Not long ago, I shouted out a request to my social networks asking for contributors to PPnG’s Green Streets; a global lens that focuses on what citizens around the world think about sustainable living.

Zoica Matei, eco-fashion designer and slow fashion advocate interviewed Magdalena Busuoic from Bucharest, Romania and submitted the interview for GS. Thank-you Zoica. For more on Zoica and her designs visit her website: www.zoicamatei.com.

ZM: What is your name and profession?

MB: I’m Magdalena Busuioc and a student at the University of Bucharest. My major is European Studies and International Relations. This summer I started working as a Customer Service Representative for Nobel Romania - (NR is one of the market leaders in the prepaid telecommunications industry.)

ZM: Do you consider yourself a green- conscious person?

MB: I think of myself as a person who is aware that nature is not something distinct from us, nor just a setting for our everyday activities. In the last few years, I’ve come to understand that the environment, as static and immutable as it appears to be, can actually be profoundly influenced by our activities and, in return, has an important influence on almost every aspect of our life. In contradiction to the way European culture has always regarded nature (as being something apart from humanity), nature has proven to have pure and sometimes unfathomable connections to the human spirit.

ZM: What do you do in your daily life that is sustainable?

MB: Bucharest (the city I live in) offers a wide range of possibilities to become more sustainable. At the moment, most of the things I do are around the house like conserving electricity and water. I’m lucky in that I live in a neighborhood that recycles. Right now, Romania is recycling approximately 2% of its waste and is aiming for a future reach of 10%, which is the average in the EU. The city council guidelines are not clear though, and the citizens are challenged in this over-populated city almost every day with things like riding the bus (due to the congestion), finding a parking spot, finding a good school and the list goes on. I personally separate my paper, plastic and glass, place them in separate bags and them off to the recycling locations. Despite the extra effort, I see people making bags with different recycling materials and taking them to the collection places, which can sometimes mean a 15minute walk (in comparison with a non-recycling option, which is a 30 seconds walk). I had been recycling for a year now, while ignoring the feeling of a small effort in comparison with the benefits. I have explained to my roommates the benefits of doing it and now we are recycling together ( at first, they asked me if I got money for doing this, that’s how surprised they were!). One other thing I do is I use the car less and less and in turn I try to take the bus or trolleybus (which runs on electricity). There are a few other green steps that I take like eating organic products as much as I can, using biodegradable detergent, turning off my computer instead of putting it to sleep, riding my bike when I can and the most important I think, is that I try to learn as much as I can about this topic and what can be done. At the same time, I am forwarding all new information or movies (such as “An Inconvenient Truth”) to friends and family, so they become more aware of the need to get involved.

ZM: How do you see your city in the future from a green perspective?

MB: At present, I believe it is too early to have a clear view of the city’s sustainable future, due to the long road ahead of pulling itself up to EU standards. As Romania’s first city, Bucharest has reached 1 million, but has the smallest green space per person and the highest pollution in EU. Some initiatives like renting a bike, special technologies at the construction sites to prevent more pollution are a few good examples that show its small steps toward a big goal.

ZM: How do you think Generation Y will impact the future of sustainability?

MB: Generation Y has shown itself to be a generation unlike any other that has preceded her in so many fields, such as finance, education, work ethics and leisure. I feel strongly that it will live up to the requirements of this special moment, as seen from the sustainability prospective. Generation Y, in my point of view, appears to be civic-minded and socially conscious as individuals, consumers and employees. Thus, we will be able to transform our interest in sustainability of the future in practical, versatile and creative ways to help the environment.

ZM: Any ideas or tips of becoming more Earth-friendly that you would like to share?

MB: I see myself as a “rookie” in this field at the moment wish I had more time to invest in this pursuit. Nevertheless, what has proved to be the most important part of my progress on the ‘green’ road has been information-searching, finding and distinguishing what is true from what is false and then doing something that comes naturally. I think that knowledge is the most important part of this process, becoming aware of the impact every one of our actions can have.