About Us

What does "strawbagger" mean?

The word, "Strawbagger" is a newly coined term (by Ken Pantin - 2023), and its meaning is shown below:

strawbagger

n.

A 'StrawBagger' is someone who is mindful that the way we live can sometimes benefit or harm the earth or its inhabitants, and who genuinely tries to live in a way that minimizes any negative impact of their behavior on the planet.

Why Strawbagger.com?

Strawbagger.com is an online resource dedicated to sustainability.

Ken Pantin developed this platform to encourage everyone to participate more fully in the gargantuan task of nurturing planet Earth.

We built this resource to inform, inspire, and empower individuals to take meaningful steps toward a healthier planet. Our mission is rooted in the belief that everyone, regardless of their location or occupation, can contribute to preserving the Earth for current and future generations.

With growing concerns about environmental degradation and climate change, we aim to be a clear, accessible voice that encourages awareness and action.

This site offers a curated collection of information on a wide range of sustainability topics, including sustainable fashion, eco-conscious products, green energy, recycling and upcycling, climate change, sustainable food and agriculture, water conservation, and more.

We work hard to ensure that our content is understandable and relevant for the average citizen, whether you're just starting your journey toward sustainable living or looking to deepen your knowledge and practices.

Beyond education, we also connect our readers to valuable external resources, tools, and organizations that share our commitment to sustainability.

We believe in collaboration and community, and we want this website to be a gateway to broader learning and engagement across the global movement for environmental responsibility.

So, why not adopt a "strawbagger mindset" and join the "strawbagger revolution"?

I once lived in an apartment within a major United States city. For all of my stay in that city, I have been fortunate to enjoy fresh, running water at no charge. Water and heat were included in my rent.

Before adopting a true sensitivity to the fragility of our planet, I would use the free water at my leisure. While hand-washing dishes or doing any type of miscellaneous cleaning that requires water, I would let the hot or cold water run (sometimes at full throttle) until I was done with the chore. Full stop! The sound of running water is quite soothing to me.

Many years ago, my eyes were opened when I attended a family gathering, hosted by a relative in another state. We enjoyed a sumptuous buffet lunch, and the drinks were flowing.

After most of the guests had eaten, I volunteered to help wash the dishes. I did not inform our hosts that I would help them in this way. I simply proceeded to the kitchen sink and began to wash things.

After a few minutes at this chore, my relative who hosted the gathering approached me and said, "Young man, this is not the way we wash dishes in this house!" Somewhat set aback by his words, I asked him to explain what he meant.

He said: "Well, where you are from, you do not pay for water, but we do. So we do not normally have the water running constantly, while the dishes are being soaped or rinsed. That's why we have two sinks. We fill one with soapy water and the other with clean water. After soaping the dishes in the first sink, we then transfer them to the second sink for rinsing. We do not keep the faucet running after we fill both sinks with water."

I apologized to him and acknowledged that I developed the bad habit of wasting water at home because it was free. Also, I did not have a double-sink arrangement in the kitchen.

Since the belittlement of that day, I have been much more sensitive to the fact that water is a precious resource that should not be wasted.

I believe that people who live in apartment buildings should be required to pay for the potable water they use. Having to pay for this resource would force us to be more conservative when using it.

Just to keep it real! I also continue to struggle with the short-shower challenge!

A Personal Story About Water Conservation.

Author: Ken Pantin