Wet wipes are convenient and can be used for an endless list. I used them the most when my kids were babies and needed diaper changes. But what are the economic, environmental, and ethical problems with wet wipes? How do they negatively impact our environment and what can be used instead? This blog will focus on three key problems of …
Everything. I was so impressed with this story about the firm MASS Design that I had to share their story which aired recently on the long-running program 60 Minutes. MASS stands for Model of Architecture Serving Society. It is a nonprofit firm, based in Boston. They think of architecture as a mechanism to create change. This group is “rethinking their …
After our blog on the impact of extreme heat and how it affects our companions on planet Earth, I thought it would be a good idea to write about sunscreen. After all, it can be a useful tool for people looking to avoid dangerous exposure to UV. What I didn’t expect is just how much of a rabbit hole researching …
Before we get started, let’s avoid some confusion by explaining the following key terms. Once you understand the difference between them, you’ll have a much easier time learning about the topic in this blog. BPI certification: While BPI stands for Biodegradable Products Institute, BPI certification ensures the materials in the certified product are compostable. Biodegradable: A product or material that …
September 2021 seemed filled with news on the impact of global warming on the planet’s creatures.Our changing climate changes the size of our fishCNN’s program Champions for Change spotlights leaders making a positive impact in an underserved community. Journalist Kate Bolduan chose Seafood Watch, a guide for consumers “to change purchasing habits to more ocean-friendly choices” and to urge “businesses, …
International Zero Waste Week originated in the United Kingdom in 2008 to aid organizations in reducing waste being sent to landfills. It is acknowledged annually during the first full week of September. In recognition of International Zero Waste Week, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, or TDEC, recognizes Zero Waste Day every October 27th. They held the inaugural Zero …
Beginning of our new normal: COVID-19 The World Health Organization, or WHO, declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Everyone remembers where they were that day. I know I do. Sports stopped. Social events were canceled. People scrambled for toilet paper and food without knowing when this pandemic would end. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, …
The planet is growing warmer every single year. For decades, we’ve experienced drastic weather pattern shifts, severe flooding in Germany, severe wildfires in California, and deadly hurricanes in Louisiana and Texas. Our planet is in trouble. And we need to help it. The IPCC Climate ReportWhy did the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, cause so much alarm with …
One of the most common questions I am asked as a Zero Waste educator is, “Why is recycling so complicated? It is so confusing!” Each city, town, and municipality seems to have its own recycling system and rules. For instance, if you live in an apartment building and the owner does not pay for recycling services, you are forced to …
In July of 2019, I presented Zero Waste initiatives and recommendations to a recycling advocacy group from Dyer County, Tennessee. As I asked the audience to choose one activity to reduce and reuse, I thought to myself, “I need to do better. I need to walk my talk.” What does it mean to walk my talk? To do as you …
