Ecology Sustainability Practices

It’s hard to deny that human beings are having a definitive impact on the natural environment, and our local community is not exempt from the effects. As community members we will all play a critical role in preserving this landscape for local residents and the generations to come. The good news is that there are plenty of ways for businesses and locals to minimize their environmental footprint, thereby creating a sustainable and regenerative effect for our local, and even global, community. Adapting to more sustainable practices in your business and life can often have a positive long-term impact. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Easy and Short Term Solutions

There are multiple ways to minimize one’s ecological footprint. And we’ve outlined many of them here. Seeking out sustainable habits can feel overwhelming, and it’s not always easy to know where to start. It’s ok to start small and course correct as you find the best short and long term solutions for yourself, family, business, and/or community. Taking any action is a step in the right direction.

Minimize your electricity use: turn off lights and electronics when not in use. Unplug your devices and appliances, at home or office, when you’re not around.
Minimize your heating and cooling when not in use. Another idea is to leave the thermostat at livable levels and bring clothing layers to add and shed as seasons and temperatures fluctuate.
Refillable water stations: Single use plastic water bottles are overwhelmingly prominent in landfills all over the world, and our community landfill is no exception. Bring a refillable water bottle wherever you go to minimize your plastic water bottle waste.
BYOB…Bags, that is: Colorado has created a tax on single use bags at stores, so you might as well bring your own. You’ll be keeping reusable bags out of the landfills, and clutter out of your home.
Kick the plastic habit: Single use plastics (utensils, straws, packaging, etc.) are choking the landfills. Use reusable containers whenever possible: we are fortunate to have stores in town where you can purchase household goods (such as dish soap and cleaning supplies), and personal care products (like shampoo, conditioner, lotions, etc.).
Buy less. Buy pre-used items when you can. And buy better quality for the items that you can’t or don’t want to buy used. The landfills and air quality will thank you.
Encourage your family and/or employees to carpool…or better yet, walk or bike to your destination when weather permits. If you’re a business owner, encourage team members to carpool.
If you have team members who prefer their solitude, or are inclined toward athleticism, create an incentive for employees to power themselves to work on foot or bike. And an inherent bonus here, those who adopt a more active lifestyle may increase their productivity and even require fewer sick days. Win win!

Future and Longer-Term Solutions

There are plenty of longer term strategies that can have an even larger positive impact on our community for years to come. These ideas might cost a bit more of a time or money on the front end, but the money and energy saved will be well worth the investment.

Invest in better long term heating and cooling solutions for your home or business. There are plenty of local pros who can help you make selections that will suit your long term heating and cooling needs.
Consider composting: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 30% of the waste Americans produce is food scraps and yard waste that could instead be composted. Create your own compost, or check in with local composting companies who will pick up your compost curbside.
Go meat free one meal per day or week. Veganism isn’t for everyone, but minimizing your meat consumption even a little can go a long way towards minimizing your carbon footprint. Why not incorporate Meatless Monday into your weekly calendar…who knows, you might enjoy it more than you think!
Green up your closet. Buy gently used clothing from local consignment shops, and focus on hand washable (not dry clean) garments. You’ll minimize the use of toxic cleaning chemicals, and pare down on clothing waste that is prevalent with fast fashion.
Check the settings on your washer, dryer, and dishwasher to make sure they are working as efficiently as possible. You’ll save water, electricity, and even keep a little green in your pocket as a result. And only run full loads for maximum efficiency!
Change your lightbulbs to long lasting LEDs and see the difference on your next electric bill.
Check with your local electricity provider and see if you are a candidate for any of their green living rebates. Between electric car chargers and installing solar panels, you just might qualify.

Summarizing

It can feel overwhelming to think about all the changes that need to be made to create long term sustainability and vitality of our mountain community. But even the impact of a single individual’s actions can have a large impact with long term results. If overhauling your entire lifestyle doesn’t feel within reach, then why not just choose one or two of these solutions to test out for a few months, then reassess what works for you, your family, or your business and recalibrate accordingly?

We live in a truly magical part of the world. Together, we can make strides toward preserving the natural environment and maintain the quality of life for the residents of our community.