Meet Cristalle Ruiz, My Green Lab's Market Development Representative

We’re thrilled to introduce you to Cristalle Ruiz, My Green Lab's Market Development Representative! Born and raised in Florida and New Jersey, Cristalle has a deep appreciation for the outdoors, which inspired her to study and work toward finding sustainable ways to combat climate change. 

Learn more about Cristalle and her sustainability journey below!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself & your background. 

Hi there! My name is Cristalle Ruiz. I am originally from Miami Lakes, Florida. However, I moved to New Jersey when I was a teenager. As someone born in the Sunshine State and then raised in the Garden State, I have formed an appreciation for the outdoors. My passion for the environment inspired me to get my bachelor’s degree in Environmental Business and Economics from Rutgers University. Furthermore, I have an associate degree in International Studies because I have always been fascinated by diverse cultures. My professional ambition is to persuade industries and corporations worldwide to establish sustainable methods to combat climate change.
 
What is your role at My Green Lab? 

I am the Market Development Representative at My Green Lab. I grow MGL’s market-leading programs, such as the Green Lab Certification and ACT Label. My job is to raise awareness of the benefits of sustainability across both research labs and manufacturers of laboratory products. I have the pleasure of connecting with extraordinary individuals who wish to integrate climate-friendly practices into their labs and production facilities.

​​What inspires you to do the kind of work you do? 

I am inspired by others who have carried out profound attempts to combat the climate crisis. Seeing activists protest for a better world and studying the climate reports from scientists has moved me. My best friend persuaded me to shift to a plant-based diet to reduce my carbon emissions. I learned to compost from an encouraging organization at my university. I am motivated every day by my fantastic team, who lead the effort to bring an entire industry towards sustainability. It is remarkable to be surrounded by a supportive community that all aim for the same intention of preserving our beautiful home.

What are your personal 2022 sustainability goals? 

I started 2022 with a road trip in Iceland, where it opened my eyes to the striking impact of rising temperatures on the glaciers. After witnessing the arctic melting from global warming firsthand, I realized I had to make personal changes. I am committing 2022 to invest in more sustainable and recyclable household items. Eco-friendly goods have a reputation for being more expensive, but they do say you get what you pay for! They certainly have a higher upfront cost, but I suspect many products pay for themselves after a certain amount of use. I aim to track how my sustainable investments contrast to my past spending. For example, I swapped my cotton pads to reusable bamboo pads, paper towels to microfiber cloths, single-use bottles to refillable body wash, shampoo bars, and plastic-free toothpaste. Being an economics major, I plan to measure this year’s cost of utilizing eco-friendly substitutes to their unsustainable counterparts to emphasize how saving the environment might also save you money. It could be a win-win!
 
What are your hobbies outside of work? 

When I am away from my home office, you can find me exploring the great outdoors. I have always appreciated a scenic hike, especially during the autumn months in New Jersey. However, I do love a good beach day in the summer. My life dream is to travel to at least 50 different countries; I am at eight so far! Unfortunately, the global pandemic has put a pause on my adventures. It has given me the opportunity to pick up new hobbies, like running and gaming on my Nintendo Switch (Zelda games are my favorite). After months of training, I came first in my age group in a 5k race!

What are your favorite books, movies, or shows? 

I genuinely enjoy watching the series Explained on Netflix. Each episode is a short documentary about different topics, and it always leaves me with a new perspective on the subject. A favorite book of mine is Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. I loved this story because it contains incredible life lessons that have stuck with me over the years. Lastly, I recently read Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World by Katharine Hayhoe. This novel inspired me to do the most important thing to fight climate change: talk about it every chance I get! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a more optimistic view of what we can do to solve the climate crisis.
 
Where do you call home? 
​
Even though I left at a young age, South Florida will always be home to me. I visit a few times a year to reunite with family and soak in the sun, especially after a couple of snowstorms in NJ! I hope to leave New Jersey and relocate soon. Although I am not sure where I will call my new home, I know I will always have a piece of home in Florida.