REthink

BYOM.

How many of us order coffee or tea to go in a disposable cup?  Stop for a second and think about the amount of waste that this habit generates in a year.  These cups contribute to 3.7 million lbs of garbage to be exact.

BYOM is a movement to Bring Your Own Mug.  Many coffee shops now offer discounts for those that show up with their own mug, so do your part, save some $, and BYOM.

…liz man…

Soy-based Inks

Many innovations have been made in the past few years towards advancing the sustainability of the printing industry.  Through the improvements in paper manufacturing and recycling, the introduction of environmentally friendly inks, and the responsible use of press consumables, the industry is poised to significantly reduce its carbon footprint.  Designers have a unique opportunity to aid in these efforts by increasing awareness and educating the public about the alternatives to the old, harmful practices.

This poster, targeting designers, is meant to encourage them to to educate their clients about the overwhelming benefits of soy-based inks.  Despite these benefits, the majority of commercial printers are still using toxic petroleum-based inks.  Through creating awareness, designers can increase the demand for soy-based inks, taking a step forward in the sustainability movement.

Nina Vo

Reuseit

When it comes to paper, we use a lot of it. The average American uses 700 lbs of it yearly. And it turns out that less than half of it ends up getting recycled.

So whenever I have waste paper, instead of automatically looking for a recycling bin, I check to see if the reverse side is blank. Then I just cut it down the middle and clamp it with a jumbo binder clip and violà—an 8.5 x 5.5 in. scratch pad!

I’ve been making and using these pads for years and wanted to get other people into the habit of reusing their waste paper too. By decoupaging binder clips with images from old magazines, I created smartly patterned desk accessories that people will look forward to using.

Recycling is great, but reusing it first is even better.

- Rose Greenstein

Zip It, Little Baggie

This poster takes a realistic approach to the growing environmental crisis facing us by taking a first step to reducing the overwhelming amounts of waste generated by consumers and the products consumers usurp. Something as seemingly insignificant as the plastic sandwich bag used by many families to pack their children’s lunches contribute to the heaping masses of plastic waste. While not a solution to the larger problem, reusable storage containers serve as an environmentally friendly alternative, discouraging the practice of disposable materials.  { Jessica Jaffe }

Short Showers = Saving Water

Showering is something we take for granted every day. If you take time to think about it, we use drinkable water to wash ourselves, while people in other countries travel miles just to get clean water for their families to drink.

When I learned about the lack of clean water and the many problems it creates, I started to feel guilty about my long, leisurely showers. As a solution, I designed a shower curtain liner to serve as a reminder of exactly how much water I use every time I step into the shower. It is really amazing how much we take for granted, and on top of that, the impact that it has on our planet.

Remember, even small steps can make a big impact.

<3 Stephanie

Taking Care of Your World

Extending the sustainability movement to youngsters, Taking Care of Your World is a board book for kids ages 0-3. With friendly illustrations, the book teaches young children simple ways of caring for their planet. The accompanying plush toy brings the world closer to home as a friend dependent on future generations for proper care.

It’s never too early to be green!

Christine Park

Make Meals, Not Trash.

Every day Americans throw out food that could have been eaten. Not only is this a waste of money and resources, it fills up our landfills. I have created a series of recipe cards, printed on old paper grocery bags, to be displayed in the produce aisle of a grocery store. These cards will give shoppers delicious meal ideas using their leftover and unused food. The opposite side of the recipe cards contain facts about food waste. -Emily Wilbur