Sustainability in The Motor City
By Suzanne Friemann

“Until I moved to the ‘farm,’ I, like most Canadians, owned a refrigerator. However, when I moved in, no appliances were included so I figured it was the perfect time to see if we could live without one.”

As a long time environmentalist, the EcoAction Teams program has encouraged me to go even further in my quest for a sustainable lifestyle. Running through all the garden, water, waste and energy tips for my home has made a huge difference, not only with the conservation aspects but the financial as well.

I have never used pesticides in my garden and I own three composters including a vermicomposting system inside my kitchen. I have 5 rain barrels hooked up to eaves troughs and more out in the garden.

I moved to my present location because of the possibilities of growing almost all of my own food. I preserve by canning, dehydrating and freezing most of my produce. What I cannot grow, I get at the local market. This provides me with enough food for almost an entire year.

In the fall when many people simply throw away their uncut Halloween pumpkins, we go down neighbourhood streets and “rescue” them from the waste stream. These winter squashes become our pies, stews, soups, fritters and muffins for the year!

Until I moved to the “farm”, I, like most Canadians, owned a refrigerator. However, when I moved in, no appliances were included so I figured it was the perfect time to see if we could live without one. Well it has been six months now and life without the fridge has been an easier transition than I expected.

We have a small cooler located by the backdoor. It is outside because it has been easier to keep cool in the winter, but in the summer I will move it inside to a shaded location (since we are vegetarians, all our leftovers easily fit inside the unit). I do own a chest freezer so in summer time I will freeze blocks of ice to use in the cooler.

Not having a fridge really surprises people and has been quite the conversation starter. Most people cannot believe that we could actually live without one and not starve! I also do not own a television or a car. I get around by bike, bus or by walking. On occasion, I splurge on a taxi but for the most part, I manage to get around Windsor, Ontario (“the motor city”) by alternative means.

As you can probably tell, I am passionate about sustainable living. Though I have made many changes in my life there are still many more to be made. I look forward to reading the stories of the other participants in this contest. For it is only by communicating and learning from each other that we will succeed.