As a Mexican American, the idea of sustainability has always been woven into the fabric of my life, but in ways that were not always as explicit or widely embraced as they are now. Growing up in Mexico, my mother taught me and my sisters a deep respect for resources and the environment. She taught us the value of not wasting food, recycling containers like yogurt cups, and finding ways to repurpose things instead of discarding them, but sometimes was a bit of a surprise that I could be craving some nice vanilla yogurt, and a huge surprise of smelly beans would be stored there instead. These simple yet powerful lessons were not just about saving money, they were a way of life rooted in Mexican culture.

In our home, the act of recycling wasn’t something to be applauded, it was just the norm. My mother’s green mindset was practical, there was no space for unnecessary waste. She would save old yogurt cups and containers, wash them out, and reuse them for storing leftovers or even as seedling pots in the garden. Every time food was made, she was conscious of not over-portioning, ensuring there was always just enough, and never too much, but if too much, either sharing with others or literally enough food for the next days.. These habits were not taught in a “green” or “environmental” context; they were simply the way things were done because they made sense. Sustainability was part of everyday life, ingrained in me like any other tradition or value.

However, when I moved to the United States, I instantly noticed how different the culture around sustainability was. It wasn’t something that was taught as a standard in everyday life. While some people had the mindset of “reduce, reuse, recycle,” it wasn’t as widespread or integrated into the culture at large. At restaurants, buffets would often be filled with mountains of uneaten food, and disposable plastic items seemed to be everywhere. My Mexican upbringing made me sensitive to these things, and I often felt the wastefulness and lack of consciousness around consumption. This was a stark contrast to the practices I had grown up with in Mexico.

Fast forward to today, living in Germany has opened a whole new chapter for me in terms of sustainability. Germany is a country where sustainability isn’t just a concept ; it’s a lifestyle. From the comprehensive recycling systems to the emphasis on reducing waste in every area of life, it’s clear that sustainability is deeply embedded in the culture. The commitment to environmental care is seen everywhere, from supermarkets that charge for plastic bags to the abundance of recycling bins for different types of waste. In fact, Germany’s recycling rate is one of the highest in the world, and there’s a strong societal push for reusing, reducing, and recycling.

Living here has been an eye-opener, and it feels like the perfect opportunity to further embrace the values my mother taught me. The lessons from my childhood such as the importance of conserving resources, being mindful of waste, and taking responsibility for the planet have never felt more relevant. In many ways, living in Germany has amplified these values. Here, sustainability is not just something people think about; it’s integrated into public policy, industry, and daily life. Whether it’s the well-organized waste separation system or the availability of composting options, the country offers the tools and infrastructure to make sustainability easier.

But beyond the systems, it’s the overall mindset here that has had the greatest impact on me. People in Germany are aware of their environmental impact and actively seek ways to reduce it,m. In contrast to the wastefulness I often saw back in the United States, I’m now surrounded by a culture that prioritizes sustainable consumption. For example, when dining out in Germany, it’s common for restaurants to serve smaller portions or offer doggy bags for leftovers, something I didn’t see often in the U.S.A, mainly in Texas, where everything is bigger. And people here in Germany are more likely to repair their items rather than throw them away, which is a practice I want to continue adopting.

Of course, adjusting to the lifestyle in Germany has not been without its challenges. Some habits, like the ease of using plastic bags or simply tossing things away without thinking, are hard to shake. But the key difference now is that I have the awareness, knowledge, and tools to make better choices. I’m more attuned to the impact of my actions on the environment and am actively learning about sustainable practices that I can implement in my daily life, whether it’s purchasing items with less packaging, supporting local and sustainable brands, or reducing my consumption of single-use plastics.

In conclusion, my journey from Mexico to the United States and now to Germany has been a personal evolution of how I view sustainability. The green mindset instilled in me by my mother has always been a part of me, but now I see the broader global movement towards sustainability in a new light. Living in Germany has not only provided me with the tools and environment to deepen my commitment to sustainability, but it’s also reminded me of the important of the values that were passed down to me from my upbringing. Being sustainable isn’t just a trend or a societal expectation; it’s a responsibility that can shape a healthier planet for future generations. And as a Mexican American, I am proud to carry that legacy forward, wherever I am.

-Jessie Arrives