Anna Cilley
What is your sustainability origin story?
When I started my freshman year at SDSU in 2018, I entered college as undecided but I was placed in the Surf and Sustainability wing of my dorm. My RA, who became a close friend, was also a sustainability major and encouraged me to join Green Love. When I began my sophomore year, I finally declared my major in Sustainability because my passion for the environment was an obvious answer to this decision.
What was your favorite class at SDSU? How did that class help you or inspire you in your life post-graduation?
One of my favorite classes at SDSU was my sustainable tourism class with Jess Ponting. It was fascinating to learn more in depth about ways we can maintain awareness of sustainable practices while traveling. As someone who wants to travel the world, I would love to be able to do so in an environmentally friendly way, as well as spreading more awareness while I do it.
Could you tell us about your job as the Assistant Operations Manager for Plastic Beach?
As the Assistant Operations Manager with the non-profit, Plastic Beach, I support my boss with plastic pickups from various retail stores and breweries across San Diego. We collect hundreds of pounds of plastic film and wrap each week, and then bale it in our warehouse. Over the past 18 months, we have collected 25,000 pounds of plastic, which then transfers over to our downstream recycling company, TREX, where the plastic is transformed into patio decking, rather than ending up in landfill.
I also help manage our marketing through Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and work expo events in hopes of networking and making new connections.
What do you recommend for people who want to get involved with waste reduction?
San Diego is a hotspot for non-profit organizations that promote and support the need for conservation, preservation, and waste reduction. I highly recommend getting involved with these organizations in order to gain further experience and help yourself figure out what it is you do and don’t like. After working with The Water Conservation Garden and San Diego Coastkeeper, I realized how much I enjoyed working with non-profits.
What is something you have learned post-graduation that you wish you knew as a student?
Something I really wish I had known more about as a student was the importance of networking pre-graduation. Getting involved in school groups and clubs and making connections with others, such as the companies who take time to visit for job fairs is crucial. I hadn’t done it enough but now I know. Put in the effort and consistency and you will thrive!
