Fall In Love With Sustainability This Month
Feb 05, 2026
This time of year can feel a little gray. The cold and snow may have you feeling like spring is a long way away, but with a few tips and a little commitment, brighter days will be here before you know it.
- Put on a sweater and turn your thermostat down a bit to save money and resources. If you have a smart thermostat, set its temperature lower during times of the day when you won’t be at home. You can expect to save 3% on your heating costs for every degree your thermostat is set below 68 degrees.
- Draw your curtains at night or reuse old blankets and sheets to help keep the heat in, and seal drafty doors and windows to keep the cold out.
- A nice hot shower can feel good this time of year, but it uses a lot of energy. Shorter showers that aren’t quite as hot will help save resources and also not dry out your skin as much. · Download SWACO’s Fresh Takes Guide, which compiles tips, tricks, recipes, and more to help you save money and cut food waste all year ‘round.
Red may be the color of love, but with some thoughtful choices, we can also make Valentine’s Day a little greener this year.
- Go on a sustainable date and show some love for your neighbors by volunteering together in your community.
- Use online resale platforms like Mercari or Facebook Marketplace to find second-hand luxury or sentimental items for your special someone. Better yet, there’s nothing more meaningful than a homemade gift.
- Remember that giftwrapping is recyclable as long as it doesn’t have glitter, foil, or other embellishments.
- Instead of giving gifts to each other this Valentine’s Day, make a gift to your community by donating gently used items to someone in need.
- For decorations, focus on flowers and other compostable or recyclable items. Better yet, consider gifting a potted plant instead of cut flowers for a gift that will last and last.
- Say no to disposable cutlery when getting takeout for date night at home. If you can, opt for reusable plates and silverware to save on waste.
- Remember, things like wine bottles and pizza boxes are recyclable, as are the plastic clamshell containers that some takeout food comes in.
A few thoughtful changes can make this time of year feel cozier and make Valentine’s Day more meaningful. Sustainability isn’t about doing everything all at once. It’s about making some changes that feel good to you and that you think you can keep up all year long to save money and resources.