You're already a recycling pro, but now it's time to take your environmental game up a notch. So now what? There are dozens of green-living lifestyles, movements, and approaches to choose from. So how do you know which one is right for you? I'll give you some pointers and let you in on one great big secret about every single one of them. SHOW NOTES Share the blog post: The Secret to Sustainable Living that No One Tells You. If you missed episode #20 about Earth Overshoot Day, that's worth a listen. (Or read the post here.) Please shoot me an email to let me know what you'd like to see in Se ..read more

Recycling is usually one of the first solutions that comes to mind when we think of going green. But if we want to get serious about sustainability, recycling should be one of the last tools we grab out of our green-living toolbox. Here's why. SHOW NOTES In summary, here are 10 reasons why recycling alone won't save us.  For more on pre-recycling, read this. Further reading on the problems with recycling. Earthday.org The Week ABC News Loup Ventures Theme music by www.purple-planet.com ..read more

Recycling is a wonderful service, but it runs on profit, not altruism. That's why consumers have an important role to play in all 3 stages of the recycling process. Through the power of our eco-conscious purchases, we can help close the recycling loop and nudge businesses and recyclers to be more sustainable at the same time.  SHOW NOTES Read the blog post. This website gives a succinct, helpful overview of pre-cycling.  Find out more about Columbia’s ReThreads apparel recycling program. Learn about Pela’s 360 cell phone case recycling initiative. Check out TerraCycle’s free progra ..read more

Just because an item isn't allowed in the curbside bin doesn't necessarily mean it isn't recyclable. And if you want to move from recycling pro to aficionado, join in as we play a few rounds of Is This Recyclable? The prize? Sharper recycling skills and a feel-good green-living endorphin high! SHOW NOTES Read the blog post.  Avoid common recycling mistakes by boning up on these 5 rules of recycling etiquette (or go back and listen to episode #22). Learn more about resin codes here. Search for local recycling options on the Earth 911 or Recycle Nation database. Check out the how2recycl ..read more

For the eco-conscious, recycling is often considered the low-hanging fruit of green living. But many of us are doing it wrong! And since recycling tends to be a one-bad-apple-spoils-the-bunch type of situation, the downstream effects of our common recycling mistakes can be pretty detrimental. But follow these 5 rules of recycling etiquette, and you'll avoid the most problematic recycling missteps. SHOW NOTES Read the blog post. Check out this virtual tour of a recycling facility. Theme music by www.purple-planet.com. Sources: Republic Service's recycling education program. "Confessions of ..read more

I recently cut my kids' toy collection in half, and the results of my experiment back up what experts will tell you about children and play. And if you find yourself wading through a sea of toy clutter amid a chorus of complaints from bored children, it's time to give toy minimalism a try. SHOW NOTES Read the blog post. Related posts: 27 Common Household Items that Double as Toys. Theme music by www.purple-planet.com ..read more

Today is Earth Overshoot Day, meaning humanity has officially maxed out our ecological credit line for the year. In this episode, we explore this important sustainability metric and the cold reality of our supply-and-demand environmental situation. SHOW NOTES For more information about Earth Overshoot Day or to join the #MoveTheDate campaign, visit www.overshootday.org. Oceana.org’s Sustainable Seafood Guide is a good resource on sustainably harvested fish. Ballotpedia.org is an amazing source of election news and information in the U.S. Be sure to share this episode or the blog post with a ..read more

Party planning can be super tricky for eco-conscious parents. The traditional elements of a childhood birthday party—never mind the pressure to make them more and more elaborate thanks to social media—all seem destined for a big black trash bag at the end of the day. But it doesn't have to be that way! I suggest some practical ways to green your child's party and an important mindset shift that will make planning your next eco-friendly birthday party a piece of cake! SHOW NOTES Check out the blog post: 55 Ideas for Throwing an Eco-friendly Kid's Birthday Party. For more info on what is happe ..read more

Less than 60 years ago, the majority of children in the U.S. were potty trained by 18 months. Now, many parents don't even start the process until twice that age. The story of how one industry redefined a parenting milestone speaks volumes on the pitfalls of overwriting our cultural wisdom with the messages of the marketplace. SHOW NOTES Find out what to expect and get my best tips for potty training a one-year-old. Learn more about elimination communication at godiaperfree.com. Theme music by www.purple-planet.com. Book recommendations for early potty training:* The Tiny Potty Training Bo ..read more

Ziplock bags are wonderfully convenient things, but single-use plastics are not good for anyone. Short of giving them up altogether, the most environmentally responsible solution is to extend the lifespan of your plastic baggies by reusing them. Washing Ziplock bags is a chore I hated as a kid, but now I'm happy to do it. I'll explain why and share my best tips for making the task simple and convenient. SHOW NOTES Read the tutorial in blog form. Find out more about Plastic Free July any time of the year! Related: Check out episode #11 for tips on how to freeze perfect summer berries every ti ..read more