This post is sponsored by Georgia-Pacific; however, all thoughts on building a sustainable house, examples of sustainability and opinions are my own.
Are you looking for examples of sustainability in the hopes of building a sustainable house and life for you and your family? We are passionate about maintaining Earth’s natural beauty, so my family and I are always trying to do our best. That means not only doing the big things but also doing the little things in the hopes of doing better for ourselves and the environment.
Examples of Sustainability
When thinking of examples of sustainability, I always try to focus on the little things we can all do day-in and day-out. If everyone took the time to do these little things, then it would add up to making a big difference. Conservation of natural resources could and should be a major part of what we do, each and every day. While we simply can’t “go big” in our efforts each day, we can certainly do the little things that add up to make a big difference.
Picking Up Litter
One major example is picking up after yourself to make sure you are not leaving litter behind. As a family, this is a big thing for us. I go nuts when I see litter and my family knows that this is just an unacceptable way to live and treat the environment. Not only do I emphasize the importance of cleaning up after yourself, but I also encourage them to pick up any litter they come across as well. Any papers, cans, bottles, etc. they find on the street or at the beach, just pick it up and drop it in the nearest trash receptacle. In most places, trash cans are typically close by, so it’s not that big a deal. We even try to clean up local beaches and parks once in a while when there is a local organized effort.
It makes such a huge difference in so many ways, for the people in the community, for the animals in the immediate area, and for all the sea life that is threatened by all the trash that makes it into our waterways. It’s such a quick and simple task, but so worth the effort. Plus, there’s a civic pride to the action that goes a long way for everyone in the community as well.
Recycling
While recycling has become a more mainstream practice in the U.S., it’s still something that is important to emphasize. Whenever you have the chance to recycle, just take that opportunity. The less waste that makes it into landfills, streets, and waterways, the better. The more we can reuse our precious resources, the better. It’s a simple and effective way to do the little things that make the environment and our communities just that much better.
Reusing Goods
We as a family are very blessed to have a lot in our lives. Our family, our friends, and all of the basics and luxuries of life that we have are all that we really need to have a full life. To that end, we also have a lot of…stuff. Yes, stuff. From clothes to electronics to home furnishings, we have more stuff than we really need. And sometimes we get tired of all of our stuff, even though the items may still be good and useful.
We try to never throw useful things away. We post on Facebook to see if anyone wants items, we donate to local charities that take these items to resell to make money, and sometimes we sell things online too. Figured we can make some money while letting someone else enjoy the product some more. Sometimes we shop at flea markets and thrift stores, too. We are more than happy to reuse something someone wanted to give away, too.
These are all ways to not just throw out all of the things we have, but to make sure someone else has the chance to take them and enjoy them, too. It makes for less waste and it helps everyone to make or save a little bit of money in the process. Sounds like a winning combination all around and it’s a great way to help build a sustainable house!
Less Disposable Packaging
Another way we try to reduce waste would be to not create the waste in the first place! Getting a 5-gallon water dispenser and using metal refillable water bottles have reduced our plastic use tremendously. This simple step can prevent literally tons of plastic from hitting our landfills. Another bonus, again, is that you’ll feel good and save money, too. I’m beginning to see a pattern in doing these acts, aren’t you?
Appreciating Nature
One other way to make sure your kids appreciate nature is to actually take them out to enjoy it! I know, it sounds crazy for some of us, but it’s true. Go hiking or swimming at the beach. Let the kids take in all that is around them and show them why doing all of these little things is important and what it protects. Like just showing your kids where their food comes from on a farm, showing them how wondrous and precious nature is is a must! When they see all the glory around them, they will understand everything more. They will really want to protect all of that beautiful wonder.
Sustainable Products For A Sustainable House and Business
There are so many examples of sustainability we could talk about. Another great one is to purchase products that build a sustainable house and life. You should seek out products from companies that really work hard to be good stewards of the environment. One of these companies is Georgia-Pacific. With this company, social good and corporate responsibility are a real focus. I also love that their products are manufactured in the U.S.!
A Sustainable Company
As a leader in the production of so many essential paper goods, Georgia-Pacific takes pride in the ways they work to continuously reduce their impact on the environment while providing the beloved sustainable products we use in our day-to-day lives. Sustainability comes naturally to this company and its people. Their products help improve people’s lives and these are products we need and use every day. Brands like Brawny®, Mardi Gras®, Angel Soft® toilet paper, and more! Georgia-Pacific also produces lumber and other building materials, as well as paper pulp, resins, corrugated cardboard and so much more. These are products that are essential to keeping our lives and businesses running.
While Georgia-Pacific (GP) focuses on producing great products for the world, they are also an amazing company because they operate in ways that enhance the quality of life in our communities, help ensure the economic stability of their company and help protect our environmental resources. Here are just a few ways Georgia-Pacific is making a difference.
Conserving Forests
Forests and trees are amazing places and things that can be selectively harvested and replanted. GP makes it a point to maintain healthy forests and uses resources more efficiently by following science-based forest conservation and enhancement practices. For every 1 tree that is used, at least 1 tree is re-planted in the U.S.! These practices ensure that GP’s forests continue to grow, while paper and packaging producers balance the use of recycled materials with new fiber to minimize waste.
Recycling
Speaking of recycling, GP Recycling, a Georgia-Pacific company, is one of the world’s largest buyers and sellers of recycled fiber. The company supplies itself as well as other users in excess of 100,000 tons of recycled fiber per week! These programs divert paper, plastic, and metal from landfills. This helps to avoid waste and help minimize the environmental impact of your business.
Caring For Wildlife
GP is also concerned about restoring forest ecosystems, protecting endangered species, and promoting wildlife diversity in their forests. In 2010, GP expanded its sustainable forestry efforts to better identify and protect endangered forests and special areas in key supply regions. They have mapped 6.6 million acres of endangered forests and special areas in the 19 states where they source wood. GP now monitors each of these endangered forest sites annually to ensure they are not receiving fiber from them.
Find Out More
These are just some examples of sustainability my family and I practice. There is the constant goal of building a sustainable house and life for ourselves and others. It’s so important to do your part and support companies that do theirs as well.
If you’d like to find out more about all of the wonderful programs Georgia-Pacific is working on, be sure to check out https://www.gp.com/sustainability. Also, check out Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (all are @GeorgiaPacfic) and search #GeorgiaPacificPartner and #ProgressWithPurpose.
15 comments
It is a constant commitment and I hope more and more people will embrace to live in a sustainable way or to do something concrete for the environment!
These are all awesome ideas on how to live a more sustainable life. I have some silicone lid covers that I use instead of plastic wrap for my bowls, and some silicone ziplock bags. I have fond memories going around the neighborhood as kids and getting recyclables from the neighbors and then going and dropping them off at the recycling center for a few bucks, haha. Good times!
These are great tips! We do our best to recycle and reuse whatever we can. And that’s after buying products that are also sustainably sourced.
bravo on those tips. good job teaching the kids young when they are still plastic so to speak. 😉
These are some great tips that every household should definitely incorporate. I love that you are teaching your children to be a part of this.
When you add up the little things, they can be more than the big things. Regardless of our beliefs, we should all be working to make the world a better place and conserve what we use.
Great tips for ways to be sustainable! I like that you mentioned appreciating nature, because sustainability is not just bout material things, it’s about our behaviour and our activities!
I LOVE THIS!! There are some really sound and sensible hints and tips here for sure. We always watch our waste and make sure we recycle as much as possible xx
We try to improve the way we are doing things all the time. I am so happy to read that we are already doing a number of these things!
These are some great tips. Recycling plastic is best, you can help our mother nature.
We really practice recycling and upcycling in my house. It is necessary to save the environment with our small little ways.
Appreciating nature is huge. Appreciating nature will “naturally” make you care about your environment more.
Those were a really great tips. Recycling is really important especially nowadays.
These are all excellent and easy to honor tips that everyone can do. Our planet need us to be more conscious of our waste so great reminder.
Couldn’t agree more. Natural resources are definitely very important! Great and very informative article!