Sustainability
Earth911 Inspiration: Nature’s Colors of the Spirit
Today’s quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet, philosopher, and essayist. In Nature, he wrote: “Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.” Earth911 inspirations. Post them, share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day. Click the poster...
20 Organic, Zero Waste Skincare Brands
When I first started trying to reduce my waste in 2014, there weren’t many organic, zero waste skin care brands on the market. While the organic skin care market was doing pretty well, I wasn’t enticed by a lot of their packaging. It’s not that they didn’t care about...
10 Relief Remedies Using Essential Oils
All across the globe, people suffer from ailments such as headaches, anxiety, insomnia, nail fungus, minor cuts and more. Relief usually comes in the form of pharmaceuticals or, alternatively, essential oils. Derived from Mother Earth, essential oils can provide...
The State of Producer Responsibility in the United States
“Producer responsibility is a strategy that engages manufacturers in the entire lifecycle of their products” including end-of-life disposal. It’s a radical shift from the way Americans usually think of materials’ lifecycles; once you buy something you are responsible...
We Earthlings: Upgrade Your Toilet
The average house in the United States is 37 years old, and half of U.S. homes are more than 50 years old. That means most toilets were installed before 1992, when the Environmental Protection Agency mandated the use of ultra-low-flush toilets. Those old toilets use...
Shine On: 5 Green Lighting Tips
Home lighting has a significant impact on interior design and home decoration. It shapes our mood — it even affects our perception of a space’s size and the colors within that space. Lighting also contributes to our mental performance and the ability to complete a...
How to Bring Discipline to Your Sustainability Initiatives
Why Your Business Should Embrace Sustainability Sustainability has become a part of life for many companies. For many, it’s simply a matter of meeting demands from customers seeking socially responsible goods and services. For others, it’s about...
10 Easy Swaps for a Zero Waste Kitchen
I’ve been in the kitchen a lot more these past few weeks, and I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite swaps for a zero waste kitchen. But, first, a teeny-tiny celebration. If you’ve been following along with me for a while then you know that I’ve been working...
Recycling, Sustainability, and Science Stories You Should Read
We read a lot so you don’t have to comb for useful information. Keep ahead of the crowd with Earth911 Reader, a curated collection of must-read articles about sustainability, recycling, and the sciences of climate, materials, and more. Here are the stories worth your...
Combatting Desertification
The United Nations designates days of observance as educational tools to raise awareness of global issues, and if there’s one issue that needs more attention, it’s desertification. You can be forgiven if the word “desertification” brings to mind sweet treats; despite...
3 Simple, Natural DIY Recipes To Repel Bugs *
Summer is here, bringing along a slew of insects and bugs. To keep these pests at bay, you need look no further than these three simple DIY recipes — for people, pets, and the home — courtesy of this episode of Earth911TV. DIY Recipes To Repel Bugs This article...
Closing the Loop With Architectural Salvage
When you’re doing home repairs, remodels, or even new home construction, many of the building materials you use can be recycled. If you are very conscientious, you can recycle almost everything in your entire building. Recycling waste is only one way to close the...
Where Does Environmental Justice Fit? *
The year 2020 has been dominated by the twin terrors of the COVID-19 pandemic and police violence. The first of these is a new natural threat. The second is as old as our nation, produced by the racism baked into our societal structures. But these issues are more...
How Eco-tech Can Help Us Tackle Global Carbon Emissions *
In recent years, global carbon emissions have been rising despite many countries’ concerted efforts to limit them. Despite all the downsides of the current pandemic, the imposed lockdowns have brought some good news: Daily global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions dropped...
Good, Better, Best: The Climate Impacts of Milks *
Milk may do a body good, but it’s not so kind to the planet. Milk’s ethical and environmental drawbacks have led many people to look for alternatives. And although these are not the only factors, dairy milk sales have dropped 13% in the last decade. The dozens of milk...
Maven Moment: Icebox Cake *
My grandmother’s “icebox cake” was one of my favorite desserts growing up. She made it by layering graham crackers and warm pudding in a pan and setting the pan in the refrigerator so the mixture could set up. After a few hours, the cracker layers had absorbed some of...
Sustainable Business Practices is the Hottest New Trend *
Embrace Sustainable Business Practices In a dramatic shift, the fastest growing environmental issue today is sustainable business practices. While many issues are politically charged, including environmental matters, a major shift in public opinion...
Cricket Protein Promises a More Sustainable Dog Food *
What if there was a healthy alternative to mammal- or fowl-meat pet food? 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...
10 Surprising Ways to Have an Eco-Friendly Bathroom *
The bathroom might be the smallest room in your house but man-oh-man can it be wasteful! I’ve rounded up my best tips for you to create a more eco-friendly bathroom. The sheer amount of products that existed in my bathroom cabinets, under the sink, and in the shower,...
Tackling E-waste in the Home and Office *
Making smart sustainable choices requires practice. Earth911’s twice-weekly sustainability quiz helps you hone your ability to recognize earth-friendly products and services. Through your daily choices — from transportation mode to purchases to waste disposal — you...
Playing at the Park *
When my siblings and I were kids, one of our favorite places to go was the nearby park. Accompanied by our cousins on many of those visits, we had plenty to keep us occupied playing at the park. Although the park was a woodland area and a reservoir, we stayed mostly...
Nature’s Gifts That Help Us Thrive *
How valuable is nature? A recent study of the economic value that could be created by protecting 30% of the world’s land as wilderness, which absorbs carbon from the atmosphere and provides biological diversity, found that the cost would be repaid by more than 500%....
Building Local Food Resilience *
Before the coronavirus pandemic reached the United States, between 30 to 40 percent of our food supply was thrown away. Since lockdowns started, however, we’ve seen this play out on a much larger scale. Widespread restaurant, hotel, and school closures have greatly...
Coronavirus Environmental Impacts and Opportunities *
How is the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, reshaping humanity’s environmental impact? In this Earth911 Quiz, you’ll be challenged with questions about how consumption and pollution are changing in response to the pandemic, as well as how it may point to humans’ ability...
Hacks to Stay Cool: Beat the Heat Using Less Energy *
According to a study from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), air conditioners account for a full 6% of U.S. energy consumption. It’s a huge number, and a large issue for those concerned with global warming. This massive consumption is compounded by the...
Building a Sustainable Business and Life *
Earth911.com talks with Ford Seeman, founder of Forest Founders, a tree-planting subscription service working to integrated carbon responsibility in daily shopping and marketing programs, and Righteous Causes, a sustainable business incubator in New York. We talked...
15 Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products *
Cleaning. I’m doing a lot more of it and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I know that not everyone is into the idea of DIYing everything so I wanted to round up a few of the best all-natural and eco-friendly cleaning products on the market. You can...
Do Consumers Understand What the ‘Circular Economy’ Is? *
Circularity is a Hot Topic Circularity is a hot topic today, it’s almost impossible to avoid. Just look at all the Loop articles and ads you’ve seen in recent months about the circularity of consumer goods. It practically flooded newsfeeds on...
Maven Moment: Summer’s Fresh String Beans — 3 Ways *
I love string beans and so did my Mom. She particularly liked to serve dishes that feature them in the summer when they are abundant, fresh, and sweet. They’re great when the weather is too hot for a heavy meal. I remember Mom pinching off the ends of the beans,...
U.S. Flood Risk Is 67% Higher Than Historic Projections *
Will your home face flooding due to climate change? A new study by the New York-based nonprofit First Street Foundation found that 67% more American homes than previously estimated face a high risk of flooding during the next 30 years. It could save your life and can...
Backyard Chickens 101: Getting Started With Laying Hens *
Backyard chickens have skyrocketed in popularity. Keeping laying hens are an excellent way to fortify our relationship with our food and an ideal activity for people cooped up at home due to the pandemic. Laying hens make great companions for children, who will likely...
Maven Moment: Grandma Rose’s Frozen Treats *
My mother-in-law loved to tell me stories about growing up in Brooklyn in the 1930s and 1940s. The current heatwave in Brooklyn reminded me of some stories about her mother, Rose. Despite the scarcities of the Depression and World War II years, Rose managed to find a...
Maven Moment: A Garden for Grandma Rose *
The garden that Grandpa Sal and Grandma Rose had in Queens was a sight to see! There were two fig trees, a raspberry bush, and all of the vegetables that Grandpa started including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and long Indian squash that hung from the garage...
6 Ways to Save Money on Your Electric Bill in the Bathroom *
With more people at home, electricity bills are spiking. So, I wanted to round up a few ways you could save money on your electric bill. Whether you’re binging Netflix, helping your kids with online classwork, or just attending the 5,000th zoom meeting, a lot of...
How is Plastic Made? A Simple Step-By-Step Explanation *
I talk a lot about plastic. I have many blog posts dedicated to avoiding single-use plastics, the dangers of plastic and microplastic pollution, even about all the 7 different types of plastic… But, one post missing in my plastic arsenal starts at the very beginning…...
Unilever To Add Carbon Footprint Information on Packaging *
Unilever, the industrial giant behind the Seventh Generation, Dove, Ben & Jerry’s, Lipton, and dozens of other familiar brands, will add carbon footprint labels to its packaging. It’s an important change that will let you track the company’s progress toward its...
Maven Moment: Cooling Off in the Kiddie Pool *
One way that my sister and I beat the summer heat when we were little was to cool off in the kiddie pool in the back yard. I remember the feeling of never wanting to come out — even when I got “prune fingers”! Once in a while, our cousin came along to join in the fun....
Dig Into the Roots of Environmental Nonfiction *
Half a century ago, we didn’t know the full impact of what we were doing to the environment. But even then there were people who knew our actions were unsustainable. Those prescient voices gave us warning, and now we know they were right. If you want to understand how...
Green Websites and Online Games for Kids *
Young people are spending more and more time on devices. Kids between the ages of eight and 12 spend nearly six hours online daily on average. Although this statistic seems quite high, it is important to consider what children are doing online. There are many...
Climate Migration, 2,700 EV Charging Stations, and ESG Investing *
Welcome to Earth911’s climate, sustainability, and recycling reader, a collection of articles worth your attention today. U.S. Government Account Office: Climate Migration Is Inevitable Even if the current administration dismisses the consequences of environmental...
Why You Should Ditch Balloons if You Love the Environment *
After writing an article on traditions that are terrible for the environment, I received overwhelming feedback that balloon releases should have been included on the list. Never one to disappoint, I decided to do some research on the topic and what I found was...
Can Wet Wipes Be Recycled? *
Baby wipes, moist towelettes, wet naps — whatever you call them, they all serve essentially the same purpose. Wet wipes are single-use, moist, sanitary paper products used for personal hygiene or household cleaning. These handy inventions are often used to clean up...
12 Ways to Connect With Nature This Summer *
I think the the great outdoors is going through a modern renaissance so I wanted to inspire you with 12 ways you can connect more deeply with nature this summer. The great outdoors have had a revival in the last few years but it’s been full of showmanship – think...
12 Eco-Friendly, Organic and Reusable Face Masks *
Face masks are 2020s must have accessory. Justin and I were pretty lucky to have two reusable faces masks inside our eco-friendly emergency kit. Unfortunately… we lost both of them in the move. I wanted to order a few to have on hand because I think it would be best...
Home “Eco”nomics — Green Choices That Always Make Sense *
It’s an old complaint that environmentally friendly products cost more. Plus, it can be hard to tell the difference between green products and greenwashing. Research usually reveals complex tradeoffs that make it hard to determine the greenest choice. Add to that the...
Amazing Facts About the Earth and Nature *
The Earth is a remarkable place, full of surprises and value that must be preserved to help humanity’s development while reducing poverty and providing sufficient food for all. In this Earth911 Quiz, we look at recent scientific discoveries that make us marvel at the...
10 Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Home *
Food is too good to waste, and yet one third of food produced for human consumption is wasted or lost globally. In the US, we waste 40% of all our food – that’s nuts! Food waste might seem like something small, but it adds up to a massive… and I mean MASSIVE impact....
3 Simple Earth-Friendly Summer Recipes *
One of my favorite things about summer is the recipes it inspires with the bounty of fresh fruits that Mother Nature provides. So, I’d like to share some great summer recipes that take advantage of that bounty. These nutritionally dense summer recipes can be made in...
10 Essential Oil Diffuser Blends for Summer *
Summer is finally here. That means road trips, days at the pool, and tons of sun. Summer also means lots of amazing scents filling the air. Essential oils and a good diffuser are a great way to bring those wonderful scents indoors. Essential Oil Diffusers If you’ve...
We Earthlings: Don’t Be a Hoarder, Reduce Food Waste *
Did you know that Americans waste more than 40% of the food produced annually? And stockpiling food, as many have done during the pandemic, often results in more food wasted. Don’t be a hoarder; buy only foods that you are sure you will use. Find tips about how to...
