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Hi! My name is Mira! I have been trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle for a few years now. And if you have ever tried it, you know how hard it can be.

But I truly believe the first step towards creating less waste is being well-informed on the subject, and being aware of the specific issues and problems. So I started researching online and sometimes the information could be truly overwhelming and rather gloomy. After I would spend some time reading, I would have no willpower to live, let alone take any action whatsoever. The other issue was the depressing manner in which a big part of the information was presented, so it didn't seem likely that anyone would want to share it with their friends or family in order not to ruin their day as well.

You can find my previous post about my zero waste comics by clicking here.

More info: Instagram | patreon.com | Etsy | Facebook | awareanimals.com

So I said to myself—what if there was a way to represent useful information about climate change, sustainability, and the environment in a funny, colorful, and most of all accessible way? An approach that focuses on solutions, rather than problems. So that people will hopefully laugh, learn something new, and pass it along.

And that's how the Aware Animals webcomics were created. Every week I draw a different situation. Whether it's dealing with mountains of non-recyclable wrapping paper and paper bills, wanting to pack a waste-free lunch, buying second-hand clothes for environmental reasons, refusing a plastic grocery bag at the store, turning down plastic straws over and over again, or trying to repair broken items to prevent them from going to a landfill—the possibilities of new and exciting topics are endless.

#3

Trends

Trends

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brokenapollo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually didn't know this. Did some additional research and will be more aware from now on. You've enlightened at least one person today..!

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Most of the situations have happened either to me or to my super-supportive partner (you can probably recognize us as Mr. and Miss Fox) and others have been shared or suggested to us by our lovely community on social media.

My favorite part about this process is how much I learn from it myself: once while I do my research and then again from the lovely comments and lively discussions when the comics have been posted. I'm constantly overwhelmed by the positive feedback we've received and very, very grateful. Our main message is that no action is too small to make a difference and that positivity and awareness will bring us further along than guilt or blame. So if you need more awareness in your life, feel free to join us on our journey.

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#7

My Sustainable Bag

My Sustainable Bag

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Amaranthim Talon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup! Carry bags- preferably canvas! to the shops. reusables straws at home. No disposable utensils, plates, etc.

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#11

Shocking Fact

Shocking Fact

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Mohsie Supposie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't know that receipt paper could not be recycled!

Suzy the observer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We need the option to refuse it. Most small businesses ask, most customer decline, ends up as waste.

SuAlfons
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany, all businesses are required to print the "bon" for you. They just throw it away when you decline. A new law from 2020, generated a major uproar - because it was required also for minor purchases such as in bakery stores. Now, a year later, the receipts are still printed but thrown away since nobody wants them for personal purchases...

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Arthur Waite
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But they always ask if you want the receipt, AS they are printing it. If you could say NO before they hit 'print', then no problem.

M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I disagree with their "50% thermal" statement. There's only one business I go to that has an impact receipt printer, everyone else went thermal a long time ago.

J. Zingler
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or send it to your gov that made bills mandantory even for 50 cent items. (Germany)

A. Jones
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like to choose e-receipts when offered. I wish this was more available in shops.

Agnes Jekyll
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I HATE those BPA receipts--and the numbers on them fade, so they're no good after a few months anyway.

Aleksandra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's really a time to do something with receipts.. MOST of people don't want them, so why we just won't stop producing them x.x

SuAlfons
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beginning of 2020 Germany was in an uproar: All merchandise had to be registered and the customer had to receive a rereipt. Of course this cash registers in the bakery stores mostly use thermal paper. Now this causes a lot of trash and sincerely, hardly anyone wants and needs the receipt for a personal purchase of a donut. It was aimed against tax fraud...

Erin E
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At all the places I know where you choose to refuse them, they still print and are just thrown away 😩

CharliAnn Olney
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always ask for email or text receipts and save them in a folder in case I need them for returns. Sam's Club, Costco and Wally World now have Scan and Go. You scan as you purchase, checkout on your phone and show the code as you breeze out the door! No receipt except in your file!

gedwards1
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This should be the next big target for environmentalists. Billions of receipts are printed every day. but 99% of people don't need a receipt for 99% of the time. All of that waste for nothing. Supermarkets would also save a fortune on till rolls if they didn't have to print a receipt every time.

Bonnie Secord Gardner
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Almost all thermal receipt paper is now BPA free. There is an alternative that is BP-A and BP-S free. This is the same for the labels used in deli and meat departments. If you can’t avoid it, know that there are better papers out there.

Mary Peace
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you for this. I noticed the paper is different, but I didn't know it can't be recycled.

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#14

The Greatest Invention

The Greatest Invention

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#16

My Sustainable Kitchen

My Sustainable Kitchen

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F. H.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's all a matter of perspective. I have a plastic dish brush I have been using for ten years now. When it gets to dirty, I put it in the dishwasher. How long does a wooden one last. Also, coffee filtered through paper is more healthy according to recent studies.

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#17

The Specialist

The Specialist

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ADHORTATOR
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We plan our meals, so shopping for the week is done in less than two hours and nothing is wasted

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#19

It's A System

It's A System

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Ole Peder Amrud Hagen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How is this relevant to consuming less? Also, it is the most ridiculous way of organizing books I ever see...

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#20

6 Things You Can Do To Be Happier

6 Things You Can Do To Be Happier

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cookie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

sono una volpe means "i am a fox" in italian, in case anyone was wondering.

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#21

The List

The List

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Kendra Miller
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And this is why grocery stores put staples at the back and periodically move stuff around, so you will have to search to find what you need and hopefully (for them) find more than you wanted.

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#23

My Sustainable Bathroom

My Sustainable Bathroom

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Kendra Miller
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ear swaps should be struck from this list. Even if they feel great, they are terrible for actually removing earwax. Earwax exists to keep our keep our inner ears moistened so the skin doesn't dry and crack, as well as creating an acidic environment so bacteria can't survive. Your ears naturally clean themselves by using the motion of your jaw when talking and eating to shift older wax out. When you use ear swabs it shoves the wax deep into the ear and it gets stuck. Stop using ear swabs no matter if they are reusable or not.

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#30

Jack-O-Lantern

Jack-O-Lantern

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