Q&A: Joost Bakker, environmental campaigner, 49

Joost Bakker, who created the world’s first zero-waste restaurant. is now focusing on houses — and the power of the individual to change the world.

Vision: Joost Bakker

You’re the man behind the world’s first zero-waste restaurant (Brothl, formerly Silo), which famously asked diners to “give pee a chance” as a fertiliser. Are there any limits to your approach to zero waste? Every time I get an opportunity to do something, I always use it. I don’t waste that opportunity to push myself to do something. Like with the hospitality venues, we don’t waste a thing – alcohol is in kegs, milk is on tap, we keep a jar full of apple stickers. We created a bit of a revolution, and things just exploded after that.

Your environmental projects have a strong following on Instagram. How did you go from social media to making a full-scale documentary, Greenhouse by Joost? If we really want to change the way we live, it’s where we live, it’s our homes. So we agreed to make a documentary about building a completely zero waste home that was self-sufficient in energy and food. At the same time, Federation Square [Melbourne] asked us to do another building project. So we thought, why not do it in a really public location and document it?

You’re a florist by trade. How did you become an architect? It started with the house that I’m in now. I wanted to design and build a house that was completely natural, non-toxic, no chemicals, no glues, all that. The intention was to just build this house and then go back to doing floristry, but of course that’s not what happened. I started getting requests to do prototypes of this house. Then restaurants, greenhouses, that all fell into place because of all the hype this one place caused.

What’s the secret to real change in the zero-waste movement? I think we spend so much time talking about things, but having a go and the f..k-ups is where the beauty is. When you make mistakes, you come up with solutions. I also think if you’re open about your ideas, other people will be open back to you. There are so many brilliant people that surround you. You just need to start the conversation.

You come from generations of tulip farmers. Did you often have those conversations growing up? It never seemed uncommon to have them. I grew up in the Netherlands, where there are over 20,000 tulip growers, with this really practical dad who just got stuff done on the farm. My mum was really creative and made me spend a lot of time with local artists and painters, so there were two very different influences. The area where I grew up was unique because it was man-made and created a natural ecosystem where nature thrives in the heart of Europe. It really was a big motivator for me – it made me realise we can build incredible things when we change our approach.

What’s the best way to educate people about climate? I’m all about zero waste. But that includes zero waste in our time. I see so many people putting so much energy into trying to convince politicians to change policy, but I think it’s about being the change. We don’t appreciate the power of the individual making a change and the impact that has on the people that surround you. It’s the ripple effect.

What do you do when you hear something’s “impossible”? Keep going; believe things will change. Humans always need to get to a point where [the climate crisis] is just in your face to react. That’s where we are now. In 2040, when we look back at this time, it’ll be the time we changed almost everything. It’s like we’ve shifted the Titanic but when you’re on it, you don’t realise. But we’re definitely going to miss the iceberg, that’s for sure.

Greenhouse by Joost is in cinemas Nov 10 Vic/Tas and Nov 17 nationally; for Q&A screening details go to madmanfilms.com.au/greenhouse-by-joost