“A stitch in time saves nine.”  This old saying is still very applicable and fits right into our sustainability mindset.  Making repairs as soon as possible not only saves effort but can also reduce the amount of materials you need for the repair and the amount of waste generated during the repair.  A timely repair can rescue something that would otherwise become trash.  Here are some examples.  I’m sure you can think of a lot more. 

• Mend a tear or split seam in clothing while it’s small. A small repair might not even be visible.  
• Leaks don’t get smaller if you ignore them.  An unattended leak can rot wood in walls and floors and could eventually result in major rip-out and replacement.  And leaks waste whatever resource is being leaked.  Check for water leaks under sinks and showers, in attics, around windows (air leaks can also increase your heating and air conditioning bill) and doors, and in basements and crawl spaces.
• Repainting a building or item before the material under the paint is damaged will reduce effort and materials required for repairs.
• Check your car tires for unusual wear patterns.  Proper tire inflation and wheel alignment will help your tires last longer and help your gas mileage.  Proper routine maintenance will help your car last longer.
• Clean spills right away so floors, cabinets, carpets, and clothing are not damaged.  Regular cleaning with mild cleaners can prevent the need for harsh cleaners after soil builds up.   
  

In the northern hemisphere, many regions are dealing with unusually hot weather.  Those without air conditioners struggle to keep from getting overheated.  Those with air conditioners are tempted to lower the thermostat further than usual, which increases their energy consumption and can strain local power grids.  Here are some tips that will help those without air conditioners stay cooler and those with air conditioners keep the thermostat set higher to use less energy. 

https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/heatwaves-uk/advice-and-tips/keep-home-cool

Reusing, recycling, and upcycling are all good ways to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills and reduce the amount of energy and materials used to make new items.  Reusing something over and over for the same purpose has the least impact on the earth.  Recycling preserves the materials in the item, and in general, less energy is required to make items from recycled materials than from new materials.  However, recycling is not a perfect solution, because many things cannot yet be recycled, and markets for recyclable materials may not always exist.  Still, recycle whenever possible if you can’t reuse, repurpose, or upcycle an item.  Upcycling turns an item that would otherwise be destined for the trash into a new useful item.  Upcycling is a great way to unleash your creativity. 

https://www.boisestate.edu/cobe/blog/2023/10/reusing-recycling-and-upcycling-a-primer

Many people have already switched from incandescent light bulbs to either compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) or LED bulbs.  Either of these choices will use much less energy and last significantly longer than a standard incandescent light bulb.  In addition, 90% of the energy from an incandescent light bulb is heat, not light, so in summer you are adding heat to your house when your lights are on.  CFL and LED bulbs emit most of their energy as light, not heat.  The attached article provides more information on CFL and LED bulbs.  The bottom line is that while LED bulbs are more efficient and last longer, if you already have (or prefer) CFL bulbs, don’t get rid of them while they are still good. 

https://www.greenamerica.org/green-living/cfls-vs-leds-better-bulbs