(One sustainably raised steak and plant-based pullover at a time.)
You already drive a hybrid, use cloth bags at the grocery store, and recycle (ahem, most of the time). What more is there to do for Mother Earth? Turns out, a lot. The pandemic, and now the war in Ukraine, may have diverted our attention for a while, but let’s be clear: Climate change is still the crisis of our lifetime. And as factories continue to pump pollutants into the air, fast-fashion castoffs pile up in landfills, and plastic bottles float freely in our ever-rising (and warming) oceans, the stakes only get higher. The good news is there are plenty of easy ways to make a difference at home: Whether it’s supporting local businesses that create sustainable products or building spaces that are as easy on the environment as they are on the eyes, greener living starts right here.
Learn the Lingo
Zero-Waste: Generating no waste, with all resources being recycled, reused, or composted.
Eco-Friendly: Not harmful to the planet.
Geothermal: That which uses or relates to the heat of the earth.
Carbon Footprint: The amount of carbon-dioxide emissions produced by a specific entity or activity.
Sustainable: Considerate of the environmental needs of future generations.
Fair Trade: A system that, among other goals, aims to foster sustainability practices among manufacturers and farmers.
Join a CSA
Forget the sad lettuce languishing in your big-box grocery store’s produce aisle—joining a CSA not only reduces waste and supports the ethical growing practices of local farmers, it also guarantees you’ll enjoy your food at peak freshness. Stillman’s Farm, located in New Braintree and Lunenburg, has run a CSA program for more than 20 years; choose from the team’s “Farm Best” option, a weekly bag of in-season fruits and vegetables, or the weekly “fabulous fruit” or “totally tomato” shares. Omnivore? Pair that produce CSA with meat from Tewksbury-based Walden Local. The company’s whole-animal share program distributes participating farmers’ cuts of grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork, and wild-caught fish among members. Or, to receive farm-fresh protein, produce, dairy, eggs, and grains every week, try Woburn’s Family Dinner, which offers packages built with products from multiple local purveyors and farmers. Vegetarian, pescatarian, omnivore, and paleo options, in half and whole sizes, are available for delivery.
Eat at a Low-Waste Restaurant
For a Light Bite
Café Iterum
Menton and Porto alum Matthew McPherson has long been cooking up plans for a sustainable restaurant, and his dream has finally been realized at Eastie’s brand-new Café Iterum. While the fast-casual spot’s zero-waste program is still in its fledgling stages, the café’s menu of sandwiches, grain bowls, and baked goods focuses on plant-based, locally sourced ingredients (hello, zucchini noodles). There are still some animal products on the menu for the meat eaters—but who wouldn’t be intrigued by the house-made eggplant bacon?
For a Special Occasion
Woods Hill Pier 4
What’s more stunning than the waterfront views at Woods Hill? The Seaport restaurant’s commitment to eco-friendly practices. Proprietor Kristin Canty sources some ingredients from small, local purveyors (think: raw milk cheeses, grass-fed animals, and sustainably caught fish), but many items, from the garlic to the mushrooms to the poultry, come from the eatery’s own 360-acre farm in Bath, New Hampshire. The result? New American fare you can feel good about, served via Massachusetts-made plates and glassware (and later composted, should you leave any scraps behind).
For a Guilt-Free Dessert
fomu
The easiest way…