We all have a responsibility to care for our planet. Join farmers in their sustainability efforts by reducing your impact at home!
Try these tips and tricks in your home to reach your own sustainability goals. Scroll over the lightbulbs to learn how you can easily implement sustainability in your everyday life.
Fridge
Minimize food waste while making your grocery budget stretch further by implementing these sustainable tips.
Make a List
Make your list and check the fridge before you shop so you don’t buy more than what you need.
Buy in bulk
Buy in bulk – especially if you find a great deal – and freeze the leftovers.
Store and freeze your food properly.
Chill any fruits or vegetables in the fridge so they last longer, and make sure containers are airtight and labeled properly.
Give your leftovers a different spin!
Store what your family doesn’t eat and find new ways to repurpose them.
What farmers are doing: Farmers are redirecting rejected or leftover food as feed for cows and livestock. Learn more about how farmers are minimizing food waste in this blog from Gather Wisconsin.
Kitchen Sink
Although we are fortunate here in Wisconsin to enjoy plentiful water sources, it’s still important to use it safely and responsibly.
Turn off the tap when you scrub your dishes! Doing so can save up to 200 gallons a month.
Better yet, use your dishwasher. Newer models are more efficient and can use less than a fifth of water compared to handwashing dishes in the sink.
Instead of buying single-use plastic bottles, use a water filter to purify your tap water for both drinking and cooking.
What farmers are doing: Farmers are the first line of defense in protecting our water supply. Learn more about how farmers protect the water in this blog from Gather Wisconsin.
Trash, Recycle, & Compost
In the world of waste, everything has its place.
- Cans
- Cartons
- Glass
- Paper and plastic
What farmers are doing: Farmers are the original recyclers. Learn how farmers reduce, reuse and recycle on the farm here.
Washer & Dryer
Laundry appliances use more energy than most appliances in your home. You can take steps to be more sustainable when washing your clothes and household items
Most newer washers allow you to use cold water, saving the energy required to heat the water.
If you can, air dry your clothes, or try to wash them less often.
When you do use the washer, make it a full load. Your clothes will get just as clean with fewer resources.
Consider using a dryer ball instead of dryer sheets. You can reuse them for years, make your dryer more efficient, made with
Pollinators
Even small spaces have the potential to meet the most basic needs of the entire insect life cycle. Pollinators are one of the easiest groups of animals to support in a residential landscape.
Simple changes can have a huge impact on the pollinator population – try incorporating some native species to provide food and habitat for pollinators. Incorporating pollinator habitat can also reduce your reliance on water and synthetic fertilizers to achieve a lush, green lawn.
What farmers are doing: 35% of the world’s crops depend on pollinators. Learn how farmers build an ecosystem to support pollinators in this blog from Gather Wisconsin.
Energy Efficiency
Swap your incandescent lightbulbs for LEDs. LED lightbulbs use energy more efficiently and have a lifespan of 35,000 hours! Get your money’s worth every time you flip the switch.
Learn more about energy-efficient lightbulbs from Focus on Energy.
What farmers are doing: Renewable energy sources are an example of the innovation and creativity of Wisconsin farmers. Learn more about how farmers are using renewable energy in this article.
