Four ways people may be harming the environment without realizing it are: 1) Driving for short trips and errands instead of walking, biking, or using public transportation which contributes to increased carbon emissions. 2) Not shopping online which can reduce carbon emissions from transportation compared to driving to stores. 3) Throwing away food past expiration dates when most dates refer to quality not safety, which leads to unnecessary food disposal and shopping trips. 4) Storing fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator rather than the freezer, as freezing can allow produce to last up to a year and half, reducing shopping frequency.

1. Four ways you are
harming the environment
without realizing
M A R K C U T H B E R T S O N

2. D R I V I N G , A N D O N L Y
D R I V I N G
A quick and easy way to harm the environment is to
use your car or other motorized vehicle in all traveling
scenarios. Car usage can become an afterthought
during short trips or errands, such as a short trip
around the block.
Extenuating circumstances and physical limitations
aside, make an effort to cut back your driving time if at
all possible. Perhaps use a bike, if walking is entirely
out of the question.

3. N E V E R S H O P P I N G O N L I N E
Online shopping is quite convenient, but it is also an
efficient way to save the planet. A study by Carnegie
Mellon University linked online shopping to a reduction
in carbon dioxide emissions, and ultimately a lesser
dependence on energy consumption.
Try your best to keep major shopping excursions to a
limit when they are unnecessary–maybe once a month.

4. I G N O R I N G E X P I R A T I O N
D A T E S
Most expiration dates tend to refer to a product’s
quality, rather than its safety. There is a difference
between the “sell-by” label (the deadline for retailers
to sell the product) and “use-by” label (the date when
the product starts to lose its quality and flavor.)”
Understanding this distinction can help you cut down
on unnecessary food disposal and subsequent re-
buying (not to mention car emissions spent on trips to
the grocery store).
Source: Greatist.com

5. K E E P I N G F R U I T S A N D
V E G E T A B L E S I N T H E
F R I D G E , N O T T H E F R E E Z E R
Arguably one of the most surprising ways to increase
food-related sustainability is to freeze fruits and
vegetables. These foods have been found to survive
for up to a year and a half when preserved in this
manner, giving you an easy method to cut down on
excessive produce shopping.
For best results, you will want to freeze the fruits and
vegetables when they are at peak freshness.
Source: Allrecipes.com