WRITTEN BY SARAH WALKER CARON
Bring your own bags. Return your bottles and cans. Donate instead of discarding. We are surrounded these days with messages that encourage us to live a more sustainable and less wasteful lifestyle. But it can feel daunting at times. What if we can’t quite wrap our heads around solar panels on our roofs yet and aren’t quite ready for the whole new world of electric vehicles?
Fortunately, living more sustainably can be done with simple, low-pressure changes that make a positive impact on the planet and the local area.
Here are 10 easy suggestions to get you started.
Swap, Don’t Shop
Need some fresh clothing? Instead of hitting the stores, look for gently used clothing through clothing swaps, local thrift stores, or online resellers like Poshmark. By doing this, you can save money and contribute less to textile waste. Likewise, when you are done with clothing, sell or swap it. I’ve outfitted my wardrobe on a budget with amazing, high-quality clothing by sticking to second-hand garments.
Stock Up at the Farmers’ Market
Local farmers markets allow you to purchase directly from the farmers who grow and make food in Maine. With markets in Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Belfast, and so many other Maine towns, there’s tremendous opportunity to get the freshest foods — all year round. This also means that the foods I buy have less environmental impact since they don’t come with long-distance transportation or excess packaging. It’s a win-win for me. Plus, I often find that farmers’ market produce costs the same or less than local grocery stores.
Practice Mindful Consumption
Do I really need this? This is a question I have been training myself to ask before purchasing in recent years. We are inundated with cheap, low-quality items when we enter popular stores, but rarely do we really need the items. So I am skipping the cute but impractical mini cake stands and ignoring the cheap organization items because they will ultimately become more waste. Instead, I am mindful about what I need and want. For instance, while shopping for a blanket to use while reading, I found many that were within my budget but weren’t what I wanted. By waiting for just the right one, I ensured that I will use that blanket again and again, and not be tempted by another (thereby purchasing more than I need).
Compost Organic Waste
Got kitchen scraps? It’s so easy to start composting with carrot peels and other food wastes coupled with yard waste. This will create nutrient-rich soil that you can spread in your garden. Plus, you ensure that biodegradable things don’t end up in a landfill.
Use Energy-Efficient Lighting
Are you still hanging onto traditional incandescent light bulbs? As they burn out, make the switch to energy-efficient LED bulbs! They last longer, use less energy, and will help reduce your electric bill. Plus, less energy use means a lower carbon footprint.
Practice Upcycling
A few years ago, my daughter and I gathered up old white shirts and tie-dyed them. Now they are getting worn regularly again. We’ve also turned old jars into votive holders. And she once transformed a used laundry detergent container into a holder for plastic bags that still sits next to the litter box (it’s so easy and efficient!). Get creative with repurposing old items to give them a new purpose and extend their lifespan.
Conserve Water
You do not need to keep the faucet running while you brush your teeth. That was a hard lesson for me to learn, but an important one. Practicing water-saving habits including taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and using water-efficient appliances makes good conservation sense. You can even collect rainwater for your garden, if you want to really get green.
Switch to Reusable Products
From reusable water bottles and coffee cups to sturdy food containers, reusable alternatives mean less waste and less money spent in the long run. For containers in particular, I love glass ones with a silicone overlay, which I have found to have the best lifetime use.
Plant a Garden
Starting a small garden, whether it’s in your backyard, on your porch, or in a community garden plot, is good in so many ways. You are more connected to the land and what you eat, for instance. And there’s a low-environmental impact when your food is coming from your garden.
Support Local Businesses
I am a huge believer in shopping local. It supports the local economy, ensures that people I know stay employed, and helps build resilient communities. Whenever feasible, prioritize shopping at locally-owned businesses and artisans.