Beneath the beauty of a beach is a story that students do not see: shattered bottles, tar balls and food wrappers trapped in debris with micro-plastics glued to sand grains like scars. Even on Baylor’s campus, student events and daily activities impair waterways and air quality.

In the online fashion community, possessing a closet full of “Pinterest-worthy” outfits has become a coveted status symbol, but not everybody has the skill to bring that style off of Pinterest, and into the real world. Chandler, Ariz., sophomore Audrey Savage has created a business to do just that for the students of Baylor, and beyond.

A discarded quilt. A sewing machine from her mom. A lifelong dream of walking the streets of Paris.

The brand began as a small merchandise line of hats and crewnecks but has since evolved into a rebrand centered on customizable leather jackets — timeless travel pieces Fernandez hopes customers will wear for decades.

The first point of Da’ Shack Farmer’s Market was to tackle food insecurity by educating Waco locals on gardening, given how advantageous it can be because of the regenerative cycle of crops.

In a fast-moving world of mass production and synthetic fixes, three Waco small businesses — Penelope Pickers Vintage, Cottontail Jones and Granddaddy Willow — are choosing a more mindful path. Centered on sustainability, healing and the power of community, these businesses also highlight the value of recycled and resold goods, encouraging customers to reconnect with the earth, their well-being and more intentional ways of living.

“I hope that any student that graduates from Baylor, regardless of their interest, regardless of their major, I hope that they at least understand sustainability challenges and feel equipped to address those in the future,” VerPloeg said.

If you’re looking to make a positive environmental impact on a local or even global level, consider some of these options who do their work right here in Waco

Baylor has been honored with the Tree Campus Higher Education recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation, celebrating the university’s ongoing commitment to urban forestry, sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Between Waco Creek’s on-campus utility and merit as a local representation of a much larger ecosystem, the small body of water shapes campus itself.

Sowing the seeds of progress, Baylor takes new steps in food insecurity and sustainability efforts with the help of an EPA grant.

This pop-up thrifting frenzy, put on annually by Baylor’s International Justice Mission (IJM), marked a happy day for many-a-shopaholic: Threads. Omaha senior Graysie Shirey, Vice President of Fundraising for IJM, said this year was the biggest yet for clothing donations.

Waco, like many other college towns, has an abundance of coffee shops for students to study in. While students often settle for convenience when it comes to their coffee, Dan Moroso, owner of recently opened Italian cafe “Azzurro,” urges them to venture out of the Baylor bubble to Bosque Blvd for a cup of coffee they won’t forget.

From Hydroflasks to Stanley cups and now Owala water bottles, do we really need so many vessels to carry our drinks everyday?

In Waco, conversations about the climate and sustainability take place in local-led and city-led groups. Two groups that gather monthly to discuss these topics are Waco Friends of the Climate and the Sustainable Action Work Group.

While nationalism among civilians and athletes often encourages division, those who live in the countries hosting the games are unfortunately brought closer together by the economic and residential despair they are forced to endure.

Smith Getterman, director of sustainability and special projects, said Baylor’s policy of sustainability is in place to give the university guardrails for best practices while helping it maintain its Christian mission.

Interior design lecturer Hillary Burgess is bringing her knowledge and research in sustainability to Baylor’s interior design department.

“If we’re able to continue to see the same amount of success that we’ve already seen with this composting in the residence hall dining halls … there is an option to expand our footprint on campus with Moonshot,” Getterman said.

Aside from its scientific and academic focus, SACNAS is a great opportunity to practice language skills and hear from students from all over the world. According to Macleod, members come from more than 10 countries. Gil said SACNAS offers a window into the world.