Higher Ed Geek

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Why I Love Sustainability (And How You Can Too!)

Salutations readers!

I just wanted to jot down some thoughts on sustainability since I realized it is one of the driving forces in my life that I continually do my best to uphold as well as infuse into my work. The reasoning behind my green passion has many facets, namely productivity, saving money, and obviously less waste and less clutter.

On the topic of productivity, I see sustainability measures moving us to a cloud-based place where information and resources are easily accessible from any computer, any time, with no need to waste any paper. With the advent of far more easy to use services like Dropbox, Google Drive, SkyDrive, SignNow, Prezi, Evernote, and iCloud, it has never been easier to not only backup important documents, but be able to share and access photos, videos, and documents. Playing into my final point, I am on a personal crusade against paper so any time I can save a tree, I do so!

An adage I like to repeat when it comes to sustainability is that I am "Saving the world, while saving money." Quite a few places nowadays will give you a few cents off for using a reusable cup or bag when you visit their stores, which obviously will return your investment (ROI) in those bags or cups very quickly. Also, utilizing a filter for your tap or a pitcher with a filter will give you a ROI from not having to purchase bottled water so often and only have to periodically purchase a new filter every few months.

Lastly, with the reduction of clutter and waste. I continually keep a stern eye to the things around my living space. If I don't need it, I either recycle it, sell it, or donate it if I can. I see all of these as sort of paying it forward while also (at times) paying me. At the very least, it's clearing up space. As much as I have been moving lately, keeping my life streamlined is important to me and it also keeps me less scatterbrained when trying to find things I need.

So that's my two cents. I'd appreciate any helpful tips you'd like to share that you do to do your part for this floating rock we all call home.