A reusable cup pays off quickly
To assess which product is more sustainable by looking at sustainability labels and prices is not enough. Dr. Mikucioniene advises to follow a life cycle thinking approach.
"Life cycle thinking is the evaluation of the lifespan of a product or service from its creation to its disposal. Before purchasing a new item, it's advisable to consider all its life stages – resource extraction, production of materials and the product itself, its use and disposal processes. For example, we can compare the life cycles of single-use and reusable cups. The production of a single-use cup requires fewer resources, but compared to a reusable cup, its lifespan is much shorter. However, in the long run, it's much more sustainable to use a reusable cup, which, although may cost more initially, quickly pays off financially," explains Dr. Mikucioniene.
Sometimes it's worth choosing the more expensive option as it saves more in the future
Transport, energy, and housing are long-term investments where sustainable decisions financially pay off only over time, not immediately.
"More and more people are choosing to invest in energy – for example, by selecting an electricity provider that generates electricity from renewable sources or by installing their own solar power plant. Such an investment may require higher costs initially, but it will pay off in 4-5 years, and by the sixth year, you can enjoy free electricity. Others invest in cars and houses, considering their energy efficiency classes. If the energy efficiency class is higher, there may be fewer expenses in the long run, and the initial investment will pay off," says Dr. Mikucioniene.
The other group of people starts with investing in more sustainable household appliances. According to the expert, household appliances also have their energy classes. For example, when buying a refrigerator, a person can choose a more expensive one that consumes less electricity, which will eventually help save money. It's important to assess financial capabilities and consider how much will be saved in the future.
Mistakes of beginner sustainability enthusiasts
"Some people think that to live more sustainably, they need to buy many more sustainable items. However, this is a mistaken belief. There are cases when people, having decided to live more sustainably, rush to throw away various items from their homes, such as plastic food containers, and buy new ones – glass or metal ones. This is not a measure of sustainability. Sustainability means using what you already have and using it until the item fulfils its function. By discarding a usable plastic food container prematurely, we only increase the amount of waste," says Dr. Mikucioniene.
According to her, it's much more sustainable to use an item until it wears out, and in the future, when purchasing a new one, to choose a higher quality and more durable one with more environmentally friendly composition, materials, or production method.
Sustainability is cheaper
The concept of sustainability is to buy and consume as little as possible. Therefore, the expert advises considering purchasing used or exchanging items with friends before buying a new item.
"Sustainability can be cheaper. Often, it's enough to buy less, look for used and cheaper items, borrow, or exchange with others. For instance, in spring, when there is a need for change in home interior, it is not necessary to go to the store. There are plenty of social media communities that swap and exchange things. Maybe you are bored with your green cushions and perhaps someone else is with their blue ones – time to swap. You can also visit second-hand stores or thrift shops. Extending the lifespan of a used item is not only an opportunity to live more sustainably but also to save money," says Dr. Mikucioniene.
Assess which transportation option is best for you
According to the sustainability expert, not everyone needs a car. Therefore, she advises weighing all the pros and cons.
"Owning a car is not necessarily the best choice. Evaluate how often you need it, what trips it will be used for – short or long. When calculating, don't forget to include expenses for insurance, repairs, fuel. Perhaps it's more worthwhile for you to use public transport, and if distances are not vast – a bicycle or a scooter. And if trips are rare, maybe it's better to rent a car-sharing vehicle. After all, one car can be used by many people during the week, and the pollution emitted during its production will be just of a one vehicle," says Dr. Mikucioniene.
Start with your neighbours
Sustainability is a way of life that helps save but also creates a strong community.
"As spring approaches, there may be a temptation to buy a window cleaning robot, even though it will only be used a few times a year. Don't rush to spend money. Look into rental options. Even better – ask your neighbours if they have one to lend. And vice versa, if you have one, offer it to a group of neighbours on social media. This way, one item will be useful to several people and will help save," says Dr. Mikucioniene.
According to the expert, it's precisely the sense of community that can become a driving force for living more sustainably.
"If you see that there is good food left in the fridge when you go on holiday but can't take it with you, pop in to your neighbour and offer the products. This is not a matter of money or saving, but of sustainable thinking. After all, a third of the world's food is wasted, and you can reduce pollution by sharing your food with others. And who knows, maybe after such a gesture, your neighbour next time will do the same. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to get to know each other better," says Dr. Mikucioniene.
The VILNIUS TECH Sustainability Center was established in 2023 to strengthen competencies in the field of sustainability, nurture a culture of sustainability, and responsibility to the environment, society, and the region. The activities of the Sustainability Center are supported by the ATHENA European University Alliance, the project is funded by the Economic Revitalization and Resilience Plan "New Generation Lithuania," and the Lithuanian State Budget.
