Eye Opener: Junk on the Brain

Part 1: Terms Defined

• Antiques: An old collectible item desirable because of a unique feature, rarity, or beauty.  Usually an antique is 100 years old or older  (Wikipedia)
• Antiquing: The act of finishing or refinishing in an antique style (Merriam-Webster)
• Junk: Discarded material which may include glass, plastic, rags or metal (The Free Dictionary)
• Junking: The art of searching for or finding bargains or antiques (Urban Dictionary)
• Flea Market: A market of secondhand antiques and articles (Merriam-Webster)
• Thrift shop: A shop selling secondhand articles and may be run for charitable purposes (Merriam-Webster)
• Upcycling: A process of converting waste or useless materials into new, high quality products (Wikipedia)
• Resale Shop: Charity shop usually selling secondhand items donated by the members of the public and is often staffed by volunteers (Wikipedia)

Part 2: Questions Answered

1. What do the terms above have to do with environmental health? 

Environmental Health focuses on making a safe environment for everyone including clean air and water.  Several products are made through mass production in factories which omits harmful chemicals that pollute our air and water.  When we can reuse secondhand materials we reduce the need for these harmful omission during making another product that already exists.

2. Identify at least one local resource for each of the terms above...provide name, location, contact info, and link to website or blog.

• Find Antiques at: Another Sellers Action   2103 1/2 W. 3rd St, Duluth MN 55806 218-722-3360  http://www.sellersauction.com                                                                                                                                                         
• Find Junk at: Savers   1740 Mall Drive, Duluth MN 55811218-722-1894  http://www.savers.com/Find-A-Store.aspx                                                                                                                                       
• Flea Market:  Flea Portal  Hosted at Lake Superior College (Open: Annually 2nd Sunday in August ) 2101 Trinity  Road, Duluth MN 55811 http://fleaportal.com/Flea_markets/Index/MINNESOTA/Duluth  
• Thrift Shop: The Salvation Army Thrift Store   2102 W. Superior St, Duluth MN 55806 218-722-7723  http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/0/e3610fb5ddd550a1802573250030e32a?opendocument                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
• Find materials to upcycle at: Goodwill Industries Vocational Enterprises, Inc.   700 Garfield Ave, Duluth MN 55802                                                                                                 http://www.goodwillduluth.org/shop-locations.htm
• Resale Shop: Dannie Duluth   932 E 4th Street, Duluth MN 218-724-8507 http://www.dannieduluth.com/                                                                                                                         

3. Identify whether you do any or use any of these things. Why or why not?

 Occasionally I use these resources when I need something for a class project or for an addition for a costume.  Many of the items available at resale shops have great potential but I don't have the time or motivation to put the work into them needed to make the item desirable.  I think Upcycling and Junking is a great way to help out the environment and save money.  I will try to visit these stores more often to find environmentally friendly, price efficient treasures.

Part 3: Get your junk on!

I recently moved into a new house and have a spot in my room that needs something!  I am also lacking pictures of my friends and family in my room and I think both of these problems could be solved with a picture frame/ hanging item.  When searching for projects I keep these problems in mind.  I also love jewelry and found a few inspirational pieces of vintage jewelry reworked. Look at what I found!

• Photo Holder Made from an Old Grate: http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/28822/a-simple-grate-for-some-great-vintage-photo
• Large frame with Strings to Hook Pictures on: http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/33431/family-photo-wall
• Vintage Jewelry: http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/15676/vintage-redesign-jewelry-from-raw-elements-to-fun

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 5: Final Weekly Review & Overall Project Reflection

Previous Week:
My SMART goal is to use reusable containers including a water bottle and Tupperware every day. 

This week I discovered that although I reduced my usage of plastic bags for lunch I am still using plastic bags at the store while shopping. I felt frustrated that I wasn't doing as much as a could in my plastic bag reduction goal. After this realization I joined the trend of reusable grocery bags. I bought a bag from Whole Foods Co-op and keep it in my car for shopping.  I feel much better now that I reduced my Eco Footprint even more!


This week I learned that although we may feel we are doing a great job at being Eco Friendly, there may be additional areas we can focus on.  Simply taking a step back from your hectic life can reveal several improvements that can be worked on, both environmentally and in other areas.

I will continue using my reusable products even after this process is over!  Easy changes can be made to make a big impact.  Once I started to make changes I wanted to expand and continue making changes. 


Entire process:
My SMART goal is to use reusable containers including a water bottle and Tupperware every day.  Overall, I was successful in achieving my goal!  I implemented Tupperware into my daily routine and use a reusable water bottle regularly. This goal expanded over time as I became more conscious of my environment and waste products. I recently purchased reusable grocery bags which were cheap and will be perfect for grocery shopping instead of plastic shopping bags.


I was successful because I was prepared and ready to change in the beginning of the project.  Trying to help, my family actually created an obstacle during this project.  I learned from them that is is important to inform family and friends of your goals so they can assist you if needed instead of hinder.  Simply by informing them they facilitated a change in their lives as well so it was a positive experience for everyone.

From this project I learned that it is easy to make small changes that make a big impact.  Once I opened my eyes and realized the wasteful things I was doing it was easy to make small alterations that are better for the environment.  I personally realized that I form habits and it is hard to break them without consciously thinking about the goals I am trying to accomplish.  I feel many individuals don't take the time to realize the impact on the environment that they are making.  Also, I don't think many people realize how easy it is to change small habits to be more environmentally friendly.  Once this realization has occurred I think there are several small changes society would be willing to make to help our current environmental crisis.

My behavior change impacted the environment which is exciting and the main goal of this project.  Plastic is made from petroleum which is damaging to the environment during extraction.  Plastic bags are a major part of waste that is cluttering our landfills.  Plastic bags also fly into our lakes and oceans harming the marine animals.  (Earth Resource Foundation)  My family and friends also benefited from this project because they learned the negative impacts of plastic products and also saw how easy it is to change simply from being around me while I was achieving my SMART goal.

I will definitely continue this behavior change because it is easy to do.   Plastic bags and plastic bottles have such a negative impact on the environment and this impact must be reduced.  I already have the tools needed to continue my behavior change so there isn’t a reason I shouldn’t continue.  

In the future, I recommend to anyone making a behavior change to have your resources ready from the beginning.  If you are not ready to succeed from the beginning, you will probably fail.  Also, you need to remember that changing a habit takes time so it is important to be determined and patient!  Include supportive family and friends in your goal to make success easier.  This may even increase the positive impact you are making on the environment!  Good luck in achieving your goals!

Eye Opener: Environmental Working Group

The Skin Deep Cosmetic Database Eye Opener was very interesting and informational.  Once I have a routine and become comfortable with certain products I continue purchasing them.  I noticed I tend to use the same products my parents did.  This Eye Opener made me realize that I am comfortable using products even if I know little about them.


I use Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion routinely so I thought this would be a good product to know what I am exposing myself to daily.  This product scores moderately hazardous (4) with high concerns including Endocrine disruption, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs).  I found these results surprising because Clinique claims to be Allergy tested and 100% fragrance free.  Since this is a department store product instead of a drug store product I thought there would be a safer rating than what resulted.   It is scary to know that I am exposing myself to organ system toxicity and endocrine disruption every day!


I would like to know alternative products that don't have these toxicity risks.  Another user felt the same way and asked for suggestions for an alternative product in the comment box one month ago.  She still has not been answered.  It makes me frustrated when I discover I am using a dangerous or harmful product and am not given suggestions for improvement.


With that being said, this Eye Opener does have many positive aspects to it.  This website makes me wonder if all of the products I am using are not only harmful to the environment but also to myself.  When applying products directly to your body it is important to know what is in them and the possible side effects.  I never considered this simply because I was comfortable with my daily hygiene routine.  This thought goes beyond cosmetics.  There are some many types of products that I use routinely without thinking about.