Sustainable living challenge

SUSTAINABLE LIVING CHALLENGE

Sustainable living is achieved by making choices that aim to reduce our individual and collective environmental impact by making positive changes to offset climate change and reduce environmental damage. It is a way to reduce our carbon footprint and better use the Earth’s resources to minimize the environmental damage that can be caused by our lifestyle choices.

Making choices today that will positively impact the planet tomorrow. It means thinking of the needs of future generations by ensuring that they will inherit a safe and healthy planet to live and thrive on.

Is there a solution to attain sustainability?

There is, if the model is changed for one where: resource efficiency is achieved (water, energy...) through sustainable production. In short, facing up to the challenges for sustainable living. In order to change this trend, we all need to do our part. At adventure Farm we make small contributions to a greener future by making the right choices and changing small habits.

Here’s how we succumb the challenge of sustainable living :

• Composting is a microbial process that converts plant materials and food scraps into a usable rich, organic matter that fertilizes soil. Composting provides the right environment for bacteria, fungi and other decomposing organisms like worms(vermiculture) to convert these organic waste to fertilizers. Not only do we benefit from healthier, fresh food but also reduce our exposure to carcinogenic chemicals, such as nitrites.

• Many consumers consider local food to be a sustainable choice so we serve organic food that's locally sourced at our restaurant.

• Cut back on food packaging, we serve food that produces minimal packaging waste & comes in recycled content packaging.

• We have set up a water catchment and reuse system i.e. rain barrel that helps during irrigation.

• We serve proper servings which results to less food waste.

• Cleaning green is one of the easier steps any eco-establishment can take. We wash our dishes and cloth items in eco-friendly detergent and avoid sending linen to cleaners who use harsh chemicals.

• For dine-in customers, it goes without saying that we use real, not disposable dishes, but what about for takeout? Takeaway food is packed in recycled content takeout containers, bags, and boxes.

• We go paperless by taking online reservations, keeping customer info on the computer and request for online payment. As ‘R’s’ practitioners we redecorate, recycle, reuse. We recycle everything we can. Turning what might be simply waste, into biodiesel or reusable energy.

Sustainable Living Guide by Adventure Farm

As we said, sustainable living is a multifaceted process and can look different for everyone. There is no such thing as a have-to-do or strict rules when it comes to making environmentally conscious choices and lifestyle changes. With this in mind, we can organize sustainable living actions, choices, and behaviors.

1.Reduce your consumption

Reducing your consumption, and changing the way you do consume, is - much like sustainable living - open-ended. The word consumption is all-encompassing, we consume food, energy, water, and material things like clothing, electronics, and lifestyle accessories - it’s hard to know where to start.

Reducing our energy use means more than turning off the lights when we leave the room. Investing in energy-efficient appliances can make a significant impact in saving energy and money - switching to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) can save.

And it’s not just about shorter showers, turning off the tap when brushing your teeth, and letting the grass grow brown, you can also save water just by changing your consumer behavior.

2.Reduce your waste

The part-two to reducing our consumption is reducing our waste - the less we consume, the less we’ll waste! Living zero waste is not easy, and it seems that no matter what we try to keep our trash empty, there will always be excess packaging, food that goes bad, or a pair of headphones that break. When trying to reduce our waste a great place to start is learning how to recycle.

For non-recyclable products, avoid purchasing single-use plastics and explore new ways to repurpose items before throwing them in the trash.

Given that approximately 60% of landfilled materials are organic matter, composting is a great alternative to throwing out food in the trash.

3.Try a DIY

Doing It Yourself drives creativity and innovation. Tackling the challenge to find new and sustainable ways to produce, create, and substitute products and services that you would otherwise purchase encourages self-sufficiency while lessening our impact on the environment.

DIYs also encourage using what we have at home and within our means, which in turn reduces the waste of unused goods. From growing your own food and herbs, sewing and repairing clothing, and making your own cleaning products, home goods, and beauty accessories, the possibilities for DIY are endless.

4. Shop locally and shop fair-trade

When and where you can change the way you shop. Much like other sustainable living measures, some choices and behaviors are more accessible and realistic than others depending on your financial flexibility. While shopping locally is more ethical and less taxing on the environment, it can be expensive and difficult to stock your kitchen with locally produced goods. Instead, look for legitimate fair trade certifications at the grocery store and do your research into the ethics and business practices of brands you frequently buy from.

When it comes to material things, we’ll keep this short and sweet: shop less and shop with purpose rather than impulse. Consider purchasing goods that are well-made and less likely to have a high turnover rate.

5.Other things we can do for sustainable living

The core beliefs of sustainable living go beyond our homes and communities, and we have a responsibility to continue educating ourselves in the conversation surrounding the environment. Familiarize yourself with local sustainable initiatives in your community and find ways to contribute to your household - but don’t stop at the local level. Pay attention to national and international environmental and climate events and causes and learn how your individual actions might have international reactions.

Engage and start a conversation with friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors about making sustainable and environmentally conscious choices and behaviors. Promoting environmental awareness is an important part of being an environmental steward, and we can all learn something from one another.

Donate to sustainability initiatives. Not everyone is in the position to donate, however, charitable contributions to local and international environmental initiatives and causes dedicated to improving sustainability can have a tangible impact on local human and environmental health. If you can’t donate financially, don’t fret - donate your time instead!

While it might feel like an overwhelming feat for environmental causes, we have power in our voice and our vote. Hold public servants, governments, and corporations accountable, and advocate for environmental protection in your community and country.

Why Is It Important To Live Sustainably

It is common knowledge nowadays that our society is producing and consuming resources at an unsustainable rate. If change isn’t started now we will only continue to see the negative impact increase in our communities.

As this continues, it’s easy to think that the actions of one person or family don’t matter. Fortunately, that is not the case, like all things it all starts with one person choosing to do better. The nice thing is, it’s never been easier to live a sustainable lifestyle even by following only a few simple steps talked about above.

Sustainable living, and all its working parts, mean much more than saving the planet. Sustainable actions, choices, and behaviors positively contribute to your lifestyle, home, and community. A sustainable community - and the world - is one that supports itself and its natural surroundings, and encourages both human and environmental health.

So why not start today and begin living your life more sustainably