Category: Chemicals And Plastics

Rain boots made with natural rather than synthetic rubber are more resistant to cracking, plastic-free, and recyclable

1/20/2023

A good pair of rain boots is essential for any closet. Many are made from synthetic rubber, which more easily cracks than natural rubber, which comes from trees.

Read more here:

--https://www.treehugger.com/best-eco-friendly-rain-boots-5180293?hid=5cca5cc09cf857f7c3ce2406e7447b3b9236437e&did=865080-20221101&utm_campaign=treehugger-daily_newsletter&utm_source=treehugger&utm_medium=email&utm_content=110122&cid=865080&mid=100885240924

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Make your own mosquito trap with a bucket of water and Bti dunks

8/4/2022

Bti is a naturally occurring toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. The dunks work by killing mosquitos in their larval stage. The larvae eat the Bti spores, which release a toxin into their guts and causes them to stop feeding. Bti is not toxic to humans or other mammals, birds, or fish. Therefore, it is safe to use in water sources that do not drain off your property, such as rain barrels or ornamental ponds. Doug Tallamy suggests a method of using Bti dunks to create a trap to reduce local mosquito abundance since most species of mosquitos travel less than one half mile from where they breed: Place water in bucket with straw and let it ferment for about 4-5 days; the larvae feed on the algae and microorganisms that grow on the straw, so this entices female mosquitos to lay their eggs in the bucket. Wait one week then add a dunk. Because Bti only kills aquatic fly larvae, you can safely dispose of the water by dumping it onto your lawn.

Synthetic activewear sheds microfibers that pollute the ocean each time it is worn and washed. Look for brands that are committed to low-impact materials such as organic cotton, Tencel, hemp, and bamboo

6/26/2022

You can reduce the impact your active wear has on plastic pollution by buying those made with less synthetic material and adopting good clothes washing habits. Neeti Mehra reports on treehugger.com that "conventional activewear is made from synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon, and spandex and often uses dyes that can harm the environment. For more eco-friendly clothes, you can choose among many alternative fabrics, such as organic cotton, econyl, hemp, Tencel, bamboo, and material made from recycled plastic (though for stretchiness there will be synthetic materials blended in)."* Mehra suggests air drying your clothes to help make them last longer and reducing microfiber shed by filling "up your washing machine to reduce friction between clothes. Opt for a natural liquid detergent and wash at cool temperatures on shorter cycles."*

*https://www.treehugger.com/best-sustainable-workout-clothes-5201554

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Plastic teabags release microplastic and nanoplastic particles into the water. Most paper teabags also contain plastic, so consider switching to loose tea

6/25/2022

Some tea manufacturers are starting to use plastic tea bags instead of the usual paper packet. A study published in Environmental Science and Technology determined that these plastic tea bags release microplastics during steeping. They "show that steeping a single plastic teabag at brewing temperature (95 °C) releases approximately 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics into a single cup of the beverage."* They go on to demonstrate that these plastics are toxic to aquatic invertebrates. Avoid these new-style tea bags and stick with the traditional paper version or dispense with the bag altogether and enjoy loose tea.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

* https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.9b02540

We are going in the wrong direction with plastic production but public awareness and changes we make at home crucially help

4/21/2022

An article by David A. Taylor on discovermagazine.com reports on a Pew study that identifies two possible scenarios for the future of plastics. The current trend is toward more plastics and the corresponding threat of toxins in the environment. He relates that "the flood of plastic surging into the world’s waters is on track to more than double from 11 million metric tons in 2016 to 29 million metric tons by 2040 — enough to cover every yard of the world’s coastlines in more than 100 pounds of plastic. Current commitments by industry and governments would barely make a dent, promising a mere 7 percent reduction by 2040."* On the other hand, "Pew researchers forecast tangible benefits if we improve consumer behavior along with recycling and waste disposal, strategies that could contribute to an 80 percent reduction in plastic use. They also suggest advances in manufacturing biodegradable and water-soluble plastics, producing plastic from organics, and disposal using plastic-eating enzymes."* He also reports on the role of consumers and government in this process: "Consumer advocacy to influence businesses is key to making the transition happen, Baulch says, and can unlock investor money too.
Government action is also crucial in weaning off plastic. For instance, the Break Free From Plastics bill that was first introduced in 2020 and re-introduced in Congress this March would shift recycling responsibility to producers. This would mark a crucial pivot from past consumer-focused initiatives: It sets forth requirements on waste and recycling systems and deems certain industry producers fiscally responsible for collecting, managing and recycling (or composting) their products."*

*David Taylor, May 1, 2021, "We're facing an uncertain plastic future", Discovermagazine.com

Photo credit: Hillary Daniels, Flickr commons

Switching to a reusable cup is as important for iced drinks as it is for hot drinks since single-use takeout cold cups are made from #5 plastic that is generally not recyclable

4/15/2022

In an article on footprint.org, Jodi Helmer lists the problems with disposable cups. Neither styrofoam nor paper coffee cups, which are lined with plastic, nor plastic coffee cup lids are effectively recyclable. She points out that "The plastic cups used for iced drinks are also problematic. Most are made from polypropylene (#5 plastic) that is not accepted in many curbside recycling programs."* Paper sleeves for hot drinks are recyclable and often made from recycled material. As an alternative, she suggests "to avoid the cup conundrum, take your own mug. Coffeeshops often offer small discounts to customers who bring their own cups (at Starbucks, the discount is 10 cents). In Berkeley, California, coffee drinkers who want to take their dark roast to go will pay an additional 25 cents for their cups thanks to a new ordinance aimed at reducing single-use plastics. The fee goes into effect in 2020."* She also recommends avoiding lids, straws and stirrers.

*Jodi Helmer Published: 8/14/19, Last updated: 12/11/20, "The Massive Impact of Your Takeout Coffee Cup" , footprint.org
Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Use crinkled paper instead of plastic Easter basket grass

4/1/2022

Plastic Easter basket grass does not break down and ultimately sits in a landfill or in the environment, tangling animals and clogging waterways. There are all sorts of viable alternatives. Crinkled paper is biodegradable and is safer. Make your own by folding paper or tissue (saved from holiday gifts!) and cutting into thin strips. This option also cuts down on the plastic packaging. If you prefer to buy, purchase grass made from recycled paper or other natural materials such as wood fiber or raffia. A truly natural and compostable option is to grow your own grass from seed or make a bed of greens such as kale or dandelion leaves.

Photos by Susan O'Donnell

Swap out plastic products for bamboo, which grows at mind-boggling speed and absorbs twice as much CO2 as trees

12/29/2021

Bamboo is a material that can now be found in a number of household items. A recent article on Treehugger.com reports on the sustainability benefits of using bamboo instead of plastic, paper, or wood. Because bamboo is fast growing, it "can be cut and replanted easily, and yearly harvesting causes no harm to the soil or surrounding environment. Not only does it grow rapidly, but bamboo also absorbs twice as much carbon dioxide as trees and produces 30% more oxygen than most plants and trees.* It can be grown organically, without the aid of chemical pesticides or fertilizers."** They list a wide variety of items that are made from bamboo, including toothbrushes, hairbrushes, utensils, clothing, diapers, flooring, and household paper products.

*"About Bamboo." Bamboo Botanicals.
**Treehugger editors, December 13, 2021, "Bamboo can help you go plastic free at home," www.treehugger.com

https://www.treehugger.com/bamboo-help-plastic-free-home-5212973?utm_campaign=treehugger&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cn_nl&utm_content=26033086&utm_term=

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) contain mercury toxic to humans and animals. Do not throw them out—recycle them safely at Lowe’s and Home Depot

12/27/2021

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLS) are more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs but contain mercury, so they must be disposed of properly after they burn out. Retailers including The Home Depot and Lowe's have recycling programs for CFLs and provide bins for collection.

A recent TreeHugger.com article describes how CFLs are recycled and the materials reused. "A bulb recycler uses special machines to extract mercury and break down the CFL’s glass casing and aluminum fixtures. They can reuse the mercury in new light bulbs or in products like thermostats. The glass becomes material like concrete or tile, while the aluminum is recycled as scrap metal. Not only does recycling CFLs divert waste from the landfill, but it also prevents the release of toxic mercury into the environment."* The article also provides instructions for how to handle a broken CFL bulb: "Immediately have all other people and pets leave the room so they can avoid exposure. Open a window or door to the outside to air out the room for 5-10 minutes while you collect all broken glass and visible powder. Do not vacuum up the pieces because this could spread mercury-containing powder or vapor.
Place all broken glass and powder in a sealable container and check with your local government about disposal requirements."*

*Lauren Murphy, March 14, 2022, "How to Recycle Light Bulbs and Why You Should," www.treehugger.com

--https://www.treehugger.com/light-bulb-recycling-5206232?utm_campaign=treehugger&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cn_nl&utm_content=25939313&utm_term=

Easily swap plastic twine for hemp or other natural twine, and compost it at the end of its life.

7/30/2021

Treehugger.com author Elizabeth Waddington outlined alternative materials to plastic garden twine. While there are a number of natural materials available, her preference is for natural hemp and stinging nettles. Her motivation "hemp twine can be grown with no harmful pesticides or herbicides and without excessive water use. Nettle twine is even better, because it grows, literally, as a weed, without evening requiring land or resources for cultivation."* In addition, these twines are compostable at the end of their useful lives. As far as convenience, she points out that "100% natural hemp twine is relatively widely available, so it is a good alternative to plastic twine for many gardeners."*

*Elizabeth Waddington , May 21, 2021, "Garden Twine Is Essential for Sustainability—Here's How I Use It," www.treehugger.com

original article can be found here

<<Previous