Sustainapalooza 2025 was hosted in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union on Monday and highlighted the importance of collective sustainability in communities.

With the theme of “Our Green Community, Our Sustainable Future,” the event featured Green-It-Yourself (GIY) Centers, tabling organizations from Iowa State and the Story County area, student art, a clothing swap, local food and sustainable prizes.

Attendees who participated in the GIY Centers had the opportunity to create sustainable soap kits and use mason jars to make protein snack kits, as well as create tie blankets for the Ames Animal Shelter. 

Merry Rankin, the director of sustainability at Iowa State, shared her thoughts on the importance of this year’s theme.

“Every single choice makes a difference,” Rankin said. “Every single choice makes a ripple… as soon as we walk out of our homes everyday, we’re a role model to somebody.”

Rankin also shared that she wanted attendees to be inspired to live sustainably because they attended.

“We’re always looking at what are the things that are relevant particularly to our students,” Rankin said. “We make sure that we’re providing the most enhanced and enriched sustainability experience to our students through bringing in community partners and having different activities.”

The event also featured “The Green Wall,” which highlighted the social, economic and environmental sustainability practices by the city of Ames and Iowa State. Attendees were also invited to write on the wall and share how they’ve lived sustainably. 

Julia Biehl, a junior in agricultural communication and a campus and community engagement intern for the Office of Sustainability, helped organize this year’s event. While speaking about the event, Biehl shared how she works to live sustainably. 

“I definitely try to use reusable bags,” Biehl said. “I try to ride the buses on campus as much as possible too.”

Grace Rowe, a senior in public relations and a social media engagement intern for the Office of Sustainability, said she tries to educate others and raise awareness about sustainability through her role.

“I think that’s the first main step,” Rowe said. “There is a stigma or thought that, ‘Well, if I just make the change, what difference is that going to make?’… One person can continue that ripple effect of making a bigger change through a community or the world.”

Design students showcasing sustainable clothing they had made were also in attendance to share their work. Alec Sanchez Garcia, a senior in apparel merchandising and design, created a denim jacket made from thrifted jeans and sweatshirts. Sanchez Garcia shared why he chooses to thrift rather than buy new clothing.

“I feel like a lot of the time people buy stuff because it looks cool,” Sanchez Garcia said. “But you can upcycle it, you can repurpose it, so you can change it into a way where it’s unique in its own way.”

For more information on events from the Office of Sustainability, visit their website.