Once upon a time, plastic was heralded as a miracle material. Cheap, lightweight, infinitely customizable yet virtually indestructible, plastic quickly replaced natural materials in myriad products – especially bags. Today, plastic bags are ubiquitous for shopping and groceries, and even inside other types of packaging. Plastic bags are found on roadsides, in waterways, and deep in the ocean, where they […]
Dozens of electrical utility companies across the country have pledged to become “carbon neutral” by 2050. But recent Sierra Club research shows that hardly any of them are making significant changes to move toward clean energy. Are they greenwashing our electricity? Clean Energy Coal miners may symbolize the working class in politics, but according to the latest labor statistics, coal […]
Many of us pay to have our organic waste removed, but home biogas digesters offer households a way to produce clean fuel and liquid fertilizer with it. Digesters naturally create biogas as organic matter breaks down, and home digester systems make it possible to cook with it. There are now a few home biogas digesters on the market, and some […]
What if there was a healthy alternative to mammal- or fowl-meat pet food? So, would you consider feeding bugs to your beloved dog? As it turns out, insects like crickets are not only a great protein alternative to traditional animal proteins, they’re also a more sustainable choice. This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase an item through one of […]
A new school year is here and one way that we can be kinder to the earth and reduce waste is by packing our kids’ lunches. Packed lunches tend to be healthier and allow us to pack organic foods that most school lunches don’t provide. Packing lunches also makes lunchtime less stressful for those picky eaters. Packing a school lunch […]
Despite our best intentions, everything we do has some environmental impact. Even though true sustainability may be out of reach, environmentalism is about making trade-offs to minimize the harm that comes from our actions. Since our world is made up of complex systems, it isn’t always easy to figure out which choices have the best environmental outcomes. Sometimes, choice that […]
Keeping a small flock of backyard chickens has numerous benefits. These feathered friends make lively pets, are endlessly entertaining for children, and provide garden fertilizer. Having laying hens is an excellent way to boost local food production and is possible in both urban and rural settings. Ideally, hens produce a steady supply of fresh, nutritious eggs and decrease our reliance […]
Organic waste — from food scraps to yard trimmings — are compostable. While you can compost these items at home, most of the materials end up in commercial composting facilities or landfills. This Earth911 quiz tests your knowledge of what can be composted in a commercial composting facility and how it works. Are you ready to break down commercial composting? […]
The average water heater lasts anywhere from 6 to 13 years. These appliances require upkeep. Heating water accounts for about 20% of your household energy use, so it’s important that your water heater runs as efficiently as possible. If you hop in the shower and the water doesn’t warm up at all, your water heater may not be turning on. […]
If you’re planning a move soon, your mind is likely a whirlwind of checklists, dates, and deadlines. Factor in the impact your impending move may have on the planet and things get even more stressful (think: the horror of lugging 10 trash bags to the curb on move-out day). Here is a list of tips that will help shrink the […]