Young Activist Launches Coffee Contest to Promote Sustainability

A 13-year-old girl from Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, is making strides in environmental advocacy with her innovative approach to sustainability. Abby Van Helvoirt, the 2025 winner of the National Youth Climate Activism Award, is spearheading a reusable coffee cup contest for the second consecutive year. The initiative runs until the end of December, encouraging local coffee drinkers to adopt more eco-friendly habits.

Participants in the contest can bring their own mugs to Politano Cafe and Brentwood Bay Village Empourium. Each visit earns them a punch on a card, and upon completion, they are entered into a raffle for local gift cards. This creative approach not only promotes the use of reusable cups but also fosters community engagement in environmental issues.

In collaboration with Brentwood Bay Village Empourium, Van Helvoirt has established an information table aimed at educating customers on the proper recycling of single-use cups. She emphasizes the importance of making conscious choices about waste disposal. Earlier this year, she was recognized with a $1,000 prize from the Institute for Sustainability Education and Action for her innovative ideas, which included this reusable cup contest along with other sustainability projects in her community.

Van Helvoirt’s passion for environmental activism was ignited by witnessing waste mismanagement. Speaking to the Peninsula News Review, she noted the concerning trend of plastic containers being disposed of improperly during school lunches. “I saw that the kids throw plastic containers that their lunch comes in into the garbage, which is a very big waste,” she explained. In response, she introduced a blue recycling bin in her school, encouraging her peers to wash and recycle their containers instead.

On November 30, 2023, Van Helvoirt plans to launch another sustainability initiative at Thrifty Foods in Saanichton, where she will provide information on using reusable produce bags. This expansion of her efforts demonstrates her commitment to making a tangible impact in her community.

Looking ahead, the young environmentalist aspires to take her advocacy to a broader platform. She expressed a desire to one day hold a seat on the city council, stating, “Then I could make some big changes for the community.” Van Helvoirt believes that individual actions, no matter how small, can lead to significant changes over time. “Just a little bit makes a big difference. So if you do proper recycling at home, then you can make a big difference over a while,” she added.

Through her proactive initiatives, Abby Van Helvoirt exemplifies how young individuals can drive positive environmental change. Her efforts not only inspire her peers but also serve as a reminder of the collective responsibility to protect the planet for future generations.