Choosing to consume less, buying responsibly, and promoting efficiency can lead to positive lifestyle changes. In homes, schools, and communities, people have the power to choose the life they lead, but also the quality of the environments they lea
ve for the next generation. As populations grow, natural environments change. In less than 60 years, the world population has doubled from < 4 billion in 1970 to just over 8 billion in 2024. That means fewer natural resources, water, soil, forests, and an increased demand for food, housing, and consumer goods.
Here are some interesting facts:
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- 1 of every 10 Americans rents storage space outside of their home.
- The median size of a single-family home in 2022 was 2,299 square feet.
- The average U.S. home contains 300,000 items.
- The average American owns 30 outfits.
- The average American throws away 68 lbs. of clothing and textiles each year.
- The average American family spends $120/month on clothing.
- 28% of landfilled waste is packaging and containers.
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What steps can your family take:
Buy Less – Make decisions around purchases intentional. Ask yourself, do I need this item, or do I want it? Shopping online? Give it a test – Put the item in your cart and if you still need it after 1 week then buy it. Buy what is needed, so you reduce what is thrown away.
Choose Well – Invest in durable, high-quality products when you can. When planning for big purchases, set a budget, and wait for sales. Recognize impulse buying and resist the urge. Finally, choose to ignore the impulses and stop buying storage space.
Make it Last – Purchase items with the least amount of packaging. Keep in mind, packaging is made from raw materials that are sourced from natural resources. So, less packaging means more natural resources for the future generations.
These are some of the steps to living a more sustainable and (practical) lifestyle. Where can you and your family learn more?
Nature Conservancy https://shorturl.at/u34aX
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) https://www.epa.gov/sustainability
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