New Year's Resolutions for the Eco-Friendly Eater
Don't waste money on organic bananas. Photograph from aphasiafilms on Flickr
Since the gym memberships and swearing off junk food resolutions only last so long, U.S. News and World Report has some green, cost-effective tips for eaters in 2009.
Buy organic, but since it's pricey, prioritize certain produce with less pesticide residue that's OK to eat when conventionally grown, such as avocados, bananas, and kiwis. Save your leftovers. Try eating sustainable sushi. Compost your waste. Got any other food-related wisdom for the new year?
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14 Comments:
thank you for posting this valuable information and links.... it's so important to realize the choices we can make.... can make a difference....
pooch at 9:42PM on 01/02/09
I freeze the older bananas. Usually one left at the end of the bunch.
When I get 6 I make either banana bread or a banana cake.
JerzeeTomato at 7:40AM on 01/03/09
Though it's going to be really hard for me, I gave up meat for breakfast and lunch, since it's not environmentally sustainable for everyone to eat as much meat as they do, and I can afford to make the change. Mostly this is because I looked at a graph of the carbon footprint for a pound of meat recently so I'll only be eating beef 1-2 times a month as well. I figure that it's probably healthier for me is a good side effect, now to just find a vegetarian cookbook (I'll be ordering Mark Bittman's today I think).
smackrabbit at 8:24AM on 01/03/09
I could say something obnoxious here .... but I will not.
KarynMC at 9:02AM on 01/03/09
One more thing that you didn't mention (although its a great list!) is trying to eat locally as much as possible. For me, that inevitably means cutting back on those bananas, kiwis, and avocados. Its been about a year so far and i have to say i haven't really missed it. I was part of a CSA this summer, which meant i really never bought additional produce, and it forced me to be local. As for the fall/winter, i've definitely rediscovered apples & pears. :)
mh330 at 9:41AM on 01/03/09
Hmmm, yes, but especially with bananas it might be prudent to at least buy fair-trade ones. Even if there aren't environmental issues at stake, there are, in fact, some pretty dire ethical ones to consider.
beth maher at 9:47AM on 01/03/09
Joining the CNY CSA is on my list of to do's. I'll be supporting local growers and the family will be eating more veggies and fruit too. My husband never gets take out for lunch which equals less plastic take out containers in the bin. He always eats a large salad topped with the extra chicken I threw on the grill the previous night. He also keeps a can or two of soup at work for those nights when he works late and needs something quick and easy to eat.
dhorst at 10:00AM on 01/03/09
If you've a spare patch of yard (or even an empty patio for containers), start a vegetable garden. Not only will you save money, you can know that your food is organic, and you can't get much more locavore than your back yard! We're starting small this year with just some peppers and tomatoes, but will add things on in future years.
OKLibrarian at 10:04AM on 01/03/09
Bananas are one of the least organic products in the universe! The amount of chemicals and forest destruction that go into the production of this wonderful fruit far outweigh the safety and compostability factors.
Michael Z at 12:38PM on 01/03/09
Be a freegan?
http://lifehacker.com/5112449/how-to-live-freegan-and-die-old
wunami at 4:24PM on 01/03/09
I plan to eat much less meat so that on the occasions that I do eat it, I can afford to get something more environmentally responsible and delicious.
SanukTom at 5:30PM on 01/03/09
Have to agree with Michal Z and disagree with the original post re: bananas. There are other ramifications of buying organic other than just one's personal health. Buy organic bananas--as well as shade-grown coffee-- if you possibly can--it is critical to habitats.
alanbar at 6:38PM on 01/03/09
Skip the disposable utensils at cafeterias and takeout. Instead, keep a set of flatware at your office that you can wash and reuse.
peachypear at 7:25PM on 01/03/09
(In the same spirit of peachypear's suggestion) Invest in a nice set of tupperware, including ones that are fit to hold sandwiches.
decemberain27 at 12:02PM on 01/05/09