by: Jenny Peng

     As a journalist I am always excited by the opportunity to spread the message of how we can make small changes that have a lasting impact on the environment. I often think about the legacy I want to leave for the generations to come, and I am aware that every plastic container and every meal I eat determines that legacy. My work for Sustainability Television has opened my eyes to how our meals impact farmers and our environment. For instance, I learned that eating more unprocessed foods like vegetables and eggs means that farmers get a larger share of what we pay. Buying processed foods like granola bars and cereals means that companies receive a larger share from the money we spend.
     
Often times when I am shopping at local grocery stores, I can’t help but notice that everyone likes the convenience of using plastic bags. I rarely see people carrying their own reusable bags that are stored away in cabinets.
     I would like to share some of my own tips on how to reduce unnecessary amounts of
garbage; garbage that can be saved with a little effort. 

- Bring your own reusable bags when grocery shopping.
-Eat a little less meat during the week. Raising meat means greenhouse gas emissions, and unnecessary amounts of chemical used to maintain sanitation. 


- Skip the plastic bags on fruits and products that don’t need it: bananas, oranges, avocados, melons, milk, etc...

- Stop letting the water run. Think of how many glasses can be filled with unused water we let running from the faucet. 

Like everyone else, I appreciate the convenience that plastic serves but I also use it sparingly. Although the amount of time it takes for plastic to decompose is uncertain, reports suggest that it can take up to 1000 years to break down—and that is far too long for our children to live with.

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