Sustainable Menstruation: Better for our Bodies and our Planet

In this week’s waste reduction venture, I tackle everyone’s favorite topic—menstruation! Alright, so I know it might not, in fact, be a popular topic for public discussion, but as anyone who has ever menstruated knows, the process can be messy, uncomfortable, and unpleasant. In trying to function while actively shedding the lining of one’s uterus, us menstruaters have turned to a plethora of products, which aren’t always exactly eco-friendly.

Two of the most commonly used menstrual products include tampons and pads. According to an article on Planet-friendly Periods in Stanford Magazine, in the US alone, approximately 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are discarded each year. Upon their disposal, these products either end up in landfills, clog sewers, or end up in our oceans where they can take over 20 years to break down and pose a threat to marine animals who can unwittingly ingest this refuse, leading to health complications or even death. From the product itself, to its applicator, to its packaging, mainstream disposable menstrual products have undoubtedly been a boon to the plastic industry. 

And it’s not just our planet these products are harming. 

Many pads and tampons are made using synthetic materials such as rayon or SAPs (super absorbent polymers) that are often bleached with chlorine to give them a pristine white appearance. Byproducts of the bleaching process include dioxins and furans, which have been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, and reproductive toxicity. Pesticide residues linked to cancer have been found in products made from traditionally-grown cotton (as opposed to organically grown cotton). And undisclosed fragrance ingredients found in scented varieties of pads and tampons often contain chemicals which have been known to cause cancer, endocrine disruption, and allergic reactions. 

These incomprehensible, unfamiliar, and toxic chemicals have no business coming in contact with one of the body’s most sensitive and absorptive regions. As explained by Made Safe (which certifies products as being safe for both humans and the environment), pads and tampons are regulated as ‘medical devices’, so there is no government requirement that ingredients be disclosed, which makes it difficult to avoid using products that contain these chemicals.  

On average, people with periods will spend 2400 days over the course of their lifetime menstruating, according to an article on menstruation in National Geographic . (For an enlightening history of menstrual management, I highly recommend reading the article). Using single-use, plastic-based menstrual products to absorb those 2400 days worth of blood creates a significant amount of waste. 

As if the burden of menstruating wasn’t enough, people with periods now have to deal with the added pressure of burdening our ecosystems with all this waste. 

However, there are numerous alternatives to the single-use, plastic-based, harmful menstrual products that have thus far pervaded our modern period culture. [A note: this post is not meant to shame anyone who decides to continue using conventional menstrual products—you do you—but is instead meant to educate and inform on options that exist for managing your period more sustainably, should that be something that appeals to you]. 

These options include:

Using reusable products, such as reusable pads, menstrual cups or period-capturing-underwear:

With an arsenal of just ten reusable cloth pads, you can expect these products to last upwards of 5 years. Cloth pads made from organic cotton or bamboo have the additional benefit of shielding your sensitive parts from chemicals typically found in disposable products. You can keep thousands of disposable products out of the landfill and our environment. And, you can buy cloth pads in a variety of patterns and prints to match your style. Have more questions about reusable pads? Check out this helpful Reusable Pad FAQ to learn more. 

Menstrual cups are another reusable option with an impressive longevity of up to 10 years with proper care. These small, flexible cups made of medical-grade silicone are inserted into your vaginal canal, where they seal and stay in place, collecting your menstrual blood. Every 12 hours you remove the cup, empty its contents, rinse, and reinsert.

The prospect of using a menstrual cup can be admittedly daunting. Like many of my peers, I grew up using disposable menstrual products. With heightened awareness as to the waste I was generating in my daily life, my period waste was an inescapable blot in my quest for greener living. At the start of summer, I decided it would be a fun quarantine project to acclimate myself to the wonders of sustainable menstrual care, ordering an affordable $6 cup called The June Cup online. Menstrual cups typically cost around $30.

According to a USA Today business article, people with periods spend, on average, $150-$300 annually on disposable menstrual products. Even if you replace your menstrual cup every year, that still amounts to significant savings. 

I’ll admit, my first time using the cup was rather daunting. However, luckily there are a plethora of online resources, guidelines, and videos to help orient you to using a menstrual cup. Four months and four periods later, I completely love my menstrual cup and will never return to the wasteful ways of disposable menstrual products. An added bonus: my second month using the cup I was in the midst of a backcountry hiking adventure. Not having to pack out bags of soiled disposable products was a welcome change, and after using my cup successfully in a backcountry setting, I felt truly invincible!

I am now fully committed to my menstrual cup, but in addition to cloth pads, some companies are offering period underwear which have a special layer that prevents blood from seeping through. As with reusable pads, you throw these suckers in the wash after use, and you’re good to go. Check out Good Housekeeping’s list of 7 Best Period Panties (if you are able to overlook the unforgivable use of the word ‘panties’). 

Again, although these options tend to come with a higher price tag upfront, you’ll save money in the long run by not having to purchase products every month. 

In addition to utilizing the reusable menstrual products detailed above, you can also reduce period-specific waste by choosing tampons without applicators.

 

Choosing tampons and pads made from natural fibers also reduces the amount of toxins and plastics you are subjecting both your body and the environment to. 

Lastly, there is also the option of using birth control (such as IUDs or the pill) to eliminate periods altogether. Talk to your doctor or gynecologist to discuss your options and determine what, if any method, is best for you. 

There’s also the option to free bleed, often utilized as a movement to normalize menstruation in society or out of financial necessity and lack to access of menstrual products. Check out this Healthline article on free bleeding

to learn more. 

Of course, menstruation is steeped in misogynistic bullshit that creates feelings of shame surrounding what is a natural biological function, making those of us with periods feel the need for discretion. Along with the sustainable menstruation movement comes an increase in open discussion and acceptance of this biological process, which can be as waste-free as it is natural.

Just like snowflakes, every vagina is unique, so what works for one menstruating human may not work for everyone. 

Periods might not always be fun, but at the very least, with sustainable options in the form of reusable cloth pads, menstrual cups, and period underwear and the lower-waste options of applicator-free tampons and products made from natural fibers as well as the product-free options of skipping your period or free bleeding, they can ultimately be healthier for our bodies and our planet. 

If you’re someone who menstruates, what are your thoughts on sustainable period products? Do you use cloth pads, menstrual cups, period underwear? Feel free to drop your advice, product recommendations, viewpoints, and grievances in the comments section below. 

As always, best of luck on your path toward greener living. 

The Pandemic Problem: Unprecedented Waste in these Unprecedented Times…

In a previous post recommending environmental content to stream while in quarantine, I outlined some of the ways in which the global pandemic and ensuing lockdowns, economic shutdowns, and reduced travel have ultimately benefited the environment (fewer emissions, reduced fossil fuel consumption, etc.) However, unfortunately there are two sides to every coin, and the flip side of these temporary benefits is a whole lot of single-use waste. 

The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 spurred panic, uncertainty, heartbreak, and one of the most egregious regressions in sustainability in the form of rollbacks of numerous plastic bans in favor of single-use disposable items, rationalized as an "abundance of caution." As science writer Lauren Tenenbaum explains, “Concern about safety and cross-contamination has caused statewide, municipal, and corporate repeals of single-use plastic bans and this has translated into a heightened demand for bottled water, PPE, plastic bags and packaging.” 

What’s more is that with many recycling and waste management services operating at limited capacity as a result of the pandemic, it’s possible that this influx of extra plastic will not ultimately get recycled. The potential for plastic ban rollbacks to persist coupled with the inability to properly manage our (now overflowing) waste streams may result in an unprecedented increase in the level of plastic pollution in our oceans, which activists have fought so tirelessly to reduce (see my Plastics Purge series). In fact, as reported by the LA Times, a new form of plastic pollution is beginning to pervade our oceans: disposable masks.

There has also been a major uptick in the amount of single-use plastic waste being generated from take-out dining—an option which has soared in popularity in the midst of a pandemic where people have been either prohibited from or uninterested in in-person dining. As cited in the above LA Times article, a survey found that during an eight-week lockdown, Singapore’s 5.7 million residents generated an additional 1,470 tons of plastic waste from takeout packaging and food delivery alone!

Additionally, environmentally friendly measures like the use of reusable cups at coffee shops and reusable bags in grocery stores have been disallowed in the fear that these items may serve as a vector for the Coronavirus. This, in spite of the fact that medical experts believe that reusable materials pose no additional risk, as long as they are routinely sanitized. 

Furthermore, as reported on Earth.org, the reality of the virus encouraging more people to socialize and recreate outdoors has resulted in heretofore unseen quantities of litter entering our natural spaces including parks, beaches, and hiking trails. 

With a recent relocation to the Hawaiin island of Kaua'i, I began listening to the podcast Are We Doomed? And Other Burning Environmental Questions, in which host Claire Caulfield investigates and answers questions about the environment in Hawaii. She discusses this very issue in a June 29th episode titled, Is the Pandemic Creating More Litter? (Spoiler alert: the answer is yes). She discusses how part of the increase in plastics and other waste can be attributed to disposable gloves, masks, and other medical equipment essential to protecting frontline healthcare workers. 

And while the abundance of caution may have been warranted at the start of the pandemic, as science continues to learn more about COVID-19, certain wasteful precautionary measures are no longer necessary. For example, with the best defenses against the virus consisting of washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water, wearing a mask, and practicing social distancing, for non-frontline workers disposable gloves and single-use masks are simply not necessary: reusable masks and handwashing are an effective defense. 

While I realize it may be seen by some to be a privilege to care about the well-being of our environment in the midst of a pandemic, recession, and social upheaval, I believe it is necessary to do so. We cannot sacrifice the future for the sake of convenience and comfort in our present. In some instances, the increased waste generated as a direct or indirect result of the pandemic is not easily avoided. However, in other instances, there are things that you can do to adopt greener practices, even in the midst of a global pandemic. 

Portland radio station Live 95.5 lists these five tips for reducing waste during the pandemic:

1. Break down your paper and cardboard delivery boxes and put them out for proper recycling. (Even if some recycling operations have been disrupted, we should still attempt to divert such items from landfills).

2. Instead of throwing disposable bags away, find other ways to re-use them, such as lining wastebaskets and using them for your next car trip to collect trash. 

3. If you’re ordering takeout, reduce waste by opting out of receiving plastic silverware and napkins. 

4. Buy a large resealable bottle of your favorite beverages instead of buying multiple smaller cans. 

5. Divert food waste from landfills by creating a composting spot in your yard. (For tips on how to start a household compost, check out my previous post on household composting).

Additional suggestions for waste reduction come from a June article in the Bangor Daily News:

6. Wear a reusable cloth mask. 

7. Bag your own groceries. (In which case many stores will allow you to use your reusable grocery bags)

8. Buy locally! Shopping at your local farmers market can reduce the amount of plastic generated from your groceries. Likewise, making local purchases can reduce the amount of waste from packaging and transportation that results from online shopping (for more reasons to buy locally, check out my post on shopping small).

9. When getting creative with socially distant celebrations or parades, celebrate with bubbles as opposed to balloons. Escaped or discarded balloons are another form of litter and can pose a choking hazard to birds and other wildlife. 

10. Use this time to conduct a trash audit to increase awareness of your personal / household waste management practices and to create goals to work toward reducing, reusing, and recycling. If you are perhaps trapped at home with your kids, this could be a fun and teachable project for the whole family!

Clean River Recycling Solutions also suggests the following:

11. Reduce food waste by not overbuying more produce than you can use, freezing what you can to extend shelf life, and opting for non-perishable items. 

12. Utilize eco-friendly / reusable cleaning supplies at home such as reusable rags vs. paper towels, bottles of cleaner rather than wipes, and natural cleaning solutions such as vinegar. (Again, for more details and tips, see my previous post on nontoxic housecleaning).

13. Reuse or re-purpose worn out household items and waste into arts and crafts projects and DIYs opposed to throwing them away. Also a great activity to entertain the kiddos!

And some tips of my own:

14. Pack it in, pack it out. Please recreate responsibly and make sure that you are packing out and properly disposing of any trash you generate while enjoying the great outdoors. 

15. Take part in socially distant beach clean ups or pick up trash in an area near you!

16. Revisit my previous posts for additional ideas for projects and practices to reduce waste in your everyday life. 

So, as you can see, there are lots of ways to continue on our paths toward greener living, even in the midst of a global pandemic. Times are tough right now—socially,  financially, and emotionally. We are all doing our best, and I offer my understanding and compassion in these trying times, but the fact of the matter is that unless our best includes incorporating sustainable practices and reducing waste with an outlook toward the longevity and well-being of our planet, our best simply isn’t good enough. If you are able, please strongly consider disrupting our wasteful and destructive habits fueled by extractive capitalism and refusing to accept the pandemic as a means by which to trash our environment. 

Have you implemented any sustainable practices in your life as a result of or in response to the pandemic? Are there other tips you'd recommend in combating our new wasteful reality? As always, please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Black Lives Matter

In the weeks following the killing of Geroge Floyd and the resultant raised collective consciousness regarding the importance of and support for the Black Lives Matter movement, I, like many of my white privileged peers, have been trying to be an effective, strong, and trustworthy ally. In educating myself on what it means to be anti-racist and how to best continue working toward being a “good white ally,” I found the emphasis on putting in the work and educating myself to be a resounding and consistent message throughout mediums and resources.

As Ben O’Keefe, former senior aide to Senator Elizabeth Warren explained it, as quoted in the Vox article, How to be a good white ally, according to activists,“It’s really important...to learn about the systems of oppression that exist and how you’re complicit in them, and then, again, remember that it’s not our job to educate you. It’s not hard to educate yourself. You can literally google it.”

Examining privilege is also a theme, and rightly so. O’Keefe elaborates on the need to acknowledge and utilize our privilege, saying, “We don’t need you to carry the burden of your privilege. We need you to acknowledge it and to use your privilege to promote good and to fight oppression.”

Leslie Mac, an activist and community organizer, asserts the importance of “Giving your time, talent, and treasure to black-led organizations and black leaders that are doing front-line work in your area.” Mac further asserts that effective white allyship “should always center the voices and causes of black, indigenous, and people of color, both online and in their local communities, and amplify their stories and their demands to speak out.”

While I am continuing to work toward being an effective, educated ally in a multitude of aspects in my life, I wanted to use my platform on this blog, however paltry my readership may be, to educate myself and to use my voice and my privilege to highlight and recognize the important and often overlooked contribution of black individuals and people of color to the environmental movement.

Below I have highlighted the work of five environmentalists and provided additional resources and further reading on important leaders in the environmental movement, both historically and today:

1.Reverend Lennox Yearwood Junior
In his activism, Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr. epitomizes the intersectionality of environmental and social justice issues. Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr. is the president and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus, a minister, and community activist. His campaigns and movements like the ”One World, One Voice” campaign, encourage young people to work to solve climate change. His "Green and City" campaign has engaged black mayors in the movement to green their cities. He currently serves as President of the Hip Hop Caucus, a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers young people to participate in elections, policymaking and service projects. You can read his Earth Day essay, A World Worth Fighting For,  published in the Sierra Club Magazine, here, which highlights the urgency of engaging frontline communities to create a diverse and inclusive environmental movement.


2. Rue Mapp
Rue Mapp founded Outdoor Afro in 2009. She is currently the CEO of the national non-profit organization, which has become the nation’s leading, cutting edge network that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Outdoor Afro addresses the ongoing need for greater diversity in the outdoors.
Learn more about Mapp’s motivation in founding the organization by checking out this NPR story on the organization. And check out the Outdoor Afro website for events and ways to get involved.





3. Nicole Lindsey and Timothy Paule 
As proud Detroit natives, Lindsey and Paule founded Detroit Hives, a non-profit that seeks to create sustainable communities and bee populations by transforming vacant lots into pollinator-friendly spaces. Check out detroithives.org to learn more or to donate!

4. John C. Robinson
John C. Robinson is a biologist, environmental advocate, and author. He has worked for the US Department of Agriculture and the US Fish & Wildlife Service and has served on the board of directors for the American Birding Association. A significant part of his advocacy work is focused on making minorities, in particular minority youth and young adults, more engaged with the environment through bird watching. His 2008 book Birding for Everyone: Encouraging People of Color to Become Birdwatchers further explores this topic, and is undoubtedly worth a read.




5. Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai was a renowned social, environmental, and political activist in Kenya. In 2004 she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental organization that empowers communities, particularly women, to conserve the environment and improve livelihoods by growing seedlings and planting trees to bind the soil, store rainwater, and provide food and firewood. Maathai has authored four books and is the subject of the feature documentary film, Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai.
You can learn more about Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt Movement by visiting their website where you can also stay up to date with news and events and learn how you can get involved and support their work.



Here at Greener Living, I have somewhat whimsically and sporadically pursued my passion for environmentalism by seeking to eliminate sources of waste in my everyday life. And, in doing so, while I have encountered challenges, the color of my skin was never one of the things that made my pursuit of a sustainable lifestyle difficult. This, however, is not the case for environmentalists who do not benefit from a problematic legacy of white supremacy.

Because environmental and social justice issues are often interrelated (see this Eco Watch article on Black Environmentalism for more on the interconnectedness of discriminatory practices and the concentration of environmental injustices and subsequent socioeconomic, pollution, and healthcare disparities which disproportionately impact black communities), it is not only important, but is necessary, to approach environmentalism in conjunction with social justice activism.

Although I have highlighted only a few noteworthy black environmental activists, I urge you to take the time to learn about and appreciate the contributions of countless other individuals who have contributed and are continuing to contribute in significant ways to the protection of our planet and the continuing work toward a just, equitable, and sustainable future.

Some additional resources include:

• San Francisco Department of the Environment’s list of featured black environmentalists 
• Melissa Petersen’s blog highlighting the work and legacy of 28 Black Environmentalists
• Greenpeace’s 8 Black Environmentalists You Need to Know 

Follow these organizations and activists on social media to stay up-to-date with their projects, accomplishments, and the ways in which you can help support their work.

In addition to continuing to support social justice organizations and donating to bail funds, ACLU, Unicorn Riot, and other deserving non-profits / organizations, please also consider supporting, via donations and other means, these environmental enterprises. You can donate directly to Detroit Hives, Outdoor Afro, The Green Belt Movement, or the newly relaunched National Black Environmental Justice Network.

Consume the films and books created by/about these important black environmental leaders.

Furthermore, please use your platform, voice, privilege, or vote to demand environmental equity and the mitigation, reparation, and prevention of past, present, and future environmentally degrading policies, projects, and injustices which disproportionately impact communities of color. This can be done by signing petitions and contacting elected officials to make your opinion heard.

As explained by black environmentalists in the New York Times article, Black Environmentalists Talk About Climate and Anti-Racism, “It’s impossible to live sustainably without tackling inequality.”
Because this is true, an important step on our journey toward greener living, not to mention the simply moral/ethical thing to do, is to work to combat inequality. Black lives matter, in all facets of an equitable world, including within the realm of environmentalism.

Are there black activists and environmental leaders doing amazing work that weren’t mentioned in this post, but deserve to be recognized? (Of course there are!) Please share in the comments section below. Additionally, if there are organizations you recommend donating to or resources you find to be particularly helpful, please share those as well!

Best of luck on your journey toward greener living.

~Sam

E-Readers, E-books, E-nvironmentally Friendly?

I am sure we have all come to realize certain difficult truths during our time in quarantine—an inevitable outcome of nearly unlimited and seemingly interminable time for self-reflection and introspection.

One of my big and surprising takeaways from my time in lock-down, in which I found myself with an abundance of free time to read, is my newfound love for my e-reader.

I know, I know, it felt blasphemous to write, let alone say out loud, but it’s true. With the closures of public libraries and my newfound abundance of free time, I turned to my long-scorned e-reader that had sat largely idle and unused on my shelf for years.

After panicking about my lack of access to books upon the closure of my local library and the prospect of being left at home, quarantined with nothing to read, I utilized the free electronic library consortium available to me through my library membership.

I downloaded the Kindle and Libby apps to manage my downloads, and began reading voraciously. Like a real brick-and-mortar library, the e-library I now had access to has a limited number of copies of books, e-books or audio, available at any given time. This left me with some long wait times on hold to access popular titles, but on the flip side, I had access to titles compiled throughout the state as opposed
to the limited availability of my local library. Utilizing electronic libraries enabled me to still access books for free, which is one of my favorite aspects of utilizing libraries in the first place rather than purchasing books I wish to read. However, even with the e-reader, I still had the option of purchasing books through the likes of the Kindle or Nook apps. The titles, both borrowed from the library and purchased, download instantly and can be highlighted and annotated in ways not typically possible with paper-copy library books.

In addition to enabling me to obtain books conveniently without access to a conventional library, I also became interested in the environmental ramifications of my newfound love for my e-reader. While I would hardly consider a print book to be considered “waste” in the traditional sense of the word, I was curious if the amount of resources (paper, energy, shipping, etc.) that go into manufacturing and distributing physical books rendered e-readers the more environmentally friendly and less wasteful option.

Both e-readers and physical books require material inputs, and while the initial inputs and emissions are greater in manufacturing an e-reader than a single print book, over time, e-readers prove to be the less costly (in terms of resource use and emissions) option. A 2009 study featured in the NY Times found that the carbon emitted over an Amazon Kindle e-reader’s life is offset after the first year of use. On average, a single e-reader like the Amazon Kindle, has the ability to offset the purchase of 22.5 individual books every year. The study further suggested that “e-readers could have a major impact on improving the sustainability and environmental impact on the publishing industry, one of the world’s most polluting sectors.”

According to Greenpoint Content + Publishing, the book publishing industry consumes 16 million tons of paper annually, necessitating the harvest of 32 million trees every year. Furthermore, on average, each printed book releases 8.85 pounds of CO2 into the environment in its manufacturing, distribution, and disposal. The newspaper and book printing industries combined emit 44 million tons of CO2 annually, and the process of milling paper for books releases not only CO2, but also nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide into the environment which contribute to smog, acid rain, and global warming. According to the nonprofit Green Press Initiative, it takes approximately seven gallons of water to produce the average printed book whereas it takes less than two cups of water to create a digital book.

However, as with many topics explored on this blog, the potential green impact of e-readers to offset the material inputs and emissions of physical books and print media is dependent largely on our individual habits. Buying every physical book we read brand-new and allowing those books to be read only once before occupying space on our shelves or in a box somewhere for the rest of time is arguably more wasteful than buying a used book, borrowing books from friends or the library, or donating books into re-circulation after reading them. Likewise, frequently upgrading or replacing e-readers can generate hard-to-recycle e-waste and offset any energy / emission saving measures of the device as compared to print books in the long-run.

According to one lifecycle analysis of printed books vs. e-readers cited by the Huffpost, the energy, water, and raw materials needed to make a single e-reader is equal to that of 40 to 50 books. Therefore, in order for your e-reader to be considered less wasteful than the print book alternatives, you need to read more than 50 books over the course of your e-reader’s lifetime.

Ultimately, by renouncing the throwaway culture that pervades our country and imperils our planet, and investing in a single e-reader for long-term use, we can diminish the waste generated by print media in the publishing of print books and news. By capitalizing on the multimedia potential of e-readers as a way to consume books, news, and other media, like magazines, we can greatly reduce the amount of resources (paper, water, and transportation emissions) we are using in our everyday lives—the more we use our e-readers and the longer we use them for, the greater their environmental benefits become. Promoting the development of and investment in sustainable/renewable energy sources, like solar, can also make the electricity required to charge our e-readers less of a factor. E-readers also have a definitive space-saving advantage over print books, which can be conducive to promoting a minimalist lifestyle.

Since starting quarantine in mid-March I have read 10 books, all of them electronically on my e-reader. I have read four issues of Tiny House Magazine, which are all 70 pages or more in length, and I have listened to four audiobooks. My e-reader device is at least five years old and I have no intention to replace it with a newer model. With heavy use and sustained, intentional longevity, I feel that my e-reader has allowed me to reduce my environmental impact by opting out of participating and contributing to the wasteful and harmful practices of the publishing industries.

As a self-proclaimed book lover, I, of course, recognize the intangible aspect of holding a print book in your hands, turning its pages, and relishing the feel of the book—a solid accumulation of words and paper—that cannot be replicated by an electronic device. However, in your journey toward greener living, I urge you to consider and evaluate your reading habits. Whether you decide to read e-books for the rest of your life, feel inspired to donate the collection of print books you have been hoarding but are unlikely to ever read again to your local library or thrift shop, have a newfound resolve to buy or borrow used books rather than ordering new books, or even an inclination to shop at your local bookstore to support local businesses, you can make personalized, greener decisions when it comes to your reading and consumption of print media.

Are you a fan of e-readers? In what ways do you consciously reduce/reuse/recycle when it comes to books or other printed content? Please share in the comments section below, and best of luck on your journey toward greener living.

~Sam

Earth Day 2020!

Environmentalists rejoice! Earth Day 2020 is right around the corner. With the unprecedented craziness of a global pandemic bringing some aspects of daily life to a standstill and promoting a new normal that many of us are still adjusting to and coming to terms with, it would be easy for the environment to be put on the backburner, as it so often is in our capitalism-driven, consumer-focused, busy society. However, with the closure of much of the economy and millions unemployed, for most of us, we are left with perhaps more time than we otherwise would have to celebrate Earth Day this year and reflect on our relationship—both personally and as a larger humanity—with the planet on which we reside.

The first Earth Day occurred 50 years ago on April 22, 1970 and marked the birth of the modern environmental movement. The annual event began in the United States with Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, a senator from Wisconsin, generating an idea of a “national teach-in on the environment” and subsequently organizing a national taskforce of 85 individuals to promote events—massive demonstrations across the nation—to protest the deterioration of the environment. The event became a global affair in 1990 and has since been observed in more than 190 countries. More information on the origins of Earth Day can be found at the earthday.org.

Although Earth Day historically mobilizes individuals to partake in rallies, protests, and demonstrations, this year, for obvious and aforementioned reasons, Earth Day will look a little different.  While circumstances won’t allow for attending climate marches, protests, or group beach clean ups, there are still ways to honor and celebrate Earth Day this Wednesday, April 22nd.

Here are five ways to celebrate:

1. Adopt a “green” resolution
There is perhaps no greater way to celebrate a day meant to demand respect and sustainable action for our planet than to take sustainable action yourself. The entire premise of this blog is to promote environmentalism in everyday life, so take a look back at previous posts for inspiration. Some ideas include:

• Adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet to reduce consumption of animal products
• Take shorter showers
• Switch out your laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoo, etc. for non-toxic, environmentally-friendly, plant-based alternatives
• Start washing your clothes in cold water and hanging them up to dry
• Switch to reusable straws, water bottles, and grocery bags to eliminate plastic pollution
• Start a compost to divert organic materials from the landfill

2. Tune in to Earth Day online
For the first time in its history, Earth Day is going digital. Check out Earth Day Live to find digital events and explore additional activities.

3. Pick up trash outside
Many seasonal roadside clean up events have been cancelled. However, while you’re out on your solitary walks, consider bringing a garbage bag along to pick up the roadside refuse that has unfortunately accumulated throughout the winter. Walking along my road today I encountered lots of discarded beer bottles, cans, and wrappers. You better believe I’m going to head out there next Wednesday, bag in tow, to help clean up in celebration of Earth Day!


4. Honor the Earth with Art!
This suggestion is perhaps more on the creative and whimsical side of things, but creativity and whimsy are cornerstones of effective environmentalism (at least, I believe so). So, in honor of Earth Day 2020, consider painting a watercolor of your favorite nature spot, or make a collage to celebrate your love of the outdoors, or draw your rendering of a sustainable, harmonious earth. You could even re-purpose trash to make art. The possibilities are endless. If you need some inspiration, check out these articles for 34 Earth Day Crafts with Recycled Materials  and Trash Art Ideas. 

5. Get outside!
It is Earth Day, after all. Get out there and enjoy and connect with the Earth which we are celebrating and fighting to protect. Many shelter-in-place / lockdown orders make exceptions for outdoor activities. If you are able to do so safely and locally (maintaining 6ft of distance, staying close to home, avoiding crowds, and engaging in low-risk activities), then go for a hike, put together a picnic, grab the canoe or kayak, or simply put on some shoes and get outside.

I hope you will join me in celebrating Earth Day this Wednesday, April 22. Whether you decide to adopt a green resolution, attend a digital event, create some art, take a hike, or celebrate in some other manner, let me know how it goes in the comments section below. I wish you all a happy Earth Day and continued luck on your journey toward greener living.

~Sam

Stream Green During Quarantine

Hello hello Greener Living readers!

I do apologize for my prolonged absence. I have no legitimate excuse, except to say that my life simply got in the way. However, due to the current COVID-19-induced climate of social distancing and self isolation, I am not only out of work, but out of a social life as well, leaving me with plenty of time to write.

I do not mean to underscore the severity of this pandemic, but merely to write on the matter from my perspective. Living and working in a resort town that has since come to a standstill, with restaurants, hotels, ski mountains, and just about every other business you can think of shutting down, my reality and the reality of those around me consists largely of being home without much to do.

On the one hand, the Coronavirus has had a surprisingly beneficial impact on the environment. With global travel coming to a standstill, many factories and industries shutting down, and economies being stalled, emissions and pollution levels have dropped substantially. Fossil fuel use has been curtailed as individuals work from or remain at home. With this stay-at home mentality, and in some instances, mandate, coupled with widespread unemployment and financial uncertainty, people aren’t going out to eat, shop, or consume like they used to. The situation, like most things, is nuanced with home energy usage increasing and the potential for emissions to skyrocket once economies rebound. However, for the time being we are living in a period of less travel, less consumption, and less environmental degradation.

To read more about how the Coronavirus is impacting the environment, I suggest checking out these articles courtesy of CNN and Scientific American.

In the meantime, if you’re stuck at home with nothing to consume but a dwindling supply of canned
goods and a slew of content available on various streaming services, I’d like to offer up the idea of watching environmental content to both educate and inspire in these troubling times.

Here are Greener Living’s top picks for “green” content to stream during quarantine:

1. Tidying Up with Marie Kondo
In a series of inspiring home makeovers, world-renowned tidying expert Marie Kondo helps clients declutter their homes and their lives!

Available on Netflix
1 season, 8 episodes (~30-40 minutes each episode)

This show speaks to the tenets of minimalism and less-is-more mentality. Who knows? It may even inspire you to do some tidying up during this quarantine.

2. Tiny House Nation
This series celebrates the "tiny house" movement. Hosts and renovation professionals John Weisbarth and Zack Giffin travel across America to show ingenious small dwellings and their creative inhabitants.

Available on Netflix and Hulu Live
2 seasons, 7 episodes each (~40 minutes each episode)

Both informative and inspiring, this series is a great introduction to the Tiny Living movement and the increased financial freedom and decreased environmental impact that often accompany and inform a family’s decision to live “tiny.”

3. Chasing Coral
In this Netflix original documentary, divers, scientists, and photographers around the world mount an epic underwater campaign to document the disappearance of coral reefs.

Available on Netflix
1h 29min

Self-labeled as controversial and investigative,  this film offers an opportunity to learn about one of the world’s most unique and threatened ecosystems.

4. Terra
This visually striking documentary explores our relationship to other living creatures as humanity becomes more isolated from nature.

Available on Netflix, YouTube
1h 37min

Provocative and inspiring, this documentary reminds us of the interconnectedness of all things while urging us to reconnect with nature.

5. Life Off Grid
Life Off Grid is a two-year journey exploring the lives of Canadians in every province and territory who have made the choice to disconnect. Life off Grid is a film about people who have chosen to build their lives around renewable energy, with beautiful, inspiring, and often challenging results.

Available on Amazon Prime
1h 25 min

A great option for those of us interested in learning more about alternative sources of renewable energy, off-grid living, and self-sufficiency.

6. Climate Warriors
This documentary showcases those advocating for rapid, systemic change in the face of the devastating effects of climate change. Specifically, these climate warriors are advocating for renewable energy as a way to save our planet and maintain our humanity and peace.

Available on Hulu
1h 26min

Emotionally-charged and politically provocative, this film will get you amped up and ready to join the revolution of activists demanding change in the name of our planet’s longevity and sustainability.

7. Cowspiracy 
This hard hitting film follows the journey of Kip Andersen, an endearing, man-bun clad environmentalist inspired by Al Gore’s 2006 An Inconvenient Truth, who is hell-bent on getting answers as to why the environmentally destructive impacts of animal agriculture were being overlooked and under-emphasized by environmental advocacy groups.

Available on Netflix
1h 30 min

As detailed in my earlier post on Plant-Based Diets, this film promotes an anti-meat / anti-animal product platform, challenges individuals to reconsider their everyday habits and lifestyle choices, and uses an impressive array of statistics to back up their claims.

8. Love Your Garden
Similar to Extreme Makeover Home Edition, famed horticulturist Alan Titchmarsh hosts this uplifting show in which he and his team travel the U.K. planting dream gardens for deserving citizens.

Available on Netflix
1 season, 8 episodes (~ 45 minutes each episode)

Admittedly, environmental documentaries can be dark, depressing, and emotionally exhausting at times. However, this delightful show offers some heartfelt, feel-good viewing that will hopefully inspire you to make the most of your outdoor spaces and plant a garden come spring.

9. The Lorax
This adaptation of Dr. Suess’s beloved book delves into the story of the Lorax, once the gruff guardian of the forest, and the Once-ler, who let greed overtake his respect for nature.

Available on YouTube, iTunes, Amazon (for rent)
1h 35 min

This film is a particularly good choice for children. After all, it’s never too early to start cultivating respect and stewardship for our planet!

10. Minimalism 
This documentary showcases the lives of minimalists from all walks of life who have ultimately rejected the American ideal that things bring happiness.

Available on Netflix
1h 18 min

While it’s not the most riveting documentary on the market, it does offer insightful commentary and promotes important introspection on what we truly value and need in our lives. Perfect for those looking to reduce waste in their everyday lives!



I know you have a lot of choices when it comes to content to be streamed. And with our country and planet in various forms of lock-down and quarantine, you now might find yourself with an abundance of time in which to consume this content. It is my hope that with this compilation of suggested viewing you will take the time to focus on the environmental issues and triumphs facing our planet. The shows and films on this list were selected to be thought provoking, educational, and ultimately inspiring.

If you watch these shows/films and would like to offer your opinions and reviews, please feel free to do so in the comments section below. Likewise, if you have other films or shows you would recommend, let us know what they are and where we can find them!

In the meantime, I sincerely hope you all stay safe, sane, and strong out there. And as always, best of luck on your journey toward greener living.

~Sam