@GOODGOODGOODCO
THE SUSTAINABILITY EDITION
ISSUE 09
W E H AV E G O O D N E W S
4
Reforestation Project Reduces Poverty and Restores Forests
JetBlue Plans to Become Carbon Neutral On All Domestic U.S. Flights
We know that healthy forest systems produce oxygen,
According to a study by Travel Technology Europe, 47
sequester carbon, cool land, provide habitats for animals,
percent of travel technology companies, tour operators,
purify water sources, control flooding and erosion, and
travel agents, hotel owners, and travel management com-
help to replenish the soil with nutrients needed for farm-
This Cement Sucks Up CO2 Instead of Emitting It
ing. Tragically, about half of the world’s forests have been
The same material we use to build the world is also slowly
sustainable travel options. The massive airline company
cut down in the last 100 years, leading to desertification,
destroying it. One kilogram of cement releases more than
JetBlue is embarking on an initiative to offset carbon
erosion, and flooding.
half a kilogram of carbon dioxide. As a result, the cement
emissions for all domestic U.S. flights by July 2020, mak-
industry is responsible for about 5 percent of global CO2
ing it the first airline to make such a pledge.
emissions — more than double the aviation industry. If the
The company will offset between 15 and 17 billion ad-
cement industry were a country, it would be the third-larg-
ditional pounds of emissions per year, which the company
est emitter of CO2 in the world. Plus population growth
said is the annual equivalent of removing more than 1.5
and increased urbanization make the industry’s impact
million passenger vehicles from the road. The offset of the
more substantial over time.
company’s jet fuel will come from investments in forest
Cement and concrete company Solidia Technologies wants to change that. They’re developing a new cePhoto by Casey Horner
Deforestation has increased as communities have high-
panies say consumers are asking for more eco-friendly,
conservation and landfill gas capture projects, plus solar and wind power generation initiatives.
ment-making process that produces up to 70 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than conventional cement at the same or better cost.
er needs to cut down trees to get wood for construction
The green technology works by locking in carbon diox-
or clear land for farming or building space. While cutting
ide as the cement cures instead of releasing it into the air.
down trees might solve short-term problems, there are
Solidia isn’t the first company to make environmentally
long-term consequences when trees are cut down and not
friendly cement, but its list of investors — including the
The company will also partner with Finnish renewa-
replaced. As the health of the land decreases, so does the
world’s largest cement maker and one of the biggest ven-
bles company Neste to use sustainable fuel on flights out
health of the people who depend on it for their survival.
ture capital firms — is proof of the market’s confidence in
of San Francisco International Airport. Neste boasts their
When the land suffers, people suffer, too.
the company’s endeavor.
fuel’s carbon footprint is 80 percent less than that of tra-
But Eden Reforestation projects reduce extreme poverty and restore healthy forests by employing local villagers to plant millions of native trees every year. With trees replanted, animal habitats are restored, local rainfall patterns are restored, water purity improves, soil quality increases, and crop yields increase. By 2025 the group aims to be able to plant 500 million trees yearly.
ditional aviation fuel.
WHAT'S THIS? THIS IS THE GOOD BAR. We believe in celebrating good and then joining in and making a difference ourselves. The Good Bar is full of recommendations from the Good Good Good community on how to take action in meaningful ways. Start small and work your way up.
“We looked at the business outcome, the business line for fuel prices, for rising carbon dioxide prices, and we looked at the climate crisis unfolding around the globe,” said JetBlue sustainability lead Sophia Mendelsohn to GreenBiz. “It became clear, as an industry, as a leading brand, we wanted to act."
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT WHEN YOU TRAVEL GO OD
BET TER
BEST
Skip the flight. Consider whether your meeting can take place digitally, or maybe you can drive instead. If you're lucky enough to have trains in your area, they're the most efficient long-distance transportation.
When you must fly, fly responsibly. Fly longer, direct flights because planes burn the most fuel during takeoff. Fly coach because emissions from business class are 3x as much. And buy offsets for $15 via goldstandard.org.
Join hundreds of thousands of others who have committed to staying on the ground for one year. (And maybe longer if you want.) Take the pledge to go flight-free for 365 days at flightfreeusa.org.
W E H AV E G O O D N E W S
More than 1 Million Gardeners Have United to Create a Network That Nourishes Bees and Butterflies More than a million homeowners and gardeners around the world have united to save the dwindling pollinator population. The National Pollinator Garden Network launched
WE HAVE REACHED A POINT IN HISTORY WHEN WE HAVE THE TECHNICAL CAPACITIES TO SOLVE POVERTY, MALNUTRITION, INEQUALITY, AND OF COURSE GLOBAL WARMING. THE DECIDING FACTORS FOR WHETHER WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR POTENTIAL WILL BE OUR ACTIVISM AND OUR INTERNATIONAL UNITY.
a challenge to register one million gardens —
—Eyal Weintraub, Teen Climate Activist
and surpassed their goal! The registered are comprised of private yards and pub-
Plastic Microbeads Are Now Banned In Several Countries Worldwide
lic gardens in the United States, Mexico,
Microbeads, the tiny plastic spheres used
and Canada, all add up to a network of
in exfoliating face soaps, body wash, and
about 5 million acres of enhanced or new
sometimes even toothpaste, are useful
pollinator habitat.
for us, but as it turns out, they’re bad for
spaces, most of which
According to the National Wildlife Fed-
the earth. These small plastic particles
eration, protecting pollinators is crucial to
go down the drains when we’re done with
our food supply. Amazingly, these pollina-
them, but wastewater treatment plants
tors are responsible for about
don’t filter them out, so they end up in
one in every three bites of food
bays, gulfs, seas, and inland waterways,
we eat.
where they absorb toxins in the water, are
You can join in if
eaten by marine life, and can make their
you have a yard, garden,
way up the food chain and onto your plate.
or even just a small piece of
Environmentalists launched a cam-
outdoor property. To be
paign in 2015 to tackle plastic pollution
a part of the network,
by working to have microbeads banned in
gardeners should plant
California and eventually all the United
a large number of pol-
States. The Microbead-Free Waters Act
linator-friendly plants
was introduced in the U.S. legislature in
and wild grasses
March 2015 and passed, so it's now illegal
that are native and
to sell products with plastic microbeads
non-invasive spe-
in the U.S. Just two months later, Canada
cies. The space should also offer breaks
introduced similar legislature. More than
from the wind, exposure to direct sunlight,
10 other countries followed in their steps.
a watering source, and a minimized amount
In 2020, bans go effective in Italy, China,
of pesticides.
India, and Thailand.
5
6
EVEN MORE GOOD NEWS
People Around the World Are Taking Action to Fight Climate Change
We’re On Track to Retire Coal In the U.S. By 2035
It can be hard to keep a positive attitude
Over half of the nation’s coal plants are a
when we think about the future of the earth.
thing of the past, and the country is on track
While research shows we have real chal-
to do more in the next decade. The Sierra
lenges ahead, it’s not all doom and gloom.
Club projects that thanks to grassroots ef-
Thanks to better technology, research, and
forts and advocacy in city and state govern-
reporting, people now have more and high-
ments, 100 percent of all U.S. coal will be
er quality access to information regarding
retired by 2035 if the American people and
climate change and how to take action.
the market continue to move at the same
A worldwide social movement signals a
rate. In many places of the country, renewa-
growing commitment to take climate change
ble energy is already accessible and cheap-
seriously. Innovative efforts such as solar
er than coal anyway. And not only does
power, zero waste lifestyles, sustainable
eliminating coal help the climate crisis — it
agriculture systems, and environmental
also prevents pollution.
conservation are increasingly popular on both the institutional and individual level. An estimated 4 million people took part in the global climate strike in September 2019, making it the largest mass protest for climate action in history. Institutions are taking action, too. A growing number of institutions have divested funds from fossil fuels, creating a real problem for the industry. At the start of 2018, New York City took the first steps to divest its $189 billion pension fund from fossil fuels. The same year, Ireland became the first nation to do so. The fossil fuel industry faces a future in which divestment of funds poses a reputational challenge that comes with massive financial consequences. There’s a financial motivation for us in saving the earth, too. Some of the fast-
The coal industry has played a para-
est-growing businesses in America are in
mount role in our nation’s economy and
energy efficiency and renewable energy,
job force historically, but it's going away.
thanks to rapid advancements in technology
The dying out of the industry is actually
and clean energy.
less to blame on climate activists than to
These growing trends among corpora-
automation, and moving forward the indus-
tions, governments, and citizens signal rea-
try and local communities must find ways
sons to be hopeful, motivated, and deter-
to support and provide valuable resources
mined to continue to push forward in the
for transition to honor the sacrifices made
fight to lessen the impact of climate change.
by coal communities.
H O W TO V E T A FA S H I O N B R A N D
How to Vet a Fashion Brand for Sustainability
7
CERTIFICATIONS There are several certifications out there for brand sustainability, but some are the gold standard so you know a brand has been objectively rated. Two of the most trustworthy certifications for environmental concerns are OE-
Sustainable fashion has become more and more popular
KO-TEX and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
in recent years. According to the United Nations Envi-
There are others, but do your research. OEKO-TEX is an
ronment Program, the fashion industry is responsible for
independent test and certification system for textiles,
8–10 percent of global carbon emissions. But from a broad
offering several levels of certification, the most basic of
range of certifications and innovative initiatives, brands
which indicates that a product is free of hazardous chem-
are making strides to step up their green efforts — thanks
icals. The next level concerns whether the textiles are
to consumer demand. While there’s a long way to go, many
made in socially and environmentally responsible condi-
brands are committing to do their part in reducing the in-
tions. GOTS is a certification for textiles that contain a
dustry’s impact on climate change. Here are things to look
minimum of 70 percent organic fibers.
out for when considering purchasing from a brand:
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
REPAIR PROGRAMS Does the company allow you to bring in the product for
Manufacturers and processing facilities use a lot of re-
repairs such as replacing buttons or mending tears? This
sources and massive volumes of fabric. Look for recy-
shows a commitment to the quality and durability of their
cled materials, natural dyes, biodegradable packaging,
product and a willingness to repair rather than replace.
and eco-friendly fibers such as linen, hemp, wool, or silk.
Extending the life of a product you already have makes the
These fabrics use limited water and energy to produce —
largest impact to help the environment rather than buying
and they're recyclable.
something new.
BRAND TRANSPARENCY A report from McKinsey & Company shows 52 percent of millennials indicate they always research a brand’s backstory before buying. Brands with fair labor practices and environmental protection efforts are often proud of these initiatives and transparent about their business practicPhoto by Jean-Philippe Delberghe
es. Look for companies that publish their values and social responsibility methods. If a brand doesn’t have a page on their website about where and how their products are made, it could be a red flag. And beware of companies using “greenwashing” as a marketing tactic, misleading consumers to believe a company is "green" when it's really not. It’s sometimes hard to tell, so do your research.
If You’re Still Lost, You Have Help Shopping sustainably is challenging. Thankfully, there are watchdog groups that dedicate their time, energy, and resources into doing objective digging on consumers’ behalf. With the Good on You app, you can search for a brand’s environmental impact, labor policies, and animal-friendly considerations. The DoneGood browser extension works similarly, popping up in the corner of your screen when you’re shopping to tell you whether the brand you’re viewing is sustainable and/or ethical, offering alternatives if it’s not.
U P C YC L E D F O O D
8
What Is Upcycled Food?
batch, but they don’t have great options for
of branded products such as nutrition bars
offloading it, beyond animal feed as a best
and puffed chips.
case. I was blown away to learn that over 90
The good news is that people working
percent of the water footprint of beer is in
toward a solution have now expanded be-
the grain supply chain and that each pound
yond just our operation. Now in grocery
unlocking their highest value, finding “best” use, and improving the way we
of malt (what it takes to make a six-pack)
stores you can find not only ReGrained
value resources, which, like recycling, enables us to do more with less, going
uses over 300 gallons of water — the equiv-
products but a growing selection of upcy-
beyond reuse
alent to a two-hour shower.
cled products in the market such as Bar-
by Dan Kurzrock
Upcycling: a zero waste philosophy of creatively reusing byproducts and
Examples: turning an old climbing rope into a new dog leash, empty plastic
The environmental impact of food waste
nana (cosmetically imperfect bananas and
is massive. If food waste were a country, it
plantain snacks), Renewal Mill (cookies
would rank third after the United States and
and flour from okara, tofu production’s by-
During our undergrad years at UCLA in
China in terms of impact on global warm-
product), and Toast Ale (beer made from
the early 2010s, we found the perfect loop-
ing, according to the U.N. Food and Agri-
surplus bread). In other words, what began
hole to the legal drinking age: brewing our
culture Organization. When food ends up in
as an underage experiment in recreation-
own beer. During this time, I coined the
landfills, it releases methane, a greenhouse
al entrepreneurship has blossomed into a
term “edible upcycling,” a way of upcycling
gas that is at least 28 times more potent
food movement.
the “spent” grain leftover from my home-
than carbon dioxide, according to the U.S.
Eating upcycled is an easy and effective
brewing to use as an ingredient in bread. I
Environmental Protection Agency. Because
way to participate in the fight against food
would sell these loaves of bread and use the
of a lack of available oxygen, food doesn’t
waste through a food movement that strives
proceeds to buy the ingredients to make
break down in landfills in the same way that
to identify and elevate every overlooked and
more beer.
it would in nature or in a compost bin.
underutilized ingredient stream hiding in
bottles into a fleece sweater, or used cigarette butts into a brick
While many homebrewers and large
We can all do our part by minimizing
plain sight. When done well, upcycled food
breweries see the leftover byproducts as
the amount of food we buy so less is wast-
tastes great (nobody wants a product that
“spent” just because they can’t be used to
ed — and by making sure we’re composting.
just tastes like a good idea) and delivers on
make more beer, to me they’re actually ren-
While the U.S. Department of Agriculture
nutrition, functionality, and sustainability.
Dan Kurzrock is the co-founder and
dered “super” through the process. That's
estimates that 31 percent of food waste
Upcycling is a movement that makes both
"Chief Grain Officer" of ReGrained
because the brewing process removed the
occurs in the home, consumer-facing busi-
dollars and sense, so we are seeing it earn
and founding Executive Board Mem-
sugar from the soaked grains and left be-
nesses account for at least 10 percent of
some well-deserved traction.
ber of the Upcycled Food Association.
hind dietary fiber, protein, prebiotics, mag-
waste. So we all have a part to play in being
ReGrained is an ingredient platform
nesium, iron, and zinc.
a part of the solution.
Snacking more sustainably by eating upcycled is one small action you can take to
and packaged foods innovator that spe-
With no access to compost, tossing the
At ReGrained, we developed patented
better align the food you eat with the plan-
cializes in upcycling nutritious food
grains felt wasteful, so I got creative and
technology to create a new supply chain for
et you love. We hope it also inspires you to
streams. Learn more: regrained.com
started a company, ReGrained. We learned
upcycled flour. We sell this flour to other
take a look in your own kitchen and improve
breweries generate tons of this grain every
companies and also use it in our own line
your own impact. Eat up!
HOW TO DO GOOD WITH FOOD GO OD
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BEST
Plant a garden at your home, or join a community garden. You can donate the food you grow to your local food bank or organizations that make sustainable food more accessible.
By partnering with farms, manufacturers, and businesses, Feeding America can find ways to rescue more food that would have otherwise gone to waste — and feed more people in need. Donate to support their work.
Eating locally is great (see page 9) but the single best thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint through food is to reduce the animal-based foods you eat. Start with #MeatlessMonday, and go from there!
GOOD NEWS KEEPS COMING
9
5 Reasons to Shop Locally for Groceries
Renewable Energy Is Truly Competitive With Fossil Fuels
Farmers markets are trendy, but they’re also
Renewable energy is on the rise and
ted to delivering 100 percent carbon-free
great for the environment. You can enjoy a
thriving. The technology for a world run-
power by 2050.
weekend morning browsing local food pro-
ning solely on renewable energy is there,
“This risk of climate change isn’t going
duce in your neighborhood, all while knowing
and cities and countries are slowly mak-
away, and we want to be the company that
where your food comes from and supporting
ing the switch. Scientists predict that
does something about it and hopefully
clean energy sources will be so cost-ef-
inspires others to do something about it,
local businesses. Check out these five ways
Support the Local Workforce
shopping locally helps the environment and
Small family farms can have a hard time com-
fective that they will eventually replace
too,” said XCel CEO Ben Fowke during an
your community.
peting with large corporations. By purchasing
fossil fuels as the main source of the
announcement at the Museum of Nature
groceries from your local farmer’s market,
world’s energy.
and Science in Denver.
Reduce Your Food’s Mileage
you support local growers and farmers and
Researchers at global consulting firm
Five states — California, Nevada, Hawaii,
When you shop at a conventional grocery
keep the money you spend within your com-
Wood Mackenzie predict that the year
Massachusetts, and Vermont — generate 10
store, your food could have traveled a thou-
munity. Further, you support the market or-
2035 will be a tipping point for clean en-
percent or more of their energy from solar
sand miles or more to get to you. By purchas-
ganizers and production team. Without this
ergy. In a 2018 report they shared that
energy. And more than 100 cities have com-
ing food produced in your community, your
consumer demand, these local businesses
they expect half of all new power plants
mitted to fully transitioning to clean energy.
food doesn’t travel far. Cutting down this
and organizations cannot exist.
built after 2035 to rely on solar, wind, or
In the first half of 2018, Germany produced
a combination of the two. They also ex-
enough renewable energy to power every
pect energy storage to surge as well, and
household in the country for a year. The
mileage reduces the environmental impact of your food because local food doesn’t require
Know Where Your Food Came From
plane travel or long truck trips, reducing fuel
Shopping locally is a great way to connect
electric vehicles will account for half
country aims to phase out its nuclear power
consumption and air pollution. Local food
with the food you eat. You can learn where
of all travel.
plants by 2022.
also reduces the need for shipping facilities,
your food came from, who grew it, and how it
“A world energy system based exclu-
The entire country of Portugal — an
packing facilities, and storage or refrigeration.
was grown. Meeting with local farmers and
sively on renewable energies and an al-
early adopter of renewable energy in Eu-
artisans is a great way to learn more about
most fully electrified world are our only
rope — amazingly ran on renewable energy
how and where food is produced.
chances to avoid further disasters,” said
for an entire month in March 2018, which
Christian Breyer, professor of solar econ-
was possible because the country has high
omy at Lappeenranta University of Tech-
levels of wind energy, hydropower, and
Enjoy Fresh Produce Many local producers pride themselves on keeping their products seasonal, organic,
Connect With Your Community
and free of hormones and pesticides, mean-
Strolling outdoors among rows of color-
nology in Finland, to PV Magazine. “This
solar energy. The Portuguese Renewable
ing you get the freshest and highest quality
ful, fresh produce among neighbors with a
is absolutely doable.”
Energy Association said in a statement
food. Keeping harmful toxins out of the air
similar interest in quality food is a pleasant
XCel Energy, which provides electrici-
that this will soon become the norm: “It
and soil also improves crops and air quality.
experience and can make grocery shopping
ty to 3.6 million customers in eight states,
is expected that by 2040 the production
And since the produce is fresh and brought
enjoyable, rather than a chore. Farmer’s mar-
says says building new wind farms with
of renewable electricity will be able to
directly from farm to table, there’s less waste,
kets tend to be community hubs — bring your
battery storage is now cheaper than run-
guarantee, in a cost-effective way, the
unlike at larger retailers, where food can go
family, children, and friends each weekend
ning existing coal plants. They are now the
total annual electricity consumption of
bad before it’s purchased, causing waste.
and make it a routine.
first major U.S. utility company commit-
Mainland Portugal.”
HOW TO FIGHT FOR MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY GO OD
BET TER
BEST
The electricity industry is changing. At least 50% of customers have the option to purchase renewable electricity directly from their power supplier, and everyone has other options. Learn more at energy.gov/energysaver.
Fill your life with more renewable energy. For some people, this could mean installing solar panels, solar lights, or other home-focused renewable energy products. Over time, the options will continue to grow.
If you care about improving access to renewable energy, contact your elected representatives. (You can find yours at ballotpedia.org.) Legislation is responsible for the fastest growth in renewable energy.
12
M O R E T H A N J U S T R E C YC L I N G
THE THREE R'S: IT'S MORE THAN JUST RECYCLING
REDUCE
We grew up learning about the “three R’s” — reduce, reuse,
Reducing is about limiting our accumulation and lessening
recycle. But have you ever thought about the significance
our impact. While it can be overwhelming to quit anything
of the order of the three? Of the plastic waste produced
cold turkey, reducing your bad habits is a great place to start.
bling problem for countries to tackle. Many plas-
REFUSE
And when you do have to accumulate something, make a stra-
Refusing can mean either refusing to participate or
these? You'll probably find that it's easier than you expect if
tics take anywhere from a decade to a few hundred
refusing to accumulate what we don't need. Refuse to buy
you're paying attention to opportunities to reduce.
years to degrade in sunlight, and to make a bad prob-
or use products that harm you or the environment. Use the
lem worse, much of this trash is hidden under piles
power of your dollar — in this case, witholding that power —
• Single-use silverware
in landfills.
to tell companies what you want. Refusing doesn't have to
• Single-use bags (plastic or otherwise)
be complicated. Sometimes it's a simple "no, thanks."
• Disposable straws
between 1950 and 2015, only 9 percent was recycled, according to a 2017 study published in Science Advances. The EPA estimates that every American produces more than two tons of waste yearly, with more than 200 pounds of that being food. We recycle only about one-third of our waste. Waste management is an increasingly trou-
Many of us make very little effort to reduce or reuse and skip straight to recycling, but have you considered that the
tegic choice to lessen your environmental impact. When you can’t refuse something altogether, you have the buying power to choose one product over another.
5 Things to Reduce This Month Do you think you can go a whole month without each of
• Plastic cups
R’s are ordered this way on purpose? It’s a waste hierarchy
TIP: Refuse to accumulate what you don’t need, such as
of sorts, with recycling as a last resort. Our efforts would
free water bottles, pens, or other swag. If you'll use it, then
be best spent by prioritizing reducing our waste, reusing
take it, but if it'll end up in trash, it's better not to. It can
TIP: Zero waste stores, where you can buy eco-friendlty
what we already have, and only recycling if we absolutely
feel weird to refuse gifts — but if they aren't necessary,
products, are rising in popularity. See if there’s one in your
need to discard something. With these lifestyle changes,
just say no.
area, or shop online at some of our favorites such as Package
we can make a small difference to a massive problem.
• Single-use water bottles
Free and Zero Waste Store.
We’ve added a few other important R’s to the mix. Take a
TIP: When you order takeout from a restaurant, ask the
look at how you can meaningfully engage with the growing
server to skip the plastic bag, cutlery, and napkins. Refusing
TIP: Buy products like food, laundry, and cleaning products
waste problem through refusing, reducing, reusing, recy-
is about preventing ownership altogether so that items
in bulk, economy sizes, or concentrate to reduce the amount
cling, repairing, and resisting.
never enter the reduce/reuse/recycle lifecycle at all.
of packaging you purchase.
G I V E I T A N OT H E R L I F E
REUSE
Reusing means using something more than once. Simple, right? There are clever ways to reuse that you might've never heard of.
TIP:
You often don’t need to buy anything new — you
probably have what you need at home. But if you need to buy something, make sure you'll use it more than once. Substitute a plastic shopping bag for a reusable one (we like Baggu), plastic food wrap for beeswax wrap, and plastic Ziploc bags for silicone food bags (such as Stasher). Carry a water bottle, cutlery, and shopping bags with you so you’re never without
Check Out These Tips to Sell Your Clothing Online Give your clothing new life by donating to a local center or selling it on a site like Poshmark, eBay, or Depop. We have a few tips for selling your clothes online: • Take great photos! Clear, brightly lit photos are more likely to grab a buyer’s attention. Be sure to show any flaws such as tears, signs of wear, or discolorations. And if it’s an item of clothing, a photo of a person wearing the item can help to sell the item more quickly. • Describe the item accurately, include measurements, and disclose any flaws. • Share your items frequently. This way they will show at the top of searches. • Price correctly. You can’t expect to make back 100 percent of what you paid, so make sure you ask for an amount you would actually pay if you were a buyer.
13
Things You Should Definitely Reuse Instead of Throwing Away • Coffee grounds can be used to create a body scrub. It’s exfoliating and smells amazing. • Your old toothbrush can be used to scrub grout underneath sink fixtures. • At the end of the growing season, let some of your veggies and flowers go to seed, collect the seeds, and use them next season for free. • Blankets and towels can be donated to animal shelters, where they will be reused to keep animals warm. • Used pieces of paper and junk mail can be used as scrap paper. • Reuse your food scraps by composting them. • Yard debris like grass cuttings, leaves, and wood chips naturally fertilize and add nutrients to your soil. • Egg cartons can be used as a palette for paint or a place to store seedlings. • When you get a gift, save the bag and use it next time you need to give a gift. • Use this newspaper as wrapping paper — the recipient gets a gift wrapped in good news. :)
an eco-friendly option.
REPAIR
Cutting down on waste could be as simple as taking the time, money, and energy to fix something before throwing it out. And you might learn a useful skill in the process.
When You Don’t Have the Right to Fix Your Own Stuff If one of your various electronics or machines were to break,
altogether, many consumers choose to just buy a new gadget
TIP: Before you toss your shirt with snag, rip, or pull,
instead. That’s what manufacturers — who have a monopoly
consider taking the time to repair it instead. Learning
on repairs — are counting on. And where do our out-of-com-
how to sew, hem, or patch will serve as a useful skill and
mission items go? Improperly discarded e-waste can have
could even turn into a hobby. Plus, how rewarding would
devastating effects on our environment, polluting our air,
it be to wear an item that your time and energy went into
soil, and water.
repairing? If you really don’t want to fix it, see if there’s a
In 2013, Massachusetts signed into law the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act, mandating that automakers make available the parts and information necessary for
can often be reused as rags.
repairs. It led the way for bills to come into play in other
TIP: Treat it like a hobby! Instead of replacing an item, learn
states, but it’s been a challenge because manufacturers are
to repair it. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment when you
fighting back.
do and will be more likely to care for the item in the future.
would you know how to fix it yourself, and could you afford
The good news is politicians are taking note of consumers’
to? Your phone? Your washing machine or fridge? What about
demand to be able to tinker with their own items or choose
your car? These questions are at the forefront of the “right to
who repairs it. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sand-
repair” movement, which advocates for consumers’ right to
ers each proposed a right-to-repair bill in 2019. These bills
fix items they own.
specifically impact the farming and agriculture sector but
Many industries offer repairs exclusively through the
way to repurpose the fabric before you ditch it. Old clothing
could springboard to other industries in the future.
manufacturers themselves or authorized agents, which can
You can tell your elected officials that you want the right
be costly. Manufacturers rely on people not understanding
to repair your own items and break through manufacturer
how their devices work and intentionally don’t provide the
monopolies. Some states already have right-to-repair bills
resources or parts necessary to DIY it. Plus when the cost
in the works, but if you live in a state that doesn’t have one
of repairing an item is barely less than replacing the item
yet, tell your elected officials you want one.
The Only 10 Things You Need In Your Home to Create a Toolkit A well-equipped toolkit is essential for completing everyday jobs around the home — from putting together furniture to home improvements. Here’s what you need to create a toolkit that should maintain and repair most items in your home. Hammer · Screwdriver · Pliers · Wrench · Tape Measure Level · Utility Knife · Sewing Kit · Electric Drill · Hacksaw
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