Vol 19: Sustainability starts at home - A Guide
This newsletter is about the fashion world needing to embrace the challenge of transforming into a more sustainable industry.
Sustainability starts at home.
While this newsletter focuses primarily on how environmental and social initiatives are transforming the fashion industry at the corporate and strategic level, what we do in our personal lives is where we have the most control.
We’ll admit - we read a lot of whitepapers. From think tanks, companies, NGOs and more. Finding a whitepaper that you actually finish is no small feat, but this guide on Sustainability at Home from Salesforce miraculously drove us to the end. In fact, it was good enough to make us write this entire newsletter on improving our day-to-day lives.
That has to count for something! Check it out and we’ve structured this week’s edition as a summary of the report.
Enjoy!
The Embrace Team
Living a Sustainable Lifestyle
The lifestyle changes related to what you eat, what you wear, and how you take care of yourself can make you live more sustainably and happier.
Food
Have you ever considered how the food you eat is impacting your carbon footprint? It is estimated that 14% of the average person’s carbon footprint is related to their food consumption.
To reduce carbon footprint of your food you can:
reduce meat and dairy consumption - according to the data, one kilogram (kg) of beef results in 60 kg of GHG emissions, and on average, emissions from animal-based foods are 10 to 50 times higher than from plant-based types. Plant-based diet also provides benefits for your health.
buy local and in season products - this may contribute to 10% reduction in carbon emissions.
minimize food waste - it accounts for 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 30-40% of food produced is wasted in the supply chain. Next time you want to toss food scraps, think first if you can repurpose it.
Fashion
From repeat dressing to buying preloved, the motto of every eco-friendly fashionista is Reduce, Recycle, Reuse. Once you become aware of the fashion industry's impact on our planet and make an effort to reduce your clothing waste, it's also important to share with others and encourage them to participate in the sustainable fashion movement.
“The best thing you can do [as a consumer] is buy less. Take a step back and resist the urge to be fueled by the quick release of fast fashion. Instead, work to integrate mindfulness into your purchasing decisions.” - Cassandra Dittmer, a sustainable brand consultant and stylist
For more information on your environmental impact based on your current shopping habits, have a look at the Farfetch Footprint tool and thredUp’s Fashion Footprint quiz.
Wellbeing
Staying mentally and physically healthy is important to performing well throughout the day, especially now, when we spend more time at home. Here are a few suggestions to live in harmony with yourself and the Earth:
manage indoor air quality - open your windows for fresh air and use air purifier to prevent chemicals and allergens to build up inside.
bring nature into your home - house plants improve air quality, reduce stress, and improve your mental health.
take care of your mind and body - practice relaxation techniques, e.g. meditation and yoga and go outside for a walk or a run.
Upgrade Your Home
Learn how you can become climate champion by making these small changes in energy, water and waste management at home.
5 energy saving ideas for your home:
Adjust your thermostat - turning your thermostat down by just one degree not only reduces your monthly energy usage but also lowers your energy bill.
Slay the energy vampires in your home - when not in use, "vampire" appliances and electronics use electricity while in standby mode. Unplug devices that aren't in use, enable “sleep mode” or “eco mode” on electronics, and use smart power strips to reduce energy wasted by “standby power.”
Get a home energy audit - audit can help you spot problems and see how much energy your home is using and losing every day. You can either do the audit yourself or pay a professional to do it for you.
Buy eco-friendly electronics - it's better to spend a bit more and opt for energy-efficient certified appliances in order to save over the long term.
Use lighting efficiently - more daylighting means less artificial lighting needs and more benefits for your health. Choose the appropriate light fitting for the intended use, lamp desk when rather than full room lights, and turn off lights when not required.
You can also consider switching to sustainable power sources, such as solar power or wind energy.
6 tips to save water:
Turn off the tap - close the taps whenever not in use. This small action can lead to huge water savings.
Repair leaks - checking for and repairing leaks around your home could save up massive amounts of water.
Install low-flow showerheads - with less water to heat, you’ll save water and energy. Also taking a shower instead of a bath uses half less water.
Use domestic appliances efficiently - start the washing machine and dishwasher only when completely full or use the half-load or short-cycle options.
Reuse water - from installing a gray water system to collecting rainwater, there are many ways to reuse water either for gardening or flushing toilets.
Choose local plants and irrigate efficiently - if you have a garden, native plants are better to avoid excessive watering. When you must water the garden, do so early in the morning or late in the evening.
Adopt the 6 R's of waste management to create an environmentally friendly home:
Refuse - say no to products that you don't need.
Reduce - buy items in bulk to reduce the number of trips to the grocery store and limit the packaging. Or just buy less: the fewer items you demand, the less strain on the environment.
Repair - give your things a second chance by repairing or restoring them.
Reuse - instead of using disposable items, purchase for their reusability, such as water bottles, shopping bags, rechargeable batteries. It also saves you money.
Rot - look into composting and implement it either at home or through an industrial composting service.
Recycle - instead of throwing away things, recycle or donate them.
Every day we make choices — the way we eat, dress and live in our homes — that affect our environment. Simple measures like reducing energy and water consumption and becoming more eco-friendly can go a long way in making this planet a clean and safe place.