Cheryl Auger’s passion is unmistakable when she speaks about the plastic crisis. A dedicated environmental activist, Auger is driven by a profound concern for the planet’s future and the health impacts of plastic pollution.

Californians discard 15,000 tons of plastic into landfills every day—enough to fill 290 Olympic-size swimming pools, according to the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). This staggering statistic fuels Auger’s determination to make a difference.

It’s a mission that led her to open My Zero Waste Store in 2020, with her husband’s support, in Pasadena. Despite having no business experience, she was inspired to act when she serendipitously stumbled upon some bakers’ racks being discarded by a pizza parlor going out of business. This, combined with the closure of bulk/refillable areas in stores during the pandemic, propelled Auger forward.

Growing up in Rhode Island and later in Southern California, Auger was deeply influenced by her grandmother, who instilled in her the values of conscientious consumption. “If you have one pair of black shoes, you don’t need another,” her grandmother would say. This philosophy has stayed with Auger, coupled with concern about the future of our planet. “It’s extremely disturbing that there are already so many extinct species,” she says.

Auger’s vision is about fostering a collective responsibility toward our planet. By promoting sustainable living practices and offering practical solutions to reduce plastic waste, My Zero Waste Store serves as a beacon of hope in the fight against environmental degradation.

Auger’s environmental activism is not just about reducing waste; it’s about building. She frequently speaks at schools, churches and community events, emphasizing the dire need to create less waste. “The toxic building blocks of plastic leach into the ground and our bodies, exposing us to diseases that are byproducts of these chemicals,” she warns.

My Zero Waste Store is a charming retail space and it’s an educational hub where Auger helps people understand how to reduce their single-use plastic consumption. The store offers a wide range of refillable products—lotions, oils, household cleansers, food items, hair and body care supplies, including four different sunscreens and an array of mosquito repellents.

The store is also moving toward lighter products like bars, powders and tablets, which require less energy to ship, produce fewer greenhouse emissions and are designed to be gentle on the environment.

To ensure accessibility for shoppers, there’s no minimum order quantity. The store also hosts how-to classes on products such as jelly soap, paper, rosewater toner, dish tablets and lotion bars, with plans to add chocolate-making workshops.

Auger is meticulous in selecting suppliers, prioritizing those within a 15-mile radius and those using sustainable packaging. This commitment to local sourcing and eco-friendly practices is a cornerstone of her business philosophy.

Among the store’s innovative products is Hexawash, a non-toxic laundry detergent substitute. It creates an alkaline pH, which is good for cleaning, and a hydrogen gas that lifts stains to leave clothes softer and brighter. “My clothes have never felt this fresh and clean. It’s more expeditious, effective, efficient and better for the planet,” Auger says, adding that after its 300-load lifespan, the Hexawash pouch can be used as garden fertilizer.

Beyond her store, Auger is a fervent advocate for legislative change. She played an active role in the passage of California’s SB 54, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act. Signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2023, this law is a significant step toward reducing plastic pollution in the state.

Auger’s personal philosophy for reducing plastic waste and carbon footprints revolves around her 5 R’s framework: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Replace and Regulate. “My Zero Waste Store is the resource to find those products. … We need to do this together,” she says. This community-driven approach not only makes sustainable living more accessible but also more enjoyable.

Auger’s vision is also about fostering a collective responsibility toward our planet. By promoting sustainable living practices and offering practical solutions to reduce plastic waste, My Zero

Waste Store serves as a beacon of hope in the fight against environmental degradation. In a world grappling with the consequences of plastic pollution, Auger’s dedication is a reminder that individual actions can lead to significant change.

“We have to create less waste,” she says. And with her leadership, a zero-waste lifestyle seems not only achievable but also essential.

After a visit to My Zero Waste Store, you might leave with a few eco-friendly treasures and a whole lot of inspiration to live a greener life.

• My Zero Waste Store
  25 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena
  MyZeroWasteStore.com