Earth Day 2021 is upon us, and it’s as good a time as ever to look at how you spend money and what you could do better when it comes to the environment. Throwing food away all the time? Let us school you about methane. Buying wooden cooking utensils? Let us help you ensure they’re FSC-certified. Even your potholders and kitchen towels could and should be more sustainably sourced.
At Williams Sonoma, we’re building on our commitment to the environment through Williams Sonoma Cares, which continues our ongoing dedication to the wellbeing of our communities, our health and our planet.
As is true in many aspects of life, it’s about progress, not perfection: Make one small change this week, and let the rest follow as you see fit and as your budget permits. Here’s what we’re doing to help out planet earth at Williams Sonoma right now.
SUSTAINABLY SOURCED WOOD
WHY IT MATTERS
Deforestation and forest destruction is the second leading cause of carbon pollution, causing 20 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions.
WHAT WE’RE DOING ABOUT IT
Nearly half of Williams-Sonoma’s wooden cook’s tools are FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certified. This supports responsible forestry practices that intend to preserve the world’s forests for generations to come. As the Forests Forever site proclaims: “FSC certification ensures that products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits.” The use of reclaimed wood is another pillar of our brand. Our olivewood collections provide a second life to trees that no longer bear fruit. There’s a lot to love about that.
BETTER COTTON
WHY IT MATTERS
Conventional cotton is one of the world’s most chemical-intensive crops. Pesticides and other highly toxic chemicals impact air, water, soil and the people who grow and process these crops.
WHAT WE’RE DOING ABOUT IT
Last year, more than 40 million gallons of water and 250 pounds of pesticides were avoided thanks to our sourcing of better cotton. Our investment also allowed the Better Cotton Initiative to train 100 new farmers on more sustainable practices. The BCI has four specific goals, all of which are admirable:
- Reduce the environmental impact of cotton production
- Improve livelihoods and economic development in cotton producing areas
- Improve commitment to and flow of Better Cotton throughout supply chain
- Ensure the credibility and sustainability of the Better Cotton Initiative
We recognize the importance of choosing responsible materials, and are well on our way to sourcing 100% responsibly sourced cotton and 50% responsibly sourced wood by the end of 2021. Looking ahead, we will broaden our commitments by researching and transitioning to lower impact materials such as recycled polyester, responsibly sourced wool, and leather alternatives.
LESS IN LANDFILLS
WHY IT MATTERS
A thing to consider when you just don’t want to repeat a meal two days running is greenhouse gas. In the United States, we waste 30 to 40 percent of all food. The USDA and EPA tell us, “Food is the single largest category of material placed in municipal landfills, where it emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.” In fact, more than 292 million pounds of waste makes its way into landfills each year. Landfills are the third largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States. Methane is a key contributor to climate change. If it’s as simple as each of us changing how we handle our leftovers, we think it’s a worthy cause.
WHAT WE’RE DOING ABOUT IT
We have diverted more than 50,000 un-sellable items from landfills by giving them a second life through Habitat for Humanity. The program generates valuable operating income to fund Habitat’s mission of creating a world where everyone has a decent, safe, affordable place to call home.
And you should hold us to the standard of featuring lots of “leftovers” content here on Taste, whether it’s reusing your Easter ham and hard-boiled eggs or using up all those lemons rolling around your fridge!
PLANT-BASED MEALS
Why It Matters
Meat and dairy production produce a staggering 14.5 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases. Eating a more plant-based diet comprising less red meat and more vegetarian recipes will make a positive impact on the planet and on your health.
What We’re Doing About It
There are some very simple ways to add more plant-based dishes to our menu rotation and, lucky for us, some very delicious ones! With the many ideas and recipes we share on our site and in our blog, we don’t have to look far to be persuaded to incorporate more beans, seaweed, sustainably raised seafood, tofu and other plant-based ingredients into what we eat.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
A sustainable lifestyle begins with protecting our environment – and understanding that even small changes can have a big impact. Simply by incorporating more plants into the foods we eat, shopping with sustainability in mind, reducing food waste and cooking with locally-sourced ingredients, we can all reduce our carbon footprint and have a positive impact on the world around us.
2 comments
happy earth day
Really liked the concept of you have posted. Together we need protect nature. we need to slowly switch to sustainable products. Also handle wastes properly