
Supercool Fun: Why Sustainability Needs It And How To Have It At Work
Mar 11, 2026
Charlie Sellars, Microsoft sustainability director and author of What We Can Do, champions making sustainability accessible and fun. He discusses why optimism and playful framing mobilize people, how quick wins and collaborative messaging beat policing, and why lifecycle analysis is the right tool to target real impact. The conversation focuses on culture, practical incentives, and smarter decisions about products and energy.
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Family Paper Towels Sparked A Systems Mindset
- Anecdote: Charlie's early exposure to recycled paper towels shaped his sustainability view.
- He worked in his family's paper-towel business where using post-consumer recycled stock made a stronger, cheaper towel in the 1990s.
Lead With A Visible Quick Win
- Do lead with quick wins to build credibility for sustainability inside large organizations.
- Charlie used an ocean-plastic mouse as a visible product feature that made collaboration fun and unlocked bigger asks.
Sustainability Runs On Volunteers
- Insight: Sustainability work often relies on volunteers across functions rather than a single team.
- Charlie: engaging industrial designers, supply chain and software devs requires making sustainability personally enriching and fun.



