As a consumer, I think it’s a great step for you to know the differences regarding compostable vs biodegradable. The real eco benefits of each are only achieved with proper disposal, but at the very least they provide alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. They demonstrate more conscious production materials, even though the end-of-life phase is still flawed. Only flawed because most people don’t know how composting works or why proper disposal of compostable and biodegradables is important.
Tag: environmental sustainability
How to Vote for Sustainability with Your Wallet
Money talks; money is power. The purchasing power we hold as consumers gives us a unique kind of autonomy that can’t be stifled or overruled by the ruling political party or the flaws of a political system. When we purchase a good or service, we are inherently endorsing that product and its company. We signal to the company that their products, and by extension, their practices and policies, are deemed acceptable.
Capitalism with a Twist: Patagonia Founder a Diamond in the Rough
Last week the founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard transferred all ownership of the company to two new entities. I wanted to talk about this news because what Chouinard has done here proves that capitalism doesn’t have to put profit before planet.
Recycling: The Inferior Sustainable Practice
I may be wrong, but I feel like ‘recycling’ used to be the face of sustainability. It was a simple concept to get behind and it made people feel good. Rather than reducing and reusing, which require a little more effort and thoughtfulness, recycling is like a guilt-free version of throwing something away i.e. to landfill. You can just toss something into a bin and it goes someplace more sustainable than a landfill. Or does it?
The New R’s of Sustainability
I’ve remembered the catchy phrase of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” But that was the old view; the sustainability space has since progressed. Environmental activists have added more words to paint a fuller picture of the spectrum of sustainable actions. These are the new R’s of Sustainability: rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle.
The First Steps of My Sustainability Journey
At the risk of sounding redundant, I’ll reiterate that my goal is to help others realize that living sustainably doesn’t have to get in the way of living one’s best life. Nothing to lose, but more to gain. So how can I inspire others without first being honest and open about my own sustainable life?