Sustainability: business, life, environment

Were you aware that the average American throws out 550 pounds of paper, 318 pounds of food, and 90 pounds of glass per year?   About 80 percent of that garbage ends up in landfills.  Garbage isn't necessarily a fun thing to think about but it certainly is an opportunity to evaluate ones choices and lifestyles.
 
As a green living consultant, I oftentimes ask clients, "What is in your garbage?"  Your garbage can give you clues as to how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. 
 
Clue #1:
This is an easy one.  If you look in your garbage and notice paper, plastic, aluminum, kitchen waste and more all combined together, then your first step towards building a personal sustainability program is to embrace the sustainability concept of recycle.  Separate the paper, plastics, glass, and aluminum into bins and begin a recycling program. 
 
Clue #2:
Inspect the paper and plastic in your garbage.  Are the paper products you are using made from recycled content?  Do you receive a lot of junk mail? Are you using reusable containers?  What kind of garbage bags do you use?  Take eco action and make a difference.  Address each area and explore ways to reduce your waste as well as make more environmentally friendly choices.  Following are some suggestions from our eco friendly training classes:
 
Reduce Food Waste:
•    Pre plan your meals, buy in bulk, and prepare what you need.
•    Compost and turn your old food into healthy soil.
 
Reduce when you shop and shop with the environment in mind:
•    Purchase products that are returnable, reusable or refillable.  Use reusable and refillable containers in your home instead of disposable items.
•    Purchase products with the least amount of packaging.
•    Get the most out of what you buy by comparing warranties and cost to repair or replace the item.
•    Look for products designed with the environment in mind.  Organic clothing, sustainable furnishings, and solar powered products are just a few examples.
•    Rent or borrow instead of purchasing.
 
Reduce items at home:
•    Reduce paper consumption- go paperless.
•    Find new life for old furnishings, appliances and clothes.
 
By evaluating the contents of your garbage, there exist the opportunity to make more sustainable purchase choices,  to reduce your waste, and to modify behavior to support the environment.