Little Things To Be More Sustainable

This was written by Katie, one of our summer interns. The opinions expressed herein do not reflect those of Civitas other than respect for the value of open dialogue.

When it comes to environmental issues, it’s easy to separate yourself from the rich evil corporations that contribute to virtually all of the greenhouse gas emissions. It’s not necessarily the feeling of apathy— in fact, we seem to really care about the environment— that we use to separate ourselves from the impending end of the world; but yet, it’s the feeling of surrender that makes us continue to shop at unethical companies, use plastic straws, and vote in people-first candidates. I, myself, am a culprit, as I have clothes from Forever 21 and drive a lot. So, I understand how one could put convenience and finances above minuscule things that barely help the environment. That being said there are little things you, your business, and your community can do to make a difference. Also, attached below the suggestions are links to make the process of becoming more sustainable easier.

A checklist of things you can do:

Buy one metal water bottle instead of consistently using plastic water bottles
Use decomposable straws (metal straws aren’t as helpful as you think)
Carry around reusable grocery bags
Have meatless days comprise of at least 4/7 days of the week
- It’s actually cheaper if you replace meat with vegetables (and I’d argue that it tastes better)
Start a vegetable or herb garden
Don’t throw food away just because of one date that the producer guessed
- Food company expiration dates are arbitrary to a point
Buy organic if financially possible
- If not, a cheaper and equally helpful option is buying produce that doesn’t look “pretty” enough to be sold at a normal price
Make sure your flowers are native
Stop using or lower your use of pesticide (they hurt bees!)
Reduce the amount of packaged food you buy
Dispose of cigarettes properly; don’t throw them out your window. They don’t decompose quickly! (consider it as if its a plastic bottle)
Shop from thrift shops and donate your clothes
Take quicker showers
Ask for flowers without the plastic wrapping
Refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle
Have the three bins of trash, recycling, and compost and LABEL WITH PICTURES what goes in what
- An easy printable list of recyclable items can be found below
Turn off the lights when you aren’t in the rooms
Use public transportation

Things your business and school can do:

Replace styrofoam cups and plates with decomposable cups and material
Use decomposable straws such as bamboo, hay, or corn
COMPOST COMPOST COMPOST
Implement solar panels
- Through Ameren and tax cuts, it will even pay for itself
Turn the lights off in every room (including the bathroom) if no one is in the room
Regulate the heating
- Optimal heating is between 68-70 degrees
- Use passive solar heating by utilizing windows and the sun
Turn off all the appliances including printers, computers, coffee machines, etc before you leave the office
- Phantom energy is expensive and harmful
RECYCLE!
- I can’t even begin to explain the importance of finding a reliable good recycling company that will minimize the waste created
Shred paper to create as package fillers instead of packing peanuts
Provide filtered water, so your workers do not have to use water bottles
- Maybe even provide company labeled reusable water bottles
Reduce paper waste by emailing instead of faxing
- Ask yourself, does this TRULY need to be printed out
Switch to LED Lights
- Cuts the electricity bill as well
Fill the office with plants!
- Plants have been noted to help reduce anxiety which would help produce productivity with your workers
Track your ecological footprint and how to better it through apps
- Ducky: 3 steps to start a Climate Challenge

Things your community can do:

Create greenways across natural migrational routes to allow animals to travel as usual
Reduce developments on wetlands and especially floodplains
Call your representatives and demand action on issues such as climate change
Vote for public officials and representatives who promise to prioritize the environment
Create a plan to reach zero waste or something close
- Zero Waste Principals
Mandate recycling
- If we can mandate trash, we can mandate recycling
- Use tipping fees from landfills to create recycling cheaper for the average person
Add bike lanes, increase and strengthen the public transportation systems, make walking to places easier
- Make the car a less feasible option
Take away tax incentives on fossil fuel companies and give tax breaks to companies switching to renewable, green energy
Replace regular asphalt with porous cement
Raise your children the value of sustainability
- At home and especially at schools

Buy the composable straws, cups, and plates

See if the products you use are certified

Make vegetarian/ environmentally clean recipes

16 meat-free meals recipes
24 Meatless Recipes that Carnivores Love
If those seem too difficult:
- Rice, steamed, fried, or grilled veggies, any type of beans, and any spices of your choice in either a bowl, wrap, etc
  - Broad so that you can mix and match to keep things different
- For a quick snack:
  - Use popcorn kernels and oil and make your own, healthier popcorn
  - Cut a sweet potato into slices, cover them in a thin layer of oil, put salt and other spices on top and bake for healthy and delicious fries