Buying clothing that uses high quality fabric and construction is important to sustainability, as is careful laundering to increase the useful lifetime of the clothing.  However, the type of fabric is also important for sustainability.  Some fabrics easily shed synthetic fibers that can get into water, soil, and the creatures that share our planet.  Other fabrics, such as many acrylics, do not hold up to wear and laundering.  As the attached article discusses, the origin of the materials in the fabric is also important, because some textile materials have a significantly smaller impact on the environment. 
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https://theorganizedeclectic.wordpress.com/2025/06/20/fabric-matters-the-truth-about-what-we-wear/

This article on reducing food waste includes a table that gives you definitions of the various kinds of dates on food packaging so you can decide when food is truly past its “eat by” date and when it is still good to eat.  While food safety comes always first, a lot of perfectly good food is thrown away because consumers are confused by the dates on the packages.  In addition to tips for individual households, the article discusses things that businesses and larger organizations can do to reduce food waste.  As the article states, reducing food waste can make a big difference in your sustainability footprint. 
https://earth.org/solutions-for-food-waste/

When you’re making choices about how to live more sustainably, remember that your safety is more important.  Don’t put yourself in a dangerous position just to make a tiny difference in sustainability.  Think about what could go wrong, and check at least one other reputable source when you’re looking at tips and hacks online.  Here are a few thoughts to get you started. 

• If the stairs are in a place that is unsafe, take the elevator if there is one and it appears to be the safer option. 
• Don’t use essential oils in the dryer and be careful not to use the dryer for rags that were oil-soaked before they were washed.  There is a potential for fire. 
• Never vent the exhaust air from a gas-powered clothes dryer into the house. 
• If you bicycle or walk to work or school, choose a route that is safe (traffic or otherwise) or pick another option such as a bus or car. 
• Don’t drive below the speed limit or slower than the flow of traffic.  Yes, you use less gas when you drive slower, but it’s dangerous for you and the other drivers around you when you impede the flow of traffic. 
• Check gently used items before you use them to make sure they’re safe.  Look for things like frayed electrical wires, missing safety guards, broken latches, or unguarded pinch points.  Safety standards have changed significantly for baby and child items, so make sure these used items meet safety requirements.  

I really like this article on xeriscape.  As the article states, many people think of xeriscape as a barren field of rocks; however, the barren field of rocks is actually zeroscape.  I have never liked the idea of zeroscape for all the reasons stated in the article (bad for the environment, creates heat islands, and is generally ugly) but am very much in favor of xeriscape.  Xeriscape uses native plants and careful watering strategies to create areas that support the environment, use much less water, and generally are much prettier.  I am currently planning a project to turn another area of lawn into a xeriscape area.  So, if you are considering xeriscape to reduce outdoor water use, think about the difference between xeriscape and zeroscape.  Xeriscape takes more planning and care, but is worth it. 
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https://landscapeunite.com/zeroscape-vs-xeriscape/

According to the attached article, Americans use about 13 billion pounds of paper towels each year.  Add in the use of toilet tissue, facial tissue, and paper napkins, and you’re looking at a huge volume of single-use paper products in landfills and sewage treatment plants.  In addition to the impacts of paper disposal in landfills (including producing methane as the paper decomposes), large areas of virgin forest in Canada are harvested each year to produce these throw-away items.  The article has a link to information on which products are most sustainable (based on use of water for processing, chemicals, and effect on forests).  The best thing is to reduce your use of these items.  When you do use them, look for brands made with recycled paper and use the smallest amount needed for that job.  It may take some experimenting to find the brands that work for you. 
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https://earth911.com/home-garden/paper-towels-tissues-and-napkins-americas-13-billion-pound-waste-habit/

One good way to reduce food waste is to learn proper storage methods for each item to preserve the quality and flavor as long as possible.  This article provides a lot of information on produce items that should not be stored together, as some types may have a negative effect on the quality of the others.  Those who are cooking aficionados may disagree with the statement that most fruits and vegetables should be stored in the refrigerator, and you are welcome to disregard those instructions.  As an example, tomatoes retain better flavor if never refrigerated; however, if you are more concerned with how long they keep, you may choose to store them in the refrigerator anyway. 
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https://cookthismuch.com/blog/dont-store-these-foods-together-a-complete-guide-to-keeping-your-groceries-fresh

Almost everyone can find ways to reduce the waste they generate at home and combine that with finding better ways to manage the waste they do generate.  Proper waste disposal protects the planet in many ways, reducing pollution and allowing reuse of the raw materials.  The article discusses several aspects of managing waste in the home, including reducing the generation of waste, reusing items, recycling, and disposing of hazardous waste. 
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https://www.wikihow.com/Manage-Your-Home-Waste

Many areas are experiencing serious drought conditions that are likely to get worse before they get better.  Water restrictions are becoming increasingly common.  And conserving water is a good idea even if you live in a wet climate.  Municipal water systems require a lot of energy.  This is a good article on how to save water at home, although not all of the ideas will work for everyone.  A few extra thoughts:

• Check local regulations before installing rainwater catch systems.  They are not legal in some locations and others have restrictions on how much you are allowed to capture. 
• The suggestion to reduce the volume of water in your toilet tank is a good one, but if you already have a low-water toilet, further reduction of the water tank volume may interfere with the toilet’s effectiveness.  You’ll have to experiment.
• The article only lightly touches on one huge use of water in single-family homes, which is lawn and garden watering.  I will write another post that expands on that topic.  In the meantime, look at your yard to see where you could use native plants that require less water, and use trickle irrigation when possible.  Don’t water during the heat of the day and adjust your sprinklers so that you are not watering the sidewalk and street.  Experiment to see how much water your lawn really needs so you are not overwatering. 

https://www.wikihow.com/Save-Water
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With fuel prices rising quickly, it’s a good time to review ways to maximize fuel economy when you drive.  Saving fuel will help both the planet and your wallet. 

• Consolidate trips and plan your route to minimize the number of miles you drive.
• If you are not sure if the store will have the item you want, call ahead to check.
• Proper maintenance of your car will help it operate efficiently.  Keep tires inflated to the proper pressure, change your air filters, and get your car serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. 
• Learn driving techniques that are eco-friendly.  Don’t accelerate and decelerate rapidly.   
• Don’t speed.  Fuel efficiency goes down when car speeds go up.  HOWEVER, DO NOT drive significantly below the speed limit or the general speed of the traffic around you.  It is dangerous for you and the other drivers on the road.  A slow vehicle on the highway can cause jams that are miles long and cause accidents. 
• Every time you put on the brakes, it takes energy to return to your previous speed.  In heavy traffic, try to adjust your following distance and techniques to reduce the amount of braking needed to stay in the flow of traffic.
• Unless it is extremely cold or your car is an older model, you don’t need to warm up your vehicle’s engine before you drive.  Scrape frost off car windows instead of waiting while your car heats up enough to defrost the windows. 
• Parking in the shade when it’s hot outside reduces fuel evaporation.
• When it’s time to buy a new vehicle, consider carefully your specific driving needs in addition to fuel economy to choose the best vehicle. 

 
https://www.ucs.org/resources/how-maximize-your-vehicles-fuel-economy
 

No one likes accidents.  They are a hassle, usually cost money you weren’t planning to spend, and may cause pain or permanent injury.  However, there is also a sustainability aspect to preventing accidents.  A lot of resources can be expended in responding to an accident.  So, sustainability is another reason to try to prevent accidents.  While you can’t see an accident coming (that’s why it’s called an accident), there are things you can do to reduce the likelihood of an accident or mitigate the severity of the consequences.  Here are some thoughts to get you started. 

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is intended to shield you from harm of various kinds.  PPE might include safety glasses, appropriate gloves, respiratory protection, sturdy boots, or a bicycle helmet.  All of these things can prevent or reduce the severity of injury, so if PPE is called for, please use it.  Even if specific PPE is not recommended, think through the activity and use common sense in choosing clothing and shoes.  Hospitals use large quantities of resources to safely care for patients. 
• If you live in a single-family dwelling or a multi-family unit with individual utilities, know where your water and electricity shutoffs are.  Flooding from a broken pipe can ruin a lot inside a house (take my word for it and don’t try it yourself) but the sooner you can shut the water off, the less damage there will be.  There may be times when turning off the electricity will end a bad situation. 
• Learn how to prevent fires, both indoors and outside.  Don’t park a vehicle in tall grass.  Don’t throw cigarette butts out the window.  Don’t use fireworks (and don’t use illegal fireworks) in an area with combustibles.  Buy space heaters with safety features and place them away from flammables such as curtains or furniture.  Learn how to quickly put out a fire in a pan on the stove.  Keep appropriate (make sure it works on more than one type of fire) fire extinguishers handy and charged; inspect them periodically and make sure they still work.  There are hundreds of fire prevention tips on the Internet.
• Pay attention to your surroundings and what you are doing.  Inattention can lead to an accident.
• Use an appropriate tool for the job and do not disable safety features.  Use a stepstool or ladder instead of standing on a chair or box.  Make sure the ladder is supported adequately.  Choose an appropriate size and type of saw or hammer for the task.
• Keep vehicles, tools, and other items properly maintained and in good condition.