By Mihika Chechi, VRG Intern

Veganism, defined as “the practice of not eating or using any animal products, such as meat, fish, poultry, dairy, or other animal products such as leather,” has become increasingly popular around the world in recent years. The reasons for turning to a vegan diet vary by the individual, but the most common ones include ethics, a passion for animal welfare, a concern for the potential health detriments of eating animals, and a feeling of duty toward the environment, as the factory farming industry is a major contributor of the greenhouse gas emissions that are exacerbating climate change. For those whose decision to become vegan is primarily motivated by environmental concerns, sustainability is often something they seek to maintain in everyday life. If you’re looking for inspiration for more ways to become environmentally conscious and practice sustainability in your life, look no further! Found below are some of the everyday sustainable habits of interns, members, scholarship winners, and volunteers of The Vegetarian Resource Group, as well as their advice for other people seeking to minimize their environmental impact.

Angelina: “As an avid consumer there’s room for improving sustainability in every aspect of my life. When it comes to food, I have learned that knowing the story of our food alters what we decide to consume. So while many of us do not have the benefit of farm-to-table options, learning about labels and agriculture methods can help the consumer’s decision process. Making conscious decisions as stewards of our earth incentivizes and rewards these sustainable food production methods.”
Jeff: “Apart from the vegetarian diet, there are several ways in which I practice sustainability in everyday life:
● Eating small meals (only what I need and no more), never wasting food.
● Don’t leave lights, ceiling fans, or other energy-consuming devices on when no one’s in the room.
● Avoid driving a car unless it’s really necessary; if possible, walk, ride a bike, or take public transportation instead.
● And of course the well-worn mantra of “the 3 R’s”: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle as much as possible

As far as advice goes, awareness is an important first step. The points above are pretty common-sense and easy to put into practice.”
Amy: “I do lots of small things, like reducing consumption, recycling, avoiding plastic, etc. but the most exciting sustainability action I have taken is to set up a native plant garden that is pollinator-friendly. It’s so exciting to see the insects, including bees, dragonflies, and butterflies enjoying themselves. We also get bird visitors and that’s always fun too!”
Stephanie: “Something I do to practice sustainability in everyday life is keeping a waterproof watch in the shower. There are numerous times in which you get out of the shower and you look at the clock and think, “Oh my gosh, I didn’t know I was in there for so long.” You thought you were taking a short shower but you actually took a long shower and by taking a long shower you used a lot of water. So, to help the environment I keep a waterproof watch in the shower to ensure I take a short shower which helps save water.”
Elaina: “I practice sustainability in daily life by eating the food I make and not wasting it. I also close my blinds to block out the hot sun and reduce the need for electricity. I compost and recycle what I can. When I buy clothes I buy from sustainable brands that are carbon neutral and conserve water usage. Obviously we as individuals are not the only ones perpetuating climate change, but it is important that we as a collective realize that small changes to our lifestyles can make an impact. Look out for your emissions but also talk to friends, family members, neighbors, and peers about climate change and the importance of living sustainably.”
Coda: “I practice sustainability through mostly being vegan because the meat industry is one of the biggest causes of pollution. But I also practice sustainability [by] driving an eco-friendly car that was also pretty affordable considering, unlike most teenagers, I had to buy it myself with really good gas mileage. The advice I have to give is to stop eating products from cows, because although it’s not killing the cow, the processing plants and all those cows close together farting is not good for the environment. It’s why I stopped eating cheese.”
Jason: “Overall trying to be sustainable is a bit of a daily challenge. Some things I’ve found easier, like being vegan and eating local organic produce where possible. Some are harder, like removing plastics. I like to bike or walk where possible. I buy community solar for my house through Neighborhood Sun to know my home is powered by clean electricity and have recently installed mini splits for efficient air conditioning and reducing natural gas use for heat. My biggest challenge is probably enjoying traveling and hopping on a plane a couple of times a year. Nothing’s perfect, but do what I can and try to improve each day.”
Marcy: “I try to be conscientious about how much water I use by not letting water run if not necessary and not showering every day. I reuse paper towels; I don’t buy leather or fur products; and I drive a hybrid vehicle.”