sustainability – art, design and social practice

During this semester I have done many things to reduce my impact.  My major project is to see how little waste I can produce by finding alternative purposes for waste and purchasing less.  I currently have a huge pile of bottle, cans, paper and various other materials collected from the street, friends and my own consumption.  It is amazing the amount of trash accumulates over such a short period of time and makes me consider each new item I purchase.  The unusable materials I am recycling which is available in my apartment complex.
I always turn my lights off and I am slow replacing the energy efficient bulbs (money factor).  I have stopped unnecessary habits such as taking long showers (5 minutes every other day), using the clothes dryer (line dry), using the dishwasher, and unplugging appliances when they are not being used.  I have been more aware of the food I purchase and am weening myself off of pre packaged and processed foods.  This is becoming more and more easy because I am tired of having an ever growing pile of useless packaging.
In terms of transportation I have been fairly good.  I do not own a car, so in the city I am either walking or riding my bike.  Unfortanatly, I am flying this thanksgiving to Atlanta, but I am planning on that being my last flight for a long time.  I am looking into a cross country train trip for this summer.  I feel that not only is it saving energy, you are so much more connected to the act of traveling and seeing the world.  Its important for me to break away from the immediate rewards that our society thrives and experience life in a slower, more connect way.
In addition to all my personal behaviors, I have starting discussing the matter with friends and family.  My Mom works for the E.P.A and has a huge amount of insight into the subject.  She is currently in Cambodia working to stop the building of dams on the Mekong River and present alternative sources of energy.  With her expertise, I have been able to understand how to practically apply sustainability into ones life style.  I am making an effort to encourage others around me to begin doing the same thing.  Most of the time it simply takes awareness in order to change things.  If someone does not know they are doing something wrong they will continue to do it.