At West 5, we love to help others discover the joy of sustainable living. Whether you’re looking to shrink your carbon footprint, reduce waste or, you’re simply not sure where to begin – we can help! Here are just a few small changes that can you can make every day to help the planet in 2018.
Reduce, Reuse, and Party
Have you ever been so overwhelmed when cleaning out your closets that you just threw out the things you didn’t need anymore? Remember, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. This year, try packing it all up and hosting regular “reuse parties” with friends and family. Bring household items, clothing, and anything else that is no longer wanted and you can spend the evening shopping each other’s closets without spending a dime.
But first…coffee (or tea)
There’s something great about sipping a warm beverage as you ease yourself into the day. What’s not so great? The waste it can cause if we’re not mindful. Conserve water by filling the kettle only with the amount you need, this will also use less energy to boil, buy only recyclable coffee pods or better yet, use compostable pods or plain old grounds and filters which can be used in your compost or gardens for rich soil. Prefer your coffee on the go? Bring a reusable cup to your local café, on top of reducing waste, you’ll often get a discount!
Pack Your Bags
Plastic shopping bags can be very convenient, but these single-use items are a huge source of waste. Keep reusable options in your car, or even in your purse for easy access, and remember, they’re not just for groceries. Taking reusable bags with you any time you go out shopping is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
Shop local
Buying your food locally not only supports the farmers, it benefits the environment too! By shopping at your local farmers’ market, you’re getting fresh fruits and vegetables that haven’t had to be packaged up and transported in refrigerated containers to get from farm to table, significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels. No time to go to the market? Not a problem. truLOCAL will deliver top quality, locally sourced meat right to your door every month. For fresh produce, your local CSA programs have you covered, they’ll put together a box of their best local produce for you each week, and will often deliver it right to your door.
Get Outside
It’s hard to dispute the physical importance of being more active, but have you ever considered how it could be helping the environment? Escaping the screens and surrounding yourself in nature is great for your mind and body, and it also lowers your energy consumption. So disconnect, get outside, breathe in that fresh air and make the most of the many paths and walking trails in and around West 5.
