I’m currently taking a course on the circular economy. This is the focus on an economic system based on the reuse and regeneration of materials or products. Basically, the goal is to turn waste into raw materials for products and keep waste out of the system. Last...
I just came across this chart from Statista that shows the increase in secondhand shopping in 8 different countries. The US was second on the list moving from 49% in 2019 to 60% in 2023. I was impressed by the increases from 2019-2023. However, with the...
In 2010, I wrote a blog post that was one of five a carried from my old website to the new. The post was titled “Expectation of Green Companies”. I covered my disappointment in the packaging material that an eco-friendly company used to ship their products to...
In a prior post, I covered categories businesses could consider as they start their sustainability journey. Since that post, I’ve started taking a course focused on the circular economy – this is when products and materials are kept in useful operation for as long as...
As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, we are looking for gifts for our loved ones. Something to show them how much we care. Last year, I wrote a post that gave some gift ideas for traditional valentine gifts including candles, perfume, chocolate, and cards. This...
When sustainability comes up in professional conversations, there is a lot of discussion around things like the triple bottom line (people, planet, profit), ESG (environmental, social, and governance), or possibly conducting a LCA (life cycle analysis). Then, there is...
As we kick off 2024, now is a great time to set a One Shade Greener intention. Before diving in, it’s good to spend just a little time thinking about why you are starting the journey and what your approach may look like. Below are some questions and thoughts to...
As we move into the week with many holiday parties, food waste is a challenge. We touched on this during our reducing waste post a few weeks ago. Moving into the new year, this is a great area to raise awareness and look to make small changes in the year ahead – this...
My definition of sustainability starts with the dictionary where the term is described as “capable of being maintained at length without interruption or weakening”. This simple definition has been expanded to apply to the environment as demonstrated in this...
During the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years, household waste increases. With more gatherings and gift giving, this isn’t a surprise. There are a lot of articles that reference a 25% increase, but I couldn’t find a source. A few contributors to the increase are...
As the holidays approach, one of the first activities is decorating. This process often centers around a tree. The choice tends to boil down to two options - a real tree or an artificial tree. There is much debate on which alternative is the more environmentally...
With the holiday season approaching, below are ideas to consider in several different categories. Future posts will go into detail on some of these areas. In the meantime, I hope this prompts some ideas to make your holiday One Shade Greener. Decorating &...
I have written in previous posts that I believe the first step of sustainability is personal. If our lives are not sustainable, we don’t have the space to solve difficult problems. If we feel overwhelmed, we strive to just get by. We are not advancing our thinking...
With the holiday season right around the corner, many of us will entertain in our homes. A little intentional planning can help lighten the impact on the environment. We may also save some money and lighten our stress along the way. My Perspective Entertaining...
As the weather turns and the holidays are in sight, we look to make our homes cozier. A great way to update our décor is to bring a bit of the outdoors in. Today, our world is saturated with mass-produced home décor. Foraging from our yards or neighborhood can create...
Halloween is full of fun and festivities. Along the way, there are many potential purchases. Below are just a few ideas to make this Halloween one shade greener than last year. Reduce and Reuse The first place to start is to assess what we already have. Pull out...
My first interaction with “the commons” was in college. This was the gathering space to study and informally connect with others. A shared space. My next interaction with the term was back in class. I’m currently enrolled in MIT Sustainability Certificate program and...
For those getting started with sustainability, there are a lot of frameworks. These frameworks can be helpful at home, at work, and in our communities. Starting with sustainability itself, the definition is the ability to maintain or support over time. Digging in...
The first Monday of October is National Consignment Day. The day celebrates sustainable shopping as well as earning money with your own items. Consignment Shopping When shopping, purchasing consignment is the same as “shopping secondhand”. This is a way to add to our...
September 29th is National Coffee Day. This is the perfect day to understand and savor the beverage that 74% of Americans drink daily. When considering climate change, coffee both impacts and is impacted by the environment. An article in the New York Times highlights...
Today, September 22nd, is World Car Free Day. The day encourages us to take a driving break and explore other options. A 2021 study from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics found that 52% of all trips by car are under 3 miles, with 28% of those under a mile....