There’s no doubt that the waste generated by packaging materials is a tremendous problem. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, containers and packaging made up about 82.2 million tons, or 28.1%, of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2018. Of that, just 37% was recycled. Worse still, plastic makes up an increasing share of packaging waste, … Continue reading Exactly How to Shop from Bulk Bins for Low-Waste Groceries
I’ve always hated winter. I hate the cold, I hate how everything looks gray and barren, and I hate putting on layers upon layers of clothes before going outside. But until I move somewhere tropical, which is unlikely to happen anytime soon, winter is one of those inevitable realities. Rather than spiraling into despair, I … Continue reading How to Hygge Ethically and Sustainably
The holidays are coming, and at this time of year, I love to give the gift of experiences, rather than things. We all undoubtedly have too much stuff, and I don’t want to burden my friends and family even more stuff (especially if I’m not 100% sure it’s something they want or need), just because … Continue reading Experiential Gift Guide
Growing up, my family didn’t compost, and I didn’t know anyone who did. Trash went in the trashcan, and recyclables went in the recycling bin. That was it. In fact, it was a long time before I learned what composting was, and why it’s so important. Now that I’m a composting convert, it genuinely blows … Continue reading 8 Reasons to Start Composting
I can’t compost because… I live in an apartment. I don’t have a backyard/garden. I have a phobia of worms. It will make my house stink. It will attract pests. It requires buying too much equipment. Have you ever said or thought any of these things? I once believed every one of these to be … Continue reading How to Compost Indoors, in an Apartment
September has arrived, and I'm committing to a shopping ban for the entire month! I began what I call "No Spend September" last year, because I think it's a great way refocus on what really matters in life, like spending time with loved ones and helping other people, so I've decided to bring it back! … Continue reading No Spend September is Back!
There comes a point when you realize that less is more. Just because something is convenient, or cheap, or even free, it doesn't mean you need that thing, and it doesn't mean that owning that thing will make your life any better. Here are some things I've let go of, with no regrets to speak … Continue reading 7 Things I Stopped Buying, Thanks to Minimalism and Zero Waste
You know in The Little Mermaid when Ariel was like, “I’ve got all these gadgets and gizmos, but it doesn’t matter because I’m still not happy”? Well, I think perhaps she was trying to teach us a lesson about minimalism. Things don’t make you happy. People make you happy. Maybe I should have learned this … Continue reading Minimalism 101: How to Own Less and Live More
Let’s face it: “stuff” is the enemy of a healthy planet. As we buy more and more stuff, landfills grow fuller, the earth becomes more polluted, our homes get more cluttered, and we become less happy. I recently posted on Instagram about how moving out of my apartment made me acutely aware of just how many … Continue reading 8 Things To Do That Will Make You Happier Than Buying More Stuff
The Better Planet Project 