In setting the stage for change, 12-year-old activist Madhvi Chittoor sets the example for adults

萝莉少女

漏 2025

NPR News, Colorado Stories

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

In The NoCo

In setting the stage for change, 12-year-old activist Madhvi Chittoor sets the example for adults

By In The NoCo,

Erin O'Toole, Robyn Vincent

Published January 24, 2024 at 3:45 AM MST

Ways To Subscribe

Madhvi Chittoor holds a sign that reads "Zero Waste Hero" as Gov. Jared Polis signs the "Plastic Pollution Reduction Act" into law on July 7, 2021. Chittoor's advocacy was instrumental in the creation and passage of the bill, which phases out single-use plastics in food establishments, such as polystyrene takeout containers and plastic carryout bags. It took effect at the beginning of this year. — Madhvi Chittoor, age 9, (right) holds a sign that reads "Zero Waste Hero" as Gov. Jared Polis signs the "Plastic Pollution Reduction Act" into law on July 7, 2021. Chittoor's advocacy was instrumental in the creation of the law, which aims to phase out single-use plastics in food establishments, such as polystyrene takeout containers and plastic carryout bags.

Earlier this month went into effect and 12-year-old activist , of Arvada, helped fight for the law.

鈥淭hese laws over time are all about environmental justice, health, justice and intergenerational justice,鈥� said Chittoor, who also pushed for . 鈥淚t protects the rights of children and future generations. So I'm really happy that what I do is making big changes.鈥�

These new measures don鈥檛 come without challenges for the businesses that are affected, though. A representative from the Colorado Restaurant Association said the policy changes add to the stressors of inflation, supply chain issues, and the labor shortage.

Still, activists like Chittoor champion these moves as important progress. At 12, she has been working on ridding us of styrofoam for a while. The United Nations child advisor and self-proclaimed 鈥淣o Styrofoam Ninja鈥� joined In The NoCo to discuss her path into activism and why adults need to listen to young people advocating for the environment.

Tags

In The NoCo

萝莉少女's In The NoCo is a daily slice of stories, news, people and issues. It's a window to the communities along the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The show brings context and insight to the stories of the day, often elevating unheard voices in the process. And because life in Northern Colorado is a balance of work and play, we celebrate the lighter side of things here, too.

See stories by In The NoCo

Erin O'Toole

As the host of 萝莉少女鈥檚 new program and podcast In the NoCo, I work closely with our producers and reporters to bring context and diverse perspectives to the important issues of the day. Northern Colorado is such a diverse and growing region, brimming with history, culture, music, education, civic engagement, and amazing outdoor recreation. I love finding the stories and voices that reflect what makes NoCo such an extraordinary place to live.

See stories by Erin O'Toole

Robyn Vincent

I wear many hats in 萝莉少女's newsroom as an executive producer, editor and reporter. My work focuses on inequality, the systems of power that entrench it, and the people who are disproportionately affected. I help reporters in my newsroom to also uncover these angles and elevate unheard voices in the process.

See stories by Robyn Vincent