Sustainability – A day in the life
Let Sue Stainable lead the way
Making small, sustainable changes to your daily schedule can make a big difference to the environment
Grace Segrave
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability – What should I do?
Dwelling on the negative headlines can make sustainability seem like an issue that is almost impossible to get on top of. But perhaps it’s a case of the more we change and achieve, the more we realise how much we can do – as individuals, businesses and communities working together.
If, like me, you find yourself frequently scrutinising your own impact on the world around you, then your daily schedule will already look a lot different to the way it may have done even a few short years ago.
For many people, the subtle impacts that day to day actions can have upon the environment are hard to identify and even harder to change. Let’s take an average day as an example and ask yourself, could I be more sustainable?
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Meet Stan Dard
Meet Stan DardStan Dard is your everyday modern professional, embodying a lifestyle that seamlessly integrates work, exercise, and relaxation. He’s a dedicated worker who also values his health, regularly engaging in physical activities to stay fit. Outside of work, Stan enjoys spending time with his dog, cooking delicious meals, and unwinding with his favourite TV shows. His routine makes him a relatable and inspiring figure for anyone looking to achieve a harmonious work-life balance.
Is Stan Dard’s schedule as sustainable as it could be?
06:00
Alarm goes off, you wake up and unplug your mobile which has been charging all night.
06:30
You put the kettle on to make a cup of tea or coffee for a much needed caffeine boost.
07:00
Time to take the dog for a walk around the town, which is already busying up with commuters.
08:00
You jump into the car to get to the office, playing your favourite music while sitting in traffic.
09:00
You sit down at your desk and start your workday, discussing your weekend with your colleagues.
13:00
You go for a walk and grab a sandwich for lunch, throwing your waste into the nearest bin.
17:30
You clock off for the day and jump back in your car to make your way home.
18:30
You get home and change into your gym clothes for your evening run.
19:00
You arrive back from your 5K jog and pre-heat the oven while taking a shower.
19:45
Now you’re all freshened up, it’s time to enjoy a delicious dinner.
20:00
You sit on the sofa to watch a few episodes of your favourite TV show.
22:00
It’s time for bed, you plug your phone back in and grab some shuteye.
All looks great?
Hmmmm… Let’s look at some of the hidden impacts you may have missed:
A mobile phone ...
that contains minerals mined in a warzone and power being pulled from the grid all night.
Greenhouse gases ...
A company ...
who doesn’t think about its people and the impact that they have upon the environment around them.
A car ...
burning a crude oil and exposing you to high levels of emissions that have been linked with health issues.
A diet ...
that has increased carbon intensity from meat production and a far greater impact than a vegetarian diet.
Electrical items ...
pulling power from the grid. A charging phone being a product with a high carbon footprint.
So why not do things differently?
If everybody was aware of the adverse impact of their workday upon the environment around them, surely you’d make a change?
So why not spend a day with Sue Stainable – see what we did there? – to see what difference living life according to a rigorous green schedule will make.
Meet Sue Stainable
Meet Sue StainableSue Stainable is a passionate advocate for sustainable living. She incorporates eco-friendly practices into every aspect of her life, from using a re-manufactured mobile phone to driving an electric car. Sue ensures her daily activities have minimal environmental impact. She works at a company focused on reducing carbon emissions and promoting social change. In her free time, Sue enjoys participating in community events and cooking with seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients.
Let’s take a look at how Sue does it
06:00
You pick up a re-manufactured mobile phone because you don’t always need the latest and greatest.
06:30
You make a cup of tea with products from a local enterprise, ensuring your kettle isn’t overfilled.
07:00
You take your dog for a walk around your neighbourhood, which is quiet because commuters use public transport.
08:00
You jump into your electric car to get to work, and you put on your favourite tunes while sitting in traffic.
09:00
You arrive for work at a company that heavily invests resources into better understanding their carbon emissions.
13:00
You go for a walk around town and pick up a sandwich at the local shop, recycling your waste in the correct bin.
17:30
Your workday is done so you jump back into your electric car for the commute home from work.
18:30
You get home, change and go for your evening run, where the air quality feels amazing.
19:00
You arrive back from your jog and put on the oven to make a dinner with seasonal ingredients.
19:45
Dinner is ready! You make sure to compost your food waste when you’re finished.
20:00
Your day is done and there is a community event on that gets everyone from the town together.
22:00
No need to charge your phone before bed because you work from home tomorrow.
We don’t all have to be 100% Sustainable…
It would be a tall task to make every single one of the above adjustments at once. But which of those steps do you already find yourself doing? And how easy could it be to pick up just a few more? Even something as simple as considering the type of recycler you might be and taking the time to bin your waste more carefully, can influence not only your own actions but the actions of those around you. The responsibility isn’t just on us as individuals, but as a collective, to come together within our businesses and our communities and make positive changes to protect the future of our planet.
Which kind of recycler are you?
Everyone has a different approach to recycling, from stringent to not at all. But making a small change to how you dispose of your waste can make a huge difference.
The Tree Hugger
The Overwhelmed
Takes one look at the recycling bins and is overwhelmed by the options.
The Try Hard
Someone who tries their best to recycle, but just doesn’t quite get it 100% correct yet.
The Poseur
The Polluter
The “climate change is a hoax” and “I couldn’t care less about the planet” individuals.
The Dash & Go
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Simone Hindmarch
Co-founder and managing director