New Year resolutions don’t always have to come in the form of diets and exercise. Plenty of options start on a smaller scale but can lead to big changes. Sustainability is path for small changes in the home or in your daily life that can benefit the earth as well as your own community. Whenever you live in a city like Pittsburgh with a history of bad air quality and river pollution, living a more sustainable life can make a big difference both now and for future residents. One business, The Refillery, has spent 5 years providing communities a way to become more sustainable not only through their own store but outside of it as well. Their commitment to zero-waste encourages others to dive into this greener world as well.
The Refillery Helps Pittsburgh Make Sustainable New Year Resolutions
The Refillery Eco Boutique sits along Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont, advocating for citizens to refill their household items by reducing single-use plastic. Simply bring in your empty container, or purchase one in store, pay by weight, and leave with a product that’s locally and ethically made. These products can be shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, laundry soap, and so much more. Founder and owner Larissa Russo explains that the impact of even one refill goes further than one may expect
“I’m very proud to say that over the past four years, our community has diverted 31,254 single-use containers from landfill from using The Refillery,” she says. “Our goal is to get to 50,000 in five years through our mission. We work to reduce Pittsburgh’s eco-impact and diminish single-use packaging by making reusing & refilling easy, accessible, and affordable.”
Sustainability in Pittsburgh Beyond The Refillery
Even outside of The Refillery, Pittsburgh has been making an effort to revive the city and its environment for many years. Though we still, of course, see opportunities for improvement, the city’s last 60 years includes a transformation that allows us to enjoy the parks and rivers with ease. But, the grind doesn’t stop here.
“This transformation in Pittsburgh took a tremendous amount of hard work, dedication, and foresight from civic officials, businesses, and community members,” says Russo. We are so incredibly lucky to be able to enjoy our iconic rivers and their shores and ultimately lead healthier lives. It is our duty to prioritize sustainability in Pittsburgh to honor the hard work of previous generations and protect our environment for future generations.”
Making Eco-Friendly Choices in Your Own Everyday
While this all may sound like a lot of hard work, by taking a look at your everyday activities, you can find small ways to make a difference each day. Russo is big on the idea that sustainability just takes intentionality. From there, the process is as easy as shopping at a different store.
“Living a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle is really about slowing down,” she explains. “By slowing down our lives, especially our consumption habits, we are able to be more intentional about decisions and purchases. Every single day, we have an opportunity to make an impact with how and where we spend our money. Next time you need to make any purchase, big or small, take a moment to ask yourself, ‘Can I buy this item locally? Can I buy this item from a small business? Can I borrow this item? What about thrifting this item?’ Choosing community over convenience is what sustainability is all about.”
She even applies this practice in her business when introducing new customers. There’s no need to try to do everything at once and overwhelm yourself. Growth is always about the small steps to a larger goal.
“When it comes to starting to refill, I tell everyone to start slow,” says Russo. “Start by swapping out just one item in your kitchen for the eco-friendly alternative. For example, next time your dish soap bottle is empty, don’t trash it. Save it and bring it into The Refillery for your first refill.”
Working Towards a Sustainable World
Next time you’re stuck on the Fort Pitt Bridge, take a look at the river below and remember that you’re helping the future of not only Pittsburgh, but also of our planet. It’s important to remember as you make your sustainability practices that one person cannot change the world on their own. Community and sustainability go hand-in-hand for a reason, they need each other to thrive.
“While there is no doubt that individual changes certainly do add up, the major contributors and effects of climate change can only be addressed through significant systemic change,” says Russo. “I think a good long term goal is to become more civically aware and involved at a local level to help shape these systemic changes here in Pittsburgh. Volunteer, join a committee, and get involved to help shape the eco-change we need for Pittsburgh.”
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo Courtesy of The Refillery
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