# Household Behavior Changes Part of the Sustainability Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/sustainability/guide/index.md) *8. Scouting & Sustainability* > **8c.** Identify 5 behavioral changes that you and your family can make to improve the sustainability of your household. Share and discuss each with your counselor. ## Making Sustainability a Habit By this point in the badge, you have explored water, food, energy, waste, communities, global challenges, and Scouting values. Now it is time to pull it all together and identify specific changes that you and your family can actually commit to. The best behavioral changes are ones that are: - **Specific** — Not "use less water" but "take showers under 5 minutes" - **Measurable** — You can track whether you are doing it - **Achievable** — It fits into your family's lifestyle - **Impactful** — It makes a real difference for sustainability ## Behavior Change Ideas by Category ### Water - **Shorter showers** — Set a timer and keep showers to 5 minutes or less. Saves 10–15 gallons per shower. - **Full loads only** — Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when they are completely full. - **Fix leaks** — Make it a household rule to report and fix dripping faucets and running toilets within 48 hours. ### Energy - **Unplug and switch off** — Unplug chargers when not in use. Turn off lights when leaving a room. Use a power strip for electronics. - **Adjust the thermostat** — Set a household agreement on temperature settings (68°F winter, 76°F summer) and stick to it. - **Line-dry clothes** — Air-dry laundry when weather permits, reducing dryer energy use. ### Food - **Meal planning** — Plan meals for the week before grocery shopping to reduce impulse buys and food waste. - **Eat leftovers first** — Before cooking something new, check the fridge for leftovers that need to be eaten. - **Start composting** — Set up a compost bin for food scraps and yard waste. ### Stuff and Waste - **Bring reusable bags** — Keep reusable shopping bags in the car so they are always available. - **Refuse single-use** — Say no to plastic straws, disposable utensils, and single-use water bottles. - **One in, one out** — For every new item brought into the house, donate or recycle one similar item. ### Transportation - **Walk or bike short trips** — If a destination is within a mile, walk or bike instead of driving. - **Carpool** — Coordinate with neighbors or friends for school drop-offs, sports practices, and Scout meetings. - **Combine errands** — Plan car trips to cover multiple stops in one outing. > **Did You Know?** > > Research shows it takes an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. The changes you make now might feel awkward at first, but if you stick with them for about two months, they become second nature. ## Getting Your Family on Board Sustainability works best when the whole household participates. Here are strategies for getting your family involved: ### Make It a Team Effort Present your five changes as a family challenge rather than a lecture. "Hey, let's see if we can cut our water bill by 10% this month" is more engaging than "We all need to use less water." ### Start with Quick Wins Begin with changes that save money or make life easier — like meal planning (less food waste = lower grocery bill) or shorter showers (lower water bill). When people see results, they are more motivated to try harder changes. ### Track Progress Together Post a chart on the fridge showing your goals and progress. Celebrate milestones. Make it visible and fun. ### Respect Different Comfort Levels Not everyone will embrace every change immediately. If someone is not ready to give up long showers, maybe they are willing to carpool more. Find each person's entry point. > **Be Prepared! When Changes Do Not Stick** > > Some changes might fail — and that is okay. If a behavior change is not working, ask: > > - **Is it too hard?** Maybe the change needs to be smaller or more gradual. > - **Is it not rewarding?** Find a way to make the results visible (track savings, celebrate milestones). > - **Does it need a trigger?** Link the new behavior to an existing habit ("When I brush my teeth, I also turn off the bathroom light"). > - **Try a different change.** There are dozens of ways to be more sustainable. If one does not work for your family, try another. > **Tip** > > For your counselor discussion, be ready to explain not just what the five changes are, but *why* you chose them, *how* you plan to implement them, and *what impact* you expect each one to have. If you have already started implementing some changes, share your results. ![A family gathered around a kitchen table reviewing a colorful sustainability tracking chart posted on the refrigerator, with reusable bags and a compost bin visible](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/sustainability/guide/family-sustainability-chart?v=fec7e85f) [Sustainability Tips for Families — National Wildlife Federation](https://www.nwf.org/Home/Educational-Resources/Conservation-Strategies): Practical sustainability tips for families, including activity guides and conservation challenges. Video: [Sustainability in Your Life](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZIrIQDf1nQ) --- - Previous: [Scout Values & Sustainability](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/sustainability/guide/req8b/index.md) - Next: [Career Exploration](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/sustainability/guide/req9/index.md)