Five Ways to Live More Sustainably
January 29, 2021 9:31 AM
By Emily Small, Intern, Department of Public Works
Last year was one of ups and downs for everything, including our environment. Going into 2021, now more than ever, we all need to do our part to live more sustainably. The good news is that you don’t have to overhaul your entire life—you can make simple changes to benefit our planet.
If you are looking for ways to help the environment but don’t know where to start, check out these ideas for sustainable living that take little effort but can have a big effect.
Avoid single-use plastics
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, single-use plastics are made primarily of fossil fuel-based chemicals and are meant to be disposed of right after use. They are usually small items such as straws, bags, utensils and packaging. These items are harmful to the environment because they typically cannot be recycled. When not recycled, some plastics can last in the environment for decades; others can last centuries.
There are certainly times when you will not be able to avoid single-use plastics, but choosing other options whenever possible can help you reduce your plastic waste.
The easiest way to avoid single-use plastics is to look for alternatives when you shop. Since 40 percent of plastic produced is packaging that is used just once (according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]), a good place to start cutting back on single-use plastics is packaging. As you shop, avoid buying items that come packaged in excessive and unnecessary plastic. A few examples of more sustainable packaging options are paper, glass and bamboo.
Aside from packaging, be sure to avoid other single-use plastics with these simple actions:
- Carry a reusable water bottle.
- When ordering takeout or delivery, ask the restaurant to skip the plastic utensils and use your own at home.
- Bring washable, reusable shopping bags to the store.
Minimize household waste
The easiest way to minimize the amount of waste you generate is to reduce the amount of new items you buy in the first place. This requires making the most out of what you already own. The good news is that this will not only benefit the environment by saving resources and landfill space, but it will also save you money.
When you have an item that you think is ready to be thrown out, take some time to think about how it could be reused to serve another purpose in your home. This is where you can get creative. Even if you cannot find an obvious use for an old item, consider donating it, or think about how it could be used to make something new.
To get some ideas on how to reuse common household items, do a quick internet search for DIY and upcycling projects.
Recycle right
If you already recycle in your home, keep up the good work! While it is important to recycle whenever possible, the quality of your recyclables is just as important.
When incorrect items are placed in your recycling, they contaminate a bin of perfectly good recyclables. Avoid contamination in your recycling bin by knowing what items are acceptable, and make sure everyone in your household is also aware. For a complete list of what Baltimore County accepts and does not accept for recycling, visit the County’s website.
Make a special effort to avoid putting tanglers—long, stretchy items such as clothing, garden hoses and plastic grocery bags—in your recycling bin. They are not recyclable and can get tangled in the sorting equipment at the recycling facility, bringing the entire process to a halt.
Cut back on food waste
In the United States, food waste is estimated at 40 percent of the food supply, and it accounts for about 24 percent of all municipal solid waste landfilled (EPA, 2018). According to the United States Department of Agriculture, food waste has far-reaching impacts on the environment, including the land, water, energy and labor used in producing the food and then eventually discarding it.
Reducing the amount of food you waste will not only save you money, but it will also reduce methane emissions and conserve energy and natural resources.
To cut back on food waste this year, buy only what you need. The best way to do this is by planning your meals ahead of time and sticking to a list when you shop. When you have leftovers, make sure they are properly stored and try to eat them before making a new meal.
Eat less meat
Consuming meat can be a major contribution to your carbon footprint. In fact, meat production is one of the primary sources of methane emissions, which is a greenhouse gas that is 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.
Meat production requires a large amount of resources, including land and water, and is a major contributor to overall greenhouse gas emissions. Shifting to a diet consisting of mostly plant-based foods will help fight climate change and deforestation, as well as air, soil and water pollution.
The good news is that you do not need to completely eliminate meat from your diet to have a positive effect on the environment. Simply reducing the amount of meat you consume is a great way to start, and it will also benefit your overall health. Try picking a few days a week when you and your family will not consume meat, and from there you can gradually cut back even more.