What is Environmental Sustainability?

Environmental sustainability refers to the responsible management of our natural resources in order to fulfill the current population’s needs without otherwise compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. ES hopes to balance economic, ecological, and social goals, like the reduction of carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and ensuring reasonable access to resources.

We humans produce an inordinate amount of waste on a daily basis and most of us never stop to think about what that is doing to our planet, as a whole. Trash, for instance, is not only unsightly, but it leads to pollution and even deaths to animals. Take a standard 6-pack yoke (6-pack rings) that hold soda cans together for instance. If not cut up, they often times end up around the necks of animals, causing injury and even death. Another commonly utilized item is the plastic grocery bag. If discarded and it ends up in the ocean, sea turtles often mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them. This binds up their digestive track and leads to a slow, painful demise.

Per the World Health Organization (WHO), upwards of 24% of human deaths can by linked to otherwise avoidable environmental factors. Humans, based on several studies, are estimated to be directly responsible for more than 1/4 of all vertebrate animal mortalities. A portion of that figure is due to our impact on the environment; via factors such as non-compostable trash, pollution, and climate change.

Environmental sustainability is critical in preserving precious resources such as clean air, water, and land for future generations of wildlife and humankind. ES is crucial for the survival of this planet and all its inhabitants.

There are many things you can do to be a part of the solution, rather than be a part of the problem. The old reduce, reuse, and recycle adage is tried and true, and an amazing way to do your part. Below are several things you can do to make simple life changes that will lead to the betterment of all life on this amazing planet we call home. Be sure to take note of the factoids on the shelf life of some of the items people use every day.

Reducing

There are several steps you can take to reduce your individual and group footprint on this planet. For example:

• Buy in bulk to reduce packaging.
• Only buy what you need, then use what you buy.
• Bring reusable bags to your next shopping trip.
  The world uses between 500 billion and 5 trillion plastic bags each year, which is equivalent to 1 million bags per minute. In the United States alone, the number is closer to 100 billion bags annually, or more than 300 bags per person.
• Buy items with refillable packaging.
• When 1 child outgrows their clothing, give it to their younger sibling, rather than buy all new clothes.
• Repair worn or damaged clothing rather than throw it out.
• Avoid using plastic straws.
• Go paperless for your billing.
• Bring a coffee cup to work, rather than use disposable cups.
• Use a reusable water bottle rather than plastic ones.
• When printing documents, print double-sided and in grayscale to save paper, ink, and money.

Reusing

Here are several hints on how to reuse items:

• Rather than throw out unwanted objects, donate them for reuse. Unused animal food can be donated to shelters, unwanted toys and clothing can be donated to homeless shelters and thrift stores.
• Instead of throwing out that planter when your houseplant outgrows it, replant a new houseplant in the old pot.
• You can utilize used jars to store loose items.
• Instead of throwing away all that uneaten food, there are many food items that can be composted and later turned into soil for yet another plant.
• Do you have an old phone charger that no longer works with your new phone? Visit the Freecycle website first. There might be someone looking for that very charger for their phone.
• Use old clothing as rags instead of throwing them out.

Recycling

Rather than throw out old or damaged items, recycle them. Many cities offer monthly recycling events where you can take that old worn out couch to in order for it to be recycled into other items. When recycling though, pay attention to what you’re recycling. For instance, things like Styrofoam (which should be avoided anyway) and other items cannot be recycled.

Here is a general list of items that shouldn’t or cannot be recycled:

• #4 and #6 plastics (take up to 500 years to break down into microplastics).
• Plastics without a number (take up to 500 years to break down into microplastics).
• Cellophane (uncoated breaks down in up to 10 days, coated breaks down in up to 3 months).
• Napkins and paper towels (take up to 4 weeks to decompose, and can be compostable).
• Candy wrappers (take up to 20 years to break down).
• Dog food bags (take up to 20 years to decompose).
• Chip bags (take up to 20 years to decompose).
• Straws (take up to 200 years to break down into microplastics).
• Plastic utensils/cutlery (take up to 1,000 years to break down into microplastics).
• Styrofoam (takes up 500 years to decompose).
• Items that are not properly rinsed out. This is very important, as if you fail to rinse out recycled items, they can contaminate the entire truckload of other recyclables and then the whole load has to be sent to the landfill.

Of course, a key factor in all of this is to also spread the word to others about environmental sustainability in an encouraging manner to get more people involved with the 3 Rs, reduce, reuse, and recycle. The more people we can get to participate, the better. Think of it as a herd mentality, but a positive one.

If you have further suggestions for this page, feel free to drop me a line and let me know.

You can also help spread the word by sharing this page with everyone you know.