Sustainability Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Eco-Friendly Living
- Ava McHugh
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
While many of us want to live a more sustainable-friendly life, it can be overwhelming to
figure out where to start, especially without completely changing our daily routines or spending a fortune. At GSC, we work with communities and renewable energy developments to make big changes that benefit the health of our small towns and protect our planet for future generations. But we also try to implement sustainability at home, with small, intentional actions that add up over time. Even simple changes contribute to meaningful impacts to be proud of. That’s why we’ve put together a simple sustainability guide with ideas for small steps we can all aspire to work into our daily lives.
1. Bright Idea for Saving Energy
Next time you need to change a light bulb, consider replacing it with an LED bulb. They have a slightly higher up-front cost, but because of their energy efficiency and longer lifespan, they are the more cost-effective option long-term. *
2. Reusable Over Disposable
Invest in a reusable water bottle and coffee cup and bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store. While these two may be obvious, they’re a super easy way to cut back on unnecessary plastic and waste. With the growing popularity of reusable bottles, water bottle refill stations are popping up in more public and event spaces, making it even simpler to fill up when you need, while saving money. Reusable bags also help to cut back on costs as many retailers are now charging for disposable bags, plus they’re a lot less likely to rip and spill groceries all over the parking lot!
3. Plant with a Purpose
Want to try something new in your garden? Try planting pollinator-friendly flowers. Many pollinator seed mixes will feature varieties of wallflowers, coneflowers, and asters, or you can buy state-specific mixes that are customized to your climate. Not only are they pretty to look at, but pollinator-friendly flowers can help minimize some of the “pest” insects as the attracted pollinators offer natural biological control.** Planting the seeds is a great opportunity for a family activity offering the chance to teach kids about plants and insects while allowing them to get their hands dirty. Even without a yard, consider growing these plants in containers on a patio or balcony.
4. Travel Together
Carpooling is a straightforward way to cut back on emissions. Finding a coworker who has a
similar route and taking turns driving each week is better for the planet and saves you each a bit of gas money. If you’re dreading your errands, ask a friend or neighbor to join you! Make it a fun activity rather than a chore, plus you can drive together and save fuel. GSC employees love the time they get to spend with each other while carpooling to project areas; it’s a great way to prepare for events together while having a good time and saving emissions.
5. Love Your Leftovers
While no one sets out to waste food, life happens. Sometimes last-minute plans pop up, tastes change, and suddenly those leftovers don’t look so appealing. One of the best ways to cut down on food waste is through meal planning. Choose recipes for the week, make a shopping list, and stick to buying only what you need. If dinner plans change or you can’t finish the leftovers, freeze them for a quick and easy meal to eat later instead of letting them go to waste. Reducing food waste not only saves you money but also conserves resources like the water and energy that went into producing that food in the first place.
6. Take One Step at a Time
You can lead a sustainable-friendly life without being eco-friendly all the time. Rather than making a lifestyle commitment across the board, choose one or two new things from this list to begin working into your daily life and build from there. Every small step contributes to a positive impact!
Reference Links:
Comments