My vision for a positive future has roots in the present. Its in the things that are directly related to me (my friends and family) and the things I see on media (protesters, land back groups and other advocators for social justice). In my immediate circle, my friends and family have already committed to buying (and selling) more consciously, second-hand and from brands that have proven sustainable practices and values. This needs to continue and will continue as we strive to not only possesses less but to spend less money and save for our future. To recycle, reuse materials as much as possible is already a practice that my Mexican-immigrant household uses every day and that has been ingrained in me. Immigrants from lower socioeconomic status countries like my parents already practice water-saving, food-waste elimination, and other practices that use items to their maximum ability out of necessity. I'm very privileged to be able to have everything I need in abundance (and excess) such that these practices are no longer out of necessity but out of privilege. It is ingrained in my morals and values to make things last because everything when properly maintained should last and I've always been taught to look for what will last the longest. My plans to change begin with teaching others the way my parents taught me: to hand clothes down, to hand books down, to donate and to buy second-hand, to recycle carefully, to turn off the lights and to only place on your plate when you are going to eat as well as share abundance that you possess with others.
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Hey Amy, growing up as a first generation Canadian I very much relate to your families practices. Whether or not it was sought out with the intention of being environmentally concious being taught that you dont need the newest or best of everything is a disolving practice. I love you mention to second hand clothes, tranding programs within neighbor hoods or even shoping at local thrift shops is a wonderful way to give life to clothes that are either too small or still have practical use!
I can relate a lot to your experiences Amy! When we have the privilege and access to resources, oftentimes time we can forget the values of the simple things in our lives and unintentionally create more waste for the environment. I love how you practice handing down stuff you don't use anymore so others can give them new lives.
Hi Amy,
Thanks for sharing! I definitely think immigrant families have the reuse and recycle concept nailed down! My mom also loves to reuse everything that can possibly be reused and this is definitely something that everyone needs to implement in their lives, regardless of how wealthy or priveleged they are! I am definitely trying to follow in my mom's footsteps more with this.
Hi Amy,
Thank you for your contribution and sharing your visions. I also come from a houshold that resuses everything, and does things to save money. Although the main reason is to save money, it helps to keep things out of landfill. I enjoyed reading about your reflection on your life.
I really like your point of view, and frugality is one of the best ways to reduce waste and consumption, but in today's society, many people may can't do it, especially the relatively rich and high status, they need some support by extravagance and waste, so they won't use second-hand products (which would affect their image and status), While most people may be able to implement frugal programs, there will always be a large number of people who are materially well off who will not. This is a very troublesome problem.
It is really great to know that someone is working hard in their daily life trying to do something to the environment. It shows that people could really do something if we care about the environment, we just need more engagement. If more and more people could start to do something just as you and your family have done, the world will become a better place.
From one immigrant household to another (a common theme I think most 1st gen kids can relate to), I was repeatedly told that "old is gold" 😂 Everytime I received a hand-me-down whether that was clothes or toys, my parents always said the older it was the better it'll be. It's a very cute anecdote but it really carries a lot more truth to it than I would've thought at 6 years old! These practices where items have been passed down from generation to generation is a really incredible and sustainable practice a lot of parents/grandparents teach their kids, especially knowing how scarce resources can be in certain times you really have to use what you're given to its fullest extent :)
This is indeed a perfect idea. Buying and selling used goods can help us save money and avoid wasting things. I'm a big fan of buying second-hand products that are just as good as new while saving me money and buying second-hand products can also reduce over-consumption and waste that cause damage to the environment. Why not do it.
A small trend I keep seeing from time to time are those people putting up mini libraries/book exchanges on a post at the end of their driveway with about 15-20 books in them. I've also gotten into the habit of signing a book in the back with a date and giving it directly to someone else and only asking that hey do the same. Just give them away when you're done reading. This helps with me not storing tons of books....because after 40 years of collecting, they take up a lot of space. So its time to give them away.
Hi Amy!
Really appreciate your perspective here! I've noticed the same tendencies among first-generation and second-generation immigrants that I've met in my life. Both my parents are second-generation immigrants (my grandparents are from Lithuania, the UK, the U.S., and Hungary), and posses many of the same habits you note (recycling carefully, saving items as long as possible, turning off the lights).
As a third-generation immigrant, I find these habits are not as ingrained as me as they are in my parents. Some of it has to do with the fact that I have grown up with so much, and fail to recognize the consequences of my waste. My hope is that I can develop these habits, and pass them down to my children.
I also love the idea of handing clothes and books down. Mending clothes is a fun hobby—learning how to sew etc.
I love the idea of handing clothes down, and buying second-hand items! As well as, educating others to do the same would contribute to a positive community overall <3