How to reduce the amount of waste you create

Okay. Gross fact- did you know that according to the Clear Air Council, Americans alone use over 1 billion shopping bags? Per year?! A lot of that probably ends up in what Unstash has dubbed the 8th Continent, or the Great Pacific Garbage Patch which is supposedly twice the size of Texas. Our lack of environmental concern is out of control. Not to say that some communities aren't banding together to make changes, because they are, and they're doing amazing work. But it really boils down to individuals being empowered with the knowledge that their efforts matter, and I think that's where the challenge lies. Anyways, I'm not perfect but I try really hard to be conscious of what my actions effect on the Earth are. These are just a few of the things that I incorporate into my daily life:

photo source

• Avoid, avoid, avoid plastic bags like the plague! If I'm buying something small or just one or two things, I make sure to tell the cashier to NOT use a plastic bag. I usually have enough space in my purse to accomodate it. I've even gotten dirty looks from cashiers who put my items in a bag too quickly, and then I politely ask them to remove them. No shame here.

• If I do need to use a plastic bag for my items, like, I didn't carry a purse or there's just too many things), I reuse that bag as a trash bag. It's senseless to purchase "proper" garbage bags when those will do just fine. Plus they fill up faster, which means either take the trash out more or reconsider what we consider trash.

• I buy items that won't need to be replaced right away. This means ceramic cups, metal silverware, cloth towels/dishrags for washing dishes, cleaning up spills, etc. as well as higher quality items like a sturdy purse or nicer shoes. I'd rather spend $100 and keep the items for 10 years than spend $40 on a new purse every year. I never buy paper towels, napkins, plasticware, or disposable things. 

I'm not the only one! photo source

• I wash some of our laundry in my bathtub. We don't have a washer/dryer unit in our apartment, so part of this is out of necessity. I know it sounds crazy, but for items that aren't super soiled or would need the delicate cycle anyway (dish towels, t-shirts, light undergarments  it works like a charm, saves ton of energy that would normally be exerted by utilizing electricity for a washer/dryer. Plus it saves us quarters at the laundromat and the gas for our car that we would have used to get to the laundromat. Hang the items dry with a window open and you're good to go!

• Speaking of cars- I don't have one. My husband and I share a vehicle. That's one less car on the road & less gas in the ozone. This is partly for financial reasons, but it works for us. We share in the cost of gas and I take public transportation at least 4x per week. It takes some planning, but I swear it's possible.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. There's probably a ton more we could be doing, but as we learn, we improve. That's all we can really do! I also try to do a ton of DIY projects/upcycling that I'll cover later on in the blog. There's too many great ideas out there not to share. What do you do to minimize your impact?

Living Deliberately Means...

photo via

...Walking instead of driving to your destination to take in the scents, sights, and sounds of the community you live in.

...Spending a few extra dollars for a meal that is better quality & better for you.

...Making conscious decisions about which products to buy to fit your lifestyle, as opposed to just buying for trend.

...Leaving work on time so you can spend more time with your loved ones, or doing things you enjoy

...Politely agreeing to disagree with friends when your opinion differs.

...Finding a purpose and intention in every word, act of body language, and goal you implement for yourself.

...Choosing to experience new things to discover the richness of the world instead of staying in your comfort zone.

...Stepping up to participate in positive change in your community, in whatever form fits you best, instead of complaining about issues and expecting others to resolve them.

...Speaking in proper language, form, and structure to create a purposeful dialogue with your coworkers, friends, family, and neighbors.

...Supporting your local economy so that you can contribute to it's natural ecosystem of businesses, services, and entertainment.

Just a few thoughts for your afternoon! 

Deliberate Living...Around the Web

Well I actually forgot to post some of my favorite links from this week around the web on Friday! I need to get better about posting regularly. It's hard to keep up with the pace of the Internet sometimes without a connection at my apartment! Oh well. Better late than never I suppose :) Below are some things that caught my eye this week in the realm of simple living, minimalism, etc. Enjoy!

If money doesn't make you happy, you aren't spending it right- according to the Journal of Consumer Psychology from Harvard. Interesting!

One blogger, Beau, is transitioning to a post-materialistic life. Follow his progress at his blog.

Appreciating the breathtaking beauty of the "supermoon".

Via Unconsumption- a fun way to give new life to old paintbrushes that have frayed or otherwise unusable tips! Very chic.

Change isn't just coming. It's already infiltrated the mainstream. We all need to collaborate to come up with solutions for our grievances...because business is connected to pollution is connected to the environment is connected to our health is connected to our happiness is connected to our well being is connected to everything.

The Compass Green Project- a mobile classroom that where students can learn about agriculture and how to utilize the scarce existing land we have to produce food.

That's probably going to do it for me. I didn't have as much time to peruse this week as I'm dealing with buying a new-to-me car, dealing with some dental work, & a new job! Life is definitely hectic in the best way possible.   Was there anything I missed on the web that piqued your interest?

Houston, TX at the Forefront of Sustainability

Part of my hope with this blog is to cover ideas and projects both locally/nationally/globally that spark my interest in terms of redesigning our communities. The world feels like it's changing quicker than ever, and government, businesses, and individuals are struggling to keep pace with new expectations of how we conduct ourselves in the community and how we take shared responsibility of it's well-being. More often than not, I think we hear about communities doing the wrong thing (anyone else hear about how in 2009, the city of Chicago actually sold it's sidewalks to a 3rd party business, essentially privatizing it's streets? Whose idea was that?), which is why I was so excited to hear about Houston and how city officials are doing the right thing by working with businesses to develop more sustainable practices.

Electric car chargers under a solar car port at Smith & Associates. Photo courtesy of Smith & Associates via NatGeo.

The city of Houston. TX recently hosted a Green Office Challenge in which about 300 local businesses address the task of "making the city a greener place to live and work" by reducing their company's energy and water use, as well as waste production. Companies were encouraged to find creative, efficient solutions to save energy and promote environmental stewardship. This is smart for a few really important reasons. For the businesses, it riles up company morale towards a common goal. If their plans are successful, it reduces their cost of business now and in the future. And, it provides a wonderful source of positive press which is sure to entice their marketing departments. The city wins because it gets to flex it's government biceps in terms of showing businesses and individuals what resources they have available in order to assist them with this endeavor. And it reduces municipal costs as well, "improving the environmental and economic performance" of the community, according to city's Director of Sustainability Laura Spanjian in a 2010 press release. 


The goal was pretty clear: Mayor Annise Parker said that "the Green Office Challenge will help us...be #1 in both...the number of LEED certified buildings and the number of Energy Star buildings". They currently stand at number eight and six, respectively. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and buildings that have certification are recognized for sustainable architecture and building practices. 


Co-founder of Smith & Associates in Houston, Mr. Robert Ackerley summed it up really well in a recent article for NatGeo highlighting what his business did in response to the challenge: 

"I don’t think this experience is that unusual. It underscores that sustainability, rather than being either a grassroots or top-down initiative, is a truly collective phenomenon, one that is strengthened and furthered when we work together, step-by-step". 

While Ackerley was talking specifically about his business, the same can be said for the government officials and individuals that also come into play in the mission. I can't wait to read more about communities that are working together proactively to get closer to their sustainability goals. 

What do you think of Houston's sustainability efforts?

Education

I definitely think that part of redesigning our lives and communities comes down to education. The education system in the US is in the midst of crisis as we transition from the Industrial Age to the Information age. Methods and standards once thought to be gold standard are now outdated, and I think a lot of people are starting to realize that. The problem is developing the infrastructure, the funding, and the enthusiasm for embracing new methods, technologies, and policies. It's a huge problem to tackle, even at a district level. My father has been a teacher at the same school district for over twenty years, and for a good 2+ he served as the school's union president. Time and time again I saw him stressing out over contract negotiations, students behavior, and having to do more with less. He gets to school at 7am and sometimes doesn't leave until 5-6pm. He buys classroom materials with his own money. Educators are totally unsung heroes- and anyone who had a problem with them actually had a problem with the district's policies (usually). I have a lot more thoughts when it comes to education, especially higher education (I opted to not attend graduate school right out of undergraduate, unlike a lot of my friends. I think it was a wise but unpopular choice.), but I think this list is a good place to start for thoughts on misguided education. It was originally taken from Forbes.com, which means someone higher up recognizes the need for change, right?

1. The people in charge have all the answers.That's why they are so wealthy and happy and healthy and powerful-- ask any teacher.
2. Learning ends when you leave the classroom.Your fort building, trail forging, frog catching, friend making, game playing, and drawing won't earn you any credit. Just watch TV.
3. The best and brightest follow the rules.You will be rewarded for your subordination, just not as much as your superiors, who, of course, have their own rules.
4. What the books say is always true.Now go read your creationism chapter. There will be a test.
5. There is a very clear, single path to success. It's called college. Everyone can join the top 1% if they do well enough in school and ignore the basic math problem inherent in that idea.
6. Behaving yourself is as important as getting good marks.Whistle-blowing, questioning the status quo, and thinking your own thoughts are no-nos. Be quiet and get back on the assembly line.
7. Standardized tests measure your value.By value, I'm talking about future earning potential, not anything else that might have other kinds of value.
8. Days off are always more fun than sitting in the classroom.You are trained from a young age to base your life around dribbles of allocated vacation. Be grateful for them.
9. The purpose of your education is your future career.And so you will be taught to be a good worker. You have to teach yourself how to be something more. 

And so it goes. There is a huge disconnect between what kind of education students need and what educators are taught that students need- on all levels, but especially high school & college. I can't wait to delve into this further as topic of discussion, especially as it relates to my own experience. I think "education" is much more than school- it's learning, curiosity, trying new things, meeting new people, visiting interesting places, taking risks, and really enriching your life with culture, history, and a variety of ideas. Anyways- what do you think? Do you think formal education is the best (or only) way to move forward in life, or do you fully believe that alternative education can provide the same, if not better, experience. Or do you fall somewhere in between? I would love to hear your thoughts! 

Build a Greener Block- April 28 & 29, 2012

This past weekend was the first, of hopefully many, Build a Greener Block events. Simply put, we're a group of Las Vegans who are aiming to change our neighborhoods, our cities, and show that joining our skills, talens, experiences, and resources together and create a Las Vegas that we all appreciate and take care of. We transformed a block downtown- at Main St. & Charleston, to be exact- from empty storefronts to be small, sustainable restaurants, boutiques, a cafe, a flower shop, dog park, obstacle course, and food stands from loacl farmers. There was a classroom where people shared their knowledge on canning, gardening, and learning how to make your own instruments. Bike lanes were created. The empty, desolate block turned into a safe, enjoyable, loving, living place for residents living, working, and playing downtown. While I don't have the numbers of people in attendance, I know it was a huge success. I'm honored to have been a part of it (I created a digital & physical map of recycling locations throughout the valley, which can be seen here) and I can't wait to see what other projects are developed after this one. Oh, and I should mention that we raised the neccesary funds to make it happen using a new crowdfunding platform, IndieGogo. We raised about $5000 in just a month to cover expenses, city permits, and some advertising. The power of WE for sure. Some of my photos from the event art below. More can be seen at my flickr set. Find out more about the Greener Blocks movement by visiting their website. 

The main block

An amazing strawberry-tomato (& avocado, carrot, & spinach) sorbet made by Raw Fusion

Local farmers brought their produce to sell at reasonable prices

Bike lines were created for those who would ride to the event without an automobile

Again it was a great success. And I just wanted to take a second to point out something that wasn't necessarily part of the event, but is still notable. The photo below looks like a parking meter- and it is. But it isn't used for paid parking anymore- it's been upcycled by the city leadership as a way to collect donations for people who are less fortunate. Las Vegas has a huge homelessness problem that is tied in with the immense foreclosure crisis. The funds collected go towards helping with shelter & transportation costs, and other life essentials to get them back on their feet. There are a few of these "Donation Stations" around downtown, and while I don't know if they're very effective, I think they're a really interesting and creative approach to donations. Their placement makes it possible for both locals and tourists to donate their spare change, something that is valued less and less as debit cards and digital currencies become more widely accepted. 

A parking meter upcycled into a "Donation Station" by the city for collecting funds for the homeless population

Community Revitalization...in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is experiencing a renaissance of sorts. Thanks to the vision of Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, a whole new wave of community development & interest is piquing, especially in the downtown districts otherwise known as 18b or The Arts District and Fremont East. As someone who has a community development/college leadership background, this is exactly the type of revival that I was looking for when I moved here last August. Everything kind of fell into place. I enjoyed the tight-knit campus community that I experience for my 3 1/2 years in college. I participated a lot- serving on multiple committees, working for a variety of organizations, founding a magazine, working as an RA, going to campus events practically daily, and of course taking classes. I immersed myself in it. And then I got an internship that changed my life, which happened to be in the bustling commercial/residential district right next door that was once awarded one of the top 10 neighborhoods to live in! It was a brilliant experience.

Anyway, this time in my life felt exciting because I was so connected to the community. I had an active role in it and I was part of the decision-making process for certain events, changes, and improvements that the community would face. And that made me elated!

So, back to Las Vegas. The same type of community vibe is slowly but surely emerging here as an alternative to the sprawl of Las Vegas suburbs. It's only in it's infancy (literally- the #VegasTech movement just yesterday celebrated it's 1st birthday!), but shows serious promise for reawakening a group of passionate people who want to better the city in their own unique way. I'm loving it. Anyways there are a few important organizations/links I'd like to share for anyone who is interested in learning more about the project. I'll try not to include press here because it's exhaustive- you'll have to do a quick google search to read up on all the amazing positive press we've received. Anyway here goes!

• Greener Blocks...aka #BAGB; Making downtown more sustainable one block at a time
• Downtown Project; Tony Hsieh's hub for spreading the movement
• Ayloo.net; A local startup connecting passionate people & timely projects 
• Downtown3rd; A once-weekly farmers market embracing local farmers & produce
• Springs Preserve; an amazing nature preserve that promotes science, nature, learning & sustainability
• /usr/lib; A tech library & meeting place for #VegasTech and community minded individuals
• The Beat; offers coffee, beer, wine, food, vinyl & a casual meeting spot for locals

So those are the most mainstream organizations & ideas floating around downtown right now. Their span and influence is only going to increase as more and more people start getting empowered by the message. I highly suggest taking a look at any one of these to see how each branch is working together to weave together a common culture in the city.