In this episode, we sit down with Nikita, a 2023 graduate of Western Washington University who has worked at Living Pantry for over three years. Nikita earned her degree in Business and Sustainability and shares how she went from being a shy college student on a budget to becoming an integral part of the local zero-waste movement.

The conversation begins with the history of Living Pantry. Built on the idea of "compassionate commerce," the shop prioritizes human connection over simply selling products. The owners started the business in Blaine in 2020. Although opening during the pandemic was tough, they created a space where people could bring their own containers to refill household items instead of constantly buying single-use plastic. They later opened a small shop in Bellingham and recently moved into a much larger space right next to Trader Joe's to attract more foot traffic and grow their community network.

Nikita explains exactly how the store works, breaking it down in a way that is not intimidating for beginners. Customers can bring any container they already have, like old peanut butter jars or wine bottles. The staff takes the "tare weight" (the weight of the empty jar) and handles the messy work of filling it for you. At checkout, you pay only for the exact weight of the product you are buying. Nikita points out that this is perfect for college students because you don't have to buy a massive bottle of something; you can buy just a tiny bit to test it out.

Behind the scenes, things are a little more chaotic than the clean storefront suggests. Nikita laughs about how products like laundry soap and shampoo arrive in giant 5-gallon buckets that take up tons of space in the back. A big part of the job is managing these buckets and keeping the pumps working so it is easy for customers to use.

The episode also highlights how sustainability connects different parts of Nikita's life. She is passionate about the "people" side of sustainability, building relationships and keeping small businesses connected. Working at the shop introduced her to other local sustainable brands, including C Bar and Coast to Coast Sustainable, where she also works. It even gave her the confidence to launch her own upcycled and mended clothing business, Pretty Cool, which she started last summer.

To wrap up, Nikita shares great advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed by eco-friendly living. She explains that she is an "anti-perfectionist" and hates the term "zero-waste" because perfection is impossible. Instead of trying to change your whole life overnight, she suggests starting small, such as looking at your trash to see what you throw away most, or switching to waterless laundry soda or longer-lasting shampoo bars that save money. For students, she suggests an easy routine: take the bus, drop off your jars at Living Pantry, do your grocery shopping at Trader Joe's next door, and pick up your refills on the way home.

This episode is a wonderful look at how small, daily choices and local community connections can make a huge impact on the environment without being stressful.