Carol Smolenski

LOCATION: NEW YORK

Carol Smolenski

Carol became a convert to anti-plastics advocacy after many long walks on the New York City waterfront. She is a long-time activist on social issues and, looking at the mountains of plastic trash, she realized that she had to become active. Her first undertaking was to testify at a New York City Council hearing in favor of “Skip the Stuff,” a local ordinance requiring restaurants to give out disposable items only on request. Not long afterward, the ordinance was passed and Carol was hooked on advocating for reduced plastic waste. She took Judith Enck’s Bennington class in 2023 and wants to spread the word about the plastic pollution problem far and wide.

Carol is retired and lives in Brooklyn. She plays the violin and writes fiction in her spare time, while continuing to prowl the waterfront for inspiration for her activism.