The electric vehicle (EV) industry has made significant strides in recent years, with advancements in battery technology, charging infrastructure, and overall performance. However, the experience of one Carnoustie hotel manager serves as a cautionary tale for those considering making the switch to an electric car. Rob Alcock, the manager of the Kinloch Arms Hotel, bought his … [Read more...]
Don’t Flush! Keep the Wipes Out of the Pipes!
Those “flushable wipes” create havoc in sewers! The water and sewer agency for our Nation’s Capital (Washington D.C. Suburban Sanitary Commission) is just one of countless utilities around the country pleading with customers to stop flushing wipes down their toilets. During the Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020, people started using “flushable wipes” more than … [Read more...]
Studies Link Canine Cancers To Lawn Chemicals
“Lawn chemicals, particularly, ones containing 2,4-D, have been linked to at least two types of canine cancers. Studies found that lawn chemicals travel to neighboring yards and inside homes, and chemicals have been found in the urine of dogs whose owners did not spray their lawns.”1 Evidence that lawn chemicals are linked to cancers in dogs has been accumulating steadily … [Read more...]
Balloons at the Ocean: What Goes Up Eventually Washes Up and Can Kill Marine Life Along the Way. How About Some Alternatives?
Many of us are aware that balloon releases pose a serious threat to the health of marine wildlife. Unfortunately, too few people understand this. I took the photo above and the others in this article on just one walk along a Mid-Atlantic beach. As you can see, three different balloons washed up along about a half-mile of shore. This is not at all unusual. A paper … [Read more...]
Beyond Plastic: Scientists Who Made Flip Flops from Algae Are Creating More Biodegradable Alternatives to Petroleum-Based Products
It is heartening to see the research community continue the quest to find realistic alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. A group at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) continues building on previous work that developed algae-based flip flops and rigid foam used in surfboards. Their latest effort is purifying oil from green microalgae for use in manufacturing … [Read more...]
Need some things to feel optimistic about? The BBC has this!
There is a wonderful podcast and video series on the BBC News called “People Fixing the World.” Their Facebook page describes it as the “BBC’s solutions programme finding the amazing people tackling some of the world’s toughest problems.” Many of the solutions center on environmental challenges. One of the videos shares a growing urban farming practice of creating indoor … [Read more...]
Tragically, Plastic Waste Smells Like Dinner to Hungry Sea Turtles
It has long been said that sea turtles eat plastic bags because they look like jellyfish. Matthew Savoca, a doctoral student in Ecology at the University of California Davis, wasn’t content to accept this as the only reason. Surely there was more to it. He devoted his dissertation research to understanding why marine animals confused plastic waste for food. Savoca was … [Read more...]
Now for Some Good News About the Environment!
While we want to engage with our readers about issues affecting the environment, we worry that a never-ending stream of dire news makes it seem like meaningful change is impossible. So, we decided to highlight some good news in this brief compilation of progress in reestablishing majestic cranes in Britain, an update on efforts to clean a polluted holy river in India, and some … [Read more...]
Truly Biodegradable Straws and Cutlery Made From Avocado Pits
An innovative company looks to end plastic pollution by using a waste product that was, until now, burned in landfills by the millions of pounds every year. What are we talking about? Avocado pits, the seeds at the heart of avocados used to make the guacamole that so many of us love. In recent years, countries around the world have begun banning various disposable plastic … [Read more...]
Put These Glasses On When You Wake Up In The Morning And Smell The Coffee!
We love sharing stories about people making everyday products with sustainable alternatives to plastic. If you are thinking about some new sunglasses or prescription frames and you love coffee, then the Ochis Coffee line of eyeglasses might be for you. Ochis was founded by Max Havrylenko, who comes from a family that has long been in the optical business. He told Inhabitat, … [Read more...]