How the Pandemic Has Positively Changed Genesis Butler’s Sustainability Habits

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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking every action we can to continue our sustainable practices. However, we must prioritize the health and safety of ourselves and our loved ones, which can often alter our sustainability habits. We sat down (virtually) with Genesis Butler, animal rights and environmental activist and dear friend of the EMA Community, to learn about how the pandemic has affected her sustainable routine.

How has the pandemic changed your sustainability habits for better or for worse?

  • Honestly, the pandemic positively changed my sustainability habits. For one, I now don't have to fly to give presentations and take part in events. I do them from my home, using the internet, so this helps me be more sustainable. Spending more time at home gives me more time to think about how I can be more sustainable. It is common now for people to buy more products online if they are home and bored. I used to do this a lot, but now I have my mom take me to thrift stores to buy clothes and shoes. I also joined a buy nothing group in Long Beach, where I swap clothes with people who don’t want their items anymore. This helps me be much more sustainable because I am not buying new items and adding to the waste problem we have on this planet from consumerism.

How are you doing repurposing/reusing single-use items & packaging with the new COVID restrictions and safety precautions? Do you have any tips?

  • One thing I love doing is finding ways to use packaging. For example, I had some shoe boxes in my closet that were just sitting there so I made a DIY jewelry holder. I painted the box then poked holes so I could add all my earrings. I also make sure everyone in my family is recycling. I taught my family what can be recycled so we have special bins and we recycle single-use packaging. 

How do you talk to family & friends about being sustainable / eating more plant-based during the holidays?

  • I share pictures of all the food my family eats during the holidays. They see that they can still have the same foods, but just in a plant-based version. I also share recipes with them to make it easier for them to ask their parents to make plant-based alternatives to their traditional dishes. I also talk about the impact of eating just one plant-based meal a day. It motivates them to eat more plant-based meals because they understand that each meal can have a positive impact on the planet. 

What are small actions people can take to reduce their environmental footprint during the holidays & covid-19? / How can people take sustainability into their own hands during a time when we have to be extra sanitary? 

  • People can think about their shopping habits and learn about how these actions impact the environment. Education facilitates change. An action they can take to reduce their footprint is to think about all the foods they eat and look up plant-based recipes for all their favorite foods. They can have fun and re-create their favorite meals in a plant-based version!

By Alexa Garcia & Genesis Butler

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