On a recent trip to Italy, I saw firsthand the negative effects of overtourism. While the trip was amazing overall, the impact of too many tourists on the environment and local communities was hard to ignore. The United Nations defines sustainable tourism as a way of traveling that considers the long-term impact on the economy, society, and the environment. Unfortunately, as more people flock to popular destinations, this balance is getting harder to maintain.

Incorporating more plants into our lives, whether through cultivating houseplants or developing backyard gardens, is a simple yet powerful way to contribute to environmental sustainability. Plants purify the air, regulate the climate, conserve water, support biodiversity, enhance human well-being, provide food and medicine, and add economic value. By nurturing plants, we not only improve our immediate surroundings but also make a positive impact on the global environment.

EarthFest, San Diego’s vibrant Earth Day event, took place this year on Saturday, April 20, 2024, in the heart of Balboa Park. As I arrived, just under an hour into the start of the event, I was immediately enveloped in a sense of community. It seemed as though everyone had gathered, united by a shared passion for sustainability. The air was filled with music, the voices of inspiring speakers, and the peaceful hum of meditation. And, of course, there were countless booths, each one a hub of activity, selling items, educating, and offering a variety of delicious vegan foods.  

Earth Day is on Monday, April 22, 2024, with this year’s theme being “Planet vs. Plastics.” Earth Day is a day of environmental activism.  We should consider the following activities to be a part of the movement: Educate ourselves, Share our education with others (volunteer, make others aware), and Take action (ex., plant a tree, start limiting plastic usage, etc.).

Direct-To-Garment (DTG): Printing method where ink is sprayed onto clothing, like a t-shirt, using a special printer, similar to how your home printer works.
Screen Printing: Technique where ink is pushed through a screen onto fabric, creating designs on shirts. It's good for making lots of shirts with the same design.
Direct-to-Film (DTF): Method where designs are printed onto film paper, then transferred onto fabric using heat. It's good for creating thin, vibrant designs.
Sublimation: Printing process where ink is transferred onto fabric using heat, covering the entire garment with the design. It's used for making all-over prints on shirts.

Real paper towels versus reusable “paper” towels.  I debate this now daily.  When I heard reusable paper towels were an alternative to my extensive use of one-time-use paper towels, I jumped right onto the trend.  Or, I am trying to anyway.  Here are some lessons learned from my three months of having reusable paper towels at the ready in my kitchen.

By request, we are addressing a more morbid topic today. Somehow, the topic came up at dinner:  Which is more sustainable: cremation or burial?  Let’s review one at a time.

Looking up a company's ESG report is a great way to learn about a company's sustainability efforts.  However, remember to look out for any greenwashing.  If you're interested in learning more about ESG investing, many resources are available online and from financial advisors.

The global Print-On-Demand (POD) market has a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.8% from 2022 to 2032.  This growth comes from expanding e-commerce (hello TikTok Shop and social media) and an increased demand for customized products.  The apparel segment holds a 37% share of this market and a projected CAGR of 27.4% (source: market.us). As of 2022, North America has a 40% share of this global market. This sounds like a good business to look into!

It’s likely that the clothes you are wearing right now have some polyester since polyester makes up about 60% of all clothing.  Changing some polyester clothing to recycled polyester clothing is a step toward being more sustainable.  Let’s learn about it.

Cotton is one of the most commonly grown crops in the world, and its use dates back to around 4000 B.C.  Growing conventional cotton is also one of the most chemical-intensive processes.  These chemicals negatively impact the earth’s air, water, soil, and people's health in the cotton-growing area.

Many items have the label of being biodegradable, making us think that these will easily break down in the natural environment and are eco-friendly. However, this is only sometimes the case.

Would you rather purchase a sustainable product instead of a non-sustainable one?  A sustainable one of course!  Same with 66% of all consumers, or 73% of millennials (Source: Earth.org).  But what does the company mean when telling us the product is sustainable?  Are they really sustainable, or are they just saying so?

Most U.S. plastic waste ends up in landfills and pollutes land, oceans, air, and even food and human blood. It is incredible to see plastic nearly everywhere you look, and our use is projected to continue growing. This made me wonder: How much plastic am I using? Where is all the plastic I am using going? Is the plastic waste in my home recyclable?

Plastic is made from fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gasses that negatively impact climate change.  Plastic also becomes microplastics as it sits on our planet for hundreds of years.  The only way to improve is to do our best to avoid plastics. Look for recycled plastics or products that contain zero plastic.  There are many alternatives available if you just look.

In the U.S., in 2021, there were 51 tons of plastic waste, and only 4.7% of that was recycled.  This tiny percentage is likely for multiple reasons: (1) We hear through the media that a lot of plastic is just not recyclable, so perhaps folks don’t bother to recycle; (2) every garbage collector has different plastic acceptance criteria; and (3) the rules constantly change as systems are upgraded (or downgraded). However, every small change can make a difference. So when I recycle, I know some of it will be recycled (yay!), some will end up in a landfill, and some will be burned somewhere across the world. But I still want to try and do my small part.  So, with that, let’s focus here on demystifying some recycling confusion:  What do those recycle label numbers mean?

Plastics, aluminum, paper, and other materials, from food and packaging to medical devices, are essential to our lives. However, producing these materials requires raw materials from our planet. Therefore, we want to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle these items so we will continue to have these natural materials for the future.

World leaders’ target from 2015 was to restrain global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius. New research finds we will breach this target by 2040 (Source: Grist). With environmental concerns increasingly significant, the call to embrace sustainability has never been louder. It's about making mindful choices that help protect our planet for future generations, where every small change can help make a difference. If you're looking to start a more eco-friendly and green life, it begins with a shift in mindset. Below, we'll explore the meaning of sustainable living and provide you with a comprehensive list of 100 green living resolutions and mantras to guide your way.

As the holiday season approaches, and while trying to become more eco-friendly, should you go for a natural, artificial, or no Christmas tree? There are pros and cons to each. While every small environmentally friendly change makes a difference to our planet, the most sustainable choice here can be difficult for many to make. The most sustainable choice is no tree at all (which is the same answer for buying most things!).

You have so many product choices when deciding to live more green, and below, you will find 6 sustainable product examples to help with your purchase decision process. Not all products are as sustainable as you think they might be, and you need to determine whether you actually need the product. Another item to help your decision is the Green Giraffe rating!