Eco-Crusader ‘Sustainable Dave’ Advises Against Mass Consumption

“Sustainable Dave” Chameides wants everyone to share his passion for the preservation of the environment.

That’s why the West Hartford native has dedicated his energies to educating and raising awareness of “rampant mass consumption.” We consumers must start thinking about what we want versus what we need, according to the environmental activist.

Soft-spoken and congenial, the 42-year-old Chameides describes how consumerism, including the production, purchase, use and disposal of consumer goods, are cycles and processes that he believes we need to evaluate and change.

“When you extricate yourself from the cycle, your eyes open up,” he says.

For example, the day he spoke to Patch he needed a filing cabinet. Instead of going to a store, purchasing it new and then disposing of the cardboard box and plastic wrapping, he searched for a used cabinet and found one for less than $10.

“I saved money, but more importantly I didn’t set in motion a need to make another item,” he explains.

Chameides lectures around the country and especially enjoys speaking to high school students and activist teens. During his seminars, entitled “Chasing Sustainability,” he discusses the big picture. He cites statistics that roll off his tongue rapid-fire as to how much energy the world is using and how much energy will be needed in 50 years. Then he simplifies his points with one prop — his red backpack.

The Swiss Army/Victorinex backpack, which he takes everywhere, has all he needs for daily life. There’s a reusable insulated cup for coffee, which he brews himself, buying beans in bulk. Not only is he keeping styrofoam cups out of landfills, but he saves money.

He has a steel Ecousable water bottle and he refuses to drink from plastic water bottles. He shares some sobering statistics such as that 15 percent of plastic bottles contain carcinogens — they release BPA (Biphesenol a), a human hormone disruptor.

“One million plastic bags enter our landfills every minute,” says Chameides, who carts groceries in an inexpensive nylon bag that can be tightly folded for transport and then unfolded for use. As an added benefit, he gets money back from grocery stores when he uses his “Chico” bags.

A 1987 graduate of , Chameides made his living in the Hollywood film industry as a steadicam operator and director. He won two Emmys for his work on the TV show “ER.” He has worked on TV shows such as “Glee” and many popular movies, including “The Wedding Planner.”

The film industry constantly feeds staff on the set, he laughs. So what does Chameides do instead of wasting plastic cutlery and bowls? He carries his own — in his red backpack, of course. He displays his fork and spoon in a toothbrush container and an Orikaso-made device that he bought for two dollars that converts to a bowl.

He counters suggestions that all this is “ridiculous,” with the retort, “What is ridiculous is that our plastic spoons stay forever in landfills.”

365 Days of Trash

On Jan. 1, 2008, Chameides gained worldwide acclaim (and the nickname “Sustainable Dave”) when he undertook a project to save the garbage he created for an entire year. He stored it in his Los Angeles basement.  

This project included trash he “made” outside his home. He kept track of the year in his blog, “365 Days of Trash,” in which he explained the best way to reduce trash was to cut back on the things we consume.

A story about this project appeared in Time Magazine. He was featured on CNN, “Ripley’s Believe it or Not,” “Good Morning America” and in print around the world. “Disney came calling” and created the eco-friendly character Gary the auto mechanic for the animated show “Handy Manny.” (Chameides is the voice of Gary, who resembles him.)

The annual amount of his trash, 28.5 pounds, was initially stashed in his basement. It has found a home in the Museum of Trash in Hartford, where it is now a permanent exhibit.

Epiphany of a Father-to be

Chameides, a son of Dr. Leon and Jean Chameides of West Hartford, was not always the eco-crusader he is today.

Ten years ago, he learned he was about to become a father. He says he had an “epiphany,” recognizing the environmental forces that might adversely affect his child’s life.  As described in his humorous bio, “Off went the lights and out went the cars. In came the Prius and up went the solar panels.” But it wasn’t enough, so “out went the Prius and in came the veggie car.” He converted his car to run on used vegetable oil to help conserve resources.

Chameides quickly ticks off some of the other decisions that contribute to an environmentally friendly life. He composts, with his wife he makes healthy family meals for their two young daughters and he participates in a Community Supported Agriculture farm.

If this sounds like too much work, it’s not.

“It’s not all or nothing,” he says reassuringly. “It’s one step at a time. The next time you are in the grocery store, look at the packaging and choose an item that is more environmentally sound. And buy local.”

Then, says Chameides, take the time to write companies and explain why you no longer will buy their product. For example, tell them you wouldn’t purchase the item because it is wrapped in too much plastic.

“Money talks,” he says. “Companies listen.”

He sums up with his now-famous motto: “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.”  

For more information and to contact David Chameides for speaking engagements, email him at dave@sustainabledave.org or visit www.sustainabledave.org.