The H&M recycling program is a scam: what to do instead
Polly Barks | Zero Waste Educator
by Polly Barks
2M ago
Can you spot your old t-shirt here? So you’ve got some old clothes to get rid of and you’ve heard about H&M’s in-store recycling scheme. Stop right there. Fast fashion — and the endless push towards never-ending consumption — never gives us a solution. Push back against the corporate greenwashing and find better solutions. (Seriously. Why do you think they have these in stores and offer a discount? They don’t want you to make less waste — they want you to help them make more waste by lining their pockets further.) I’ll share some options on how to more appropriately give old clothes new l ..read more
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11 tips for living sustainably on a shoestring budget
Polly Barks | Zero Waste Educator
by Polly Barks
4M ago
How to live sustainably on a budget: an actually useful post that doesn’t center consumer tips like “go thrifting!” or “buy a reusable water bottle”. (Yes, that’s one of the top results right now on google. WTF y’all.) I think a lot of people get in their head about being sustainable on a budget. They worry about how to buy the right things (a very reasonable framing when you’re raised in the cult of capitalism), rather than understanding the sustainable option is simply to abstain from buying as much as possible. Living sustainably on a budget becomes much easier when you realize you can rem ..read more
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Climate change quotes (that aren’t from white dudes)
Polly Barks | Zero Waste Educator
by
4M ago
I felt the need to put together quotes about climate change - that aren't from white dudes. Too many lists are populated with long-dead men who benefited fully from the systems that perpetuate the climate crisis today. So scroll through, feel inspired, and use the quotes about climate change to create an epic poster or banner for your next climate rally. Please note: some of these links may be affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission at no cost to you - this helps support the site. Thanks! Quotes about climate change "We are called to assist the Earth to heal her wounds and in t ..read more
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What is PVA? Should it be in your home?
Polly Barks | Zero Waste Educator
by Polly Barks
4M ago
Picture this: you see some new ‘eco-friendly’ laundry sheets in the store, flip them over to check the ingredient list, and spot PVA. Polyvinyl Acetate… Hmm. What is PVA? And should it be in your home? Let’s talk about it, because like most things regarding your health and the environment… it’s complicated. What is PVA? What is it used for? PVA is short for Polyvinyl Acetate. It’s a synthetic polymer used across a wide variety of functions because it’s so versatile, but mostly applied as an adhesive or coating. As a consumer, you’ll mostly see PVA in things like laundry pods or — for folks lo ..read more
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How to ask for no holiday gifts (with a script!)
Polly Barks | Zero Waste Educator
by Polly Barks
5M ago
Here’s a quick and dirty guide on how to ask for no holiday gifts. Sure, it can feel a little awkward to buck the trend of overindulgent gift-giving, but just know the planet breathes a little bit easier with each missing package under the tree. Collectively, we could make a big dent in this typically wasteful season! Why should I care about asking for fewer gifts? The statistics on wastefulness during the holidays are hard to pin down, but anecdotally we all know the holidays come with a skyrocketing mess of packaging, food waste, and unnecessary excess. And some folks have actually attempte ..read more
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Truly clean laundry detergent? An Earth Breeze review
Polly Barks | Zero Waste Educator
by Polly Barks
5M ago
I tried Earth Breeze laundry detergent sheets so you don’t have to — and here are my thoughts. I wanted to write this since so many folks ask about laundry sheets. They’re a mainstay in the zero waste community, but seem to have So let’s talk about laundry sheets, and Earth Breeze in particular. FYI: this Earth Breeze review is unbiased! I paid for these myself to give them a try. That said, I do use affiliate links in the post that earn me a small commission at no cost to you. Earth Breeze laundry sheet review First off: Earth Breeze detergent comes in a laundry sheet. This is unfamiliar to ..read more
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The 5 gift rule & sustainable gift guide
Polly Barks | Zero Waste Educator
by Polly Barks
5M ago
Sustainable gift giving can be hard, especially when you’re still giving and receiving from folks who aren’t quite ready for the “no gifts” talk. This year, though, consider implementing the 5 gift rule with those who you might typically overbuy for. The 5 gift rule is a great way to pare down what can be overindulgent holidays and gift items with real intention. I’m sharing a 5 gift rule gift guide for a few folks in your life — all of the items can be purchased online, but consider supporting local businesses instead! Let’s jump in! What is the 5 gift rule? The "five gift rule" is basically ..read more
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My favorite zero waste laundry detergent options for any budget
Polly Barks | Zero Waste Educator
by Polly Barks
6M ago
Finding a good product lineup for your laundry routine doesn’t have to be hard. There are plenty of zero waste laundry detergent options for any budget, and I’m here to share the ones vetted by cool folks with sustainability cred. Because plastic bottles for detergent is an ecological mess! Many websites will cite around 1 billion plastic detergent bottles are discarded per year in the US, but I can’t find a good citation for that. There’s enough sustainability misinformation floating around so… suffice to say if most US households are using plastic detergent bottles (& few get recycled ..read more
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The eco-friendly guide to Lafayette, Indiana & Purdue
Polly Barks | Zero Waste Educator
by Polly Barks
6M ago
Welcome! I'm so glad you've stopped by to see the simple ways we can make Lafayette (and the planet!) a healthier, cleaner place. Getting started with your zero waste & eco-friendly journey around Purdue and Lafayette is easy: Read through this page and discover local resources; Learn about the 33 easy ways to start zero waste living. Zero waste Lafayette guide ahead: Food A guide to local, eco-friendly, and zero waste food options around Lafayette, Indiana! Dry/Wet Bulk Fresh Thyme Sunspot Natural Market Bistro Market & Deli Sigil Spellcrafters (witchy!, bulk herbs) U ..read more
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6 spooky climate-themed Halloween wallpapers
Polly Barks | Zero Waste Educator
by Polly Barks
6M ago
Get ready to give your phone screen a truly terrifying look with these climate-themed Halloween wallpapers. Because what’s more terrifying than the existential dread of a slowly accelerating climate collapse? Whether you want your friends to know about the planet’s skyrocketing CO2 levels, quickly disappearing species, or bone-chilling overuse of the earth’s resources… I’ve got the look for you. Yes, this is 100% tongue-in-cheek, but I really can’t think of any way to celebrate the spooky season by freaking people out with depressing climate facts. Real scary stuff! Need more tips on having a ..read more
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