Sustainable Living Tips

April 2020

1. Understanding humanely

raised and sustainable

products

2. Understanding composting

and its benefits

3. Learn ways to live more

sustainably

Objectives

Sustainable Living – April 20202

Sustainable Foods vs. Humanely Raised Foods

Sustainable refers to foods produced and consumed within a closed-loop system.

This means that any waste that would have been produced goes back into the system to nourish the growth cycle.

Humanely raised refers to foods produced from animals that are treated kindly, are given comfortable living conditions, and are able to engage in natural behaviors.

Sustainable Living – April 20203

Ways to Support Sustainable and Humane Products

Sustainable Living – April 20204

Buy local. Foods that have been produced nearby save

resources by not needing to travel long distances.

Try composting. Composting helps close the loop in the food

system. Rather than being transported to a landfill and

producing harmful greenhouse gases, food scraps nourish the

soil.

Eat whole foods. Instead of eating only part of a fruit or

vegetable or a particular cut of meat, expand your palate and

culinary skills by trying to make use of all edible parts of food.

This helps reduce food waste and adds interest to meals.

Ways to Support Sustainable and Humane Foods

Sustainable Living – April 20205

Limit packaging. Seek out foods with minimal or no packaging as

packaging takes energy to produce and decades to fully

decompose.

Get to know your farmer. If you consume animal foods, research

local farmers. Make an educated decision by asking them about

farming methods and learning about the animals’ living conditions.

Some farms may welcome visitors, if you’d like to visit in person.

Reduce consumption of animal foods. Raising animals for food

requires more input (resources, energy, calories) than the output

that is produced. Explore the variety of flavors and textures that

plant-based foods have to offer.

Composting

Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow.

Food scraps and yard waste make up more than 28% of what we throw away.

Composting keeps these materials out of landfills where they release methane, a harmful greenhouse gas.

Sustainable Living – April 20206

Composting Basics

Requirements:

Browns - This includes materials such as dead leaves, branches, and twigs.

Greens - This includes materials such as grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds.

Water - Having the right amount of water, greens, and browns is important for compost development.

Sustainable Living – April 20207

Benefits of Composting

Enriches soil, helping retain moisture and suppress plant

diseases and pests.

Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.

Encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that

break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-

filled material.

Reduces methane emissions from landfills and lowers your

carbon footprint.

Sustainable Living – April 20208

Sustainable Living Tips

Reduce Food Waste

Cook or eat what you already have in your pantry, freezer and

refrigerator before buying more food.

Learn the difference between “sell-by,” “use-by,” “best-by,” and

expiration dates.

Eat leftovers. Casseroles, stir-fries, frittatas, soups, and smoothies

are great ways to use leftovers.

Make your shopping list based on how many meals you’ll eat at

home.

Plan your meals for the week before you shop.

Sustainable Living – April 20209

Sustainable Living Tips

Don’t use plastic bags. Instead, bring reusable bags for groceries.

Avoid buying plastic-wrapped products, opt for a paper bag instead.

Stop buying bottled water! Filter your tap water and use stainless steel bottles.

Use washable metal straws instead of disposable plastic straws.

Sustainable Living – April 202010

Sustainable Living Tips

Start composting.

Limit the amount of water you use

to brush your teeth, wash your

face or take a shower.

Read labels for toxic and harmful

chemicals.

Eat more whole and plant-based

foods.

Recycle.

Sustainable Living – April 202011

Replace disposable products with reusable ones, like razors, food storage containers, batteries, ink cartridges (buy refill ink), coffee filters, air filters, etc.

Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation whenever possible.

Donate: household items, lightly worn business attire, computer equipment, hearing aids, eyeglasses and mobility equipment, uneaten food (to homeless shelters, food banks, or soup kitchens)

Sustainable Living Tips

Sustainable Living – April 202012

Sustainable Living Tips

Buy organic when possible; it

keeps harmful pesticides out of

food.

Make your home more energy

efficient with adequate insulation

and energy-saving windows, a

programmable thermostat for more

efficient heating and cooling, and

energy-saving lightbulbs.

Go paperless. Pay bills online.

Sustainable Living – April 202013

References

1. Integrative Nutrition, Inc. Humanely Raised and Sustainable Products. (February, 2019)

2. Humane farm animal care comprehensive animal welfare standards comparison by

program – chickens, beef cattle and pigs. (November, 2013). www.certifiedhumane.org.

3. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (n.d.). Talking Trash & Taking Action.

Retrieved from www.marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/publications-files/talking-

trash-educational.pdf.

4. EPA. Composting at Home. (November 13, 2019). Retrieved from

https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home.

5. EPA. Reducing Wasted Food at Home. (November 13, 2019). Retrieved from

https://www.epa.gov/recycle/reducing-wasted-food-home

Sustainable Living – April 202014