We at Haiku Designs got to talking this week… just a light hearted conversation about our planet’s impending doom and the existential crises developing in some way, shape, or form in each of our lives, you know… casual office chatter. But I assure you we are a hopeful group, and the conversation quickly shifted to the eco-friendly and sustainability habits we’ve each incorporated into our lives. From recycling and reusing to being highly conscientious consumers, we all recognize that it is our responsibility to save and protect mother earth.
We also understand that making so many changes to our routines and to our well established habits can be difficult. It requires energy and additional head space. It requires constant effort and maybe slightly higher up-front costs. But just like any new habit, all you need is an adjustment period. One step at a time, my friends. That’s why we at Haiku Designs thought it’d be fun to share some of our favorite eco-friendly practices to maybe help inspire folks who are unsure of where to even begin with this whole climate/environmental crisis thing. Buckle up, folks. We’re embarking on a life changing journey to save the planet.
Stephen, programming extraordinaire, on reusable bags.
“I keep a collection of reusable bags in the trunk of my car and use them at stores where I know they hand out plastic bags like candy on Halloween. I know that some states are cracking down on single-use plastic bags, but not our state (yet). I feel much better about my trip to the store when I can fit everything I purchase in three or four reusable bags. And then, there’s nothing to just throw away as soon as I get home!”
Cody, marketing master, on food scraps and the circle of life.
“One of my favorite ways to be eco-friendly/sustainable is to compost. As someone who predominantly eats fruits and vegetables, and loves to garden, composting is a win win. The low amount of energy it takes to place would be fruit and veggie scraps into a compost bin, rather than a garbage, provides a natural and organic fertilizer for those very fruits and veggie I will be growing and eating. As Mufasa would say, “it’s the circle of life.”
Me, your host and merchandising diva, on how Chicken Run scarred me.
I remember it like it was yesterday. Little Ginger hatching (pun intended) yet another plan on her quest for freedom. Time and time again she is caught and forced to watch her friends be slaughtered once they’ve stopped producing eggs. I was but a wee chick but I remember telling my mother I’d never eat chicken again. Truth be told, that didn’t last as long as I would have hoped, and the vegetarian lifestyle didn’t stick after I finished reading Fast Food Nation either. It took years, a move to Oregon, a ton of podcasts and videos on the horrors of the meat industry, and a job at an eco-friendly furniture company for me to finally make that leap. It’s true. I am a vegetarian. Not exclusively, I should say. I’m not swearing off meat entirely. This decision was about being conscious of the issues surrounding our problematic, overconsumption of meat and the vast environmental footprint associated with livestock farming. It is estimated as much as 18% of human produced greenhouse gas emissions are a by-product of the meat industry! Is your mind blown? I know! Mine too. Of course I don’t expect everyone to put down their drumsticks and applewood smoked bacon, but I hope you take a second to consider your eating habits. Let me tell ya, you heard it here, from the lips of this recovering meat-aholic, YOU DON’T NEED MEAT WITH EVERY SINGLE MEAL. And you want to know something else? I’m getting real good at cookin’ some tasty, bomb diggity veggies.
Owen, our in-house fishing expert, on supporting the little guys and holding big corporations accountable.
"When thinking about sustainability in my daily life, I often think of my personal responsibility in terms of the organizations and corporations I choose to support. Recent research suggests that a majority of the planet-harming pollution emitted by humans is done by a relatively small set of large corporations that use their size and influence to avoid environmental regulation for the sake of profit and “economic growth.” Thus, I strive to avoid giving my money to corporations who favor profits over environmental consciousnesses and instead support those which prioritize people and planet, and additionally, support politicians and policies that seek to curb these corporations’ pernicious influence on our lovely home. "
Of course there are many other things to be done. Even within our Haiku offices. Yes I’m talking to you, plastic bottled-water drinkers, and unnecessary printing fanatics - you know who your are. Don’t make me bring Recyclops all up in here. It is a steep uphill battle, and right now as we stand at the bottom with so much pollution obscuring the top we can’t even see it, reaching the peak may seem impossible, but together I know we can make it to the top.
