Sustaining Us

Decisions, decisions. For a Yuppie-Hippie-Accountant, there are a ton of attributes to consider when on a trip to the supermarket, especially while embarking on a new life of sustainability. Before committing to my greener thinking the major influence in my decision making process revolved around price, then personal health, and then the environment. My trip today began with my roommate, two fabric bags and a bunch of plastic bags to reuse. Already my thought process is different.

My health and the environment’s may well be considered one and the same, with price a second consideration and no longer a sticking point. The marginal cost of going green is outweighed by sustainability. My initial foray into sustainable shopping is tricky. I realize early on that I’ve already made a huge mistake. As an accountant and a normal human being, I’m price conscious. As such, I’ve always shopped at our supermarket, A&P. It’s hardly suited to a green customer. With tons of organic and “all-natural” product they cater well to the trend, but not the lifestyle products. There’s a tiny selection of organic meats and the selection in produce is not much better. Lesson learned.

But there are many more subtle lessons to be learned today. Among them, something I’ll call, the “all-in consideration.” Take eggs for example. I know that I’m looking for a free -range chicken, fed an all vegan diet, without any harmful chemicals like antibiotics or hormones. This seems easy enough, A&P has tons of choices, but which to choose? Horizon produces an enormous selection of organic products including eggs. I’d be inclined to reach out and grab a dozen, do my quick crack-inspection, and be on my way, but they’re packaged in plastic?! Why does Horizon package in plastic? I’m sure there’s a good reason like, it eliminates waste associated with broken eggs, or it’s more sanitary, but wouldn’t it seem logical that an organic company would stick with biodegradable substitutes like a paper carton when available and charge a little bit more? So my “all-in consideration” included an “all-natural” dozen. No antibiotics, no hormones, and an all vegan diet, plus it was a local product packaged in paper. Winner: “All-Natural Greenbrier Eggs”

Placing my purchases on the cashier’s conveyor belt I evaluated my success. My feelings are mixed. I feel great to be placing my products in my fabric and reused plastic bags, but many of them just don’t make the cut. I realize that only about a quarter of my purchases are “good” choices. The silver lining in my first foray into sustainable food shopping: There’s plenty of room for improvement!

Apparently Nalgenes aren’t that safe. For a long time I’ve used my grey tinted Nalgene with blue trim as a substitute for an ordinary Poland Spring water bottle. Why o why Nalgene? Can we conclude that all oil-derived product is to some degree toxic? I’ve known for a while that many of the plastic products we use leach poisonous chemicals, but my thoughts have always been the same, “Everything in moderation.” About a month ago I read an article in Men’s Health (see link below) about the decreased testosterone levels found in men all over the world compared to a half decade ago.

Ultimately the article pointed out that the subtle exposure to a variety of chemicals in everyday use is causing fertility issues and endocrine related maladies. Ultimately, should we actively try and cut down on these chemicals? Should we be replacing our Nalgene’s with safer products like a Sigg bottle? Or do we accept these exposures as a consequence of living in a modernized world? I believe in the former, that when we’re aware of the exposure we try to mitigate it. Any exposure that we can limit, is a step towards greater sustainability, no?

Going green has always been a passion of mine. It began in elementary school when my sister and I were the only kids using a fabric lunch bag with an earth decal to consume less. It wasn’t as hip as Anya Hindmarch’s “I’m Not a Plastic Bag,” and it certainly smelled worse, but it was a good start (thanks mom). Fifteen years later, I feel that my life can have a direct impact and I feel compelled to make a difference. Intergenerational issues aside, I think the problems facing Generation Y will only be addressed and ultimately acted upon by Generation Y and its successors. This blog is my search for a way to make a difference. If I can learn more about my place in the green order I’ll be happy, but more than that, I hope to offer an interesting perspective, from a green-minded Yuppie, in the process.