QUICK TIPS FOR A
Sustainable Home
MANY OF US HAVE BEEN WORKING FROM HOME during the COVID-19 pandemic
and find ourselves sharing spaces with our loved ones for weeks on end—therefore,
Noel Asmar of Noel Asmar Uniforms and the Hospitality Lifecycle Initiative is
focusing on eco-conscious strategies for the home in this month’s column.
1. Toilet Paper Binging. The veggie aisles in grocery stores are stocked, but the
toilet paper aisles are empty during the COVID-19 Crisis! Prior to COVID-19, 55
percent of Americans report using more than 10 rolls a month and 84 percent use
more than five rolls, according to the U.S. Census and Simmons National
Consumer Survey. Americans use an average of 141 rolls per person a year. The
French use half as many rolls, at 71 per year, while the typical Brazilian consumes
only 38 rolls. With some mindful new habits, we can help save
deforestation with a reduction in the paper products used at
home. Here’s an idea for paper towels: replace them with
re-usable fabric towels made of cut-up used sheets.
2. Gardening Tips. COVID-19 has put a spotlight on
our food chain and highlighted our overreliance on
distribution to source basic necessities. Never before
have we had so much time at home to think about
planting a garden and learning how to plant for four
seasons of veggies through the year. Now is the time
to create the organic garden you have been dreaming of!
3. Source Locally. Now is a wonderful time to learn about the
famers and producers in your own back yard. Buy local and eat fresher food raised
by farmers you can visit. Sourcing locally cuts down on carbon emissions, and
local produce needs fewer preservatives because the product is consumed more
in-season.
4. Quality of Life at Home. With so many of us working remotely, indoor air
quality at home is more important than ever. According to the EPA, indoor
air pollution is one of the top five environmental health risks. Take some time
to look at your own air filtration system and eco-friendly ways that you can
improve it. n
HAVE A QUICK, EASY TIP FOR SPAS LOOKING TO GO GREEN? An outside-the-box idea
for reducing waste? An environmental fact that you think Pulse readers should know?
Share them with the Pulse editor at [email protected].
28 PULSE ■ JUNE 2020