Dear Kiki: I’ve been spending a lot of time at my parents’ place. I noticed my parents’ lack of sustainability habits. They don’t compost or recycle correctly. They also like to bring home extra plastic bags and disposable cutlery for a rainy day. I’ve tried making suggestions but they don’t seem to get it. I get that habits are hard to change, but they really bother me because I try to be as environmentally-conscious as possible. How can I educate and convince them to be more sustainable?
- – The environmentally-conscious son/daughter
Sustainability habits and environmental consciousness are the product of repetition. Your parents likely have followed the same routine for many years — which makes it that much harder to undo and reshape.
Some habits are so deeply ingrained that it takes time for anyone to change. Yes – even when they involve simple yet essential tasks like recycling and composting, regardless of age or generation.
While you might be passionate about your own methods and practices of sustainability and environmental consciousness, your role is to inform and empower them to make these lifestyle shifts on their own.
In order for anyone to make a drastic change to their daily routine, the intention must come from within.
Before you embark on a mission to guide them in the right direction environmentally, remember that there is no one way to be sustainable.
No one is perfect and everyone will have their own ways to carry out their values.
When you feel like you’ve reached a wall, don’t fret.
Here are some strategies you can try as you support your parents’ environmental journey to incorporate more sustainable practices into their lives.
Create the sustainability habits
Habits bring a sense of comfort.
It’s like ordering your go-to drink everyday. You know what you’re getting, you don’t need to waste any energy on micro-decisions.
Recycling and composting…
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