The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Jason Hine in the ‘Community Proud’ Series, sponsored by CorePlus Credit Union. As the owner of The Ditty Bag, a zero waste market and cafe, Jason has been a driving force in the local sustainability movement, helping the community adopt zero waste living through education, innovative products, and advocacy.

Jason has lived in the area for 25 years and walks to work daily. He originally came to the area when he got married, drawn by its rich maritime history and lively spirit. He immediately saw it as an amazing place to raise children, appreciating the strong sense of community and dedication to local improvement.

The Ditty Bag was born out of Jason’s concern for climate change. He believed that having a store dedicated to sustainable products would help reduce plastic use in the area and inspire others to adopt eco-friendly habits. His business has since had a strong impact, helping customers transition to a zero waste lifestyle while educating them on how everyday products can lower their carbon footprint.

Jason’s passion for sustainability extends beyond his business. He has partnered with local organizations, including No Other Book Like This, a local bookstore, to host discussions with authors such as Briget Shirvell, who wrote Parenting in a Climate Crisis. He is also an active member of the Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL), focusing on state level climate action. He has been involved in supporting and writing environmental legislation, including House Bill 5004, which addresses climate policy in Connecticut.

He also founded the Earth Day Expo, an annual event featuring 70 vendors, student panel discussions, WSHU radio and vegan food trucks. This event continues to expand, bringing together businesses, activists, and residents to inspire collective action. This year's event is at the Groton Public Library from 11-4 on Saturday, April 26th. 

For Jason, what makes this area home is the strong sense of community. He loves how invested people are in improving the region and preserving its maritime heritage. His work revolves around extensive research to ensure the products he carries are truly sustainable, and he takes pride in testing and educating others on how individual choices can reduce carbon emissions. The Ditty Bag’s best selling product, laundry sheets, is a testament to the growing awareness of sustainable alternatives. And a close second? 860 Kombucha on tap!

Jason finds inspiration in seeing people become passionate about sustainability. One of his proudest moments was witnessing the Stonington High School Sustainability Club, founded by Matthew, Shopie, and Emerson, attend their first Earth Day Expo. They returned to school determined to do more, and their involvement has since grown to the point where they now help plan and run the event.

Looking ahead, Jason hopes to expand The Ditty Bag’s impact by utilizing his space to host coffee gatherings and form a sustainability focused club. His goal is to solidify the store as the trusted zero waste resource and community hub.

Jason is also proud that The Ditty Bag is the only host site in Mystic for Healthy PlanEat, an online farm store that allows customers to order CSAs and local farm products a-la-carte directly from the farms and then pick up their orders at The Ditty Bag. "We want to do all we can to support our local farmers, and we have found that Healthy PlanEat is the best way to do it," Jason shares.

His advice to other local business owners looking to make a difference? Have a clear mission. “Revisit your mission and ask yourself if it includes doing something good for the community or planet. Any business can make an effort to create positive change”.

To further engage with the community, Jason has launched a subscriber based education and support system. This initiative provides members with newsletters, podcasts, and educational content to help them stay informed and motivated on their sustainability journey.

Through his work, advocacy, and commitment to sustainability, Jason Hine continues to be a leader in making the community greener and more connected.