Conscientious consumption

How to sustain sustainability

Let’s face the facts: we love to buy stuff. In our rapid-fire day and age, it is all too easy to buy stuff. Realistically, we’re not going to stop our material consumption. But we know that the ice caps are melting. We know about deforestation, factory farming, and labour rights infringement. It makes sense to practice sustainable consumption, but we have difficulty sustaining sustainability. How do we think of sustainability as a longstanding investment rather than just as a passing fad?  

Everyday practises 

1. Homemade lunches  

Not only does making and packing your lunch reduce single-use plastic, it can also be cost-effective and healthy. Buying staple ingredients is cheaper than the single servings that come with takeout. You also know exactly how much salt, sugar, and oil you’re adding to your meals.  

2. BYOB(ottle)  

Reusable water bottles and coffee mugs are great for the environment and for your wallet. Why spend money when you can take advantage of drinkable tap water and fountains around campus?  

3. BYOB(ag) 

Now that many supermarkets charge for plastic bags, you may as well invest in a couple of reusable ones. Tote bags are multi-purpose and often quite fashionable.  

4. Take a hike 

If it’s a five or ten minute drive, opt for a slightly longer walk or bike ride. This is very feasible for city slickers (and often far less frustrating during rush hour).  

5. Read the label  

When it comes to packaged processed foods, companies are legally obligated to specify the ingredients and nutrition information. Once you get in the habit, it only takes a minute to read the labels and learn exactly what goes into the stuff you buy. If you want cruelty-free cosmetics, look for the label on the packaging.  

What’s next? 

1. Shop locally   

During the warmer months, pay a visit to a farmers’ market. Not only do you reduce waste (especially if you bring your own bags!), but you also support Ontario farmers. If you eat meat, eggs, and dairy, this practice is far more sustainable than purchasing factory-farmed products.  

2. Forgo fast fashion 

A quick Google search will tell you just how heinous chain retail stores can be. When it comes to Zara, H&M, and Forever 21, clothing usually deteriorates after a few washes. Clothing drives will not typically accept heavily frayed or irreparable clothing. Regularly purchasing and discarding clothing is a nasty cycle that depletes your wallet and adds to landfills.   

3. Support green and ethical corporate and state initiatives  

Individuals must urge companies and governments to make sustainable changes. In May 2018, Vancouver passed the Zero Waste 2040 Strategy. The city hopes to significantly reduce the impact of single-use items and intends to ban certain items (plastic straws, Styrofoam food packaging, and free grocery bags) by 2021 if businesses fail to meet reduction targets.  

Realistic drawbacks and realistic solutions 

1. The need for speed 

Drawback: Realistically, weekly meal preps can take hours. If you share a kitchen with several roommates, work on the weekend, or care for dependents, you may not have enough time in your week to prepare three meals every day.  

Solution: If you can’t meal prep for an entire week, try to make enough dinner to last for tomorrow’s lunch. If you do eat out often, look into bringing reusable cutlery.  

2. “Speciality” ingredients 

Drawback: You can buy bulk ingredients like rice, beans, and pasta or produce at farmers’ markets in the summer. What about “speciality” (read: foreign) spices, sauces, or vegetables that just aren’t available at Bulk Barn? (I am partial to Chinese pickled bamboo shoots.)  

Solution: At the end of the day, it’s about reducing unsustainable purchases. Try to look for specialty supermarkets that sell these ingredients in greater quantities.  

3. Budgeting boundaries 

Drawback: Big-name retail shops have sales that can be very affordable. It feels good to find something in style that fits you perfectly and costs very little.  

Solution: Consider investing in sustainable everyday items. The second-hand clothing at vintage or thrift shops can be great staple pieces (plain t-shirts, skirts, jeans, leather jackets), and are usually considerably cheaper as well.    

4. Social hindrances  

Drawback: There’s nothing quite like grabbing fast food after a late night with friends or popping off to the convenience store to buy snacks for a study session. 

Solution: You don’t have to cut out these experiences completely, so long as you recognize these moments as treats. 

5. The daily commute  

Drawback: If you live in the suburbs and commute to work or school, you might rely on your car. It’s far more time and cost effective than walking, biking, or public transportation.   

Solution: This one can be really tricky and you need to be realistic. Look for other areas in your life to reduce your carbon footprint. (Consult the suggestions above!)  

Ultimately, it is more about gradually changing your perspective on consumption than it is about swiftly cutting back. Normalize everyday practices, strive towards bigger goals, and be realistic.