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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

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brokenapollo
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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
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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

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The Greatest Invention

The Greatest Invention

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Super Powers

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#16

My Sustainable Kitchen

My Sustainable Kitchen

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F. H.
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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.

mira-petrova-design avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's wonderful that you've been using the same plastic brush for so many years! :) It's super unpractical and unnecessary to throw away something only to replace it with a new and shiny "eco-friendly" version. But when the time comes it's good to know what options we have to replace it with. :) The wooden brush actually survives surprisingly long if you put oil on it before you first use it in order to protect if from the water.

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Lucia B...
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

French pressed coffee is also tastier than most coffee machines make...

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

Don't use tea bags unless you know they are enviro-friendly. A lot are plastic or rayon, toxic and leads to deforestation. Loose tea leeves for me!

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

Why are silicone baking mats and molds better than a wooden kneading board or the metal baking trays and molds?

mira-petrova-design avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the metal baking molds are absolutely fine :) This was suppose to be a better alternative to the baking paper since it turns out it's often covered with a thin layer of silicone, so it can't be composted. It also can't be recycled, cause it's oily. So silicone baking mats can be a good alternative for that since you use them for many years.

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

Towel, sponges, and brushes must sanitized scrupulously: food poisoning is awful

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

Chances of getting food poisoning in your own kitchen are pretty low if you aren't completely reckless. As long as you are carefull with raw meat, especially chicken and also fish and mushrooms, you are generally quite safe. If you are a vegetarian who doesn't like mushrooms, you'll have to try very hard to get it.

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Martin John
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Question: recyclables need to be cleaned as to not taint the rest of the items, so is it justifiable to use (waste?) water to clean out my empty peanut butter jar before I put it in the bin?

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

Clean it at the same time you are doing your washing up or put it in a dishwasher. You then won't be using extra water just to clean the jar.

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

Just like my other comment, i remind you people, you don't have to buy new things made with glass or wood if you already have plastic ones - just use it unlit you can't anymore, and then buy new wooden/glass/metal/silicon ones. Don't buy stuff if you don't need it ;)

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

I have seen these teapots on sale, but I don't use a tea pot because I only make one cup at a time. You can take out the tea leaves holder when the tea reaches the right strength.

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

I must admit I have never bought them, but they would be expensive if you can re-use them so many times. It's the initial outlay, but then you save money because you don't have to buy the usual ones that you would throw away.

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#17

The Specialist

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ADHORTATOR
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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
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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

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Kendra Miller
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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
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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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