CustomEarthPromos - Eco Blog US

We all know the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle. But since recycling is one of the easiest ways to go green and reduce your waste, we thought we'd focus our attention on the other two Rs this time. These eco-friendly tips and tricks will help you learn to invest in reusable items and reduce your waste – ultimately helping to reduce your carbon footprint. Eliminate Junk Mail Each year, a staggering one million trees are cut down for the production of paper used for junk mail and over 40 percent of that mail is sent to the landfills unopened. On top of that, the production and distribution of junk mail releases an amount of CO2 that's comparable to the amount 9 million cars release per year. Luckily, there are several outlets that can help you reduce or even eliminate this unnecessary waste. CatalogChoice and PaperKarma are just two examples of organizations that can help you cut back on junk mail as well as a number of trees being used to produce junk mail. It's a win win for the environment and your cluttered mailbox. Reuse Everyday Products  Plastic ice cream containers, the bag from a loaf of bread, jam jars, and a resealable bag that you normally toss out can all easily be reused. Of course, it's better if you can avoid groceries and products that are wrapped in single-use materials but if you have to buy it, see how you can reuse or repurpose it. You can also look out for products that are packaged in recycled materials. When it comes to reusable products that you have more control over, we recommend investing in everyday reusable items such as reusable bags and stainless steel water bottles that result in zero waste. Buy Products in Bulk  Typically, when you purchase products in large quantities or bulk, there's less packaging than when you purchase single items. Plus, you're also likely to save money by purchasing in bulk. Say Goodbye to Paper Towels You can't reuse paper towels and they are all too easy to grab when there's a spill or mess that needs cleaning up in the house but they are terribly wasteful. Instead, use dish towels and cloths that can be washed and used again. What are some of your favorite ways to reduce your carbon footprint? Are there any reusable items or products that you can't live without? We'd love to hear some of your ideas in the comments section below.

Cardboard boxes, miles of shipping, plastic baggies that hold a single ingredient ... these are just some of the pollution pet peeves caused by meal kits that can drive any environmentally conscious consumer crazy. If you've ever ordered from a meal kit delivery company like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh than you know exactly what I'm talking about. Though these items found in meal kits are harmful to the environment, it's actually another part of the package that really makes a profound impact, however, few people seem to be talking about it which is surprising because it's the biggest and heaviest thing found in each meal kit. Yep, you guessed it. It's the freezer packs that are used to keep your produce cold while it's being shipped. To put it into perspective, Blue Apron now ships over eight million meals per month. When Mother Jones did the math, they worked out that if each box contains about three meals and two six-pound ice packs, that's a whopping 192,000 tons of freezer-pack waste every year from Blue Apron alone – resulting in some "trashy" consequences to say the least. When BuzzFeed examined Blue Apron's two-person meal plan consisting of three meals, this is the waste that remained after cooking: Nine plastic baggies of varying sizes Four clamshells, also plastic A pair of tiny containers that had held a tablespoon of chicken demi glace and a pat of butter A sheaf of recipes, instructions, and promotions printed on thick cardstock The foil bag from a few tablespoons of tomato paste Three paper bags, now soggy and damp from refrigeration and condensation A cardboard box stamped with cooking implements Three thick plastic meat packages Two gel-filled meal kit freezer packs A foil bag Compostable peels from three lemons and skins from a head of garlic and a purple onion Times that waste by the number of Blue Apron customers who opt for the two-person meal plan each month, and you've got yourself one massive environmental catastrophe. The solution? Blue Apron and other major meal-kit service companies don't seem to have a good one. Donating meal-kit freezer packs to the Boy Scouts or suggesting customers cut open the freezer packs and pour the goo down the toilet are not long-term eco-friendly solutions. There are Swedish researchers out there, however, who have developed an alternative made from biodegradable plant materials instead of fossil fuels. The only problem is, the companies dishing out millions of meal-kit, freezer-pack waste aren't interested and don't have any plans to change their toxic freezer pack system anytime soon.

Hurricane Harvey was the first major hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. since Wilma in 2005. In fact, the major storm ended a 12-year record of no major hurricanes making landfall. Harvey also broke a rain record, the largest amount of rainfall in U.S. history, dumping over 50 inches of rain east of Houston. Estimates came in at 19 trillion gallons of water in just five days – that's roughly a million gallons of water for every five people in southeastern Texas. The Washington Post reported that a storm surge of more than six feet (1.8m) was recorded at some coastal sites and with the sea level along the Texas coast higher than it has been in 100 years, it's no wonder why this catastrophe sparked a debate over the links between the hurricane and climate change. At the height of hurricane season, this storm comes as no surprise but “the storm is a bit more intense, bigger and longer lasting than it otherwise would be,” Kevin Trenbert, a climate researcher with the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo. told The Washington Post's Chris Mooney. "And Harvey is expected to bring record-setting flooding, which could also be a result of climate change." #HurricaneHarvey Is a Horrible Reminder of the Cost We Pay for #Climate Denial https://t.co/5ddkRIkuTv@greenpeaceusa@MichaelEMann — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) August 30, 2017 Even so, it's not possible to fully attribute climate change for a major storm such as Hurricane Harvey. Kerry Emanuel, professor of atmospheric science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told the Washington Post: "My feeling is, when there's a hurricane, there's an occasion to talk about the subject ... But attributing a particular event to anything, whether it's climate change or anything else, is a badly posed question, really." Army National Guard photo by Capt. Martha Nigrelle However, climate scientists are looking into how aspects of climate change such as rising sea levels, can affect the strength of a hurricane and rainfall. Not only are sea levels higher than ever but water temperatures, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico are unusually warm which is what hurricanes thrive in. But it doesn't just come down to the temperature of the ocean. Dr. Friederike Otto, a senior researcher at the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford, in a recent article said, "Changes to the weather patterns can increase the thermodynamic effect, or counteract it. Hence, while it is very likely that climate change played a role in the intensity of the rainfall, it is far from straightforward in practice to quantify this role." Harvey's association with "climate change" was called out in numerous headlines in the media but scientists will have to wait and see if similar intensified climate patterns occur with Hurricane Irma and other hurricanes in the future.

For the eco-conscious, traveling can sometimes feel like a catch-22 because many would argue that the greenest type of travel would involve not traveling at all. This is easier said than done of course, especially for those who regularly suffer from bad cases of wanderlust. In our mini guide to eco-friendly travel, we talked about the importance of choosing eco-friendly destinations in order to reduce your carbon footprint and it looks like the folks over at Travel Supermarket, the world's largest travel site, couldn't agree more. They recently compiled thousands of customer reviews from TripAdvisor to determine Europe's top 10 cities for eco-friendly travel along with the top eco-friendly hotels to stay in. Find out which cities and green hotels topped the list below. It's important to note that the hotels that made this list are those that have been awarded GreenLeader status by the renowned travel website, for their range of eco-friendly practices such as water conservation initiatives and recycling programs, and for having things like beehives on-site, lavender fields on the roof, and for avoiding palm oil products. Other Eco-Friendly Travel Tips to Keep In Mind Book nonstop flights: take off requires the most fuel, so booking nonstop flights is not only the most fuel-efficient options but the greenest one, too. Pack a reusable bag: many places you'll travel to will still use single-use, plastic bags, so if you want to help the world cut down on its plastic use, pack a reusable bag that you can bring with you when you shop while on your travels. Skip your hotel room cleanings or hang your towels: the hotels that made TripAdvisor's list are bound to offer sustainable programs including an option to skip having your room cleaned or hanging your towels for you to reuse instead of getting fresh ones each day. If the hotel you stay in doesn't offer these programs, just ask. It might encourage them to offer these green options in the future. These small efforts will save a ton of energy, reduce chemical use, and conserve water.

Though small, plastic straws have a tremendous negative impact on the environment. With more than 500 million, non-recyclable plastic straws being used each day in the U.S. – about 38,000 straws in a single person's lifetime – it's no wonder why many places are looking to ban them. Quite frankly, plastic straws, suck. One of the most recent places to take notice of the amount of trash that's accumulated from plastic straws and other plastic utensils is Seattle. No surprise there being as the city has been recognized and awarded for being one of the nation's most sustainable cities. However, this isn't a recent development. Back in 2010, the city of Seattle passed the ban but an exemption was put in place so restaurants could figure out how to best prepare for the ban. It has been a long time coming, but come July 1st, 2018, the exemption will expire and the ordinance relating to the City of Seattle's solid waste system will be in full effect. “As of July 1, 2018, food services businesses should not be providing plastic straws or utensils,” Seattle Public Utilities' Strategic Adviser for Product Stewardship Sego, Jackson said. “What they should be providing are compostable straws or compostable utensils. But they also might be providing durables, reusables, or encouraging you to skip the straw altogether.” The ban only applies to restaurants and businesses in Seattle that serve food. Plastic straws and utensils will still be available for purchase at grocery and convenience stores in the city. If restaurants are found dispensing single-use, plastic straws or utensils after July 1st of next year, they will be warned and eventually fined. "However, they will be given some leeway from when the ban goes into place, and be given help with the transition," Jackson continued. Making the switch from plastic to compostable alternatives should be simple enough for restaurants and business since straws and utensils made from bamboo, cornstarch, recycled paper, and other eco-friendly materials, are widely available from restaurant supply companies. We're looking forward to following Seattle's journey once the ban takes full effect and are hopeful that other states will soon follow suit and ban plastic straws and utensils.

Whether you're single or in a relationship, coming up with fun and original date ideas isn't always easy. But for the eco-friendly couples out there who are passionate about things like environmental causes and healthy eating, there are plenty of eco-conscious options to consider for your next date. We've listed some of our favorite date ideas below that will be sure to impress your date while simultaneously pleasing the environment and reducing both of your carbon footprints. Dine at Green Restaurants  Think organic, sustainable, locally-sourced or even vegan. Restaurants that support local farmers and the farm-to-table movement are the ideal dining spots for eco-friendly couples. If you're single and looking to impress someone who shares your green ideals and values, there's nothing simpler or easier than dinner at an eco-friendly restaurant. If you're more of an outdoorsy couple, pack an organic or plant-based picnic and head to the beach or your nearest local park. Plan Outdoor Activities  If you're looking for something to do together that's less simple than dinner, think outside the box – literally outside. From biking to hiking or taking a stroll in the park, get outside and explore nature together. If you want the date to last a full weekend, plan a camping trip. Pack your eco-friendly gear and arrange for some romantic outdoor activities like star gazing and canoeing. Volunteer Together  Find opportunities where you can volunteer together. If you share a passion for animals, spend the day volunteering at your local shelter or wildlife refuge. Tired of finding plastic and trash littering our beaches and oceans? Sign-up for a beach clean-up program together. Whatever your shared interests may be, there's bound to be a volunteer program out there that will appeal to both of you. Do you have any date ideas to share with eco-friendly couples? If so, we'd love to hear them! Please share your ideas in the comments section below.

Orlando just became the 40th city in the U.S. to commit to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 –Florida's largest city to do so. The city's mayor, Buddy Dyer, joined Sierra Club's list of mayors who support a vision of 100 percent clean and renewable energy in their cities, towns, and communities across the nation. Members of the First 50 Coalition, an alliance led by the League of Women Voters of Orange County that has been pushing for sustainability in Central Florida was elated by the news. "Today, Orlando takes its place on the regional, state, and national stage as a forward-thinking city committed to a healthier, sustainable future," said League of Women Voters of Orange County co-president Carol Davis. "This is a first, important step, and we plan to continue to support and encourage the City to follow with concrete measures that solidify this commitment." Plans to have all municipal buildings in Orlando to transition to be fully sustainable units by 2030 were already in place, but this announcement now pushes the entire community to be in the league by 2050. But this isn't an overnight environmental success story. Dyer has been making a push for renewable energy since starting Green Works Orlando, a sustainable program which began over a decade ago that has resulted in over $1 million in energy savings per year. The program also led to a $19 million investment in energy efficiency improvements to city buildings, planting more than 10,000 trees, and increasing recycling by a whopping 35 percent. Therefore, it's no surprise to see Orlando making way for green change and a more sustainable future. Phil Compton, senior organizing representative with the Sierra Club's Ready for 100 Campaign in Florida, and a member of the First 50 Coalition, also applauded Orlando's vote. "All across our state and our nation, cities are committing to a future powered by 100 percent clean and renewable energy for all," Compton said. "Today, Orlando joins this growing movement of cities that are ready for 100 percent clean, renewable energy."

Back in March, President Trump signed an executive order titled, Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth. Though it might sound promising for American workers, there are some troubling details like the introduction of over half a billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere over the next decade. The executive order essentially allows for the Environmental Protection Agency to rewrite the Obama Administration's Clean Power Plan in hopes of restoring the dying coal industry. On top of that, coal has one of the highest carbon content of all fossil fuels. The carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion represent nearly a quarter of all total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Needless to say, coal is no friend to the environment. Trump's climate policies have also steered the United States clear from meeting its projected target for the Paris Agreement of significantly reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental Activists Have a Solution Activists have teamed up to create a global reforestation project called "Trump Forest" to offset President Trump's anti-climate policies. #MakeAmericaGreenAgain and fight #ClimateIgnorance with #TrumpForest. Over 100,000 trees now. https://t.co/eOAD6wfppM — Make The Next Step (@MakeTheNxtStep) August 9, 2017 How it works. It's a simple enough concept. All participants have to do is pay for and plant trees anywhere in the world in the name of Donald Trump and send the organization the receipt so they can tally everyone's contributions and add them to the ever-growing global Trump Forest map. "We wanted something tangible that people could do that would actually have a physical impact on what the U.S. government is doing," Dr. Daniel Price, a climate scientist and glaciologist and one of the three founders behind the effort, told the Huffington Post. To date, Trump Forest has had more than 122,000 trees pledged since the project was first launched in March. This is a great start but the organizers told HuffPost that more than 110 billion trees would have to be donated to make up for the extra greenhouse gases Trump plans to put into the atmosphere.

Can you believe it's already that time of year again, to make back-to-school preparations? If you haven't already stocked up on school supplies, take a look at the list of eco-friendly products below for some shopping inspiration that will not only support a brighter future for your kids but a brighter future for the planet, too. Stainless Steel Water Bottles Plastic water bottles can take anywhere from 400 to 1,000 years to decompose and with only one in every five plastic bottles being recycled, it's about time this dirty habit was kicked to the curb once and for all. Since school is often where good habits are formed, why not invest in a stainless steel water bottle that can be used over and over again and will last for years to come? They come in all shapes and sizes and trendy patterns, too. Reusable Bags From reusable cotton tote bags to reusable backpacks, there are several stylish and sustainable options to consider for carrying your kid's books, gadgets, and school supplies. The same goes for lunch boxes, too. Instead of packing your child's food in single-use containers and wrapping them in a plastic or paper bag, why not send them to school with a reusable lunch box that's packed with locally grown food stored in reusable containers? It will keep your child's food fresher and the landfills clearer. Eco-Friendly School Supplies When shopping for school supplies like pencils, markers, and notepads – keep an eye out for eco-friendly products made from recycled materials. From non-toxic glue to pencils made from recycled newspaper, you'll be surprised by the amount of eco-friendly alternatives that are available to you. Sustainable Clothing  Parents and their kids who are concerned about the environment are opting for eco-friendly clothing this year. And retailers like H&M, Target, Nike, and J.C. Penney are responding by supplying shoppers with sustainable back-to-school options such as recycled denim or clothing made from plastic bottles. When shopping, look out for signs and tags that indicate where and how the clothing was made and if any sustainable materials were used in the process.

The California Ocean Protection Council in collaboration with California Natural Resources Agency, the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, the state's Energy Commission and Ocean Science Trust are updating California's Statewide Guidance report to reflect recent advances in climate change including ice loss science and projections of sea level rise. For the most part, people aren't strangers to the notion of rising sea levels but the California government council has been looking at the latest data and warning that the effects of climate change could cause ocean waters to rise far higher and faster than previously predicted – increasing by as much as 10 feet by 2100. With the nation's largest ocean economy, California's coastline stretches 1,100 miles, which means rising sea-levels could affect as many as 42,000 homes, according to the report. These climate projections are dependent mostly on the path of greenhouse gas emissions. But California isn't the only U.S. coastal state that could go under water. Florida faces a similar threat, if not worse, particularly for Miami, Mayport, Fernandina Beach, and Daytona Beach residents. NOAA scientists predict sea levels could be up to 17 inches higher by 2030. By 2070, mid-range estimates come in at anywhere from 8 inches to 5.5 feet higher than today. Another study by Nature Climate Change warned that 2.5 million Miami residents could be driven from their homes by the end of the century. What's the Best Case Scenario? Only if greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced – levels in parts of California, particularly in the San Francisco Bay area could be slowed, however, sea levels would still increase up to 2.4 feet, the report warns. This might not sound like much but even this small increase could be devasting to the economy. With President Donald Trump calling climate change a "hoax," and Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt offering little to no support on the matter, it's unlikely that the U.S. will be able to curb fossil fuel use and emissions and prevent parts of the country from going under water. Nevertheless, this report can serve to better prepare U.S. coastal communities for climate change and what's to come.