photo by Cori Hilsgen
Judy Purman (left) discusses with Mary Plafcan (second from left) and other audience members about practical ways people can include sustainability in their lives. Purman is the director of sustainability at the College of St. Benedict.

Judy Purman, director of sustainability at the College of St. Benedict, recently led a discussion at the Minnesota Street Market about practicing sustainability.

Members of the audience were encouraged to participate in discussions on various ways people could practice more sustainability.

Several people discussed a sustainable spirit was a way of engaging with your environment to ensure it lasts forever.

Mary Plafcan of Avon said when we use more than we need we are depleting our resources.

“When we are greedy and take more than we need, we’re taking something from someone else that they need, and we’re depleting our resources,” she said.

Plafcan said she refuses to buy new clothes when she doesn’t need them.

“People will see me wearing the same clothes,” Plafcan said. “If I see a new shirt that I like, I often decide not to buy it because I prefer to send the $20 that I would have spent on the shirt on someone who is in need of the money.”

Pat Kutzera said her card group has decided they will not buy new prizes this year but will instead take prizes – used items – from their closets at home.

“We don’t need new things,” she said.

Purman said she knows one person who is only going to shop in her own closet for the year 2012 and another person who is only going to shop at second-hand stores for the year.

Purman’s discussion focused on ways people can start to change how they do things locally and how they can help bring about changes that will help preserve the ecology of the earth so it lasts for future generations.