There are many different kinds of oils and fats – some are plant-based (e.g. sunflower seed oil), some are animal-based (e.g. bacon fat), and some are petrochemical (e.g. fossil fuels) – but they all share some basic properties. Oils and fats are primarily made up of hydrocarbons, they are hydrophobic (water repellent), and they are […]
In the words of the Big Compost Experiment, compostable plastics are: “…a subset of biodegradable plastics that are designed to break down under controlled environmental conditions into water, biomass, and gasses such as carbon dioxide and methane.” Whereas most conventional plastics are made from the byproducts of crude oil, compostable plastics are made from renewable […]
The fashion industry is notoriously unsustainable, but that doesn’t mean your closet has to be, too. That said, greening your closet can be a daunting task… Read More Selling used clothes is easier than ever to do. Plus, not only does selling your old clothes support a circular, sustainable economy, but it also allows you […]
Recycling symbols – they’re everywhere. But do they actually indicate whether something is recyclable? Not necessarily… Read More Plastic packaging plays a tremendous role in the mass production of consumer goods; it’s relatively inexpensive to produce and it keeps things clean and dry throughout the production process. However, despite the usefulness of plastic packaging, it’s […]
According to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, less than 1% of textiles and materials used to make textiles are recycled back into new textiles. Though it’s such a small slice of the pie, so to speak, it’s worth touching on for several reasons. One, it illustrates precisely how non-circular the current fabric recycling industry is. Two, […]
To understand wishcycling, we have to take a quick look at the modern recycling system. Recycling as we know it today came out of the 1970’s, around the same time as the modern environmental movement and establishment of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). While the environmental movement encouraged recycling, the first public recycling programs were […]
Plastic packaging plays a tremendous role in the mass production of consumer goods; it’s relatively inexpensive to produce and it keeps things clean and dry throughout the production process. However, despite the usefulness of plastic packaging, it’s one of the most common pollutants in the environment, endangering life on land and in the ocean. While […]
While adding the wrong items in your mixed recycling bin might result in contamination, chances are some of those items could still be recycled. For example, plastic bags are almost never allowed in commingled recycling, but they can be recycled and are often accepted around town, such as at grocery stores. Keep reading to learn […]
Remember our article on the 7 r’s of waste management? Since textile waste is a subset of waste in general, it seems only fitting to revisit these concepts in the context of fashion! Rethink: The first step to reducing waste related to the fashion industry is reframing your consumption habits. How important is it, really, […]
Recycling symbols – they’re everywhere. But do they actually indicate whether something is recyclable? Not necessarily. While there are a handful of materials that are almost always recyclable, others are more difficult or less economical to recycle, even if they’re stamped with that universally recognizable recycling symbol. So what does it actually mean when something […]
When it comes to changing your habits in order to lead a more sustainable life, there are few things you can do that are as effective as changing your relationship with fashion, which means seeking out fashion that is ethical and sustainable while avoiding fashion that is unethical and unsustainable… Read More With many consumers […]
Today, recycling is an expensive process. Without the international market for recyclables, recycling has turned inwards, becoming an issue to deal with on a local, city-by-city basis. And, unfortunately, not all municipalities are willing to eat the cost of recycling. But who’s really to blame for the recycling crisis? Is it the recycling plant, the […]
Nearly 22% of the municipal solid waste (MSW) that ends up in the landfill is food waste, according to the EPA. A large proportion of this (about 25%) comes from the industrial sector. In other words, from homes like yours and mine. Although it might not seem like a big deal to throw away a […]
When it comes to changing your habits in order to lead a more sustainable life, there are few things you can do that are as effective as changing your relationship with fashion, which means seeking out fashion that is ethical and sustainable while avoiding fashion that is unethical and unsustainable… Read More With many consumers […]
