NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� How do you get those around you to recycle, drive less, use less plastic and otherwise ?
鈥淕etting the people we live with to adopt can be tricky, especially if they鈥檙e not already on board,鈥� 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:
鈥� Pick your battles and start small. 鈥淔ocus on pointing out one habit 鈥� like composting, reducing single-use plastics or taking public transit 鈥� and build up from there,鈥� she said.
鈥� Frame sustainability around the other person's priorities. 鈥淚f they don鈥檛 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."
鈥� Make it easy. 鈥淪mall 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.鈥�
鈥� Respect the other person's boundaries. 鈥淚f 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.鈥�
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Leanne Italie, The Associated Press
