5 Ideas for Practicing Sustainability during COVID-19
The pandemic may have altered our everyday sustainability practices, but there are still ways to enjoy the summer while staying mindful of both sustainability and safety.
- Bag your own groceries: accumulating a lot of plastic bags? Ask for your groceries to be unbagged and then bag them yourself at your car with reusable options.
- Green Tip: Many retailers, such as Walmart, Target, and Giant Eagle, also have bins for recycling your unwanted plastic bags. Another donation alternative is local animal shelters, which use plastic bags to pick up after pets. As collection practices may differ per location, be sure to call first!
- Wear a mask: Despite many counties transitioning to yellow and green phases, it is important to wear a mask when in public spaces. This simple act of kindness protects not only your health, but your neighbor as well.
- Green Tip: Support local businesses and obtain a reusable cloth mask rather than disposable! Sustainable Pittsburgh Shops Knotzland and Tiger Lily Dress Shop and Eco Couture are both producing masks.
- Virtually Volunteer: Share your story and your time with both national and local organizations who are looking to utilize virtual volunteers.
- Green tip: The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is also seeking volunteers to assist with planting some of its community flower gardens. Each flower bed would have a maximum of 15 socially distanced volunteers.
- Get to know your neighborhood: You may be spending more time at home this summer than usual, so why not reacquaint yourself with your community? Join a neighborhood Facebook group or a local Buy Nothing swap group–not only will you stay informed, but you might find a new home for items you no longer want or need!
- Travel–in the Kitchen: Pittsburgh is known for multicultural cuisine–check out this map created by Carnegie Mellon University student Anjie Cao that shows all the countries represented in ‘Burgh eateries! Instead of ordering from the same places, take a trip around the world and try something new–while supporting local businesses. It’s a win/win!
Let us know how you plan to enjoy your summer sustainably and safely! We would love to be able to share your ideas with our community. Let us know at info@sustainablepittsburgh.org.