Daria’s sense of sustainability: “Environmental protection is not a fad”

Daria Falconi, a thirty-year-old Roman known on social channels as DarialNaturale, green influencer (darialnaturale_) and youtuber, is a mix of delicacy and determination as she explains how to lead a more sustainable life, reducing waste and superfluous purchases. Tell us a little about yourself, what was Daria like as a child? Which episode describes your green soul?

“Since I was a child I have always gone to Trentino, a place away from the chaos. It has always been my escape from Rome. The first walk in unspoiled nature was my epiphany: I realized that what I needed was there and not within the walls of a shopping mall.”

You don’t consider yourself an expert, but you want to share your experiences of sustainable living, right?
“I have not studied climate change. I have a literary background and worked for a company as a video editor for four years. However, I have discovered over the years that a careful selection of sources is essential for my consumption choices and for helping others to do the same. With my social channels I offer tools on which to reflect in order to improve our choices. I don’t put myself on a higher plane as if I have the truth in hand. I simply share my experiences, with my successes and failures. We have to be realistic. Change must be within everyone’s reach.”

When was your desire to communicate green content born?
“The real turning point dates back to 2017: I saw the video of a Greek model on YouTube who told the sad reality behind fast fashion. Before, I ignored the impact of our actions on the environment. So in 2020, during the pandemic, DarialNaturale was born . I started to deepen the topic and I haven’t stopped. Now I dedicate myself full time to my activity as a freelance video editor and to my social channels.”

In your videos you talk about km 0 products, but you suggest dispelling this myth because it is not necessarily a synonym of sustainability. Can you explain better?

“Sustainability and organic products have become a trend, we cannot deny it. However, pretending that everything is going well cannot work for long. My warning is: always ask yourself questions. Even if a product is km 0 we must understand what it is its production chain, if the company has violated human rights, if pesticides or other harmful substances have been used.In Naples, during my work experience as a video editor, I had found my reference farm for the purchase of We decide who to subsidize through our choices.

Bamboo and cotton are considered materials with low environmental impact but, unfortunately, this is not always the case. Can you tell us why?
“Bamboo fibers are natural fibers but the production is not always sustainable. To produce a cotton t-shirt you need to use a lot of water. As a buyer I always have to check the consumption and the production chain of the garments. The ‘sustainable’ concept is not so immediate as it seems.”

If I already have products at home, should I throw them away? Can the rush to purchase sustainable products be a solution?
“The basic principle is zero waste: we must limit the production of waste as much as possible and we must not replace what we have. If you have clothes made from synthetic fibers, use them. Decide later whether to donate them or dispose of them properly. Collection centers are for this very reason. If we have plastic food containers, unless they are damaged, we can use them. Then make sure you dispose of them properly. Everything should not be thrown away otherwise the mechanism of consumption is encouraged. No new items should be purchased unless they are needed.”

Let’s talk about organic farms. What’s your point of view?
“The ideal is to have a plant-based diet. If you simply cannot do without meat, products from organic farms should be chosen. However, let us remember that intensive production is not sustainable even if the food is organic and therefore not it’s harmful to my health. Let’s always ask ourselves if the food we’re buying is generated from a sustainable supply chain.”

Biodegradable and compostable. According to your insights they are not necessarily sustainable. What is your experience?
“These are two nomenclatures used by everyone but you have to be careful. A biodegradable bamboo cup is not necessarily compostable. Even the disposable compostable cup is not the sustainable solution because it must always be disposed of, especially if you use large quantities. Each material, if in the right bin, it can be reused, but it is better to choose ceramic or glass plates rather than compostable disposable plates. It will be more tiring to wash them but we avoid producing further waste. Think of grandma’s cups: they are beautiful and perfect for having a tea. Better not to replace them with quick and unsustainable solutions.”

Is there a sustainable make-up?
“There are 100% vegan make-up. We can reuse the same container to insert the same product once finished. But let’s remember that make-up is not a necessary thing. If we can’t do without it, the ‘one out of one’ rule applies: try thirty Different brands of mascara is not sustainable, one is enough. Having only the essentials is the best choice.”

Saving energy at home benefits your wallet and the environment. How can we get it?
“Every time we have obtained the charge of an electronic device, the plugs must be disconnected. We must open the fridge only when necessary and the food must be arranged correctly. When we turn on the oven, we use it for several dishes at the same time and without opening it continuously. One once the water has reached the boil, we can throw the pasta in and turn off the heat. You will see that it will continue to cook as long as we put the lid on it.”

On your channels, give advice on how to recover the jam jar grounds. Any new tips you haven’t shared yet?
“A video will soon be released in which I will tell you about the existence of a soap that can be used for 18 different purposes. Such a purchase naturally involves the replacement of many other products. In my videos I will explain how to use it.”

What do you recommend to our readers to become more attentive and aware buyers and consumers?
“I recommend reading and informing yourself. Books are great allies. The debates that we can find on the web should also be listened to. However, it is essential to know how to distinguish what we read and check the sources. Even people who have not heard in a lifetime ask me for advice Being able to do good by improving people’s lifestyle makes me proud.”

How do you imagine the future of the planet?
“We are in a particular historical moment. I hope that at some point our generation will be so angry as to create a net change in our habits. What I see now does not bode well for me. Environmental protection is not a trend and I hope that in 10 years time it will seriously become a common interest.”

What are your next projects?
“I live a lot in the present. I definitely want to know more and more about my surroundings and be a conscious activist. I would like to live a slower and more serene life as far away from the chaos as possible, of course in society but with different rhythms.”