Bernard O'Shea: Five things not to do to become a more sustainable you

Not washing my jeans frequently

I’ve been chastised for my “disgusting dirty jeans”, but armed with the knowledge of jeans’ water-intensive production, I resisted. Creating a single pair of jeans can consume up to 20,000 litres of water. 

Inspired by Levi’s CEO, who hasn’t washed his jeans for over a decade, and a study showing minimal bacterial difference after 15 months unwashed, I experimented with reducing wash frequency. 

Using the oven to kill odours and freezing to treat stains, I adopted a “Look, Smell, Decide” method —saving water and questioning how often we really need to launder.

Not mowing the lawn

I let my lawn grow wild during “No Mow May” last year. Diverging from the synthetic turf I once had transplanted into our suburban Dublin semi-d backyard. 

However, a move three years ago to Limerick left me the custodian of lawns, hedges, and a cat. 

The experiment transformed the garden into a bustling ecosystem, with my children frolicking among daisies and bees while screaming at the sight of tiny field mice (I did, too). 

The unruly green taught me the joys of natural growth and its benefits.

Not eating real sausages

In my journey toward flexitarianism, I questioned the sustainability of sausages, a staple in my no-waste household that I tried to uphold three years ago. 

My urban dreams clashed with my rural aspirations, prompting a shift to meat-free sausages. Surprisingly palatable, this swap allowed me to maintain culinary comforts while embracing an environmentally conscious diet. 

My wife jokes about my laziness, but even she appreciates the small steps toward sustainability in our kitchen. Even if I constantly need to remember to put out the bins or get up early enough to cook breakfast.

Not using chemical cleaners

Reflecting on ancient cleaning methods versus modern synthetic products sparked my shift towards natural cleaning agents. 

Despite the challenges — like accidentally overwhelming our home with the scent of vinegar — I learned that sometimes, the most straightforward solutions are the most sustainable. 

A concoction of vinegar and water, with a dash of lemon oil, now keeps our home sparkling without the harsh chemicals. 

Note: This experiment caused the most enormous row I’ve ever had with my family, as an early concoction was way too heavy on the vinegar side, resulting in our house smelling like a chipper for days.

Not taking warm showers

During lockdown (remember that?), I dabbled in cold showers, inspired by the reputed health benefits of cold water immersion. 

Despite the initial shock and some clumsy moments, this practice promised energy conservation and health perks like increased RBM3 protein levels linked to brain health. 

However, the discomfort never waned, and I realised that not all health trends suit everyone. 

I failed to take into consideration the eco-benefit. Taking cold showers offers several eco-benefits that contribute significantly to personal health and environmental well-being. 

Firstly, cold showers require less energy as they eliminate the need for heating water, which reduces the household’s carbon footprint. 

This also lowers utility bills and the demand for power plants, which often burn fossil fuels, thus contributing to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. 

Will my family recount in years to come that Daddy did his sustainable bit by not using up precious electrical and fossil fuels to heat the water for his shower, or will they recount the screams of a grown man coming from the shower?

In conclusion, these misadventures in sustainability might not make it to a best practices guide, but they’ve certainly shaped a more eco-conscious me. 

As I repurpose these tales for sustainability month, I laugh at the thought that my editor will likely let this slide — isn’t reusing copy another form of recycling?