Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Sustainability: What Are You Doing To Contribute?

It is not a secret that we all could be doing more to chip in to help improve our environment. Here at Stonybrook we provide water coolers for your home or office with an endless supply of clean, filtered water – All without the use of plastic jugs or bottles.

With that being said, we are always trying to come up with more ways to be more sustainable in our daily practices. What are you doing to help Earth’s sustainability? Check out some different ways you can help contribute:

1. Disposable Water Bottles vs. Refillable Water Bottles

Now, this may seem to be the most obvious one, however, there is still a surplus of plastic water bottles being disposed of everyday around the world. With that being the case, we feel the need to reiterate this at the top of our list. Plastic water bottle waste is not only bad for our environment with their severely slow decomposing process. Drinking from plastic water bottles is very bad for our bodies, as they contain all the toxins that plastic holds.

thrift store contribute towards sustainability

2. Thrift Shopping

Thrift shopping is a fun and affordable way to practice recycling. The fashion industry contributes to the carbon emissions around the world. By shopping second hand and donating our unused clothing, we can help do our part to reduce the carbon levels and unnecessary water usage that goes into clothing productions. Plus, thrifting is in!

3. Start Your Own Garden

Growing your own produce is not only rewarding, but a much healthier way to consume sustenance. Similar to the Fashion Industry, the Food Production Industry releases a surplus amount of carbon emissions. Starting your own vegetable garden will not only make your food taste better but will help cut down on the toxins produced by commercial farming.

4. Fertilizer

While we are on the topic of food growth, let’s talk about fertilization options! Many fertilizers are filled with toxic chemicals that can be harmful to our environment and those who inhabit it. Fertilizers using chemicals can even ruin your soil’s fertility which will negatively impact growth over a long period of time and use. Using natural or organic fertilizers will not only decrease the toxins that impacts our environment but will greatly aide you with a flourishing garden.

5. Reusable Bags

As busy people of society, we tend to run multiple errands per week. Stores generally have been keeping up with the times and offer paper bags over plastic. However, why not cut back on the waste further and bring your own reusable bags when you hit the shops. Plus, since the word has spread with the effectiveness of this practice, there are many stylish and fashionable options out there!

6. Environmentally Friendly Products

Bags are not the only item that can be reused, there a may ways to incorporate sustainable items in your daily routines. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
– Solid soaps, shampoos, and facial cleansers
– Non-Plastic Toothbrushes or Hair Brushes – there are a lot of bamboo made products out there! – Reusable water bottles
– Reusable straws
– Organic foods and products (shop locally!)

7. Limit Electricity and Water Use

Here is another pretty obvious one, but it never hurts to bring it up! Limiting your electric and water use in your daily routine is a great way to give back to your environment. Here are some practices that come to mind:
– Don’t continuously run your faucet during the duration of brushing your teeth.
– Use cloth or reusable paper towel products.
– Try organic bathroom products.
– Unplug wires such as phone chargers from both sides. Even though your device is not currently on the charger, wires that are still plugged in to the outlet can use up some power.
– Turn your heat down at night.
– Switch to “green” lightbulbs
– If you have an unfinished basement with heat, turn the heat vent off every so often to limit the amount of power.

Sustainability has been becoming a popular topic in our society. We hope some of the above ideas help you in you sustainability journey! Please comment some additional practices we can take into consideration to help our environment.