Ever think about sustainability?

I do, I guess that is probably not normal, but I do think about it. I also think about what a shame it is that since moving to Singapore, I throw so much more GARBAGE away. And, how Singapore, like many other countries, dumps lots of its garbage into the open ocean. The rest they incinerate. OH, I think my calling maybe to teach the rest of the world about recycling... but first I have to practice what I preach.

This weekends goal. To set up (hopefully not have to buy items to accomplish this) a recycle center in our home. We have a small recycle area downstairs, and I am going to follow up with the Condo management to see if they actually do recycle, or if it is tossed down the shoot.

Anyway. Sustainability.

Environmental Sustainability has been defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Here are the top 10 things you can do to live sustainably. (Cribbed from a great website called the New Colonist. http://www.newcolonist.com/topten3.html.

) Recycle everything you can.
2) Most appliances that use power supplies consume electricity even when they are turned off. Plug these appliances into power strips and turn the power strip off at night.

3) Don't buy overly-packaged goods. Buy equivalent goods in minimal packaging.
4) Shop at local stores, and discover the joys of personal service, quality products, and a business model that lets them special order anything out of the ordinary that you might need.

5) When you ship packages, or buy by mail, phone, or internet, use ground service rather than overnight; ground shipping generally goes by rail, which is far more fuel-efficient than air.

6) Use public transit to get to work, if you don't live near enough to walk.

7) If you live where there is rail service, use the train instead of flying for trips of under three hundred miles.

8) Sell your car, and rent one when you really need it.

9) If you own your own laundry facilities, buy a front-loading washer, and if possible, dry your laundry on a clothesline.

10) Move to a high-density mixed-use community, where you can walk or bicycle to at least the three destinations you visit the most often: grocery, dry cleaner, video rental, library, work, etc.

Most of these are pretty easy if you live in the city, but even those who live in suburbs could be challenged to do a few of these... like walking to the local store in McMinnville. I think my sister who lives in Tigard would have trouble with this, but my Mom could do it to the local Fred Meyer for those little shopping trips. The key is having a cart you can use to get your items home and not have to carry them!

Love to you all-

Simply,

Kristy