Helga Jakobson: A "Zero Waste" Forks and the Right to a Healthy Environment
From Humans, On Rights by Stuart Murray
January 22, 2026 · 53 min · Episode 123
About this episode
Helga Jakobson discusses the intersection of sustainability and community at The Forks, emphasizing the importance of a zero waste approach.
When we picture zero waste, we often think of recycling bins or reusable coffee cups. But Helga Jacobsen sees something bigger: behind every piece of waste is a human story — someone who made it, someone who handles it, and communities who live with its impact. As Sustainability Coordinator at The Forks, Helga Jakobson is turning one of Winnipeg's most beloved gathering places into a living example of how community spaces can practice real sustainability. From her background as a transdisciplinary new media artist to her current work transforming coffee grounds into de-icer, Helga brings creativity and data together to communicate what's happening with our planet in ways people can actually understand and act on. We're talking: - Why protecting the earth and protecting people are the same conversation - How The Forks operates in a circular economy instead of the "produce, consume, throw away" linear model - Why setting "zero" as a goal matters even if you don't quite reach it Helga reminds us that sustainability work doesn't require perfection or pushback. Sometimes the most innovative solutions come from conversations with tenants over coffee, listening to Indigenous voices and…
People in this episode
Host: Stuart Murray
Guest: Helga Jakobson
Topics covered
- sustainability
- zero waste
- community engagement
- circular economy
- environmental rights
Keywords
- sustainability
- zero waste
- The Forks
- circular economy
- environmental impact
- community spaces
- Indigenous voices
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Forks
Places: Winnipeg
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