Sustainability is the green buzzword.
From eco-friendly paints and flooring, to lights that turn off when they sense the room is empty. New commercial construction is increasingly LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, meaning that it has less of an impact on the environment, and is healthier for those who work and/or live in the building.
There is a perception that sustainability costs a lot of money. Granted, not everyone can afford floors made of renewable hardwood from a rainforest in Brazil, and few eat only organic foods. Still, there is much that can be done on a smaller scale.
According to Calandra Waters Lake, Director of Sustainability at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, a good start might involve simply evaluating the choices you make for yourself and for your family on a daily basis. “Take time to pause and assess what is really important in your life,” she says. “Consider the resources that you use on a regular basis; you might find you can use less of them. Little changes like using dishcloths instead of paper towels, or choosing LED lighting and installing low-flow water fixtures and light sensors all add up.”
With summer almost here, some might do their part by keeping the thermostat turned to a higher temperature. “Just a few degrees makes a difference,” Calandra says. “And you will save money on your electric bill.”
Living sustainably can save money in other areas too. “Ditch the disposable habit. You can save resources by being a wise consumer and investing in items that last in the long run. Think ‘minimal’.”
Minimalism doesn’t necessarily mean living without things; instead, it means putting those things that we own to their maximum purpose. When embracing a minimalist lifestyle, for instance, people tend to recycle more, and also be more mindful of purchasing items that are produced with an emphasis on sustainability.
Calandra encourages folks to minimalize the use of plastic products, in particular. “Many plastics contain BPA, PVC, and a slew of other acronyms for chemicals that you don’t want in your body. I try not to eat or drink from plastics that have been heated as they are especially prone to releasing toxins. I also use reusable water bottles, and store food and drinks in glass and metal containers.”
Another important step to living sustainably involves considering your own health and well-being, which means eating smart and taking care of your body. “Invest in your food. It pays itself back in your health and happiness. Eat organic when you can and consider reducing your meat consumption, buy local at your farmer’s market, make cooking dinner a family event and take time to sit down and eat together.”
Investing in your own fitness can be fun. Rather than driving to the gym, why not bike to work or take a walk with the kids? “Being truly sustainable should be a win-win situation,” Calandra says. “There are lots of opportunities to get outside, get a workout, and bond with your friends and family. Don’t underestimate the value of a less stressful lifestyle. It can mean a healthier, happier you.”
Naturally, when we hear the words sustainable living, we think about protecting the environment because living sustainably means being kind to the planet we call our home. However, making sustainable choices is also about taking measures—large and small—to ensure our own health and well-being. Let’s keep finding ways to make our lifestyles greener and more sustainable.
It may be easier than we think.
Easy Ways to Be Sustainable:
- Spend more time reading and playing games: By reducing your reliance on electronic equipment, you not only save energy but also you bond with your family and friends.
- Become a member of a community garden: It isn’t just about growing your own food, being a member of a community garden helps to promote sustainable living in the area. Gardens create green spaces and the garden waste can be mulched and returned to support healthy soil.
- Start using natural cleaners: Vinegar and water (or baking soda) can clean most surfaces, and the saponin from quinoa is a natural laundry detergent. By using natural cleaners you are reducing the amount of plastic packaging being made, and the amount of chemicals that are being introduced to the water system.
- Take off your shoes: Pesticides, herbicides, and pollens are just a few of the things that can follow you indoors. Take your shoes off at the door and reduce your prolonged exposure to these irritants.
- Stop unwanted mail: Yes, you can toss that junk mail in the recycle bin but better to opt out altogether. Bonus: no “you have been preapproved for a credit card” in your recycle bin to tempt potential identify thieves.