7 easy sustainable practices
In our world today, sustainability is more important than ever. But what exactly is sustainability?
Though there are a lot of definitions out there, this one encapsulates the spirit of sustainability: “the quality of causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time.” In other words, making sustainable choices means prioritizing what’s best for the planet–thereby serving future generations.
So how do we include it in our daily life? Well, there are countless ways–some more complicated than others. So we recommend starting simple. By integrating sustainable practices into your routine, then you can do your part to preserve the environment. Here are some of our favorite ideas:
Turn off the lights.
You’ve probably heard this one before–but it’s important (and easy). When you leave the room, flip the light switch off on your way out. And when you leave the house, turn off all the lights. Though turning off the lights may take time to become a habit, it’s well worth it. Want to take electricity reduction a step further? Then you can also opt for energy efficient light bulbs.
Take the stairs.
As you can imagine, the US Department of Energy has done extensive research on a clean energy future. They encourage taking alternative forms of transportation. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to bike everywhere. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator is an easy form of alternative transportation–and one that’s also good for your health.
Unplug chargers when not in use.
If you’re not charging your devices, then unplug the chargers. Though chargers don’t use a significant amount of energy, they do use some–which can add up. “Reduce energy consumption from standby power,” encourages the US Department of Energy. So when your phone’s battery is at 100% in the morning, then simply unplug the charger before you leave the house.
Pick reusable water bottles, utensils, and cups.
Remember “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle”? Well, this is that. We suggest picking reusable water bottles, utensils, and cups instead of single-use ones. Doing so helps cut down on landfill waste, pollution, and unnecessary energy production. Not to mention, you can buy a nice bottle or cup with the money you’ll save on replacing the disposable ones.
Use eco-friendly cleaning products.
Using eco-friendly cleaning products is a great way to protect the earth. Let us explain: cleaning products can contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment. So when you choose eco-friendly alternatives, you can minimize harmful chemicals and reduce toxicity in your home. Need some ideas? Then check out this list.
Bring your own bags.
This one could also save you money in addition to being sustainable. Not only will you avoid ripping bags on the way home, but you might also avoid a bag tax. For example, Chicago has a $.07 tax on paper and plastic bags. Boulder, Colorado has a $.10 bag tax. So buy durable bags of your own; they can be inexpensive and even hold more!
Use metal straws.
If you use a plastic straw once per day for a year, then you’ve thrown away 365 plastic straws! That’s a lot of wasted plastic–but it can be avoided. How? Well, choose a metal straw. Not only are metal straws better for the environment, but they can also be easy to clean. Just pick one that’s dishwasher-friendly.
At The Organic Snack Company, we value sustainability. From ingredient sourcing to food production, we’ve developed best practices to preserve the environment. Not only do we make choices that are easy to implement, but we also find ways to save money along the way! Looking to learn more about sustainability? Then follow our blog for more ways to do your part in preserving the earth for future generations.