How to Live Greener in the Berkshires

Eating local supports family farms, boosts the regional economy, and cuts back on food transportation costs. Living in the Berkshires means having access to the many farmers’ markets in the area, like the Lenox Farmers Market.

 

Denmark recently launched the world’s most efficient windmill. According to Smithsonian magazine, it generates enough energy in 24 hours to power the typical American home for 20 years. Talk about going green! While you’re probably not going to build a windmill in your backyard, there are numerous small steps you can take toward reducing your carbon footprint.

 

The Berkshires have long been dedicated to sustainable and eco-conscious living. From the farm-to-table food scene to community pride in buying local, the “living” in Berkshire County is greener than the foliage on Mount Greylock. Here are six ways to live greener in the Berkshires.

 

Several reports show that bottled water’s global boom is causing damage to the environment. Less than 20% of plastic water bottles are recycled in the United States. According to a report in the journal Environmental Research Letters, satisfying the annual global demand for bottled water consumes the energy equivalent of about 160 million barrels of oil, which is roughly 2,000 times the energy required to produce the equivalent volume of tap water. In other words, skip the bottled water. With a simple filtration system, your tap water will taste like it’s sourced from the pristine peaks of the French Alps.

 

In 2015, a study at the University of Bonne in Germany concluded that dishwashers use half the energy, one-sixth of the water, and less soap than hand-washing dishes. However, some dishwashers are more sustainable than others. Modern dishwashers that meet ENERGY STAR® standards will save water, energy, and money. In order to green your dishwashing routine, make sure the dishwasher is full before you run it and stop rinsing the dishes first.

 

Food produced at a giant food factory 500 miles away has a greater negative impact on the environment than food that’s grown locally. Eating local supports family farms and boosts regional economy. Moreover, it creates less “food miles.” When food travels from farm-to-table, less fuel is used and fewer greenhouse gases are created. Research indicates it takes 435 fossil-fuel calories to fly a 5-calorie strawberry from California to New York. In addition, you don’t need to keep bees or be a kitchen expert to further green your diet. Eating one vegetarian meal a week helps cut greenhouse emissions.

 

Do your hear that? No, it’s not the wind; it’s the sound of money escaping through the cracks in your door and window casements. According to ENERGY STAR®, properly sealed walls, ceilings, windows, and doors can save you up to 20% on heating and cooling costs.

 

You don’t have to understand the price performance of photovoltaic cells—the technology behind solar panels—to green your home in the Berkshires. All you need to do is fix the leaky faucet in the kitchen, install a water-saving toilet and showerhead, and run the washing machine with cold water. If you want to take the earth-friendly laundry regime to the next level, cut the dryer out of the equation. Drying laundry on an indoor rack helps to reduce your household’s carbon footprint and saves energy, too.

 

There’s no such thing as garbage, just a lack of imagination. Clothing, furniture, jewelry, accessories —all sorts of discarded materials can be upcycled and repurposed. Whether you buy second-hand or opt for DIY home projects, the handmade movement creates shorter supply chains, which in turn has a greater beneficial impact on the environment.