Use it if you got it

Author

Nia Shalise
August 10, 2021

The city is seemingly slower, despite the tourists and wide-eyed freshmen around every turn, and A/Cs are cranked to combat the sweltering heat (when it’s not raining, that is). It is undeniably summer.

For some, the sunny season brings a much needed break. A chance to heal and renew. A reflective lull before the fall semester’s storm.

And yet, for others there is already no escaping the heat waves, fires, floods and other hosts of extreme weather events that climate change has strengthened in its wake. When I see horrific headlines, I often wonder how much my actions can really make the world a greener place. But setting out with positive intentions — followed by sustained actions — is one of the most powerful things we can do, as consumers, fellow community members, and aspiring stewards of the earth.

Show your friends and family your latest waste-reducing practice. Let your government and brands you patron know that you’re listening. Be conscious, be kind, and stay cool!

With love,

Nia Shalise

Now that we’ve addressed the overconsumption we’ve become attuned to, let’s maximize the use of what we have.

Sustainability/environmentalism, like a number of movements, has become capitalized. There’s greenwashing: you know how H&M tries to attract conscious consumers with vague claims about sustainability, but still overproduces and doesn’t pay its workers a living wage? Companies have seemingly found a new angle to draw consumers in without really addressing the core issues in their processes.

However, sustainability is not something you need to buy into. I can admit that some of the plastic-free solutions I use are an investment in my lifestyle and the growth of the environmentalist community — and I can’t wait to show you all of my favorites! — but there’s no need to run out and buy brand new eco-friendly products. Instead, the key is to use what you’ve already got.

Before you might cut down on plastic beauty containers, for example, you may have to work through all the old Bath and Body Work bottles you’ve collected. It takes a while to make these changes, and that’s okay.

New reusable food storage is nice, but totally not necessary when you have tons of takeout containers at your disposal. And these days you can buy tiny compostable trash bags, but what’s the point when you already have plastic packaging laying around?

I can justify spending the extra bucks on some items, like my long-lasting plastic-free dish brush as a replacement for so many bacteria-cultivating sponges. It’s made from natural materials, plus it’s designed to last six months on average. Others, like on-the-go silverware sets, are unnecessary because I own all the pieces to make my own. The presentation may not be as nice as a store-bought set, but it works just the same. At the end of the day, whether a product will be worth the purchase all depends on your lifestyle and priorities. Just remember to consider whether you’ll use it for years to come!

Even extending the life of a single use item, like an old bottle you use to store water for plants or online packaging you collect trash in, slows an item from becoming waste. If we view everything as resources, it’s harder to justify throwing it away and a greater incentive to find new purpose in what you already have.

Reuse 101

  • If an old item needs a little refresh, try upcycling! You can make something usable or desirable again with little DIY. Boston-grown sustainable fashion designer Nathalia JMag is well known for some of her reworked creations, like her denim and blazer sets

  • Upcycled cans make very cute planters and paper bags make great present wrapping or shipping supplies

  • Make this plastic shampoo bottle your last! You can find refills for soap, lotion, hair products, and more at shops like cleenland, Good Filling, and Boston General Store

Nathalia JMag takes streetwear a step up with her sustainable creations. Nathalia, a Colombian-American contemporary designer who grew up in Boston, is a luminary of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, a former Helsinki Fashion Week and Project Runway participant, and an overall acclaimed creative.

A waste-reducing queen in her approach to fashion, Nathalia JMag uses deadstock and organic fabrics and natural dyes in her made-to-order and limited batch collections. Empowered with creative opportunity, she upcycles destined-for-landfill garments for her brand as well, which I delve into on her blog.

“Upcycling is just the most sustainable because it already exists. You’re taking something that is already there and that most likely will be thrown out if it’s not bought from a thrift shop, and you’re turning it into something that’s going to have a new life,” Nathalia says, “so that’s one of my favorite ways to create.”

She’s done numerous pop-ups at Uvida Shop in the North End, so I’m sure you can catch her at another soon!

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About me

Nia Shalise is an environmentalist content creator (an eco-creative, if you will) passionate about educating and empowering her peers to lead environmentally-mindful lifestyles. Find more content on YouTube, Instagram, and niashalise.com. If you enjoy my free content, you can donate the cost of a chai latte here.

Have questions or a topic you’d like me to cover? Email me at [email protected] or DM me on Instagram!

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