June 5, 2024
Warm weather and long, sunny days get people out of the house and into nature or trap them inside to avoid the heat and humidity. As a result, it’s also a time when people may forget about sustainable living. An estimated 90% of U.S. households use AC to stay cool. The average usage is around 1,100 […]
May 8, 2024
Many household cleaning products contain ingredients that aren’t great for the environment. Some of the worst ingredients are phosphates and surfactants. Phosphates act like fertilizers, helping boost the growth of algae that takes oxygen from the water, which impacts fish and other aquatic animals. Surfactants make it easier for animals and plants to absorb pollutants. While […]
April 25, 2024
Back in 1970, the nation’s first Earth Day occurred. About 20 million people attended events around the nation. Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson (1963 to 1981) championed Earth Day and encouraged people to fight for the environment with the same passion they had when opposing the Vietnam War. When Earth Day celebrated its 20th anniversary in 1990, […]
November 30, 2023
Mental illness affects one in five U.S. adults, and the rates are slightly higher in teens. Managing mental health is essential as studies find mental health impacts your overall health. Mental illness can increase the risk of chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.Medications are not the right solution for everyone. Some people […]
November 20, 2023
The World Bank estimates there are more than 476 million Indigenous people around the world in 2023. The IWGIA reports as many as 8.7 million of those people are in the U.S., and 20% of them live in American Indian communities and Alaska Native villages. California has the largest population of Natives in one state, […]
October 31, 2023
Before any football game, tailgating is a tradition. People get their parking space and set up their grills for ribs, burgers, brats, chicken, and many other favorite foods. In 2017, Michigan State University’s grounds cleaners reported collecting over 16,158 gallons of trash from dumpsters after a tailgate. That’s just one college and one game. In 2022, […]
October 18, 2023
Fall festivals take place throughout September, October, and November. Cooler weather invites people to get out of their air-conditioned homes and out enjoying fall crops like apples and pumpkins. Nods to traditional German Oktoberfests also take place across the country as people move from lighter ales and lagers to heavier, bready Bavarian, Weiss, and other […]
September 27, 2023
In 40 years, the use of plastics in the U.S. has tripled. Plastic waste generation was at 73 million metric tons in 2019, breaking down to about 1.3 pounds per American per day. It’s an absurd amount of plastic waste if you think about it. In one year, the average American generates close to 500 […]
September 14, 2023
Before the pandemic hit, the popularity of Maria Kondo’s minimalist approach to decluttering became popular. In 2018, it was found that 25% of adults wanted to embrace a minimalist lifestyle. As the pandemic hit, the “Great Declutter of 2020” hit. People were decluttering and a lot of those goods were going to landfills or thrift […]
August 23, 2023
Fall is on the way. Crisp nights, cooler days, and vivid foliage lead up to the first snowfall and wet weather. It’s a great time to go through your recycling and pick out what you need for fall-themed recycling projects. Here are five fall-themed recycling projects for all ages.Fall Flower CenterpiecesGlass jars are easy to […]