Exploring the Sustainability Fair

Changing our habits is as easy as...?

By Bella Bekos

We’ve noticed the trends—rises in the amount of people following a vegan or vegetarian diet and searching for products deemed “natural” or “clean.” But how sustainable are we really? The University of Minnesota’s Sustainability Fair provided answers (and solutions) to the trickiest challenges we face to living a sustainable lifestyle. 

After loading my plate with complementary hummus, veggies, and pita bread, I surveyed the room full of poster boards with statistics and diagrams about different aspects of sustainability. I decided to start my night with the DIY plant activity, where I filled a mason jar with rocks, soil, and lastly, my choice of either thyme, oregano, or basil. Walking with my new seeds in hand, I wandered around, learning the process of organics recycling utilized by the University and the importance of properly disposing of waste. Another poster board described water footprints and how to reduce them. I was shocked by the statistics—Meatless Mondays alone save 4,565 liters of water per week. But are Meatless Mondays enough? 

My experience at the Sustainability Fair tells me no. This curiosity in what else I can do to reduce my impact led me to a stand with the name “Sustainyoself.” Twin sisters Geevie and Sophia are low-waste and plant-based college students who shared their tips for plastic reduction in the realm of self-care products. From toothbrushes to lip balm, self-care products use significant amounts of plastic, leading to more waste and a larger environmental impact. In response, these sisters formed their own brand of beauty products ranging from deodorant to lip balm. They also gave attendees their plastic-free and natural recipes for things we use all the time, including makeup remover and conditioner. The presenters and supporters of the Sustainability Fair revealed the possibility of an affordable and sustainable lifestyle as a college student in a city setting. With a community dedicated to sustainability within the U, starting to transform our habits can be as easy as whipping up a homemade batch of body butter.