It’s Plastic-Free July, and my social media feeds are full of countless ads for sustainable products that you can buy to be more eco-friendly. In my opinion, this creates a barrier for those who can’t afford to invest in a bunch of new, oftentimes higher, costs. There are many ways to live sustainably that don’t require spending any money, just adopting new habits. If you need extra motivation to cut…
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Low-waste habits that save you money
One of the largest barriers that scares a lot of people away from low waste lifestyle alternatives initially is the cost factor. So many people tell me that they want to make changes, but they don’t want to add more expenses to their lifestyle. Whether you are facing a financial barrier, or simply want to cut back on your monthly expenses, these low-waste tips have saved myself and many others…
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Saying No to Single-Use Plastics: Portland Initiatives
I feel so lucky to be living in Portland, Oregon. Not only because of how beautiful it is, but because there are so many amazing sustainable initiatives, companies, and organizations out here! I spent last weekend trying out two amazing to-go ware reuse programs. Okapi Reusables provides to-go drink ware that can be returned to participating locations, and GO Box provide to-go food containers that can be returned to participating locations.…
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Energy Efficiency Tips That Save You Money
Working as the Program Coordinator for an energy assistance non-profit has opened my eyes to the importance of energy efficiency for both social and environmental reasons. Having heat and electricity in our homes is something that many of us take for granted, and honestly don’t give it a second thought. However, for many people across the world, paying for your energy bill gets pushed aside so that they can afford…
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3 Delicious Vegetable Sides for Winter
Pairing simple vegetable sides with your dinners is a super easy way to complete a meal and be sure that you are getting the proper nutrients. I personally think it is so important to have recipes that are quick and use minimal ingredients, especially if you have a busy lifestyle. Cooking is one of the few times that I can fully relax and clear my head, so it tends to…
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15 Low-Waste Travel Hacks
Traveling is something that we all look forward to doing throughout our lifetime, as a means of taking a mental health break, going on an adventure, work trips or visiting family Unfortunately, transportation accounts for between 15 and 20 percent of emissions each year around the globe. If you can’t stop traveling permanently, try at least incorporating some eco-concious decisions into your travel! For me, traveling is one of the ways…
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Don’t Trash Your Pumpkins!
Now that the spooky season is over, you probably are left with those cute, slightly decaying, pumpkins that you carved, painted, or just admired in the spirit of fall! Instead of tossing those pumpkins in the garbage bin this season, dispose of them in an eco-friendly way and give back to the Earth. Every Halloween, pumpkins used for seasonal decor add 254 million tons* of solid waste to United States…