Sustainability
03/11/24 | Rebecca Taplin
We at Liz & Ellie Local help people buy and sell homes in the Camberville and Greater Boston areas, but we’re also intent on doing our part to keep the planet as a whole–well–whole. What’s on our minds these days is food; grocery bills are skyrocketing, and the word is spreading that food waste in our landfills isn’t just smelly, it’s bad news. If we reduce food waste, it’s good for our wallet and our conscience; but it's also one of the easiest and effective ways we can tackle climate change head-on. Let’s start with a quick question:
Which gas does food waste emit when it ends up in a landfill–and how potent is it?
a. Carbon dioxide. That’s the only greenhouse gas, right? Right? And I planted a tree the other day so we’re good.
b. Food waste doesn’t emit gasses. Humans and cows do.
c. Methane. Yes, cows “emit” methane, but so do landfills with food waste in them. And methane has 28 times the global warming potential as Carbon dioxide–and after about twelve years, it breaks down into water and...Carbon dioxide. Sigh…
That was a pretty easy multiple choice question, right? Hopefully you chose c. If you didn’t (and maybe even if you did), read this article from UC Davis in California. Based on this article and our other research, we’ve put together two simple strategies you can start using today to reduce food waste and methane emissions.
Produce less food waste in the first place
When we waste food, we're not just throwing away leftovers. We're also wasting all the energy, nutrients, and water that went into producing that food. It's like tossing out all the hard work that went into growing, harvesting, and transporting those ingredients.
Solutions
Compost your food waste. Yes, even meat, cheese, and bones (if you use a composting service).
Instead of sending food waste to landfills where it emits harmful greenhouse gasses, divert it to composting facilities where it's transformed into something non-toxic and even helpful. In some municipalities, food waste becomes lovely black compost, which helps residents’ plants grow lushly. In Cambridge, curbside compost collection picks up a whopping 85,000 pounds of food waste every week–then turns it into clean energy! That's a lot of banana peels and coffee grounds being turned into something truly valuable.
Solutions
And, speaking of compost, have you noticed that there aren't as many households composting on your street as you'd like? Well, that's where you come in! Spread the word about the benefits of composting to your friends, family, and neighbors. Together, we can make composting the norm in our community and reduce our impact on the planet.
How many of us were told, “Get outside for some fresh air!” by a grumpy caretaker when we were kids? It turns out those adults may have been onto something, because in many cases, the air we breathe indoors is decidedly not fresh. More people than ever are working from home these days and are spending about 90% of their time indoors. We at Liz & Ellie Local want to help people feel happy and healthy in their homes, so we’ve put together a FAQ-style guide to ensure that your indoor air quality is the best it can be.
We at Liz & Ellie Local help people buy and sell homes in the Camberville and Greater Boston areas, but we’re also intent on doing our part to keep the planet as a whole–well–whole. What’s on our minds these days is food; grocery bills are skyrocketing, and the word is spreading that food waste in our landfills isn’t just smelly, it’s bad news. If we reduce food waste, it’s good for our wallet and our conscience; but it's also one of the easiest and effective ways we can tackle climate change head-on. Let’s start with a quick question:
Owning a home is a much touted part of the American Dream. You know the one: white picket fence, big yard, friendly neighbors. And whether it boasts a decorative fence or not, houses are one of the few commodities that increase in value over time. In fact, home ownership is one of the major factors in building generational wealth–assets that can be passed from one generation to the next, providing stability and financial safety for one’s descendants. Unfortunately...
With their complementary communication styles, responsiveness, competence, and ability to truly listen, Ellie and Liz enable their clients to feel at ease throughout any real estate transaction. They would welcome the opportunity to be your next real estate advisors.
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