An important aspect of sustainability is the ability to use an item many times before it must be discarded. Proper care and maintenance will extend the life of most items, while improper use and care can quickly damage an item or reduce its lifespan. Many products come with an owner’s manual or use and care instructions. Reading them will generally provide some good information that will help keep the item in good condition. If you have purchased a used item, it’s usually easy to find the instructions and manuals on the internet. Some items require periodic preventive maintenance to keep them in good condition, while other items just need to be used as intended. Improper use and maintenance can also result in safety issues. Taking a few minutes to understand how to use and care for your item to extend its life is a good way to practice sustainability. Here are some thoughts and examples:
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Sustainability is more effective when actions take place under the appropriate conditions for the action. For example, the showy milkweed plant, which is essential for the monarch butterfly, is native to this area. Because monarch populations are significantly declining, many people are planting milkweed. I planted milkweed seeds several times with no success. Then, on a walk in a natural area, I noticed that milkweed grows in moist soil near the edges of lakes and canals, not in dry clay soil such as is in my yard. Understanding and developing the correct conditions necessary for success would have probably resulted in a group of healthy milkweed plants in my yard. This is true for most actions – knowledge can save time and energy and increase the likelihood of success. Before you start a sustainability project, do a little research. Here are a few ideas to ponder.
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