By Remi Ventura

I am only 17 years old, so you may not expect me to have a great influence on the decision making in my family. However, as the agreed-upon “Sustainability Manager” in my family, I take charge when making “green” decisions. What is a “sustainability manager?” In short, I help my family adopt as many environmentally friendly habits and strategies as they’ll agree to, and follow up to make sure they are being implemented. 

It began about four years ago when I became a vegetarian. My parents were open to the idea and didn’t take much convincing to agree to it. The transition wasn’t very difficult, as I had eaten a mostly plant-based diet all along. In the months following my decision, I became increasingly passionate about sustainability, the environment, and what each person can do to help the planet. My parents and I sat down and discussed ways to integrate environmentally friendly choices into our home life. 

It seemed hard at first, as many of the items I wanted to eliminate were staples in our household, including plastic bags, water bottles, and straws. After some negotiating, we decided to try to use fewer plastic bags. Our Tupperware collection grew in size, but I knew that wasn’t enough. I sat my parents down again and proposed that we stop using plastic wrap, straws, and water bottles. While seemingly major changes, they were anything but! Transitioning to metal straws and reusable water bottles was easy and cheaper for my family, and with our new Tupperware collection, there was no need for plastic wrap. 

It may not be realistic to expect your family to change everything to help the environment, but you’ll find that integrating small ideas first makes bigger changes much easier. For instance, being vegan/vegetarian can help decrease your carbon footprint a tremendous amount. You can start by eating 100% plant-based meals once or twice a week. Then month by month, increase it to three or four times. Before you know it, your family will be consuming far less meat and will be helping the environment as well. 

Another easy green change for our household was changing thermostat levels. Reducing the air conditioning or heat in your home based on when you are home, out, or asleep can benefit the environment. For instance, my family keeps our thermostat at 69 degrees Fahrenheit when we are at home, then reduces it to 65  degrees while sleeping, and even lower for vacation. This has saved energy while also lowering our utility bills! This change can be made easier by adjusting the clothing you wear. For instance, cozy sweaters and socks, plus extra blankets, could make the lower temperatures more comfortable. 

Another way to reduce energy is to use less light: make sure you always turn the lights out when you leave a room and use LED bulbs, which can use up to 80% less electricity and last up to 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs, saving energy and reducing garbage! Insulating and weatherizing your home can decrease your use of fossil fuels and make your home more comfortable. 

Many people feel they are doing their part for the environment by recycling, but with global recycling markets in flux, it is far better to use and dispose of less in the first place. We often can’t avoid packages, but we could reuse a package once it’s empty. Glass jars can be used to hold anything from flour to pens and pencils. You can reuse cardboard delivery boxes for easy organizing in closets or storage units. Small shampoo bottles can be refilled for travel. Soda cans and plastic bottles can be turned into small planters for a tiny at-home garden. Once you start reusing, you’ll find almost everything is reusable.

Many people donate their clothes to local collections, pass them on to family or friends, or upcycle them into something new. My family does this constantly, so there is always a flow of clothing. It is a simple way to get rid of items without having to throw them away. It is great to put clothes into the hands of people who truly need them. Try graduating from recycling to reusing!

Now, while I can’t say my family does things 100% sustainably, we do our best to be as “green and clean” as possible. So, designate a “Sustainability Manager” in your household today. It is a simple way to stay educated and informed about environmental health and sustainability, and it may just bring your family closer together.

Remi Ventura is a junior (11th grader) at Union County Vocational Academy for Performing Arts, a resident of Fanwood, NJ, and a member of New Jersey Student Climate Advocates.