NILES — The Niles District Library kick-started a series on sustainability late last week. The series will run through Dec. 5 and feature weekly forums presented by local experts, city leaders and teachers in the subject.

First to speak was Krista Bailey, an Indiana University of South Bend director for the Center for a Sustainable Future. Bailey’s forum, entitled “Sustaining Resources and Communities for a Prosperous Future,” sought teach the audience about how being sustainable could do more than help the planet, it can also help them save money and if they’re a business owner, peak customer interest and employee pride.

For Bailey, the concept of sustainability was first introduced to her as too broad a subject that involved nothing less than reversing melting ice caps. However, Bailey said sustainability is something that can be scaled back to every day decisions and if residents look at their lives, the products they buy and the energy they consume, they can find small ways that make a large difference in reducing their environmental footprint.

“We tried to change the narrative that it is not a huge challenge,” Bailey said. “It is an opportunity to do something well and better than you have before. We can’t stop using coal tomorrow – there will be no lights. We rely on all these things, but can we reduce the amount we use? Absolutely.”

She cited efforts by corporations like McDonald’s, who she said stopped using foam clam shell packaging for burgers and fluffy bleached napkins with the company’s emblem. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, the fast food chain saves $6 million a year through reuse and recycling strategies.

Other efforts included hotel chains that ask customers, who are staying for more than one day, whether they want their towels or linens washed, instead of washing everything every day. A carpet company called Interface introduced carpet tiles so that if a section of carpet is stained or needs to be removed, the square can be removed without replacing the entire carpet.

“If we are going to be a sustainable society, nature can’t be subject to systematically increasing the amount of stuff we are pulling out of it [and] the amount of stuff we are putting on to it.” Bailey said. “We can’t keep increasing this amount. We live in a finite planet.”

Residents can employ a strategy to be more efficient with their resources, too. She encouraged people to use a “Backcasting strategy” that starts with the end or goal of what a person wants to achieve in mind. For example, use less electricity or create less waste.

For some, that might be switching out their light bulbs or window blinds to be more energy efficient, or visiting a local bakery to buy their bread and use their own paper bag, instead of purchasing double-wrapped plastic loaves that can be seen at the average grocery store.

To help start the conversation, Bailey distributed a Backcasting worksheet, where those who visited the forum could outline their strategy for being more sustainable by identifying who needs to be aware of the situation, the baseline – or what uses the most resources and energy at their place of employment and creating a vision and action plan.

Overall though, Bailey said she did not have a uniform plan for every person.

“It’s not to say you should change your light bulbs, recycle or eat more plant-based foods [because] someone might say, ‘I already do that.’” Bailey said. “It’s starting from where you are at. I think the best thing people can do is gain awareness about sustainability and gain their own vision and action plan.”

Upcoming workshop dates:

• 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 – Leann Lynde, the regional coordinator for Michigan Great Southwest Sustainable Business Forum

• 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26 – Bruce Griffey, Indiana Michigan Power/EE and Consumer Programs coordinator will discuss tips for saving energy at home.

• 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 – Trina Bailey, Michiana Recycling & Disposal and Jill Adams, the environmental property manager from the Berrien County Parks Department, will discuss recycling.

• 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24 – Casey Struecker, the education and outreach coordinator for Chikaming Open Lands

For a full schedule, contact the Niles District Library at (269) 683-8545.