A profound shift has occurred in the way thrifted gifts are viewed by Americans. Gen Z is leading the charge.
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An unprecedented number of people will give and receive thrifted presents this year so don’t be afraid to embrace secondhand gifts, once stigmatized but now celebrated. A profound shift has occurred in the way thrifted gifts are viewed by Americans. Gen Z is leading the charge. Read more here. If you’re concerned about the health and safety of your family, you might want to stay away from both conventional dryer sheets and fabric softeners, say the editors of Scientific American. Wool dryer balls are a superb alternative. Both dryer sheets and fabric softeners contain chemicals known to be toxic to people after sustained exposure. Dryer balls usually come as a set of three or six felted wool balls that you put in the dryer with your laundry. By bouncing around with the drying items, they work to separate layers and create air pockets to help fluff, soften, and reduce drying time. Read more on this from Scientific American and Treehugger.com. Photo by Susan O'Donnell Wood is a renewable resource and easier on your knife blades. Choosing a wood or bamboo cutting board over plastic not only cuts down on plastic products but is also easier to keep clean and keep free from bacterial growth.* Disposal is also more sustainable: plastic has to be thrown in the trash, but wood and bamboo are compostable. Even if a board is labeled as #1 or #2, which are recyclable types of plastic, they are manufactured differently from bottles and so are not able to be recycled with them. Plastic boards also cannot be sorted properly by the machinery used to sort curbside mixed recycling. For more information, see this article: *https://www.treehugger.com/why-you-should-always-choose-wooden-cutting-board-4858094 photo by Susan O'Donnell “Ugly” produce is still perfectly good for eating, and buying it reduces food waste and can save you money on groceries. According to the FDA, 31% of our food supply is wasted by consumers and retail. One source of this waste is food that does not have the desired look for consumers but is perfectly edible. Various companies are working to counter this trend by selling this imperfect produce, sometimes at a lower price. For more information on purchasing “ugly” produce, see this article: https://www.greenmatters.com/p/ugly-produce-companies Photo by Susan O'Donnell Keeping your refrigerator temperature no lower 37⁰ F is cold enough for preserving food and saves energy. The Department of Energy recommends maintaining your refrigerator temperature close to 37⁰ F. A temperature of 37⁰ F is cold enough to keep food fresh without freezing. Colder than that is overkill and a waste of energy. Refrigerators can account for as much as 7% of residential energy consumption, so keeping the temperature only as cold as needed helps prevent using more energy than necessary to preserve your food. Get more information from the Department of Energy: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/refrigerator-freezer-use-and-temperature-tips photo by Susan O'Donnell You don’t have to replace older windows: install window inserts to eliminate winter drafts. It may not make economic sense to replace all your windows (see Phil's tips for reducing heating costs), and you might want to keep the look of traditional windows. It is more cost-effective and better for the environment, in terms of producing less waste, to repair rather than replace older, historic windows. Another option is to have window inserts installed. They are quick and easy to put in place each fall and greatly reduce drafts and heating costs. For more details, see this article: https://www.treehugger.com/save-your-windows-and-your-money-indow-window-inserts-4858724 Your money is your vote, so spend or choose not to spend in accordance with your values. Whenever we spend money, we’re making a vote with that choice. A vote tells that brand, that corporation, that conglomerate that we’re okay with their current practices. While saving money where you can is laudable, aligning how you spend your money with your values is more important than ever. Read more here: https://www.thewalletmoth.com/eco-friendly-and-frugal/ Natural odor eliminators can remove the toughest odors while also being rechargeable, compostible, and toxin-free. Natural homemade remedies such as lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda, salt, and hydrogen peroxide can work wonders but, if they don’t nix the stink, don’t despair or turn to toxic products. Mineral-filled pouches and other natural solutions can come to the rescue. Read more here: https://www.treehugger.com/best-natural-odor-eliminators-5088317 Photo by Susan O'Donnell To prevent your sweaters from shedding and to keep them at their best, wash and store them inside out. Pills are usually found on the areas of clothing or linens that receive the most abrasion in day-to-day use, such as center of bed sheets, under the arms of clothes, around the collar and cuffs of a shirt, and between the thighs and on the rear of pants. Washing and storing items inside out will avoid abrasion. Read more here: https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-prevent-clothes-from-pilling-2146667 Photo by Susan O'Donnell Exchange, make, or buy Halloween costumes of natural materials to avoid store-bought ones that may contain PVC toxins. The costume swap in Swarthmore Borough Hall, thrift stores, your own closet--these are all great places for costume inspiration. Read more here: https://nylcvef.org/citizens-toolkit/green-tips-eco-friendly-halloween/ |
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