wildfires are burning in 14 U.S. states, covering almost 1 million acres. We urgently need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make different lifestyle choices. Nobody is going to save us but ourselves. We are all responsible for fixing this. It’s nothing short of a planetary emergency.
What would you most like to see change? How do we nudge decision makers into making more sustainable choices? Why is doing nothing even a choice? There are two things I urge everyone to do immediately: stop throwing food waste and used textiles in the garbage. These materials have value that we can recapture in a closed loop system. Sustainne business member Curbside Compost picks up food waste for recycling. Recovered food waste is either made into compost or converted into energy in an anaerobic digester. Bay State Textile collects used textiles for resale overseas or recycling into new products. In Massachusetts, where the practice of collecting used textiles in donation boxes placed at schools has been established for over five years, host schools are paid $100 a ton in rebates. Last year that amounted to $250,000, which went to PTAs and PTOs, while municipalities saved on disposal fees. That’s a better school fundraiser teaching the value of community and sustainability while raising money.
What is your vision for the next five years for Sustainne? As the effects of climate change continue to accelerate, I expect consumers to increasingly turn to Sustainne in search of more
sustainable lifestyle choices. Site users will find a growing number of sustainable businesses from Connecticut and neighboring states under our umbrella. Our annual membership fees remain affordable for even the smallest businesses. Sustainne will always be a free resource for all to explore and enjoy, including the searchable business directory, blog, events calendar, newsletter and podcast. Our upcoming Sustainable Living Expo is a huge first-year milestone. I have the museum to thank for making that a reality.
What do you most want Natural Awakenings readers to know about Sustainne’s mission and members? We care deeply about your health and the health of our planet. Business members agree to a sustainability pledge that requires them to manage their businesses in a way that positively impacts their employees, communities and environment. They commit to continuously improving key sustainability practices. I encourage readers to sign up for our newsletter to receive sustainable living tips, learn about events and giveaways, and be the first to hear about members. Start setting aside used textiles now to bring to the expo to recycle on the Bay State Textiles truck. Bay State Textiles will be rebating $100 a ton to Stepping Stones Museum for Children. Admission to the expo is included in museum admission. Visit Sustainne.com for more information. The Sustainable Living Expo will be held on October 13, in partnership with Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Norwalk. See ad, page 11.
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ARE OFTEN THE ROOT CAUSE OF
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D r M a r v i n S c h w e i t z e r. c o m 2 0 3 . 8 4 7. 2 7 8 8
1 We s t p o r t A v e n u e Norwalk, CT 06851 September 2018
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