About

Welcome :) My name is Raquel and thank you for visiting my blog!

What's Zero Waste?

Zero Waste is a concept that's really gaining traction online. A quick google search can lead you to dozens of bloggers and youtubers that are interested in cutting waste and increasing sustainable practices. 

This movement can be summed up with what is commonly known as the "5 R's" 

Refuse what you don't need

Reduce the amount you need

Reuse your materials, avoid single-use items

Repurpose  what would otherwise be recycled or trashed

Recycle what cannot be reused or repurposed


While some notable members of the "Zero Waste" community have made impressive feats, like fitting two year's worth of trash in a single mason jar, it is important to understand that this is not the expectation or standard for Zero Waste. 

Location, socioeconomic status, and a variety of other factors all can impact one's ability to make sustainable decisions. For example, your average person who lives in the Bay Area will have an easier time purchasing food in bulk than someone who lives in a food desert. 

Zero waste is about focusing on what changes you can reasonably make, in your own life, to minimize your impact on the environment. 


Who am I?

I'm glad you asked! I'm a fourth year transfer student at the University of the Pacific (currently on track to graduate Spring 2018!). Prior to transferring to Pacific, I spent three years at UC Davis. 

Why did I start this blog? 


I started writing this blog for a content engineering course. My professor suggested that we write on a topic we're passionate about and don't mind spending a lot of  our time researching and writing about. 

Naturally, I wanted to write about my cat. I mean, who doesn't want to receive academic credit to write about their cat? 

Anyways, that didn't fly. So, I settled on writing about sustainability. 

I first learned about sustainability while on a tour of the Jess S. Jackson Sustainable Winery Building at UC Davis.  On the tour I learned that this building could reuse up to 90% of its water. This really struck a chord with me. Probably because California was in the middle of a drought. 

It can be difficult to find student oriented information about Zero Waste.

It took me a long time to adopt any new habits. About three years, actually. 

Most of the sites I visited didn't account for the fact that 

• I lived in a dorm
• I wasn't a real an established adult
• I had other priorities/interests 
• I didn't have money

As a young adult wandering onto those sites I often found myself faced with a high learning curve. I hardly knew how to use the washing machines in the dorms and now I'm supposed to do it by hand? 

What was my first homemade product?

In the Fall of 2016 I started going to school at the University of the Pacific. I took a course called Environment and Literature. The readings and discussions really began to make me think deeply about the products we use. 

The first sustainable product I personally made and used was a Lavender Coconut Oil Lotion. I was really skeptical that something I could eat would work better than the 'fancy' body butter I had bought from Bath and Bodyworks. 

I put the homemade lotion on my arms and the body butter on my legs. The difference was incredible. The skin on my arms had a healthy glow and were soft to the touch. While my legs felt (and looked) like they had a synthetic residue left on them. 

I have not purchased lotion in a year. 

Finally...

This blog is my attempt at making this information more accessible and understandable. So teens and young adults (or anyone who is willing to learn) can help lead the way to a more sustainable relationship with our environments.

Vision Statement