‘Part of something much bigger than myself’

Ana Scollon said she feels a strong sense of responsibility to do what she can to help the planet. That’s why she started her zero-waste store, The Goods, in Soldotna last year.

“I feel like I am a part of something much bigger than myself,” Scollon said. “I feel a responsibility to preserve the environment because it’s a part of me and I’m a part of it.”

The Goods — located on Kenai Spur Highway — opened in October 2020, and carries a variety of limited-packaged and sustainably produced items. Scollon said she does zero-waste research so her clientele doesn’t have to. Her best advice? Pick a zero-waste practice that you’re interested in and do it. Then, when it gets easy, pick another.

The Goods and the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio are hosting an Earth Day celebration starting next Thursday, April 22.

The Goods will have a second-hand sidewalk sale next week, with the proceeds allocated toward a local conservation or environmental project. Scollon also said she’ll be offering some discounts on her in-store zero-waste products.

Additionally, the regional director of the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio, Kaitlin Vadla, is planning to kick off an Earth Day art gallery featuring four artists next week at The Goods store. Admission is free and mindful food and drink will be served at the event. She said the studio plans to display a new art gallery every quarter.

“We’re just going to kind of party down for three days,” Scollon said.

Vadla has also been leading environmental initiatives with the Inletkeeper. Last year, her team solarized 82 homes across the peninsula, which amounted to over 500 kilowatts of clean energy. The effort cost more than $1.5 million.

She said she is looking for more volunteers to document and implement projects like these.

“There’s always a lot of things going on related to building strong communities that are sustainable and vibrant,” Vadla said. “Whatever you’re passionate about and whatever you can dream, this is a space to make things happen.”

The Goods in Soldotna will have its secondhand sale and product discounts starting Thursday, April 22 through Saturday, April 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Earth Day art gallery will begin April 22 at 11 a.m. and be available to view for the month at The Goods store.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.