SVP Global Head of Sustainability and Social Impact at Mattel, maker of Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels, American Girl dolls, and more than 150 other brands of toys. She shares how Mattel works to eliminate manufacturing waste and replace virgin plastic in its packaging with recycled and recyclable plastics. The company has pledged to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% compared […]
In the quest for a plastic-free lifestyle, zip-top bags are among the hardest things to eliminate. They are so ubiquitous today that it’s hard to imagine any other way to offer Cheerios to a toddler on the go, keep a sack lunch sandwich from falling apart, or store small nonfood items from batteries to the hooks and screws for unfinished […]
Anna Yona, cofounder with her husband of Engelskirchen, Germany-based Wildling Shoes talks with Earth911’s Mitch Ratcliffe about making shoes that are easier on the planet. They make a wide range of shoes for women, men and kids, practicing sustainable design and manufacturing using a minimalist design philosophy the produces a light, comfortable and durable shoe. A Certified B Corp., Wildling […]
+ Dr. Ganesan Visvabharathy, founder of Hawthorne Development Corporation discusses the evolution of the built environment and green building standards necessary to achieve a zero-carbon society. A sustainable built environment is the foundation for lower energy use but will take a generation or more to put in place. Hawthorne recently completed two net-zero projects, the Eco Terra complex, a 348-unit […]
Ah, fall. Back to school, sweater weather, and warm drinks. Those brightly colored leaves are beautiful on the trees, but they lose their appeal when they start falling to the ground. Now, last week’s kaleidoscope of natural color become this week’s tedious yard work. But even fallen leaves have value. Here are five do’s and a don’t for dealing with […]
Some outdoor areas are enjoying a little extra sparkle — with assistance from old beer bottles and other recyclables used as landscape glass. Bits of repurposed glass, in jewel-like nuggets, provide a decorative accent at the base of hedges, potted greens, and other types of landscaping. The repurposed glass is formed by grinding various types of recycled glass. Sometimes referred […]
Although you might think mice are cute and furry, you probably don’t want them living in your home or garage. They can carry hard-to-pronounce diseases and cause property damage. Plus, they leave little droppings all around. A small problem can quickly get out of hand. Mice can have eight litters a year, with five to six young per litter. That […]
Jürgen Pretsch is the founder of SHÄP, a recently launched rental marketplace that focuses on connecting people with items to rent in local communities. SHÄP works to reduce unnecessary purchases and enable sharing without creating a shipping footprint by bringing neighbors together. Reuse and sharing are the best ways to minimize the environmental impact of the products you buy. But connecting […]
A sustainable home will be a smarter home, and you can start with the shower. The Oasense Reva smart showerhead is a self-powering water- and emissions-saving addition that turns down the water flow to only 0.27 gallons per minute (gpm) when you step back to soap up or shampoo and senses when you step under the water to rinse, turning […]
The flower industry has a heavy environmental footprint but some growers are changing their agricultural and shipping practices. Toine Overgaag, president of family-owned Westerlay Orchids, grower and seller of live orchids, based in Carpenteria, Calif., joins Mitch Ratcliffe to discuss sustainable agriculture practices in the live plant industry. Westerlay uses natural predators instead of pesticides to deal with pests; energy […]