A Base Kit for Sustainable Living

Written by: Julia Flores, Treasurer 2019-2020

Click Read More to learn about how we and many others are shifting the status quo by making easy switches in their lives to support a sustainable Earth.

I first became interested in sustainability after taking a class called Sustainable Materials and Processes that opened my eyes to how products affect our world. Being that my major is industrial design I feel as though I take a responsibility to be more conscious about the products I purchase along with design choices that will be fabricated in the future. As I continue my journey towards a zero waste lifestyle what guides me the most is how much the thought of putting something into landfill bothers me and not wanting to contribute to that. People don’t think enough about or even realize that every time you throw something in the garbage it IS going to landfill. Every. Time. In an attempt to make better choices and inform others on the matter I would like to share a few of my favorite purchases from the past year that have been long lasting, efficient, and low-cost.

 1. Reusable silverware set and cloth sack: I carry mine in my backpack along with a metal straw and this has resulted in the complete elimination of the use of single use cutlery in 2020. 


2. Re-usable bags: You can never go wrong with a stash of durable bags that you can grab and go with to the grocery store. 

3. Durable Glass Tupperware. From campus events to local restaurants for leftovers I always get weird stares along with many compliments of how people wish to be more sustainable; the more we do it the more it will be normalized and done more often! Plastic is harmful for the earth AND our bodies so I even avoid storing and heating my food in it.

4. Reusable water bottle: Hydration is key and of course many people carry these around but be sure to take into account how sustainable the company that sells them is and don’t buy more if you already have them.

5. Cloth napkin: This has surely eliminated my need for napkins and is always handy to have. 

6. Boie Loofah: We use loofahs daily and this particular design has been an inspiration for thinking of products differently in that it looks and works differently from a conventional loofah. Silicon is a LOT cleaner than a wet fabric that carries bacteria and is 100% recyclable. The fact that this item works better AND is more sustainable makes my heart sing!

7. Reusable and healthy cleaning products: The more I looked into sustainable solutions the more I came across more eco-focused companies. There are several similar to Cleancult that offer safe and healthy ingredients and reusable incentives. They have cleaning packages available that take the stress away from buying each product individually. I enjoy the idea of making more sustainable solutions along with receiving a service from a company that cares about quality, works towards the betterment of the planet and doesn’t destroy it.

Items 1-5 are are simply things in my house that I use much more and any excess things I give to my friends to avoid new purchases. Along with these products I have also made a larger effort to simply refuse excessive buying, eating out, and single-use products. Of course this single use culture has been engrained into our lives but that does not mean it’s correct, there is always a more sustainable solution! It is time for humans to formulate better habits and effort for the future of our children and the future of our planet. Help make our earth beautiful again!
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