How Do You Use Sustainably In A Sentence?
Sustainable means being able to continue or keep going continuously. When we talk about sustainability, it refers to meeting our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The goal of sustainability is to find ways to protect the natural environment and use resources wisely for long-term wellbeing rather than short-term gain.
Here are some sentences showing how to properly use “sustainably”:
In Business
Businesses are increasingly using resources sustainably by reducing waste, conserving energy, and minimizing environmental impact. Here are some examples of how businesses are using “sustainably” in practice:
The outdoor apparel company Patagonia makes its products out of recycled and sustainably sourced materials like organic cotton and uses renewable energy in its stores and facilities. Their mission statement says “Make the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, and use business to inspire solutions to the environmental crisis.”
Starbucks aims to ethically source 99% of its coffee, eliminate plastic straws, and send zero waste to landfills from its stores. The company says “We’re committed to building a more sustainable future for coffee farmers and the planet.”
IKEA uses sustainably sourced wood for its furniture, recycles waste material, and powers its facilities with renewable energy. The company states that “Sustainability is integral to everything we do.”
Unilever set a goal to use 100% recycled plastic and to halve virgin plastic use by 2025. They are redesigning packaging to use less plastic and more recycled content to “make sustainable living commonplace.”
In Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture aims to meet current and future societal needs for food and fiber, while minimizing damage to the environment. Here are some sentences showing how “sustainably” can be used in the context of agriculture:
Many farmers are shifting to more sustainable practices that enrich the soil and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers.
Rotating crops sustainably can help improve soil health and prevent the buildup of pathogens.
Agricultural technologies like precision agriculture, GPS mapping, and drip irrigation allow farmers to use resources more sustainably.
Buying local and seasonal produce sustainably supports nearby farms and reduces the carbon footprint of transporting food long distances.
Sustainable livestock management, such as rotational grazing, can improve animal welfare while reducing overgrazing and soil erosion.
Agroforestry incorporates trees into agricultural systems sustainably to increase biodiversity, sequester carbon, and provide shade and windbreaks for crops and livestock.
Many sustainable farms use integrated pest management as an alternative to synthetic pesticides to minimize environmental impacts.
Reducing food waste and recovering nutrients sustainably through composting can help complete the cycle from farm to table.
In Fashion
Sustainable fashion refers to clothing, shoes, and accessories that are manufactured, purchased, and disposed of in an ethical and environmentally-friendly manner. Here are some ways to use “sustainably” when discussing sustainable fashion:
“Many fashion brands are now striving to source their materials sustainably, for example by using organic cotton that is not grown with pesticides.”
“Consumers can shop more sustainably by purchasing natural fabrics like linen and hemp that are biodegradable and compostable at end of life.”
“Sustainable fashion lovers recommend choosing quality garments and repairing them when possible, rather than constantly buying new cheap fast fashion items.”
“Buying secondhand clothing is an easy way to shop more sustainably since reusing existing garments reduces textile waste.”
“Donating or reselling unwanted clothes gives them a second life, keeping them in use and out of landfills longer.”
“Washing clothes in cold water, line drying them, and avoiding over washing helps extend their lifespan and is a sustainable laundry practice.”
In Transportation
There are many ways to incorporate sustainability into transportation choices. Choosing more environmentally-friendly options like walking, biking, public transportation, electric vehicles, carpooling and ride sharing are ways to reduce your carbon footprint while getting around. For example: “I want to contribute to more sustainable transportation, so I take the bus to work instead of driving my car.” Switching to hybrid or electric vehicles, and maintaining proper tire pressure and vehicle maintenance can also promote sustainability on the road. Even telecommuting when possible limits travel needs and supports sustainability.
In Energy
Energy production and usage can have significant impacts on the environment. Using energy sustainably involves reducing energy consumption, improving efficiency, and shifting to renewable sources like solar and wind. Here are some examples of using energy sustainably in a sentence:
“Many companies are now powering their operations using solar energy to be more sustainable.”
“Switching to LED light bulbs and turning off lights when not in use helps households use energy more sustainably.”
“Governments are investing in wind farms and other renewable sources to transition to sustainable energy systems.”
“Buying Energy Star certified appliances helps consumers use less energy at home and reduce their environmental footprint.”
“Architects design energy-efficient buildings with features like smart insulation and windows to help sustainably reduce energy consumption.”
In Building
Sustainability has become an important consideration in building design and construction. Buildings can be designed and constructed in ways that reduce their environmental impact and promote energy efficiency. Some ways to use “sustainably” when talking about green building include:
“The new office building was designed sustainably with features like low-flow plumbing fixtures to reduce water waste.”
“During the renovation, we used sustainably-sourced lumber approved by the Forest Stewardship Council.”
“The house utilizes sustainable building materials like recycled steel beams and cotton insulation made from recycled denim.”
“The company aims to construct all new buildings sustainably by following LEED certification standards for energy and resource efficiency.”
“The architect incorporated passive solar design and other sustainable features to reduce the building’s energy demands.”
In Technology
Technology companies are embracing sustainable practices by designing products that can be easily repaired, upgraded, and recycled. For example, Fairphone creates modular smartphones with replaceable parts that extend the phone’s lifespan. Apple’s iPhones feature recycled rare earth elements and robots that can efficiently disassemble products for recycling. Sustainability also applies to data centers, as companies like Google are powering their operations with renewable energy and employing advanced cooling techniques to reduce energy consumption.
On the consumer side, we can use technology more sustainably by keeping our electronics longer, donating or recycling responsibly when upgrades are needed, enabling power-saving settings, and unplugging devices when not in use. Opting for cloud storage over physical drives also reduces resource consumption. Overall, designing technology that lasts, maintains privacy, and leverages renewable energy sources is crucial for a sustainable digital future.
In Daily Life
Living sustainably in your daily life involves making choices that reduce your environmental impact and promote ecological health. Here are some examples of using “sustainably” in sentences for daily living:
When grocery shopping, I try to choose locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables to support sustainable agriculture in my community.
Our family is committed to sustainably using less plastic by carrying reusable bags and water bottles.
I purchase cruelty-free beauty products from companies that sustainably source their ingredients.
We converted our backyard into a sustainable wildlife habitat with native plants to help local pollinators.
I practice sustainable fashion by buying natural, eco-friendly fabrics and shopping at vintage stores.
We strive to use energy sustainably at home by turning off lights, adjusting the thermostat, and upgrading to LED bulbs.
I reduce waste by composting food scraps and using recyclable or reusable containers instead of single-use plastics.
Our neighborhood carpools and takes public transportation to get around in a sustainable manner that reduces emissions.
We sustainably manage our finances by avoiding overconsumption, shopping locally, and supporting green businesses.
I make sustainable healthy lifestyle choices like walking or biking rather than driving, and eating less meat.
Conclusion
In summary, “sustainably” is an adverb used to describe actions taken in a way that can be maintained over time without using up or depleting resources. We saw many examples of using “sustainably” across business, agriculture, fashion, transportation, energy, building, technology, and daily life. The core themes are: minimizing harm to the environment, avoiding over-exploitation of resources, reducing waste and emissions, and maintaining ecological balance. When using “sustainably,” the focus is on meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Proper usage involves describing processes, systems, products, or behaviors specifically designed and implemented to be sustainable. With care and intention, we can all incorporate sustainability into our language and make positive impacts through our actions.
