took to reduce her reliance on single-use plastic.
Her effort drew the attention of many, particularly her followers, to the importance of reducing single-use plastic purchases.
“Realising that my efforts were leaving a positive impact on my ‘people’ and the environment, I became even more determined to commit to my cause.
“Over the years, I spent a lot of time reading and watching documentaries on various topics – from waste disposal to livestock farming for commercial use – to enhance my knowledge on zero-waste lifestyle and sustainable living,” she added.
In her determination to help the planet, she decided to become a vegetarian in order to reduce her environmental impact and contribute to the preservation of the planet’s natural resources.
She has always been passionate about the business world, and her participation in the Plastic Free July challenge, as well as her desire to help save the planet, inspired her to team up with a like-minded friend, Kirubaleni, to launch EcoQueen, a conscious business.
“Aimed to educate the public and promote the importance of sustainable living and zero waste lifestyle, EcoQueen is a marketplace, which brings together all local sustainable and conscious products under one roof.
“Online shoppers can shop for personal care, beauty, and lifestyle products on this platform, while learning about making better choices and taking small steps to save the planet, on EcoQueen’s blog site.
“Thrilled that my journey in the past year has contributed towards positive impacts to the environment and the people around me, I plan to take this year’s Plastic Free July campaign a notch higher,” she concluded.
