Choosing a Life Without Trash | Sam McMullen | TEDxUofM

The world is a pretty big place, and it can be hard for individuals to have a big impact, especially when it comes to maintaining the environment. Does one person going “zero-waste” for a year even make a difference? Environmental activist Sam McMullen investigates the power of community in preserving our environment. Sam McMullen is a junior at the University of Michigan, pursuing degrees in biochemistry and philosophy. As a passionate environmentalist, Sam has been living a zero-waste lifestyle for the past seven months in an attempt to not produce any waste at all for a year. His experiences as a student at UM combined with his environmentally positive lifestyle give Sam a unique perspective on an individual’s ability to influence perceptions about waste and environmentalism. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at