Sustainability is for Everyone by Leigha Staffenhagen
Growing up, my parents lovingly called me a tree hugger— both figuratively and literally. As a kid growing up in the suburbs of Lake Stevens in the early 2000s, growth and development, and the resulting deforestation, became just a regular part of everyday life. I still remember with clarity the first time I saw the “woods” being plowed down and leveled for a subdivision. It was 3rd grade, and my elementary school was backed up against a mysterious, beautiful, and what my 9-year-old perceived as a vast and expansive forest. (Though looking back, I’m sure it was less than a few acres.) I was never really one to run around and play at recess, usually opting to lean against the chain-link fence, crack open whatever “Series of Unfortunate Events” book I was reading, letting the big beautiful forest provide me shade in the May sunshine. But just like that, one day I heard those evil machines (any Flaming Lips fans?) ripping each of those glorious trees out of the ground, and I was crushed. In my mind, that first experience of deforestation was the first domino in a long chain reaction that led to more and more woods being replaced with neighborhoods, and gas stations, and ugly grey pavement. I still see this happening twenty years later in my hometown, and that gut-wrenching feeling has never really changed, despite the fact that I understand housing is an issue, and that the more forward-thinking sustainable builders sometimes plant saplings elsewhere to make up for the loss. It’s still heartbreaking to watch, especially with the most recent of these developments not being homes, but a Costco, in what was one of the last semi-rural areas in town.
I can’t say whether anyone else took it seriously, but I know my roommate and I were totally on board for the whole thing. And while our goal of having a kitchen compost bin in our tiny apartment was laughably inaccessible and entirely unsuccessful, we did have success in other areas. I had gotten into the habit of frequenting a local coffee shop (shout out to Cool Beans if you’re a B-ham local), partially because it was my final quarter at Western and felt I had to treat myself just to keep chugging along, but mostly because they had a killer $3 special every Tuesday. But with that came countless disposable coffee cups that in hindsight, I am entirely embarrassed by. So, for my other sustainability swap, I decided I would only allow myself to indulge my coffee shop habit if I had a reusable cup to put my latte in. And if I was too lazy to wash it or forgot it entirely, I’d skip the coffee and deal with a caffeine headache instead. Spoiler alert: I got really good at remembering that cup.
It’s a really small thing, but it’s a swap that’s stuck. And though I’m just one person, that’s potentially hundreds of cups that won’t be in a landfill. Now imagine if all of us made that one simple swap. Ditching single-use coffee cups are just the tip of the proverbial sustainability iceberg, though. There are so many really accessible swaps you can make, many of which do not require you to buy some overpriced *thing* that will magically make you perfect at caring for the environment.
As consumers become more and more ecoconscious, there are brands that are trying to take advantage of trend. Don’t be fooled by greenwashing or Instagram influencers making a buck off some product you “need” to become ecoconscious. I’m here to tell you that sustainability Even as a kid, I knew there was nothing I could do is for everyone— it just looks different for each of to stop growth from happening, especially since us, depending on where we’re at in life. For some, my mother wasn’t really on board with my brilliant sustainability is an electric car and a meticulously idea of camping out in one of the trees to prevent cared for, closed-loop permaculture garden. For someone from cutting it down. So instead, I shifted others, it’s mason jars full of grains purchased in my focus to the “eco” things I could do— recycling bulk to reduce costs and packaging waste. For was the first one. And though it feels small, I think me, sustainability feels especially satisfying when that was my first step towards trying to do this it’s scrappy – scrubbing off the label and reusing “sustainability” thing. Leigha in her Dad's garden, 1998 your jars, teaching yourself how to repair stuff, reThroughout the years, my goal to be eco-friendly growing food scraps, making a meal with whatever has had many different forms. I cut down on my shower time and was mindful you have kickin’ around in the fridge, and taking the extra time to properly of my water use while I brushed my teeth. I’ve mended socks, sweaters, and dispose of difficult-to-recycle items like electronics and plastic packaging. jeans in an attempt to both save money and avoid tossing out things that Also, keep in mind that it’s perfectly okay to keep a to-do list of sustainability still had life in them. I once drove my Volkswagen home full of recycling after swaps that you want to make someday. Just because you aren’t in the place to visiting a friend in Ellensburg, because her apartment complex didn’t offer it, accomplish them now, doesn’t mean you can’t later in life. Growing a garden and I couldn’t stand the thought of her throwing away empty beer cans and is still on my to-do list, and it’s over 20 years in the making. I can’t wait to pull cardboard. I think you get the point. those first carrots out of the ground. That’s not to say I’ve always made the “right” sustainability choice. I’ve bought No matter where you’re at, the key is simple: try your best to stick to your my share of overpriced plastic water bottles at concerts. I still drive a car from 2007 that’s a total gas guzzler. And I’ve certainly toted too many plastic produce sustainability swaps and have a little grace with yourself when you don’t do it bags over the years. But if there’s anything I’ve learned about sustainability, it’s perfectly. And great news— you’ve already initiated a sustainability swap, even that you don’t have to be perfect at it. If the majority of us made small changes if you don’t realize it. Any guesses? It’s shopping at the Co-op! to our habits, we could make a huge impact, even if we’re imperfect. And When you shop at the Co-op, you’re supporting local makers and producers, chances are we will be imperfect— it’s quite literally in our nature. which does wonders for our local economy. But beyond that, by purchasing That brings me to another anecdote, one very far removed from my days something made down the road versus across the county, or the world, you’re at Hillcrest Elementary. One of my favorite classes at Western was Business minimizing your carbon footprint and reducing the number of pollutants you Sustainability. On the first day of class, our professor Wendy had each of us created to enjoy your salad or bowl of fruit. And as far as we’re concerned, write down 3 sustainability swaps we were going to make for the quarter. local produce just tastes better.
Easy-Peasy Sustainability Swaps Beyond shopping local at the Co-op, here are some other easy swaps to reduce your impact on our beloved Mother Earth.
Single-use produce bags go bagless, use paper bags, invest in reusable mesh bags
Single-use containers of peanut butter, honey, grains, seeds
using clean glass jars in Bulk - we allow containers from home again!
Traditional shampoo shampoo bars
Traditional sponges, makeup sponges, etc bamboo alternatives
Tossing out vegetable scraps
add them to compost or make a vegetable stock
Toxic household cleaners multi-purpose vinegar, castile soap, essential oils
Using the dryer
Conventional produce
hang-drying clothes
organic produce
Paper towels
smaller reusable kitchen towels
Prepackaged meals
make a meal from scratch
skagit valley food co-op • the natural enquirer • april–june 2022 11
