Our planet is currently facing a crisis, one that may quite possibly be irreversible. Our planet provides for us more than we realize from the food it produces, to the air we breathe, to even the beauty of its natural environment. If we continue to go about our lives littering, using products such as plastics that cannot easily be deconstructed by the earth, polluting, etc., our planet won't survive. WE won't survive. So why sustainability? Sustainability is defined "
the ability of something to maintain or 'sustain' itself over time." Sustainability is basically in a sense being able to maintain. It's not only for ourselves in the long run but for future generations. Plastics and other items that cannot be naturally composted are not sustainable over periods of time, buy items made from natural metals, organic cotton, and are recyclable, can be broken down and reused in some way, whether that be some new project, compost, etc. Sustainability is eco-conscious as well as socioeconomically-conscious, where we are aware of the environment as well as society. Not only is this being aware of what materials our products are being made of, but also how it is being disposed of and where the source is coming from. Sustainability also involved the laborers that put together our products. We want to be sure that those involved are being paid an "live-able wage" rather than the minimum wage and being treated with respect so they can support themselves and their families.
Learn more about sustainability here:
https://www.sustain.ucla.edu/what-is-sustainability/
https://www.epa.gov/sustainability/learn-about-sustainability