This year's winner of the 10th annual Eco Bag contest is ACC Graphic Design student, Elizabeth Arteaga.

Elizabeth’s design was selected out of 34 submitted designs through districtwide voting for Earth Week by faculty, staff, and students. Her design, ‘Do It for the Dillos,’ will be printed on a reusable bag, displayed on all ACC campuses, and made available for purchase. 

“When most people think of the word ‘sustainability’ it often gets looped in with global pollution and climate change. However, the heart of sustainability is its local nature. Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without impeding on the needs of the future or the area around you.  No one is saving the planet by using less water or reusing bags, but you might help keep up the levels in lake Travis or reduce the need to build more landfills in the Austin area that would impede land use for wildlife - and perhaps, just maybe - even help allow for the local armadillo population to thrive.”

Faith Bayingana, ACC Art History student, received an honorable mention for her design, ‘Live Gently’.

“Sustainability is a big part of my culture, as an Indigenous person, I really see myself as a steward to the earth and want to have a good relationship with it. Being sustainable in my daily practices is one way I can do that. I was inspired by the indigenous plants here in Austin like Blue Bonnets, White Sage, and Cedar trees.”

The contest is sponsored by ACC’s Office of Energy & Sustainability. For more information about the office and ACC’s environmental efforts, visit austincc.edu/sustainability.

To request a bag, click here.