Sustainability for Dummies

Submitted By: Katie LaPotin

Regardless of whether you believe that global warming exists or that we are draining all of our natural resources at an exponential rate there’s no harm in adding a bit of sustainability to your life. After all, why wouldn’t you want to give Mother Nature the same tender loving care that you give your real mother?

All it takes is one adjustment each day to make your life a bit more sustainable. Here’s a handy list of things you can do, and by just adding one of these tips to your life on a daily basis you’ll be living a sustainable life before you know it! 

• Going grocery shopping? Use reusable bags to transport your goodies – they can be purchased at most stores for a couple of bucks, or if you are like me you probably have a stack of them sitting around your house from various giveaways. Last-minute trip? Save your bags and bring them with you the next time, most stores now have collection boxes for recycling plastic bags on-site. 
• Invest in a water purifier for drinking water and use a Nalgene or other similar water bottle when travelling. You’d be surprised how much money you save by using a water purifier, and you can feel good about decreasing the amount of plastic waste we have in our landfills nationwide.
• Recycle, Recycle, Recycle! It may be hard at times, but separating all of your bottles, papers and cans from your other waste goes a long way in saving the environment. Don’t forget as well to cut the rings that keep six-packs of soda together so that birds can’t choke on them. 
• Turn off your electronics when you are not using them. Obviously you would keep your fridge on 24/7, but does your printer really need to be on while you’re asleep? Not only does it save electricity (and you money), but it can also prolong the life of your precious devices. Same with your A/C and heat. 

Now wasn’t that easy?

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