What are you doing to promote environmental sustainability?
As a concerned inhabitant of this beautiful planet we call Home, I realized that the lifestyle most of us have is unsustainable towards our environment. In this discussion, I would like to know if you guys are really taking action about any environmental issues and what exactly are you doing to promote sustainability.
What actions you take to promote environmental sustainability?
Here are some changes I already made in my daily life:
1) First of all, I significantly cut down my consumption madness. Until last year, I have to admit that my consumption was ridiculously over any limit. I am working a good job and I get a good salary. This allows me to buy a lot of STUFF. I feel very good to not buy so many items and clothes anymore. Is such a big relief, not only for environment but for my life as well. I feel like I have more time to focus on more important things such as hiking, camping, instead of shopping.
2) I decided to donate everything I didn't use in the last 6 months.
3) I am walking or biking when I have to get to a place that is 2 miles from home.
4) I decided to join communities and people that fight for environmental conservation and animal protection. My hobby is writing and in my free time I am publishing articles on http://greentumble.com and now I am working on creating my own blog to share my ups and downs in trying to be environmentally friendly.
5) I donated for the first time in my life to an environmental sustainability non-profit.
And these are some changes I have hard time to change:
1) Consumption can be sometimes addictive. As much as I try to control myself, sometimes I still keep buying things that I don't really need in my life. I am disappointed often, after I come home and I realize that I could avoid buying certain clothes...
2) Using my car less. I have to commute to work every day. Taking public transportation in my area is a pain! It takes me about 2 hours to arrive to work...while with my car it takes me a bit over 1 hour. Maybe I should look for a place closer to work...but is not an easy decision.
3) Recycling. I know the benefits of recycling but is so hard to recycle everything. Sometimes I don't have time to pay attention and recycle everything that is possible...especially when travelling or in places where I don't know where recycling bins are.
I am curious to hear what others have to say about this subject...so jump in the discussion.
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I love to repurpose and recycle. It's pretty easy to recycle. Put a bag (I generally use a paper trash bag) beside your trash can and put all your recyclables in it. And repurposing is soooo easy. Just go to Pinterest and the rest is history. Another easy thing to do is composting. Do you know you can take any of those silly plastic pots your flowers or shrubs come in and once you've replanted them into the ground, use the pot to compost. Just set it outside your door and toss compostables in it...coffee grounds, onion skins, egg shells, potato peels, you get the idea. Grab a nice thick stick to use to stir your compost with about once a week to keep the heat going. Be sure to throw some dry leaves or grass clippings in it. You'll know when it's done by the smell...it smells like good ole mother earth!
Have fun!
Great post! I was raised by war children. Hence, you use everything and you fix rather than toss and purchase new. I have been a dumpster diver from day one. Even if I do not need it, someone I know will. Anything to keep stuff out of a landfill. Personally, I have very little waste. My recycle bin gets full and I have a tiny bag of actual trash. I only place my bins out for collection once every 3 to 4 weeks. Now to address your list!
1. I love to shop for bargains no matter the project or reason, but only have limited time to do so.
2. I donate all usable clothing items to a women's shelter. They also take household items as many of these women left everything but their kids and clothes on their backs and need items to set up a new household.
3. Not possible where I live. How am I going to get my Costco or Sam's Club items home?
4. Excellent! You found your passion, go for it!
5. I support several causes that mean something to me.
Changes
1. Nope, I shop with a plan, project list or reason, i.e. birthday, etc. Plus I pay CASH for everything. Only use credit cards for hotels and airline reservations. Or if an appliance needs to be replaced.
2. Again not feasible where I live. Public transit to work 3+ hours, my car 2+ hours each way and it is only 42 miles away . . . Moving closer not an option. My home closer to work $750,000 and up. I do not make that kind of money.
3. Recycling, easy for me and a big plus is our trash service recycle bin takes almost everything. And several times a year they offer free pick up for bulky items and coming up we have a free hazardous waste weekend and free shreading weekend.
The office building I work in is also great with recycling too. Traveling anywhere I have been, there are recycle bins available. If not, I hang onto till I find one. Just like with camping, leave nothing but footprints . . .
I also have my own travel coffee tumbler and water tumblers as well as for the pets too. I do purchase bottled water for visitors and as take away. I live close to a jail. My house is on the route for the visitors of the jail. In the summer these poor girls travel with their very young kids and I give out water bottles to them, as 99% of are unprepared and if I am around those ladies and little kids need to stay hydrated.
My pet peeve is electronics. New cell phone every 2 years or so, same with computer, laptops and tablets plus all the other electronic gizmos - fit bits, echo, etc. All hazardous waste . . . All to "keep up with technology." Nope, no thank you, I am morally opposed to it. No one knows how to have a simple conversation face to face. And I resent having to spend hard earned money over and over again for the same thing. Again, not gonna happen. I can do without. Much rather be crafting, gardening, reading a real book with pages, playing with the pets, being in the sunshine and fresh air. And not always on the phone with customer servive for the array of little black boxes . . .
I am sure there is more, and if we all do our part, future generations will thank us. Enough said!