“How do we reduce plastic in a world where it has become so ubiquitous?”

Washington State Senator Christine Rolfes grew up in suburban New Jersey and has always had what she calls “an unusual fascination with solid waste management.” Her father’s experience growing up during the depression influenced her entire family’s attitude about waste. She fondly remembers him setting out buckets to catch rainfall for use in their garden. His words and actions helped instill the values she has honored her entire life: reduce, reuse, recycle.

Rolfes studied economic and environmental sciences at the University of Virginia and the University of Washington. Along the way, she developed a passion for helping solve complicated environmental problems, always thinking about how we can save our planet while also creating jobs and strengthening our economy. So how can we reduce plastic in a world where it’s so ubiquitous? 

Rolfes believes it starts with education. She is committed to improving the role our public schools play in educating young people about environmental science and stewardship and she has spent more than a decade in the Legislature trying to find realistic policy solutions to our most complex environmental challenges. When people have a basic awareness of these pressing issues, Rolfes believes that democracy – and ultimately our planet – will start to prevail.