You dream of a sustainable, more resilient world.

Hone your skills and live your passions with others in your community to create that world right here in Bloomington, Indiana.  

The Center for Sustainable Living supports 12 different projects.
Find your passion and jump in!

Art for Earth Bloomington

Art for Earth is a collective of artists and friends who together donate and sell art to help our Earth and environment. We raise funds for registered environmental non-profit organizations.

About the Project

Upcoming! Art for Earth Bloomington is already donating art for the Sycamore Land Trust  Auction coming up October.  Last year all 10 of our paintings sold.  We’ll be donating more this year. To provide items for the auction contact Sycamore Land Trust at  info@sycamorelandtrust.org.

 

Logo for Art for Earth Bloomington. Features two people next to a tree, looking out over a lake with birds in the sky. Silhouettes.

Artists Funding Environmental Action

Art for Earth is a collective of artists and friends who together donate and sell art to help our Earth and environment. We raise funds for registered environmental non-profit organizations.

If you are an artist, do what you love and help the Earth at the same time! Sell art with Art for Earth to benefit your favorite environmental organization. Or become a friend of this fun effort. A little time with our group can go a long way to help. Whether you are an artist or simply like art and care about our environment, we’d love to have you involved.

Get Involved with Art for Earth

  • Get on the mailing list. Email us to receive our newsletter, or simply to be notified of shows. contact@artforearthbloom.org
  • Contribute art (either art you created or art you own) Contact for us for more information.
  • Volunteer, whether you are an artist or not. Time, skills, and ideas are all welcome; some examples are: helping with social media, identifying locations to hang art, taking photographs, helping with selling, or setting up and more. Even a small amount of effort can be a big help.

Buy Art for Earth

Bring some art home that you love (or buy a gift) and at the same time know that you are helping an environmental nonprofit organization. We sell a variety of styles, and at a wide range of price points, including many wonderful but less expensive prints. Almost all of the sale price goes to registered nonprofit environmental groups.

 

Thanks for visiting us! Questions? Get in touch with us at contact@artforearthbloom.org
Info

Bring Your Bag Bloomington

Encouraging everyone we come across to use reusable shopping bags.

About the Project

We spend time talking one-on-one to people in grocery stores and at various community events, explaining the problems with plastic bags, and distributing free reusable bags. Person by person we are showing how small individual changes can lead to measurable, community-wide improvements! If you’d like to help make simple changes that have huge impacts, then join our efforts to teach and inform.

The original goal of Bring Your Bag Bloomington was to introduce a city ordinance to drastically reduce distribution of single-use plastic bags by implementing a ban and/or fee on bags. After working towards this goal for 18 months, the Indiana Legislature rushed through a bill in March 2016 which banned any local laws controlling plastic bags or any other disposable food containers. This was outrageous, but nevertheless we have continued to encourage everyone we come across to use reusable bags.

Info

Redbud Books

Curating transformative literature and fostering community dialogue to inspire change and reimagine our future through the power of books.

About the Project

Redbud Books is more than just a bookstore—it is a community space in Bloomington dedicated to the transformative power of the written word. As a non-profit, volunteer-led bookstore, Redbud Books offers a thoughtfully curated selection of new and used fiction, poetry, and critical theory, aimed at inspiring reflection, dialogue, and action. Located at 408 W. Kirkwood Ave, the bookstore is a portal between local and global issues, fostering connections through themed reading groups, speaker series, and international film screenings. As part of the Center for Sustainable Living, Redbud Books seeks to cultivate a space where diverse ideas bloom and contribute to the creation of a better, more thoughtful world.

Phone: (812) 727-7836
Email: contact@redbudbooks.org
Address: 408 W Kirkwood Ave. Bloomington, IN 47404
Website: https://redbudbooks.org

Supporting Us/Donations
We are deeply grateful to all of the support we receive. If you would like to make a donation to our bookstore and community space, please use our Zeffy campaign (and not the donation button below).

Go to Website
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SIREN

Bringing solar to more places to expand the number of businesses and public buildings powered by the sun.

About the Project

The Solar Indiana Renewable Energy Network (SIREN) formed in 2008 to promote an alternative energy model to reduce dependence on coal. Since then, we have continued to help more and more homes, businesses, churches, governmental buildings, and schools become solar powered. By presenting free, public Going Solar programs, and organizing Solarize group-purchase programs in partnership with city teams around the state, we help overcome barriers to adoption of solar in the Midwest by demonstrating its performance, affordability, and availability. If you want to see our culture move away from fossil fuels as a foundation, embracing the possibility of carbon-neutral energy, then join our efforts right here in southern Indiana.

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Info

Solar For All

Purchasing solar power together to expand access to those with limited funds, providing energy independence and economic savings for all.

About the Project

By quickly ramping up photovoltaic (PV) installations in Indiana, we are making solar power financially accessible to those with limited funds through our bulk purchasing and collective subsidizing plan. Together we are increasing energy efficiency, building community, and creating resilience.

The price of solar installations has dropped dramatically in recent years, yet people with fixed or limited income still cannot afford to buy in, and typically do not qualify for the federal renewable energy tax credit. These people are also the most vulnerable to inevitable electric rate increases and have the most to gain from reduced utilities expenses. All households, businesses, and other organizations are eligible to participate and benefit from the bulk purchase discounts we negotiate in a given area, and by buying with us subsidize installations of solar PV systems for people with fixed or limited incomes—providing some energy independence and economic savings for all. Not only do people of all economic positions benefit from our purchasing plan, but along the way volunteers gain skills in home weatherization, solar installation, and roof repair. If you want to learn these skills for possible new employment opportunities and help spread solar access, this is the project for you!

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Recent Posts

2021 application forms now available!

2021 application forms now available!  

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Indiana Solar for All Partners With City of Bloomington to Expand Access to Solar Power

ISFA and the City of Bloomington issued this joint press release on January 8, 2019.  Bloomington, Ind. – Indiana Solar for All (ISFA) is again partnering with the City of Bloomington…

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Shop Global Gifts on November 13

On Tuesday, November 13, from 5 to 8:30pm, Community Night at Global Gifts will support Indiana Solar for All.  During that time, 10% of all profits will be donated to…

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Trashion Refashion

The Trashion Refashion Show is produced by Discardia, a project of the Center for Sustainable Living. Designers make fashion out of materials destined for the landfill.

About the Project

Trashion Refashion Runway Show: A Fundraiser for the CSL

The Trashion Refashion Show is produced by Discardia, a project of the Center for Sustainable Living. Designers make fashion out of materials destined for the landfill. Our runway event has inspired designers, students, community members, and even children to find new ways to reuse discarded materials in a creative way. It’s an event for the whole family you don’t want to miss.

Open to all skill levels, anyone can submit their design and any model can walk our runway regardless of body type or experience. We work with a variety of people, ranging in age from elementary school to senior citizens. With such a wide demographic of designers, our entries have become more challenging and inspiring each year.

Email Trashion: contact@bloomingtontrashion.org

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More About Our Projects

Inspired and passionate people collaborate at the Center for Sustainable Living of Bloomington, Indiana to share how we can care for our Earth and live well, together. Our non-profit has more than 20 years of experience nurturing great ideas like yours, so find your place and do great work with us.

Read Our Story Meet Our People

News from CSL

Save the Date for Trashion 2027

from Bloomington Trashion

We are excited to announce the 2027 Trashion Refashion Runway Show will be April 18th, 2027, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana. Since 2012, local artists and models have…

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That’s a Wrap!

from Bloomington Trashion

Well, it all happened! What a great show. Thanks to all the Designers and Models who demonstrated so much creativity and love of community. Yay to supporting Art Remains and…

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Trashion 2026 Tickets are on sale Now!

from Bloomington Trashion

The 17th Annual Trashion Refashion Runway Show, presented by Plato’s Closet, brings eco-conscious couture back to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at 7 p.m. (doors open at…

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Bloomington Trashion Refashion Runway Show 2026: Call for Entries!

from Bloomington Trashion

Hello Trashionistas! It’s that time of the year – time for the Trashion Refashion Runway Show Call for Entries to open. Yay! You can find out more about submitting a design on…

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Kroger Community Rewards

from The Overlook

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Overlook Network Training

from The Overlook

On Monday August 18th the Overlook will be hosting an Overlook Network Training. Bring your devices and get help with networking. 4pm- 7pm. Snacks and drinks will be provided. This…

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