- Where can I take my plastic, cardboard, glass, etc to be recycled?
Unfortunately, the recycling in Corpus Christi is minimal. As a student, your best bet is to find a friend or colleague that has a house with a recycling can you can pass your recycling onto. Due to the inaccessible recycling, we as IGT encourage you to minimize your single use packaging consumption as much as possible. Holding on to empty containers to sub for cups, storage, and organization is key. We also host many events where glass bottles, old containers, cardboard, and other trash can be recycled into something new. Keep an eye on our i-engage page!
- I don't know where or how to start my sustainability journey, help?
First, it is important to acknowledge the effort it takes to say enough is enough, and we applaud you for wanting to take more sustainable living steps. The most important thing to know is your why. WHY are you wanting to live a more sustainable life, and when sustainable living gets difficult, remember that. You can start small, such as refusing to purchase single-use plastic products (water/soda bottles, Ziploc bags, grocery bags) and taking strictly digital notes instead of paper when possible, in accordance with your classes. Once you get the basics down, you can start opting for changing out your essentials for zero waste ones, such as shampoo & body soap bars, toothpaste tablets, compostable toothbrushes, reusable paper towels, etc. The most important thing to note is that using what you already have is the most sustainable option. Before going out to buy compostable products, use up ALL the disposable ones you have already, and when you run out, opt for a sustainable option.
Short answer: NO. Long answer: We are not doomed, so long as we put in the work to change the status quo. Your personal carbon footprint is a myth, created by corporate giants to put the blame of the climate crisis on the backs of everyday consumers. This is not the case, and it is important that you know that the climate is not changing because of you. HOWEVER, it is our role as consumers to make conscious choices when buying groceries, household essentials, gifts, etc. Shopping locally, participating in swaps, borrowing items from neighbors instead of buying your own, are all ways that we can slow this exponential American consumption loop. Find your passion, and fight for it. Your voice is the most valuable tool in rallying for the planet. When we work as a group, we make waves.
To view more images, visit the Islander Green Team’s Gallery
