Culinary Cut: Smoothies

Written by Alexa Smith
Video by Marissa Greene

With summer coming up, it’s a great time to try out some delicious new smoothie recipes. Give greens a chance with our greens smoothie or take a break from the usual strawberry banana with our mixed berry smoothie. If you’re looking for something with protein try out the super easy PB smoothie. With ingredients you probably already have in your freezer, these smoothies are easy to throw together and make a yummy breakfast, snack, or dessert.

 

Wayre to Find Sustainable Fashion

By Alexa Smith

Wayre modelsThroughout our Earth Day series, we’ve talked about different ways to be sustainable in all aspects of your life. From recycling to looking for cruelty-free products there are various ways to incorporate a green initiative into your own life. Many people don’t know that the fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters globally which is why it’s so important to find ways to be fashionable and sustainable. An easy way to do that is through Wayre a sustainable fashion brand focused on providing “apparel for the modern traveler” 

I spoke with Wayre co-founder, Rachael Kemp, about Wayre’s mission and her tips for being sustainable in everyday life. 

Interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Alexa Smith: “Can you tell me a little bit about the history of Wayre and how y’all got started?”

Rachael Kemp: So the conceptualization for Wayre started about two and a half years ago. I have been an avid traveler my entire life and I traveled a lot throughout college. When I was in college there was a specific trip that I was on, my classic post-grad Euro trip. Every time I went to get dressed I kept returning to this simple pale blue dress. And I wore it everywhere for a month. In the last two days of my trip I was in Sevilla, Spain and left that dress in a hostel. Ever since I left that dress I just kind of mourned, wishing I had it anytime I went to travel again. Packing for a trip had become a hassle because I didn’t really have my go-to pieces. When you travel you always think: “what is the weather going to be like? What am I going to do when I’m there?” Just so many questions that you go through trying to predict what’s going to happen when you travel. You want to look good and feel good at the same time. So that was just a personal kind of spark that started Wayre. Then about two years later the idea actually started coming into development. My co-founder and brother-in-law, Chris, and I launched a Kickstarter campaign back in July of 2019 and were looking to raise $50,000 and we raised about $90,000. That gave us enough money to basically jumpstart wayre. We like to say, “we make apparel for the modern traveler” it’s lightweight and breathable. It’s built to keep up with you. It’s functional, cute, and just solves your packing dilemmas.

Wayre modelNot only is Wayre focused on creating functional and stylish pieces, they’re also focused on creating a sustainable brand that’s great for fashion and the environment. Kemp touched on these points when discussing the formation of Wayre. 

RK: We make everything in a sustainable and ethical factory. Our fabric is all made from post-consumer plastic waste. We have a big sustainability component, it’s a core value of our brand. When we began the brand, I actually had worked in the fashion industry a couple of years prior to launching Wayre and the one thing I told myself was I will never ever work in the fashion industry again without having sustainability as a core value. I just watched the industry from the inside as I was managing production. The textile waste, energy consumption and poor workplace practices are just really inhumane. That was a core value of Wayre from the start.

AS: Could you also touch on Wayre’s labor practices? 

RK: When we were sourcing our fabric and sourcing which factories we would work with we didn’t even look at factories that didn’t have ethical and sustainable practices ongoing already. We did a lot of research on the manufacturer we work with now. Another part of our process before we did any sort of development was with them was to visit the factory. We decided we would just fly there ourselves, ask a lot of questions, look behind all the closed doors and talk to the garment workers ourselves about what it is like to work at Everest Textiles – that’s the name of the manufacturer. They’re located in Tainan, Taiwan which is the south side of the island. We got a vibe for their happiness and their well being. I personally came away from that initial factory visit just completely mind blown. This company, Everest Textiles, is on the forefront of sustainability. 

Kemp discussed all the different amenities Everest Textiles provides their employees. Not only are the employees paid a living wage but there is free housing available on site, a mandatory nap time at lunch, affordable meals, workouts and gardens for the employees. 

RK: We really love our team. The ethical side is a major component because people on our planet should absolutely be first instead of the product. We just love to rave about our manufacturer. We just think they do such a stellar job. 

AS: Yeah I love that and I’ve noticed just how transparent y’all are too. Y’all have a whole Instagram highlight about your manufacturer. It’s just awesome to see a brand be so proud of where they’re making their clothes and not try to hide it like other brands might. 

RK: Yeah, it’s kind of trendy to become sustainable and ethical. It’s cool but it’s also kind of unfortunate because you do see a lot of greenwashing these days where fast fashion companies or other companies that don’t really have the same actual values and sustainable, ethical practices just kind of greenwash and make it look to the consumer like they’re doing a good job, but nothing’s changed internally. So it’s kind of sad that it’s trendy. I mean it’s also a good thing; it’s a good movement to have but you definitely have to be careful where you consume your products. 

AS: Yeah definitely that’s so true. We just wrote an article on greenwashing a few months ago. You’re right it is such a trend now so it’s hard to kind of tell the real from the fake. So, I’m wondering if you have any other ways you like to be sustainable whether that’s in fashion or other areas of your life? 

RK: I mean I’m nowhere close to perfect nor does my lifestyle completely focus on sustainability. But I truly try to do my part the very best that I can. The world has made unsustainable options very convenient while sustainable options are very inconvenient. But small things, I’ve invested in a lot of home goods that help keep the plastic waste down in my house. Like, using reusable Ziploc bags and reusable straws and composting. And using a guppy friend bag when I do laundry. We actually just posted on Instagram about washing your Wayre and synthetics in a guppy friend bag but also there are lots of laundry habits you can do to help save energy and the ocean. I just try to consume from brands that have similar values to Wayre and just do my part in my everyday living even if its a little less convenient I think there’s an intentionality there that makes it kind of unique and fun. 

AS: I agree. It’s hard to sometimes feel like you’re doing enough when so many bad things are happening with the environment. It’s important like you said to just think of little things you can do. 

RK: Yeah we can’t all save the planet every single day by doing mass gestures but we can all do small things. If we can change our small habits and we can do it collectively as an international people then we can make big changes but it requires all the manpower we have to all change our habits. But yes all about the little steps of getting there instead of feeling super guilty when you use a straw once. 

AS: Do you have any other sustainable brands whether that be in clothing or anything else that you’ve been loving lately? 

RK: Yeah! I love Girlfriend Collective if you’re not familiar with them they’re awesome. They’re a great brand. I love what they’re all about. I also really love Reformation and Patagonia. I think those are probably my favorite right off the top of my head. Another brand called Whimsy and Row I think they’re all based in Los Angeles as well. I’m all about shopping vintage; that’s really helpful. Or do clothing swaps with your friends. Utilizing Poshmark or shopping secondhand is awesome. I think the most sustainable thing you can do for your wardrobe is just to consume less in general. The fashion industry is I think the second or third largest pollutant in the world. And I think the only way we can really minimize waste is if there’s less of a demand. And that means purchasing less. That’s even me coming from a small brand who’s like, “yes please buy my clothes!” If you buy things that you love and you just hold onto those pieces for longer rather than buying something that’s just trendy and you’re gonna wear twice and throw away I mean the better option is to invest. Invest in your wardrobe and find pieces that you really really love that you’re gonna hold on to. 

AS:  The thing to me that makes Wayre such a great investment they’re so easy to pair with stuff and also the pockets! The pockets on your shorts and the dress they’re just amazing. There are pockets on the side there’s like a secret boob pocket in the dress. Y’all thought of everything. 

RK: Honestly, in the design process for myself I was just kind of being selfish and thinking, “If I’m gonna wear these shorts a million times what do I need them to have?” And I personally designed them on a selfish basis. But, yeah I agree just trying to make something that’s functional so that it does last you a really long time is our goal. 

Food Sustainability

Tips for eating sustainable without going vegan or vegetarian.

By Alexa Smith

Shop local at farmer’s markets.
Austin and it’s suburbs are all home to some amazing farmer’s markets that feature local vendors and farmers. Food can travel miles and miles to get to your grocery store – causing huge environmental impact. When you shop local at a farmer’s market you’re cutting down on that impact. Additionally, local farmers often have better animal and plant care as they don’t have to produce the same amount big companies do. This leads to less harmful and more sustainable practices.

Austin’s Sustainable Food Center still has their farmer’s markets open during the stay at home order just be sure to follow social distancing rules as you would at a regular grocery store. 

Additionally, many local restaurants are offering grocery pick-up orders. This is a great way to support local restaurants when many of them have lost a lot of business. Plus, you’ll often be able to find pantry staples that many stores are sold out of right now. Check out this list for where you can get your next grocery fix.

Avoid pre-packaged, pre-cut food when possible.
Yes those watermelon chunks and pineapple slices are so tempting in their perfect, little containers. However, this creates extra and unnecessary plastic waste. If you find yourself reaching for pre-cut produce during your lunch break a lot, think of starting to pack ahead so you can cut your produce at home. Not only will this help the environment, it will also be cheaper. 

Bring your own bags.
This one is pretty obvious – especially here in Austin. Tons of people already bring their reusable bags everywhere they go. But did you know you can replace plastic produce bags? For produce bags, check out an option like this or search up a tutorial to sew your own. 

Buy in bulk.
While bulk buying sections are mostly closed right now to prevent germ spread – once they open back up they are a great option for reducing waste when shopping. Buying bulk cuts down on the amount of packaging used for shipping, storing, and buying food. Additionally, you can ask the grocery store you shop at to use your own containers – such as a glass jar – to further prevent waste. 

Look into organic food.
Buying organic can be a great way to factor more sustainable food into your diet. However, according to an article from Columbia University it’s not always the most sustainable option. So don’t stress yourself about buying all organic everything. Instead, figure out which brands and products you trust and decide what is important for you to buy organic. 

The most important thing to remember when creating a sustainable diet is every bit counts. Even just shopping local for some products helps create a more sustainable lifestyle. Don’t feel like it’s all or nothing and as with cruelty free labels it’s important to do your own research and not just believe what you see on the packaging. 

 

Fast Fashion Versus Thrifting

The Pros and Cons of Two Trending Fashion Concepts

Written by McKenna Bailey

If you’ve ever fallen down an Internet rabbit hole, then you’ve probably ran into the trending fashion concepts of “fast fashion” and/or “thrifting.” However, if you haven’t heard of these popular trends then here is the lowdown.

“Fast fashion” is a term used by clothing retailers to describe fashion designs and items that move quickly from the catwalk to stores at cheaper prices.

“Thrifting” is the act of visiting second-hand shops, vintage clothing stores, garage sales, or charitable organization clothing stores in the hopes of finding cheap and trendy clothing.

So why are these methods, of staying in fashion while still being affordable, so trendy? One possible reason is because people are more environmentally and economically aware, says Devin Heitt, an online reporter on the Oudaily website.

Environmental awareness comes with thrifting only while economic awareness comes with thrifting and fast fashion. The best way to save money is by saving our planet also.

According to Oudaily, besides the fact that fast fashion shopping and thrifting is also a popular pastime among friends, it’s also a big hit among the Youtuber gurus.

Famous YouTube stars like Emma Chamberlain or other YouTuber’s whose channels are devoted to thrifting and fast fashion hauls like Carrie Dayton and Alexa Sunshine83 have spread far and wide across the platform and into the eyes of the viewers.

With the heavy influence that YouTuber’s and social media influencers have on their audience, it’s no wonder, fast fashion and thrifting are a big hit.

Before you decide which fashion method is best for you, or which method you will use, let’s examine the pros and cons of each, and you can decide for yourself.

According to the online news and lifestyle website The Good Trade , with fast fashion, anyone can support small and local retail business’ by purchasing fast fashion items from them. You will also find the item you are looking for faster using fast fashion over thrifting.

The fast fashion products may also be in better condition than if you were to find a used product in a thrift shop. However, The Good Trade says most retailers produce fast fashion at low cost, which makes the products low quality.

There are also ethical and economic reasons to consider when buying fast fashion. According to research done by the Rubicon group, a business dedicated to analyzing data, 11 million tons of fast fashion clothing is thrown out every year in America.

The Rubicon also stated in their findings that certain popular brands that carry fast fashion have harmful dyes, toxins, or synthetic fabrics that can affect the water supply in country where the fashion products were produced.

According to the Odyssey, an online news and community lifestyle website, the benefits of thrifting include saving the environment because buying clothes from a thrifting shop prevents those clothes from going to a landfill.

Sometimes, the clothes will even cheaper at thrifting shops than at retailers. Unless you buy thrifted clothes from a huge second-hand business, you will be helping most non-profit organizations and charities.

Some of the disadvantages of thrifting include the long time it takes to sort through the many, often unorganized, clothing items. Often the clothes have no warranty and no return policy, says the Odyssey.

The worlds of fast fashion and thrifting are both equally fun and exciting! So what will you choose, if you decide to thrift or fast fashion shop at all?

Five Remote Events for Taking a Break

Written by Marissa Greene

If you’re looking for a way to take your mind off the current events, Student Life has a variety of activities for ACC students. The catch, be signed into the Student Life Portal to see all events at austincc.edu/mysl.

  • Netflix Party Movie NightsNetflix Parties

Every Friday night Student Life will host Netflix Party Movie Nights where students can watch movies such as Nacho Libre, Tall Girl, and Cloverfield with fellow Riverbats through Netflix Party. Netflix Party is a free chrome extension that allows people to bond over some of their film favorites remotely. If you enjoy Netflix Originals with high school nostalgia and embracing one’s differences you can’t miss Tall Girl on April 17. If you love Superheros or are a Marvel Fanatic mark your calendars for May 1 for Antman & The Wasp. Lastly, who wouldn’t want to wrap up the semester with a movie that will leave you on the very edge of your seat? If that’s you, be sure to catch Cloverfield on May 8. To attend these events, simply RSVP to the event on the ACC Student Life Portal.

  • Kahoot Trivia Wednesday
    If you would rather enjoy putting your trivia skills to the ultimate test, make sure to partake in Student Life’s Kahoot Trivia Wednesdays. Every Wednesday at 3 p.m. Student Life will host a virtual Kahoot where students can compete with others on a variety of topics. For all of the sports fans, make sure to go big or go home on April 22 during Sports Trivia with Riverside. If you can paint with all the colors of the wind or own 101 Dalmations be sure to check out Disney Classics trivia with Northridge on April 29. If you always dreamed of having superpowers like Spiderman or Black Panther don’t forget about the Marvel Cinematic Universe trivia with Eastview on May 6. If you are always keeping up with the Kardashians and the latest trends you can’t miss Pop Culture trivia with Cypress Creek on May 13. There is only one entry per student per trivia. Not to mention, if you fill out the survey at the end of the trivia your name will be in the running to win a gift card. To be known as the ultimate trivia master, RSVP to the event on the ACC Student Life Portal.
  1. Life Skills 101life skills 101

Want to get a head start on building your future? If so, you’ll not want to miss the Life Skills 101 presentations hosted by Student Life through WebEx. These presentations will include life lessons that aren’t learned in the classroom such as a retirement planning workshop on April 28. Both events will begin at 1 p.m. and will last for about an hour. Find the details on how to participate in the Student Life Portal.  

  • Craft-ernoon
    Create fun projects using common household items by joining Student Life on Instagram @accstudentlife. If you are unable to see a loved one, or are currently able to enjoy their presence make a visual essay about them April 17. See the Instagram stories and create your own collage on May 1. Details on the Instagram Stories and Student Life Portal.
  • Meditation Mondaysmeditation mondays

Feeling stressed? Learn how to build mindfulness and incorporate yoga into your weekly routine with Meditation Mondays hosted by Student Life. These 30-minute yoga workshops will take place through Google Hangouts at 11 a.m. on April 13, April 27, and May 11. Discover your inner yogi while also entering yourself in the drawing for a gift card by completing a survey after the event. One entry per ACC student. Don’t forget to RSVP to the event on the ACC Student Life Portal. 

Understanding Cruelty Free Labels

Can you Trust just Any Bunny?

Written and photo by Alexa Smith

Going cruelty free in cosmetics is a great way to begin living a more sustainable lifestyle. However,  while it seems like an easy step to take, understanding different cruelty free labels can be difficult. Since the FDA does not regulate what constitutes as cruelty free, companies are free to make claims that may or may not be substantiated. Even independent accreditation such as PETA and Leaping Bunny have their own issues that make the “best” accreditation a hotly debated topic in the cruelty free community. If you’re looking to get truly committed to cruelty free it takes a little more work than simply looking for any old picture of a bunny. Here are a few different things to look out for when shopping cruelty free. 

“Cruelty Free” / “Not Tested on Animals”
As mentioned before, as there is no legal definition in the US of “cruelty free” or “not tested on animals” these phrases are not verified by the FDA. Since there is no regulation on these phrases, companies are free to use them however they please. They may not currently test the final product on animals but still buy from manufacturers that test on animals. They could also be using these claims while still testing on animals – there’s no way to be sure other than investigating the company itself. 

While these words themselves are not regulated by the FDA – that doesn’t mean the products with these phrases are not cruelty free or even unaccredited. Organizations such as PETA and The Leaping Bunny often charge more to license their logo and use it on products. So companies may be registered with the organization as cruelty free but not display the logo. This is where doing your own research comes in handy. 

I took a look at some of my products and found that a hair product I use from LUS (side note: great for curly hair!) has a simple claim of “No Animal Testing” which I wasn’t very convinced by. However, when I looked into their website I found that they are actually certified cruelty free by Leaping Bunny. So, if you have a current product you love with no bunny on it – don’t throw it out just yet! Do some research into the brand and company to find out more info on it. 

The Leaping Bunny Program
The Leaping Bunny label is one of the biggest names when looking for cruelty free products. It is often mentioned as one of the most reputable certifications because it is the only one that conducts audits of the companies it accredits. Their website states, “All Leaping Bunny companies must be open to independent audits” so it is not clear if they audit every company on their list. However, they are the only organization that requires companies to agree to a written statement and an audit. Leaping Bunny also requires that companies confirm with suppliers that they are not tested on animals. However, they do still accredit brands that are owned by companies that test on animals. When a brand is owned by a company that tests on animals, Leaping Bunny notes this in their Compassionate Shopping Guide

PETA’s Beauty without Bunnies
PETA’s cruelty free accreditation is considered lesser by cruelty free bloggers such as Cruelty Free Kitty and Ethical Elephant. In the linked article for Cruelty Free Kitty, the author Suzana Rose, found that one of the brands on PETA’s cruelty free list was not able to confirm if their suppliers were also cruelty free. So, unlike The Leaping Bunny Program, PETA does not confirm if brands are using cruelty free suppliers. You’ll notice PETA’s list is longer because of this. PETA also does not conduct any audits of these companies. All companies must do to be accredited by PETA is sign a statement of assurance and fill out a questionnaire. PETA argues that this method works since the statement is legally binding and they believe the threat of a public relations disaster encourages companies to tell the truth about their testing practices.

Choose Cruelty Free
Choose Cruelty Free (CCF) is a much smaller organization than PETA and Leaping Bunny. If you look on their About Section of their website you’ll find they only have two paid staff members and consist mostly of volunteers. This being said – they do not have the resources to audit their accredited brands as Leaping Bunny does. In this way they are similar to PETA since they only require a brand to sign a legally binding contract. However, what makes CCF different from PETA and Leaping Bunny is that they are the only organization that does not certify brands own by parent companies who test on animals. They also require brands to provide written verification from the brand’s suppliers that they do not test on animals.

So…what’s the best option? 

At the end of the day, the best option is to conduct your own research on brands and decide for yourself which accreditations you feel comfortable with. There is no right or wrong answer as all of these have their own pros and cons. The most important thing is to stay informed and understand what exactly each certification means. 

Breaking the Silence

Written, photograph and video by Marissa Greene

For the month of April people around the world are starting conversations about this month’s observance which is sexual assault and violence awareness. One way that society acknowledges this issue is through something called the Clothesline Project.

The Clothesline Project began with the Cape Cod’s Women’s Defense agenda in Hyannis, Massachusettes in 1990. According to the Clothesline Project, these women discovered that during the same time that 58 thousand soldiers were killed during the Vietnam war, 51 thousand women were killed in the U.S alone due to an act of sexual assault or sexual violence. To raise awareness of this issue, The Clothesline Project recognizes victims, survivors, or honors one who experiences this trauma by hanging a clothesline of shirts to represent those affected by sexual assault or sexual violence. Through these powerful visuals, The Clothesline Project hopes to make communities aware of the problem and how to get help. 

Sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence are all serious health issues that affect all people. According to a National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence, Survey is done by the CDC in 2015 one in every five women has experienced completed or attempted rape during her lifetime. The same survey also states that one in 14 men have experienced forced penetration in his lifetime. 

The Clothesline Project states on their website that “A public must be informed about violence in order to act to prevent it. Information on how to recognize and prevent violence, reach out to survivors and make a difference in the community is provided at each display of the project.” 

One way our Riverbat community has gotten this conversation started is through the conjunction with the Its on Us campaign. A social movement that shed light on college sexual assault and encouraged college students to pledge to do their part to change society. 

“So we had the Its on Us campaign, where students were able to pledge and show their support to other students and other survivors And then we brought the clothesline project with that, so students, again, have that voice to go out and have an outlet to talk about their stories or stories of their loved ones,” said Tamara Yanes, Student Life Coordinator. 

Austin Community College and it’s Student Life didn’t stop there. Instead, they sought more ways students can have an expressive outlet and support one another.

“At ACC we really looked at an opportunity in 2017 to bring a college-wide presence of supporting victims and showing a memorial for victims as well as survivors as an opportunity to cast light on the topic and give them the opportunity to express their emotion,” said Austin Wood, ACC Compliance Investigator. 

During that year, the ACC community planned to incorporate The Clothesline Project’s mission within the school. 

“We launched it in spring 2017 and it was something that had great success and was at every campus,” said Wood. 

After the launch, every April, students were able to participate or observe a clothesline full of shirts with expressive messages that students created hung up outside the campus or inside the commons. Giving all students a chance to see and become informed. These events shed light on the resources available to student survivors. 

“This is a way for their voice to be heard and shatter the silence and just make it so that students feel comfortable to come out and talk to us and see that we are here to support them. We are here to help them out. We are here to lead them in the right direction when it comes to getting those resources that they need,”  said Yanes. 

Along with The Clothesline Project, ACC hosts an annual Take Back the Night event every April where the college comes together with community resources as another way to spread awareness and provide a way for students to be heard. 

“This may be the first time that they even say something happened to them. And seeing that changes to: “this does happen. I can say something. I do have a voice.” and it’s just to see how empowering it is for those students to finally say something,” said Yanes. 

“There is a big stigma on being a victim or survivor of this. It’s almost kind of like a barrier. So to create a conversation around it, that the barrier is kind of broken and we are able to get past that stigma- then there is a lot that people can do to support one another and have a greater sense of unity and community. And that’s really cool, that’s the foundation of the college,” said Wood.

One of the biggest ways students can make an impact to shatter the silence is to be an active bystander. This means to not just witness a situation but also take measures to deescalate it or standing up for someone else.

“If you see something, say something. A lot of times we just want to shy away from different things that are outside in the world, and we just don’t want to be involved in it. At the end of the day, we need to say something and we need to be that powerful voice because there are some people that don’t have that yet, and we need to advocate for them” said Yanes. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG_HcfL-UJU&feature=youtu.be”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]More resources on austincc.edu/mysl

Some resources listed on MySL:

  • ACC Counseling Offices — Learn more about services and programs across the district that aim to foster life balance, develop personal and academic growth, and help maintain a safe and healthy learning environment.
  • ACC District Police — Officers are available on campuses at all times when campuses are open. ACC offers police escorts if you ever feel you need someone to walk with you on campus.
  • Safe Place — Safe Place is ending sexual and domestic violence through safety, healing, prevention and social change.
  • National Women’s Shelters Directory — Listing of shelters in the Austin area.
  • Texas Advocacy Project — Provides free legal services statewide to victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
  • Texas Council on Family Violence — The Texas Council on Family Violence has three main focuses: policy, support to service providers and retention.
  • City of Austin Victim Services Resources — A detailed list of 24-hour crisis hotlines, victim assistance programs, support groups/counseling services and alcohol drug abuse prevention programs.

 

Responsible Recycling

Written by Alexa Smith

How to ensure your recycling is the best it can be.

Recycling has gone up almost 7% in the past 20 years as more and more people become concerned about the environment. From companies rolling out “greener” products to schools and businesses enforcing recycling programs – eco-friendly is everywhere you look. In many cities, especially in Austin, it’s the norm for resident’s to have their own recycling regime. But how effective are our recycling practices in our homes? Many people don’t sort their recyclables correctly which can make an entire batch of items that are non-recyclable. Below are some of the most common recycling mistakes that you can avoid to become more responsible in recycling.

  1. Recycling plastic film itemsplastic waste
    Items such as grocery bags, plastic Amazon mailers, and other plastic items cannot be recycled with Austin’s curbside pickup program. Check out Austin’s “What Do I Do With?” page to find where to take these and other items or search for a plastic film collection location on this website.
  2. Not rinsing out food residuerinsing hands
    Items such as jars, bottles, and even milk jugs need to be rinsed and dried before tossing into your recycling bin. Any food residue left on the items can contaminate the entire batch of recycling and make it non-recyclable.
  3. Not breaking down cardboard boxes
    cat on cardboardWhile put-together cardboard boxes won’t be non-recyclable, you’ll be able to fit more into your bin and make pick up easier when you flatten and break down your cardboard boxes.
  4. Not preparing foil correctlyfoil
    YES foil can be recycled! Just make sure there’s no food residue and take the time to crumble it into a ball at least two inches wide. Or, you can always save it and create some foil sculptures.
  5. Recycling pizza boxespizza boxes
    Due to the amount of grease left on pizza boxes – they are unable to be recycled. Even if there’s no more food residue, it’s virtually impossible to get the grease out of the cardboard. So it’s better to keep it out of recycling to ensure the batch is not contaminated.

Check out Austin’s website for more recycling tips and FAQs.

Round Rock Recycling Information

Buda Recycling Information 

Pflugerville Recycling Information

Cedar Park Recycling Information

Georgetown Recycling Information

Leander Recycling Information

Happiness Over Acceptance

Written by Alyssa Lopez

Acceptance, for many, is feeling welcomed and having a sense of belonging. Happiness is something most of us seek in order to make us feel whole. Worrying about how someone chooses to perceive who we are can have a major impact on us. The constant notion of being judged by people and trying to be accepted can, perhaps, lead us to downplay our selves, ultimately dwindling our own happiness. The question we should ask ourselves is
do we want to be accepted or be happy?

“In the past, I always felt like people would judge me, and it was not for anything specific. I have stopped myself from going through with certain situations because I didn’t think I was good enough,” says health science student, Jessie Braganca.

For many, having a feeling of your ear ringing as your name drops from mouth to mouth; the belief of being the mistake; or even the light laugh as you pass strangers can spark self-doubt. This feeling can activate fear – fueling inner thoughts to cloud our minds, causing discouragement.

This discouragement can cause fear of saying the wrong thing and feeling misplaced. “I feel confident with myself, but I have had strangers comment about how ‘big’ I am straight to my face. I am not going to lie and say it doesn’t hurt. Comments like that stay with me,” says health science student, Emma Mckibben.

Instead of allowing the self-doubt to grow within you try to diminish that feeling. There are going to be imperfect days where internal conflicts or criticism will challenge your self-view. In that moment of weakness know that it is okay to not be okay. Take that weakness, learn from it, do not let it define or defeat you, and know you are not alone. Wake up in the morning telling yourself and believing that it will be a good day. Learn to laugh at mistakes, to look in the mirror and know you are beautiful, enough, and to never hold back. Happiness is a state of mind and you have the power to control it. Your own well-being should always overpass wanting to be accepted and aiming to be beatific. Love over hate. Heart over mind. Confidence over fear. Happiness over acceptance.

Mckibben says, “at the end of the day it is just you, so go through life knowing that you are living for yourself and no one else”.

Photo Story: Horseback Rider

Photos and Text by Justine Lockhart

The heat has already started to peak, but to Anika Lockhart it doesn’t matter. Even as the sweat rolls down her face, she keeps riding, pushing herself, and her horse, onward. Lockhart has been riding horses since she was a child but she didn’t get back into it until 2013. “I’ve always loved horse since I can remember,” Lockhart said.

After picking up her old hobby, she began training for shows. Lockhart rides dressage, a type of horseback riding in which the rider makes the horse perform choreographed movements. Horse and rider have to be in tune with one another to be successful, but Lockhart believes that she and her horse, Bentley, have developed a special relationship. “You have to work in harmony with the horse,” Lockhart said. “You have to work with them and build up a relationship where they want to work and they actually enjoy it.”

Lockhart’s love for horses has not been dulled since childhood, and she plans to keep riding for as long as she can. “It’s a very relaxing but also challenging activity,” Lockhart said. “I love everything about it.”