Conserve

We Did It!

sharongaiettophotographyLeave a comment

Day 365 – I may have been the one to write the posts, but you were the ones to read them. Thank you for inspiring me to share something everyday. I have learned so much and I hope you have, too.

I never thought this blog would lead to bigger and better things. From the people that have told me that they have started doing many of the things mentioned in the blog, to the Recycle Popup that was created as a result of my new found love of diverting waste. I look forward to seeing what 2022 has in store.

I know I will continue educating myself and sharing what I know with others. It may not happen through my daily blog posts, but I plan on finding new ways to encourage and inspire others to help save the planet. I hope you will continue to find new ways to live a more sustainable life, as well.

New Year’s Resolutions that will Help the Planet

sharongaiettophotographyLeave a comment

Day 364 – Last year when I decided to write a daily post involving the environment, I wasn’t sure if I would stick with it the entire year. I can’t even tell you how many New Year Resolutions have been abandoned over the years. Now this particular idea was more of a project than a resolution, but nonetheless, something I wanted to do the entire year. I’m pretty happy that by tomorrow, I can say that I was able to follow through with my goal.

So, in today’s post I thought I would encourage you to start your own project or New Year’s resolution. It doesn’t matter what you call it, just try your best to see it through until the end. And maybe it leads to the next year and the next, and so on and so on. Maybe you decide to do something to benefit the planet every month. It could maybe look like this:

  1. January – Start composting, at home or with a commercial composter.
  2. February – Make an effort to do a better job recycling. Keep recyclables out of the trash and keep trash out of the recycle bin.
  3. March – Replace your single-use plastics with reusables. For example, stop using plastic water bottles and start using a reusable water bottle.
  4. April – Replace those single-use plastic bags with reusables. Switch out the plastic shopping bags, produce bags and Ziploc bags, with reusable bags.
  5. May – Avoid extra food packaging by avoiding individually wrapped items. For example, instead of buying individual bags of chips, buy a large bag and use reusable containers to create individual portions.
  6. June – Start cutting out meat once a week, maybe even twice a week.
  7. July – Avoid packaging by using reusable containers. Our hand soap and laundry detergent use reusable containers.
  8. August – Start looking at labels and seek out companies that are doing good for the planet.
  9. September – Exchange your throwaways with reusables. Swap your paper napkins for cloth napkins. Swap your alkaline batteries with rechargeable batteries.
  10. October – Turn down the extras. Say no thank you to the small packets of condiments. So no thank you to the complimentary items you know you don’t need or will not use.
  11. November – Put a sweater on and turn down the heat a few degrees.
  12. December – Consider sustainable gift giving and reusable or recyclable gift wrap.

If implementing a change every monthly seems too easy and not much of a challenge, then consider doing something every two weeks or even once a week. The more you can do the better off the planet will be.

Tomorrow, a look back at the year.

B-Corporations: Best for the World

sharongaiettophotographyLeave a comment

Day 358 – I have written about B-Corporations throughout the year. These are businesses that put people and planet before profits. They have made a commitment to better their communities, ensure their employees work under the best conditions and that their product does not harm the planet and may even benefit it.

Every year the B Lab recognizes the top-performing B Corps creating the greatest impact through their businesses. The Best of the World highlights community, customers, environment, governance and workers.

Click on each category for a complete list of winners.

Best for the World: Community

Best for the World: Customers

Best for the World: Environment

Best for the World: Governance

Best for the World: Workers

Help support these amazing companies around the world that are making a difference in the world.

Tomorrow, choosing reducing over recycling.

Last Minute Gift Idea for the Conservationist in Your Life

sharongaiettophotographyLeave a comment

Day 357 – You might have someone on your Christmas list that is a bit difficult to shop for. So, waiting until the last minute to make that purchase is even more challenging. Well, I have an idea that just might make the perfect gift.

This gift is ideal for the following person:

  1. The individual who never wants anything for Christmas.
  2. The individual who is concerned about the current climate crisis.

Give the gift of carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere this season. Climeworks offers a variety of gift options.

  1. Nordic Explorer Gift – removes 25 kg (55 pounds) of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for $28.
  2. Lapland Discovery Gift – removes 45 kg (99 pounds) of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for $51.
  3. Arctic Expedition Gift – removes 85 kg (187 pounds) of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for $96.

Just to give you an idea, a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. So, this gift will only make a very, very, very small dent, but nonetheless, it will help us move in the right direction.

Tomorrow, the Best for the world.

Solving the Microplastic Problem with Waves

sharongaiettophotographyLeave a comment

Day 355 – Microplastics are becoming a very big problem in our waterways. They have been detected in our rivers, streams, oceans and every other body of water. It would be difficult to find a place where microplastics are not present.

“Microplastics are released into the environment as cosmetics, clothing, industrial processes, and plastic products like packaging, break down naturally.” – Good News Network

Dr. Dhany Arifianto from the Institute Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember in Surabaya, Indonesia, created a filtration prototype using acoustic waves. The waves are able to create a force that is able to separate the microplastics from the water. The prototyped device cleaned 150 liters of polluted water per hour and was tested filtering three different microplastics.

The next step in studying these waves is to determine their impact on marine life. Being able to rid the waterways of microplastics without negatively affecting wildlife will be very crucial in the success of the acoustic waves.

Tomorrow, stormwater solutions.

Palm Oil: To Boycott or Not To Boycott

sharongaiettophotographyLeave a comment

Day 354 – There’s a lot to consider when deciding to use products with palm oil.

The negative aspects of palm oil:

  1. Logging for large palm plantations causes deforestation and biodiversity loss in the tropics.
  2. The palm oil industry demands cheap labor and inflicts human rights violations on its workers.

It’s hard to avoid palm oil. It’s in a lot of our everyday products. Processed palm oil is a common ingredient in cosmetics, shampoos and soaps, toothpaste, deodorant, and laundry detergent. It’s also a common ingredient in processed, packaged foods ranging from candy bars and potato chips to bread and instant noodles. 

So is boycotting palm oil a good decision?

“According to the Sumatran Orangutan Society, a boycott unequivocally would not help workers, forests, or orangutans. On the contrary, it could have unintended consequences, like increased demand for soybean or sunflower oils that require five to 10 times more land. Or it could depress palm oil prices, encouraging its use in biofuels and livestock feed — products whose ingredients receive less scrutiny from consumers. In addition, about 4.5 million Indonesians and Malaysians currently earn a living from palm oil production. We know the industry is in need of fundamental change: The status quo fuels child labor, worker exploitation, and sexual abuse. Yet a wholesale boycott that could deprive workers of a primary source of income without recourse.” – Earth911

The best we can do is read labels carefully and do a little research as to where the palm oil we are using is coming from. Knowledge is truly power.

Tomorrow, the solution to removing microplastics from the ocean.

Products Made From Captured Carbon

sharongaiettophotographyLeave a comment

Day 352 – On Day 322, I wrote about a company vacuuming carbon from the atmosphere. It is becoming very clear that a reduction in carbon emissions and planting trees is not enough to battle global warming. Taking carbon out of the air is another weapon.

Earth 911 shared information on three companies making products from captures carbon.

Direct Air Capture

“The first large-scale DAC (Direct Air Capture) plant is now being developed in the United States, but most of the 19 DAC plants already operating in Europe, the U.S., and Canada are small and sell the captured carbon for use in products and commercial processes. There are more companies collecting carbon from industrial emissions at the source. This is because carbon is much more concentrated in industrial smokestacks than in the atmosphere.” – Earth911

Concrete

“Using captured carbon in concrete can not only help offset the energy costs of producing concrete by up to 48%, but it can also reduce the energy cost of capturing carbon by skipping the energy-intensive purification step.” – Earth911

Cleaning Products

 A new laundry capsule from Unilever uses surfactants made with alcohols derived from captured industrial emissions. Although the new laundry detergent will initially be available only in China, it may eventually become an option for everyone looking for a greener clean in their clothes washer.

Ultimately reducing our carbon emissions is the main goal. How we do that is becoming more and more creative.

Tomorrow, recycling antifreeze.

Black Nopal: Cactus Leather

sharongaiettophotographyLeave a comment

Day 349 – It’s always interesting to read about everyday items that someone has figured out how to derive from plants. Back on Day 233, I wrote about orange peels be used to make lamps. Today, it’s belts made from cacti.

Black Nopal offers wallets and belts from cactus leather.

“Black Nopal offers products exclusively from a patented cactus leather fabric that is created by the Mexican company, Desserto. Desserto spent 2 years testing the use of Mexico’s abundant prickly pear cactus to create a fabric that is sustainable and eco-friendly while still maintaining superb performance compared to regular leather. The final result is a highly-durable, ultra-soft, and breathable leather that is racking up rewards for excellence.” – Black Nopal

Cactus leather has many advantages:

  1. The production process is sustainable.
  2. It is pvc and phthalate free.
  3. It is fully organic.
  4. It requires no water irrigation system.
  5. It only uses the leaves of the cactus plant.

The future is in sustainable products. The more we seek them out and choose them over products that are not, the better off the planet will be.

Tomorrow, a box that gives back.

Tips for a Sustainable Christmas

sharongaiettophotographyLeave a comment

Day 348 – Christmas is right around the corner. So, I thought I would share a few suggestions on how you can make your holiday a little more eco-friendly.

  1. Reduce Packaging – Consider using reusable bags, boxes and cloth wraps to give your gifts. If you do use wrapping paper, use paper that can be recycled or composted.
  2. Reduce Single Use Plastic – Christmas is the perfect occasion to bring out the good dishes. Avoid using disposable plates and utensils.
  3. Use LED Christmas Lights – As the old strands of lights start to go out, replace them with energy efficient LED lights.
  4. Reduce Food Waste – Plan accordingly and make sure you are not making too much food. If there is food left over, make sure to send some goody bags home with your guests. Try to avoid throwing food away.
  5. Buy Local – If you’re still looking for that perfect gift, try to buy local. Not only are you supporting small business, but you are also cutting back on your carbon emissions.

The holidays are a wonderful time to spend with family and friends. It’s also the perfect time to show your family and friends how much you care about them and the planet.

Tomorrow, non-leather belts.