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University of St. Thomas Staff & Faculty Feed

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Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Happiness
    How does/can practicing gratitude keep you centered and motivated to work for a better world?

    Sue Kittams's avatar
    Sue Kittams 4/23/2024 7:09 AM
    Practicing gratitude reminds me that while my circumstance may be flawed or lacking, finding something for which to be grateful in each situation while reflecting on what can be done differently, helps me to stay motivated for improvement.

    • Katelin Dias's avatar
      Katelin Dias 4/23/2024 12:24 PM
      I totally agree with this. It is hard to stay motivated and grateful, but practicing it really helps make it easy and be a little less stressed.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Learn More about Food Apartheid
    What can lack of access to nutritious food affect a community? How can having access to nutritious food help a community become more resilient?

    Sue Kittams's avatar
    Sue Kittams 4/23/2024 7:00 AM
    Lack of access to nutritious food can negatively impact the overall health of a community. Nutritious food supports community resilience by reinforcing better health, less health-related issues, and among children, better learning preparedness.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Attend a Sustainability Week event
    Share which event(s) you attended and what you learned! Did you have any takeaways from the event that can help you build habits to live and/or work sustainably on campus?

    Maria Dahmus's avatar
    Maria Dahmus 4/22/2024 6:48 AM
    I participated in the St. Thomas Mississippi River Clean Up on Sunday - thank you to Facilities and the Sustainability Club for hosting it! As we were walking along the river, we saw a ducklings swimming by!

  • Sue Kittams's avatar
    Sue Kittams 4/22/2024 6:15 AM
    I'm finding it is incredibly difficult to recycle worn/unwearable clothing and textiles. My county recycling center doesn't have much info on it other than to check out other organizations, none of which are convenient or even accessible.

    • Sue Kittams's avatar
      Sue Kittams 4/22/2024 7:34 AM
      Yes, I have looked into Ridwell and they sound like a great organization. Unfortunately they are not in my community yet and I think they require many more participants to sign up before they will come. :( I wish I could find an organization that makes rag rugs - like back in my grandma's day when all the old clothes would be ripped into strips, kept in a basket and then made into beautiful rugs. Maybe a job for me when I retire.........

    • Maria Dahmus's avatar
      Maria Dahmus 4/22/2024 6:56 AM
      If you haven't already, check out Ridwell. Ridwell is a great business (they charge a monthly fee) that recycles unwearable clothing and textiles and many other items that most city/county recycling services aren't able to collect (e.g., plastic film, multi-layer plastics). They provide a bin and pick up from your door every other week. https://www.ridwell.com/
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion
    How can you express your personality, creativity, and values in ways that don't require fast fashion or buying more clothes and accessories?

    Sue Kittams's avatar
    Sue Kittams 4/22/2024 5:53 AM
    Buy quality, timeless items and keep them for many years.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Reduce Single-Use Disposables
    What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What did you substitute or could be substituted instead?

    Sue Kittams's avatar
    Sue Kittams 4/22/2024 5:52 AM
    Reusable containers and no straws.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity De-Clutter My Home or Dorm Room
    How can you prevent yourself from accumulating more unnecessary things in the future?

    Sue Kittams's avatar
    Sue Kittams 4/22/2024 5:51 AM
    By practicing contentment.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Attend a Sustainability Week event
    Share which event(s) you attended and what you learned! Did you have any takeaways from the event that can help you build habits to live and/or work sustainably on campus?

    Rachel Schauer's avatar
    Rachel Schauer 4/21/2024 3:49 PM
    I attended the Mississippi River Cleanup! It was a beautiful day for the cleanup and a great start to Sustainability Week. Our group spent time on the shore of the river cleaning up. Taking time to participate in the cleanup is a great way to learn about which items are the biggest issues when it comes to litter. We found a lot of cans, glass, and wrappers.

  • Rachel Schauer's avatar
    Rachel Schauer 4/17/2024 8:27 AM
    Sustainability Week is April 21-27! In addition to the Ecochallenge, organizations across campus are hosting a variety of events and activities to celebrate! Check out the full schedule at link.stthomas.edu/sustweek24.


  • Rachel Schauer's avatar
    Rachel Schauer 4/17/2024 8:16 AM
    Hi all! Welcome to the University of St. Thomas staff & faculty team! We are so glad you are joining us in participating in the Ecochallenge during Sustainability Week! The challenge begins Sunday, April 21 and you can check in every day during the week through Saturday, April 27. If you have any questions, please feel free to add a comment or contact sustainability@stthomas.edu.