Many popular foods are hard on the environment, even before they are processed and packaged because they require immense amounts of water. Let’s look at four popular foods we can replace in recipes with water-responsible alternatives. Though water scarcity might not affect you today, you can help conserve water by choosing different foods. Only 3% of the world’s water is […]
Sports stadiums may be ideal for experimenting with sustainable food service, recycling, and composting programs. Seattle’s Lumen Field is committed to minimizing its environmental impact. It extends that promise to fans who attend games and concerts, diverting an average of 90% of waste at the venue from landfills. Imagine if every local restaurant could promise the same results. Lumen Field hosts hundreds […]
Large retailers that rely on imported products from Asia, Latin America, Europe, and Africa have a common problem, the environmental footprint of maritime shipping. A recent report card from Ship It Zero, an alliance of environmental groups, highlighted poor progress by the retail and shipping industries against their stated commitments to decarbonize and adopt clean-air shipping practices. The shipping industry, which produces […]
Engaging in nature-based activities is an effective way for everyone in the family to improve mental health. Gardening can be challenging for those without space, time, or talent. But even a hopeless brown thumb with a tight schedule and limited space might succeed with a low-maintenance, hardy tea garden. Helping something grow can bring tremendous satisfaction, even if you live in a […]
The USDA organic certification process and standards have room for improvement, but in the United States, organic is still the primary standard for sustainable agriculture. Other systems, such as biodynamics, might be more sustainable, but without a regulated certification system, it’s not as easy to find and support. Not so in other parts of the world, where biodynamics reigns supreme. […]
Homemade is more sustainable than a commercial product from a huge corporation. At least, it feels like that would be true. But what about economies of scale? When it comes to beer, homebrewers know that beer you brew yourself tastes better. But is it less wasteful? Does it produce fewer emissions or use less energy per gallon? Finding the answer […]
Deforestation is a global problem that contributes to climate change and desertification. A new law in the European Union that aims to tackle deforestation is so ambitious, it may be unenforceable. But it has the potential to put the brakes on deforestation around the world, and even make greener products available in the US. In June, the European Parliament adopted […]
Every time we make a purchase we send messages to companies. Are you using your purchase decisions to make a positive difference for the environment? “Precycling” is a shopping strategy that can help you take steps before making a purchase to ensure that the things we buy can be recycled, composted, or repaired and reused when we’re done with them. […]
Editor’s note: Reader Shawn Tandon has launched a petition to encourage Google to help consumers find environmentally responsible restaurants. We asked him to share a call to action with you. His petition is an example of the kind of actions that we’re designing for the Earth911 Circular Economy Community to help you influence companies to do better. Sustainability is an urgent global issue, […]
Governments are taking action against single-use plastics. British Columbia has recently passed a law banning them, starting on December 20th, 2023. The bill aims to prevent the production of packaging that accounts for about half the province’s annual volume of plastic pollution. It’s one more welcome step toward a sustainable, circular economy. Until recently, plastic regulations have focused on cleaning […]