Local Eco Business Feature: So Thrifty TT

 SO THRIFTY

👚👗👕♻👔👘👖

    Sustainable changes remain some of the primary actions that individuals can effectively execute. Despite issues of power inequities, environmental depletion and degradation, and large-scale pollution, functioning at the individual's capacity to conserve and protect our environment becomes a viable avenue for effecting change. Equally, modern day consumerism fosters a desire for material accumulation, a need for secure social and physical image, and a strong interest in fashion trends. 

    This week, the blog aims to feature a local eco-business in Trinidad and Tobago that centers on fashion and clothing in a sustainable manner. Ms. Shania Albert, founder of So Thrifty TT notes that she created her business due to her love for thrifting clothing and dressing-up, and for her desire to be more economical. She reiterates that her household advocates for recycling and reusing, and she was accordingly advised by her older sister to create an online thrift store amidst the pandemic to channel her passions productively. She asserts that she believes “in promoting a sustainable means of staying trendy with fashion and saving the planet.” 

    

    So Thrifty TT aims to provide an eco-friendly virtual thrift store, along with an avenue to “thrive and survive” during the pandemic as a new business. Ms. Albert outlines that her business creates a “safe cyber-clothing store” that allows individuals to: 

• Shop affordably 
• Have access to stylish clothing 
• Promote a more sustainable fashion environment and eco-friendly world 

She further echoes that the businesses core values center on “locally sourcing new and used clothing, using eco-friendly and reusable packaging, and providing quality customer service.” 

    So Thrifty’s niche involves the sale of second-hand clothing. Ms. Albert expresses her hopes of eventually diversifying the online shop to include everyday items as well. She adds that she equally aims to encourage “thrifters to purchase more reusable and cheaper products to promote a sustainable lifestyle” and likewise experiment with their style in a more accessible manner at a local level. She summarizes that So Thrifty offers: 

• The sale of second-hand clothing 
• The consignment of clothing 
• The donation of clothes to be sold. 

    

    So Thrifty and thrifting seek to lessen the adverse impacts of climate injustices and climate change by creating a local cyber-store committed to reducing our environmental footprint. Consumers moreover fail to recognize and consider the environmental impacts of the air travel involved in the shipment of their clothing sourced from international websites and brands. Ms. Albert asserts that sustainable local thrift stores can further reduce the waste accumulated in local landfills while supporting the desire of the human social being to be fashionable and trendy. 

    Ms. Albert confesses that the process of creating a sustainable business persists as an ongoing learning opportunity with challenges, especially in the context of the global pandemic and national State of Emergency. She contrasts that since the launch of So Thrifty TT in April, she has experienced both highs and lows due to the implications and limitations of public spaces. This has impacted the flow of customers, where local lockdowns limited that amount of purchases and sales. Ms. Albert reflects that while this has been unmotivating at times, she has persevered and has additionally been making sweet boxes with her cousin to cover general expenses and bills. She asserts that despite the challenges endured, she has been consistently striving to maintain an online presence and provide her services to her customers while concurrently "promoting an alternative lifestyle with fashion."

    She illustrates that she believes that as a collective, we can make partaking in sustainable and eco-friendly practices more mainstream through advocating for increased awareness, better conversation practices, and further providing alternative and eco-friendlier services. She adds that persons who are wealthy also engage in thrifting as part of a "look" or trend, as opposed to thrifting out of necessity or with sustainable intentions. She shares her hopes that sustainability, environmentalism, and eco-friendly practices do not become glamourized as part of these trends, and instead become conscious actions and choices done for the wellbeing of the environment. 

    Ms. Albert resolves that her vision for the future of the Caribbean involves eco-friendly changes and the promotion of sustainable local products and services that assist in the reduction of our imports. She concludes that she wants citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to strive for our actions to be better, and to live and promote a more sustainable world. 

For more information on So Thrifty TT and their services, or to contact Ms. Albert, reach out to them on Instagram and Facebook @so_thrifty_tt 

Clean-Up Challenge

 

 Clean-Up Challenge Recap

🍂🧴🌾🌊

    In celebration of the International Day for Disaster Reduction, which took place on the 13th of October 2021, the UWI STAT St. Augustine Corps hosted a Clean-Up Challenge in the form of a virtual clean-up drive that sought to recognize the role of littering and pollution in exacerbating natural phenomena, such as flooding. Pollution, to an extent, becomes a disaster of its own. Trinidad and Tobago has seen extensive flooding following rainfall, which can be partially attributed to poor drainage systems hindered by man-made and organic debris that block water systems.

    Human beings are accordingly prone to becoming bystanders in their environment and they maintain that they do not have responsibility for events that they did not directly cause. Likewise, the bystander effect persists as a complex psychological phenomenon that suggests that people often fail to take initiative in times of crisis as they believe that someone else will take charge and lead initiatives. It is thus important that individuals take an active and direct role in maintaining and securing their environment to ensure that a healthier, productive, and cleaner space is sustained. 

    Littering similarly has devastating impacts to both wildlife and humans, and it thus demands attention and action. It is important that we do what we can to keep our environment clean and reduce avoidable phenomena.

    As part of the challenge, citizens of Trinidad and Tobago were asked to look around their immediate home and surroundings, locate litter, and responsibly dispose of it. They were requested to send in photos before, and after they did this. The photos were then posted to Instagram  and the post with the most likes was accordingly deemed the winner.

We wish to recognize each of our participants! We had three submissions, two participants, and one winner!

In first place, with 25 likes at the end of the voting window, was Ms. Katrina Sammy 🏆

@kat_rina_xx

In second place, with 22 likes, was Ms. Priya Anmolsingh 🥈

@priya.anmsolingh

Thirdly, we recognize our final submission from Ms. Samantha Joseph of So Eco 🌺

@soeco.tt

Responsible Waste Disposal remains imperative to environmental and human wellbeing. Be sure to:

• Throw away all of your waste items responsibly. 
• Clean up any litter, debris, and waste items from your surroundings. 
• Reduce the quantity of waste that you produce by living a low impact or low waste lifestyle.

For more information on specific local and regional disasters, in tandem with data about their causes, impacts, and measures we can take to reduce and mitigate their impacts, visit our #monthlymitigations initiative on Instagram!

Garden Update #1: Seasonal Crops

Seasonal Crops 

🌱🌾🌹🍃🌿

 

    June to December marks the commencement of the second half of the year, and signifies Rainy Season in Trinidad and Tobago. Accordingly, seasonal crops are often planted in preparation for the end of the year harvest. They usually bare between December and January, even if they are planted a few months too late. These include sorrel and pigeon peas, which are crops synonymous with Trinidad and Tobago Christmas culture. 

• Both of these crops can be easily germinated from seeds saved from prior harvests or purchases. Pigeon peas plants can be hatched from matured peas, as well as from dried pigeon peas. 
• In tandem with this, both plants grow relatively easily and require little maintenance. 
• They can be planted directly into the earth, or in a suitably sized pot or container. 
• They accordingly begin producing flowers that become the produce we collect and use. 
• They usually need to be cleaned or shelled in some way. 
• Harvesting pigeon peas involves opening the pod and removing the individual peas. 
• On the other hand, using sorrel involves peeling the red skin off of the seed pod. 

   

 Sorrel petals and pigeon peas can be used for a variety of cuisines.

Sorrel:

• Sorrel petals or skin can be boiled and seasoned with spices to create a festive Christmas drink. 
• Sorrel skin, either fresh or left over from making Sorrel drinks, can be boiled with sugar and lime juice to make Sorrel Jam.
• Sorrel can be dried and used for teas.
• Sorrel can be preserved as savory local pickles, including Kuchela.

Pigeon Peas:

• Pigeon peas can be cooked in a variety of savory styles, as with any other legume. 
• Pigeon peas can also be frozen or dried for times when it is not in season.

If you have any unique methods of using these produce items, then feel free to comment and share them!

Reducing Our Waste

REDUCING OUR WASTE AND IMPACT 
 🗑🍶🍴🌱 

    Reducing centers on the concept of minimizing the quantity of waste that we produce and dispose of, and it further considers reducing the impacts that we have on the natural environment. There are many methods of reducing our waste and impact, inclusive of: 

 conserving water and electricity 🌊

Wasting resources often accelerates their depletion, and increases the likelihood of shortages. Utilizing resources, such as water and electricity, only when they are actively in use can assist in reducing waste. This might include simple actions such as turning off taps while brushing one's teeth, or turning off and unplugging electrical appliances when not in use.

 investing in reusable and durable items 🍴

Individuals can invest in items that last for multiple uses over a long period of time. This reduces the need for disposable alternatives, and subsequently limits the quantity of waste being disposed of. This might be illustrated by reusable utensils, water bottles, bags, and hygiene products.

 stopping or reducing use of disposable single-use non-compostable items ☕

In tandem with the previous point, individuals can limit their use of disposable and single-use items that cannot be easily composted, such as disposable cups, disposable plates, and other convenient products. Using reusable or compostable alternatives can reduce the accumulation waste. 

 buying secondhand items and donating older items 👕

Individuals can also reduce the quantity and accumulation of waste by purchasing, selling, or donating second-hand items that are still in working condition. This limits the need for disposing of older items that are still functional but no longer needed, and also offers an environmentally and economically-friendly method of replacing or purchasing items. Individuals can access charity or thrift shops, use virtual marketplaces, or donate older items to persons in need.

 purchasing items in bulk 🌾

Further, citizens can invest in purchasing bulk items. This often proves to be more cost effective, and also reduces the need for multiple smaller packages. Larger packages, such as jugs, bags, boxes, and sacks can be easily reused, and can also be used to refill smaller packages as needed. Considering the example of rubbing alcohol, multiple small bottles might serve no other purpose and be thrown away, whereas one large jug can be used for the same amount of time, and can be repurposed in multiple ways.

 buying new items only when they are needed 🎈

Individuals can refrain from making unnecessary purchases that they are unlikely to use long-term or benefit from. Modern consumerist culture promotes continuous buying and accumulation of new goods. This is a wasteful practice since items acquired might prove to be nonvaluable and would be eventually disposed of, adding to waste accumulation.

 composting food waste and preserving excess food items 🌱

Food waste persists as a pivotal issue in many parts of the world. Practicing composting, food-preservation techniques, and other methods of reducing food waste can limit the amount of food products that are accumulated with forms of non-compostable waste items. Food wastes, when disposed of together with non-biodegradable wastes, also make it difficult to sort and repurpose materials, and it instead becomes garbage that multiplies at landfills.

 purchasing local goods, and opting for products with less packaging🍃

Local businesses and markets have less environmental impacts due to a number of factors, and are hence more sustainable. Equally, purchasing products from organizations that use less packaging can reduce the amount of waste disposed of by individuals through limiting the quantity of non-compostable parts that have to be thrown away.