As Orange County’s sustainability coordinator for 22 years, I used this signature tag as a gentle reminder of how we all could reduce our waste, improve our environment, be creative with our products, decrease municipal expenses and still enjoy a quality of life we have grown accustomed to. 

To be fair, a little self-sacrifice might be necessary, given the present state of “instant gratification,” but small efforts can provide healthier soil, water and air for future generations. 

Are you up for the challenge? 

Rethink your choices

A little forethought goes a long way.

Before any purchase, we could benefit by asking ourselves if we “need” it or we “want” it. What did that item take to become the item you need? Consider the natural resources to manufacture the product, the fuel needed to transport the product, the packaging to protect it before taking it on its likely last vehicle trip—unless the consumer purchased it for a present, in which case it will likely get wrapped again in gift paper and transported or shipped elsewhere...

Refuse single-use 

Like a Boy Scout, be prepared!

Takeout food and drinks are an economic reality of our lives. Going from work to kids’ athletic and artistic performances lends itself to using take-out for a quick bite—with all of its disposable accouterments. Attend any event, and you’ll see the garbage pails overflowing with food and drink containers. It takes a little planning, but packing snacks and drinks from home into reusable containers for the road trip benefits the environment.

Reduce consumption 

Start at home.

Take-out food is often unhealthy. Consider cooking and brewing at home. Besides providing healthier choices, food scraps can be composted, which has multiple benefits for the environment and reduces municipal costs. Lunch can be packed for work and school in non-disposable containers and enjoyed with non-disposable utensils. 

Reuse everything 

Accept the challenge. 

The next time you go to the supermarket, stare down the aisle at the shelves full of food products packaged in plastic.  As predicted in “The Graduate,” plastics are still our future. Look for your favorite foods in a glass jar, which can easily be recycled or used to store leftovers.

We have been sold a lie about the recyclability of plastic. Check out “Healthy Materials Lab: Trace Material Podcast: Season 2.”

Refurbish old stuff 

Roll up your sleeves!

Everyone has heard the saying:  “They don’t make it like they used to!” This is true in so many ways, so why don’t we try and hold on to these sturdy products as long as we can? I was told when I purchased my home that I probably would need to replace the old water heater within five years. Twenty-three years later, it finally developed a very small leak, which necessitated a replacement. As the plumber walked out, he told me the new unit should last five to seven years?!? 

Refurbishing products for their intended use or for a new use can provide financial savings, and a unique item may provide a sense of pride and environmental savings.

Repair before replace 

Socialize and educate. 

Repair Cafés are popular places where folks can bring broken items for repair. A café involves a bunch of volunteers who bring experience and/or enthusiasm to solve your problem, repair your item, while educating consumers in how to do repairs in general—all in a social environment where friends are made and many laughs are had. Check out www.repaircafehv.org for locations in our region.

Repurpose/reinvent 

Put your thinking cap on!

It’s absolutely amazing what folks come up with. I’m way too practical and not artsy at all, but when a big CorningWare bowl came off a shelf, missing the piece in the middle, providing a center hole, it immediately became a good planter container because it is sturdy and attractive and now self-draining. What a conversation piece.

Old silverware bedazzles in new jewelry. A cleaned-up bike chain makes a perfect picture frame. Albums are now clocks. The plastic from billboards has new life in tarps that farmers use. 

Challenge yourself the next time you find an old broken item to explore. What could it be in its next life? Or when you need a new item, figure out how you can satisfy your need using all old materials. It could be fun and very rewarding for you and the environment. 

Recycle—The last option 

A final farewell.

The recycling rates in the United States are extremely low. This is largely due to contamination, and many plastics are just not recyclable. Industry standards need to be set so manufacturers can only sell their products in recyclable materials.

Take the opportunities presented in this Sustainability section to learn more about recycling!

Hope to socialize with you at an upcoming Repair Café soon!