Last February, I had the opportunity to help host a tote bag screen-printing event through the Plant Blue Ambassador Program, where I serve as a Communications and Outreach Intern at the University of Michigan. What began as a creative crafting session quickly became something much deeper. Surrounded by students printing their tote bags, laughing over paint mishaps, and carefully pressing … Read More
Whether it’s a hole in your jeans or an accessory that needs sprucing up, there is a lot that a needle, thread, and some concentrated effort can accomplish. Although it may be seen as “old fashioned”, mending and other fiber arts are essential in extending the use of our already limited resources and being mindful of our consumption. Mending, as … Read More
The hidden process behind your campus dining meals — and why it matters more than you think. Every time you swipe into the dining hall, your choices are just getting started. Behind the scenes though, an intricate web of decisions has already unfolded about what food will be on your plate. This is part of the procurement process. Is the … Read More
We all want to get it right with plastics recycling, but with varying recycling rules and discouraging sounding statistics about recycling, it can be a bit confusing. Additionally, there isn’t just one type of plastic; in fact, there are 7 main types of plastics. Despite the confusion, properly sorting and recycling plastics is a key part of the University of … Read More
Sustainable living habits are often misconstrued as an ‘all-or-nothing’ mindset, where positive impact can only occur through perfection in every area of action. But in a recent conversation with Dr. Peter Oelkers, an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Biochemistry at University of Michigan-Dearborn, he emphasized that sustainability can be more than just a box to check. For him, it’s … Read More
Earlier in January, the Sustainability Cultural Organizers and other Student Life Sustainability (SLSustainability) employees had the opportunity to attend Dimanche, a performance art piece about the climate apocalypse, at the UM Power Center. The piece was performed by Chaliwaté and Focus, two award-winning Belgian mime and puppetry companies, and brought to the university by the University Musical Society. It stands … Read More
As the new year begins to unfold, I’m sure many of you have made a commitment to a New Year’s resolution, whether it’s to save money or lead a more sustainable lifestyle. Well, I am happy to tell you that thrift shopping is one of the easiest ways to do both! Opting to go to a second-hand or thrift store … Read More
“The air here always tastes like chalk.” I would joke to myself, tightening my N95 mask as I stepped into the narrow, dingy lanes of Chattarpur, where I taught my young, passionate dreamers. The distinct, metallic taste in the air of our classroom was a perpetual reminder of the environmental toll we were paying. Even with the windows sealed tight, … Read More
If you’ve walked across campus, you’ve probably noticed them: bikes sitting forgotten at racks, slowly rusting through the seasons. Worse, those with missing seats and wheels. Some have been there so long they’ve become part of the landscape. But what if those abandoned bikes could get a second life—and help build a stronger transit community in the process? That’s exactly … Read More
When I first began my journey as an intern working in sustainability programming at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, although they were happy for me, I was initially met with some confusion from my friends and loved ones. I was studying health and human services, and my interests were in social work. One of the most common questions I remember being … Read More
