Sustainability Library
What kind of world will you leave behind? What will be your legacy? Whether you choose to believe or not, the data shows that the planet is warming, heatwaves are getting stronger, hurricanes more intense, and flooding more frequent. CO2 level today is something we have not seen in 4 million years; and for those of us living in the equator (that's us Indonesians), we will not be able to go out without dying from heat-stroke or air-toxicity within the next 70 years. At our current rate, we are like a civilization enclosing ourselves in a running car in a sealed garage. There is no chance we can survive if we do not start making changes in the way we live. Yes, the crisis is daunting, but we must not give into despair and instead look to hope to inspire us to act. That hope begins with knowledge, and it starts today.
Composting
1
Select a dry, shady spot near a water source.
Ideal size for your compost area is 3 feet wide by 3 feet deep by 3 feet tall (1 cubic yard). You can buy a bin, use chicken wire, or just isolate an area of ground for your compost heap.
2
Add brown and green material in alternate layers.
Try and keep the ratio roughly 3 parts browns to 1 part greens. Make sure larger pieces of material are chopped or shredded.
3
Keep the compost moist (but not too wet).
Moisture helps with the breakdown of organic matter.
4
Occasionally turn your compost mixture to provide aeration.
This helps speed up the composting process and keeps things airy, which cuts the risk of things getting smelly.
5
As materials breakdown, the pile will get warm.
There might even be steam. Don't be alarmed. That means it's working. Now you just have to wait.
6
All done!
When material is dark with no remnants of food or waste, your compost is ready. Add it to lawns and gardens or anywhere that could benefit from some good soil.
Symbols and What They Mean
Sustainability Oriented Symbols on Packaging and What They Mean
Ever come across the following symbols and not know what they mean?
MOBIUS LOOP indicates that the container is recyclable/capable of being recycled. Does not mean it will be recycled or has been recycled.
MOBIUS LOOP WITH PERCENTAGE indicates the packaging is recyclable but has a percentage that has been made from recycled material.
GREEN DOT does not mean packaging is recyclable/will be recycled/been recycled. Used in some European countries production to signify that the producer has made a financial contribution towards the recovery and recycling of packaging in Europe.
PLASTIC RESIN CODE/NUMBER in the middle indicates the type of plastic used to make the item.
TIDYMAN asks you to not litter. Does not relate to recycling, but a mere reminder to be a good citizen to dispose the item in an appropriate manner.
FSC identifies wood-based products from well-managed forest independently certified in accordance with the rules of the FSC.
LEAPING BUNNY means the products and ingredients that were used in the product, were not tested on animals at any stage during the development.
VEGAN products contain no animal ingredients or animal byproducts, including honey, beeswax, gelatin, yogurt and other less obvious animal byproducts like lanolin (wool grease), squalene (shark liver oil), carmine (crushed-up beatles), ambergris (whale vomit), and placenta (sheep organs).
Top Sustainability Documentaries
SEMES7A
"Diproduseri oleh aktor pemenang penghargaan Nicholas Saputra, sekaligus hasil kolaborasinya dengan Kementarian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan Republik Indonesia, Semesta berkisah tentang tujuh sosok dari tujuh provinsi Indonesia yang bergerak memelankan dampak perubahan iklim dengan merawat alam atas dorongan agama, kepercayaan, dan budaya masing-masing."
MINIMALISM
"How might your life be better with less? Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things examines the many flavors of minimalism by taking the audience inside the lives of minimalists from all walks of life -- families, entrepreneurs, architects, artists, journalists, scientists, and even a former Wall Street broker -- all of whom are striving to live a meaningful life with less."
A PLASTIC OCEAN
"A Plastic Ocean begins when journalist Craig Leeson, searching for the elusive blue whale, discovers plastic waste in what should be pristine ocean. In this adventure documentary, Craig teams up with free diver Tanya Streeter and an international team of scientists and researchers, and they travel to twenty locations around the world over the next four years to explore the fragile state of our oceans, uncover alarming truths about plastic pollution, and reveal working solutions that can be put into immediate effect."
BEFORE THE FLOOD
"Using his celebrity status to draw attention to the problem of global warming, one of the most important and pressing issues of our time, actor and United Nations Messenger of Peace, Leonardo DiCaprio, travels the globe to witness firsthand the effects of an impending environmental disaster. By visiting ancient melting glaciers and levelled Indonesian tropical forests, DiCaprio unearths an urgent situation and the world's dependence on fossil fuels, going as far as to visit President Obama himself for an in-depth interview. But, can this crusade inspire the climate-change deniers?"
COWSPIRACY
"The World's largest environmental organizations are failing to address the single most destructive force facing the planet today. Follow the shocking, yet humorous, journey of an aspiring environmentalist, as he daringly seeks to find the real solution to the most pressing environmental issues and true path to sustainability."
NO IMPACT MAN
"Follow the Manhattan-based Beavan family as they abandon their high consumption 5th Avenue lifestyle and try to live a year while making no net environmental impact."
ROTTEN
"Rotten dives deep into the food production underworld to expose the corruption, waste and real dangers behind your everyday eating habits."
How to be More Sustainable with Your Beauty Routine
Items
Alternatives
Packaging
Opt for product refills/products that use biodegradable packaging.
Facial Wipes
Use reusable facial wipes/cloths, opt for biodegradable wipes. If you have to use regular facial wipes, dispose of them properly and do not flush them in the toilet.
Cotton Buds
Use reusable buds, if you have to use regular ones, dispose of them properly and do not flush in the toilet.
Menstrual Pads
Use menstrual cups/reusable pads. If you have to use regular pads, dispose of them properly and do not flush them in the toilet.