NEW YORK (AP) — How do you get those around you to recycle, drive less, use less plastic and otherwise ?
“Getting the people we live with to adopt can be tricky, especially if they’re not already on board,” said Silvia de Denaro Vieira in San Francisco. She's the co-founder of the home management app Coexist, which helps families collaborate at home.
In addition to leading by example, she has these suggestions:
— Pick your battles and start small. “Focus on pointing out one habit — like composting, reducing single-use plastics or taking public transit — and build up from there,” she said.
— Frame sustainability around the other person's priorities. “If they don’t care about sustainability, focus on what they do care about. Many eco-friendly choices also save money, cut down on clutter or make daily life more efficient. For example, reduces food waste and saves money."
— Make it easy. “Small shifts like keeping reusable bags in the car or setting up a simple recycling system can make sustainable choices feel automatic rather than like extra work.”
— Respect the other person's boundaries. “If someone is resistant to a particular habit, it helps to take a step back and focus on what's working rather than forcing the issue. Sustainability is a long game.”
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Leanne Italie, The Associated Press
