Kyra Taylor – Contributor 

With the end of fall quickly approaching and winter looming, it can be hard to continue thinking of ways to promote sustainability and eco-friendly actions. Even though the weather is getting colder, there are still tons of ways to stay active within Lennoxville and continue living a sustainable lifestyle. 

Photo courtesy of Bishop’s Sustainable Development Office

For hot chocolate and coffee lovers, consider investing in a reusable coffee mug. There is a range of travel mugs you can invest in, and it doesn’t even have to be you who buys them! They make great gifts for the holiday season coming up. This can help you carry a nice warm drink at all times, while also reducing the amount of waste you generate. Even at FARO or Tim Horton’s, you can bring your own travel mugs and ask them to use those instead (if you’re getting a to-go order). The best part about reusable mugs is how long they last. Investing in one guarantees you warm drinks for years to come.

A big topic the winter brings is heating bills and trying to stay warm. Heating apartments can get pretty expensive, so it’s important for both the environment and your wallet that you also practice sustainability. Consider lowering your thermostat by 1-2 degrees if you’re leaving your house, or in rooms you’re not often in. This small change can make a considerable difference in bills and also in harmful emissions to the environment. Try keeping curtains closed, as this works as an insulation for your room, and naturally keeps it warmer.

 Along with this, shopping locally is still an option, even if it’s winter. Keep an eye out for Lennoxville markets and local farms selling winter hearty produce. Even when grocery shopping, if you buy local foods, you continue to practice sustainability and help the environment. 

Sustainability can also be fun! Organize dinners with friends to help reduce electricity usage and packaging disposal. It’s a great way to spend time with friends and help the environment at the same time. If you’re a fan of meal prepping or repeating meals, try buying in bulk. You can get the same amount of food, but with much less packaging, which then creates less waste. 

There are always local initiatives happening on sustainability, and the Sustainable Development Office at Bishop’s is always hosting events to educate people on how to continue living a sustainable life. Take advantage of the resources available to you to keep Lennoxville and the Eastern Townships beautiful!