Some people think that in order to make your life more eco-friendly, it is costly and not something that your average person could easily do. The path to sustainability is not an instant journey, nor is it as difficult as some may think.
Let’s start with something basic. You like your lattes. So, like most of us you head out to the local coffee shop for that jolt of caffeine. Sad fact, that cup they hand you may not be recyclable (typically) and it is estimated that Starbucks cups alone account for over two billion cups a year in our landfills. Now, I am not a Starbucks hater. In fact, I stop at the ‘Bucks frequently. But, I help reduce that landfill total by bringing my own cup. Easy as pie. Plus, here’s where the money saving goodness comes in. They take $.10 off my drink for using my own cup. I estimate that would save me $26 a year if I only got one latte per work day for the year. Saving money and saving landfills. Not to mention the mug was a free gift, so it cost me nothing!
Ok, so unless you live off lattes alone, you also need to grocery shop once in a while. Many of the large grocery store chains give you a bag discount if you tote your bags from home. The discount ranges from .03-.05 a bag. I use about three bags a week for my groceries, saving $.15 a week. Now that adds up to $7.80 a year. If you subtract out the cost of the bags (.99 a bag), I’m still ahead $4.83 for the first year.
Some people tell me they always forget their bags at home. Simple tip: leave them on the front door handle. I do that and I see them when I walk out the door. And, I keep the bags in the front seat of the car (except when I have passengers sitting there) so that I see them. It’s that whole out of sight out of mind phenomenon.
Looking at the total savings, about $30 a year doesn’t sound like much. However, that is from doing things you already do: grocery shopping and drinking coffee. Just think how much you could save (in terms of money and natural resources) if you put your mind to it! Well, that’s what I plan to do over the next year or so as we look at saving money and sustainability together.
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