Commentary: Living green in Luxembourg: Sustainable practices to implement in the US

Last semester, I studied abroad in Luxembourg with Miami University John E. Dolibois European Center (MUDEC). After coming back, I want to continue using the sustainable practices I found so important in Luxembourg.

Recycling and reusing

In Luxembourg, the importance of separating recycling and waste products is prominent in most households.

Individual bins separate cardboard, paper, glass and plastic to help consumers collect their recycling properly. Different colored bins in public spaces differentiate each type of recycling and waste for easy disposal of recyclables and waste products. For example: yellow bins collect glass, blue bins collect paper and brown bins collect organic waste.

These bins can be seen around the city and at the MUDEC chateau where Miami students study while in Luxembourg. The bins remind people to think more about separating recyclables and consider which bin each item belongs to.

Grocery stores also promote reducing plastic waste in Luxembourg by encouraging each customer to bring reusable bags. Plastic bags are not free and customers are charged for any plastic bags used. This method increases the number of reusable bags and lowers the number of plastic bags that can end up in the landfill.

In Oxford, I am continuing to implement reusable bags when I go to Kroger or Walmart. Buying one large reusable bag or using small personal bags cuts out single-use plastic bags in my home.

Public transportation

Free public transportation is available throughout Luxembourg. Commuters, students and families rely on buses, trams and trains every day to get to work or school. The availability of free public transportation creates a decrease in the need for car travel in Luxembourg.

Often, people drive their cars to the train station and take the train to their destination instead of driving on highways. Co-workers and classmates take the train together and more connections are made.

When I traveled to surrounding countries, I was able to take trains to get to my destination instead of depending on air travel. It made for more sustainable and affordable travel while I explored amazing cities.

Walkable cities

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Walkable cities in Luxembourg create healthy and sustainable environments for everyone to enjoy.

Luxembourg City offers shopping, restaurants, pharmacies, museums and entertainment within walking distance from each other, making it easy to visit the city without needing to drive from one place to another. Public transport also helps connect people with walking areas and eliminates the need for a car.

In Oxford, I enjoy walking to class and restaurants in Uptown. If I need to use public transportation, I use the Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA) bus routes around Oxford and campus to take me there. Miami’s campus is very walkable, and the free buses take students all around campus and Oxford which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions from personal car use.

Community gardens

Luxembourg community gardens allow residents to grow produce, herbs and flowers in shared community spaces.

Each resident owns a patch of soil and manages their garden along with other community members. These community gardens allow residents without large spaces in their personal homes or apartments to get to a garden without having to drive elsewhere.

These gardens create meeting spaces for community members to gather together. My Luxembourg host family has a garden in their neighborhood that I was able to visit and see the produce and herbs people worked on every week.

In the U.S., communities can create shared spaces and gardens to connect with others. Growing produce rather than buying from big companies at the grocery store promotes sustainable eating practices and regenerative food sources.

mchenrvg@miamioh.edu

Venezia McHenry is a junior english and journalism double major. She writes for Greenhawks and loves spending time in nature.