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Just last month, we were completely taken aback by England's impressive 85 percent increase in reusable bag usage. The country's plastic bag charge was a clear success, so much so in fact that Liberal Democrats in the UK now want the government to build on the success of this scheme by implementing a similar plan for disposable coffee cups.   Lib Dems claim that “2.5 billion disposable coffee cups are used each day and fewer than one in 400 are recycled.” The party estimates that a 5p charge on single-use coffee cups could lead to two billion fewer cups being used every year. It would also encourage people to use reusable cups as an alternative. Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said, "Liberal Democrats brought in the plastic bag charge and it's been proven highly successful – coffee cups are the next logical step." With major coffee chains like Starbucks using 4 billion to-go cups annually, there's no wonder why politicians are pushing for change. Other Cities Against Disposable Coffee Cups There are some other places around the globe that share a similar eco-friendly mindset with the UK.  For instance, Vancouver has considered banning disposable coffee cups altogether. Even though the ban hasn't happened there yet, at least they've made some progress in addressing the issue. San Francisco is another prime example. You might remember back in June when the city made headlines by banning styrofoam coffee cups and all things foam. Well, we're still waiting on results from this action (which we expect to be impactful), but it looks like San Francisco has already begun inspiring other cities like San Diego that are considering implementing a similar ban.   Moving Towards Reusable Coffee Cups It's early days yet, but the future of reusable coffee cups is looking bright. With cities banning disposable cups and entire countries looking to decrease their usage, it's only a matter of time before we see some big changes. For now, you can start by making small changes to your everyday habits by bringing reusable coffee cups to your favorite coffee shop or to work. If you own a single-cup coffee machine that requires plastic pods, opt for biodegradable or reusable pods instead. “I want to see a culture shift towards bringing your own cup for a refill, rather than buying cups which are often non-recyclable and then throwing them away.” – Tim Farron

Labor Day marks the official end of summer, which means traditionally, families and friends will gather all over the U.S. and Canada to celebrate the long weekend with outdoor BBQs, picnics, and cookouts. With these joy-filled celebrations also comes a ton of extra trash and waste. However, there are ways to “have your cake and eat it too” or better yet, have your BBQ and recycle it, too. Below are some ways you can have an earth friendly Labor Day without sacrificing your fun. Keep in mind that these tips are not just limited to Labor Day – they can be applied to any holiday or celebration. Forgo the Disposables Disposable dishware, plates, utensils, cups, napkins, and table covers are just a handful of common disposable products that can be found at any given Labor Day party. They are cheap and easy to throw away, but the consequences of this plastic waste are detrimental to the environment. Instead of buying single-use, plastic products, invest in items that can be reused like table linens, cloth napkins, stainless steel utensils and straws, eco-friendly cooler bags, etc. Not only will you save money over time, but you'll feel better knowing that you're not contributing mounds of waste to the landfills each year. Earth Friendly Grilling According to Grist Magazine, the most eco-friendly way to grill is by using gas. Unlike using charcoal which releases toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, gas grills are much more earth friendly and release less carbon dioxide per hour. Electric grills can also be an excellent option as long as your energy comes from green sources such as hydro, wind, or solar. Green Your Road Trip Last year, the U.S. set a record for road travel of more than 3 trillion miles, according to The Federal Highway Administration. That's a lot of miles and a lot of air pollution! With gas cheaper than it's been in over a decade, it can be easy to abuse this luxury and just drive around aimlessly. But if your Labor Day weekend involves a road trip, try and keep it green. For starters, map out your journey. This will help you determine the shortest route, saving you time and significantly reducing fuel emissions. If you're renting a car, see if you can request an energy efficient or electric vehicle. Nearly all major car rental companies offer hybrid models. And where possible, see if there's an opportunity to car pool. Oh, and don't forget to pack your snack and drinks for the road in reusable containers. Do you have any earth friendly tips or tricks to add? If so, we'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

Stores handed out more plastic bags than ever in 2014. This was coincidentally the same year California passed a law banning stores from giving out plastic bags for free – the first statewide ban of its kind in the country. However, at the beginning of July, Hawaii became the first state to ban plastic bags at grocery store checkouts. This is great news considering that the “United States is one of the biggest contributors to ocean garbage patches.” But since grocery stores and major retailers are still the biggest culprits when it comes to distributing plastic bags, let's take a moment to appreciate some of the stores that have ditched plastic bags for reusable bags, regardless of any bans. Urban Outfitters Back in 2011, before states were proposing bills or before #plasticbagban was trending, Urban Outfitters was way ahead of the curve. They switched to reusable shopping bags made from non-woven polypropylene, proving just how easy it was for consumers and other stores to do the same. Wholefoods Wholefoods did away with plastic grocery bags back in 2008 and they haven't gone back since. Currently, they offer small in-store incentives in the hopes of encouraging their customers to bring in their own reusable grocery bags. Ikea Ikea has been a major innovator in the plastic bag free movement. Back in 2008, the company enacted a policy where shoppers could either purchase an IKEA blue bag or use their own reusable bag. After just one year of implementing the program, Ikea saw some staggering results with a whopping 92 percentage of their customers saying no to plastic bags! So, whether or not you live in a city or state where plastic bags are already banned, you can still opt to use reusable bags. Making small changes in your daily habits like shopping can have a big impact on the environment.

Pop culture, films, TV, and music can have a major impact on the things we do, buy, and wear. But it's celebrities in particular who are in the spotlight with the media constantly at the ready to see what they'll get up to next. With this type of influence, it's great to see some of Hollywood's biggest stars taking action on green matters like climate change, sustainability, renewable energy, and other environmental issues. In doing so, it's likely their millions of fans and followers will be inspired to take a stance and become environmentalists, too. Let's take a look at some of the celebrities who are using their power for good: 1. Leonardo DiCaprio Leo's Oscar speech at the beginning of 2016 reminded us all that “climate change it real,” and his organization proves that he practices what he preaches. Just recently, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation raised a whopping $45 million to fund earth-friendly endeavors. DiCaprio teamed up with the next actor on our list on a campaign aimed at making renewable energy sources available to everyone. 2. Mark Ruffalo Mark sometimes plays the green guy on-screen, but off-screen he's also incredibly green. In addition to being an Academy Award nominee, Ruffalo is an environmental activist. He founded multiple advocacy groups (Hollywood United, The Solutions Project, and Water Defense). The Solutions Project has been making headlines and progress with its mission to accelerate the transition to 100 percent clean energy. 3. Emma Watson Best known for her role as “Hermoine Granger” in the Harry Potter series, Emma Watson is a strong advocate for sustainable fashion and claims to be “changing the world one dress at a time.” We can see why. Watson collaborated with Alberta Ferretti on a unique ecologic capsule collection and has designed collections for People Tree, a Fair Trade sustainable clothing brand. 4. Ian Somerhalder He's been a vampire, and a survivor on Lost, but in real life, he's an eco-friendly superhero. He founded the Ian Somerhalder Foundation which he organized after witnessing the devastation of the 2010 Gulf oil spill. He also recently opened the ISF Animal Sanctuary in his home state of Louisiana. 5. Jessica Alba When Jessica became a mom, she wanted “to create the safest, healthiest environment for her family.” In doing so, she launched The Honest Company, a sustainable business dedicated to eco-friendly products like diapers, baby wipes, and laundry detergent. A percentage of the company's sales are donated to Baby2Baby.org, which gives baby supplies to families in need.

In some states and districts, the new school year has already begun, but for millions of students and teachers around the country, school starts back tomorrow. When the school schedule quickly becomes routine, parents find themselves at their busiest, especially when it comes to packing a healthy, reusable lunch for their kids. With a lack of time, it's easy to become reliant on fast and convenient foods for lunch which is often associated with disposable, single-use packaging. But what impact do these fast foods and wasteful lunches have on our health and the environment? By making just a few simple changes to your daily routine, you can be on your way to a healthier, more affordable, and eco-friendly lunch. Tips to getting started on a waste-free, reusable lunch: Use glass or stainless steel bottles instead of a disposable bottle. Reusable BPA-free water bottles are a great alternative, too. Swap out plastic utensils for bamboo or stainless steel utensils. Instead of paper towel or napkins, pack cloth napkins that can be used again. Opt for paper, stainless steel, glass or even bamboo straws before buying plastic straws. Say goodbye to plastic bags, wrap, and foil, and hello to fabric sandwich bags that are reusable and eco-friendly.  Invest in a reusable lunch bag or box that is non-toxic. Health Benefits of a Reusable Lunch Reusable lunches contain no prepackaged foods, so you are likely to pack fresher ingredients that don't contain high levels of sugar, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors. A waste-free lunch also means non-toxic gear. When you choose safer, reusable lunch materials, you're helping to avoid toxic chemicals like BPA, lead, phthalates, PVCs, and heavy metals which, over time of ingesting, can lead to health problems. Save the Earth Packing this type of reusable lunch will help you reduce the amount of disposable packaging and waste going into landfills. If there's any food left over, consider composting it.

People are willing to pay more for organic meats and produce. In fact, organic food sales reached a record high of $39 billion in 2014. Wine is a different story. Wine enthusiasts have been less willing to spend on organic or eco-friendly wines, but a new analysis of experts' ratings suggests that there's really no reason not to be drinking organic wine. The study, published earlier this month in the American Journal of Wine Economics, analyzed 74,148 wines from 3,842 different wineries in California to determine the quality effect of eco-certified wines. Turns out, eco-certified wines score significantly higher on flavor than non-certified wines. So, if the quality of these wines is noticeably higher and the prices tend to be lower, why aren't people buying it? Consumers and wineries appear to associate organic wine with negative images. “Only one-third of the wineries that are certified put the label on the bottle, which is strange because certification is a costly process,” says Magali Delmas, an economist at the University of California, Los Angeles, and one of the authors of the study. Delmas suggests that though these wines are higher quality than conventional wines, if there's a label on it, it drives prices down below conventional wine. Nevertheless, wine producers are increasingly using environmentally friendly practices, such as organic grape-growing and biodynamics, even though they are not advertising that on their labels. “There's this disconnect between what people in the industry think and what the customer perceives,” Delmas says. Eco-Friendly Wines? Wine not. Many eco-certified wines use organically grown grapes, but because they include preservatives, they don't produce purely organic wine. Vineyards can benefit from organic crops, however. The soil is richer, there's a lack of many pesticides and more biodiversity. The best part about it is that consumers won't encounter the quick souring issue associated with fully organic wine. It's a win-win for everyone. So, the next time you go shopping for your favorite wine, be adventurous and try something new – an eco-certified or organic wine. Or, bring a bottle in a reusable wine tote to your next dinner party and tell this story. After all, eco-certified wines are better for you, the environment, and your wallet.

When it comes to practical sustainability, you are bound to be guilty of a few infractions. Perhaps you've kept the shower running for longer than necessary as it warms up, or maybe you've left the lights on when you're not home. Whatever the case, it can be easy to neglect simple sustainable habits that could have a positive impact on the environment, habits like shopping alternatives to fast fashion.  According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Chinese textile industry, which produces about half of the clothes Americans buy, creates approximately 300 tons of soot each year. It takes 200 tons of water to produce one ton of the fabric used for our jeans and T-shirts – that's enough water to fill several swimming pools.  As consumers, it's our responsibility to be conscious about our everyday purchases, including clothing. We know that going cold turkey on fast fashion brands isn't easy, but with more alternatives popping up, shoppers no longer have to compromise the quality of clothing, or the living and working conditions of the people making it. Here are five eco-friendly fashion tips that will help make your wardrobe more sustainable:  1. Education Yourself About Brands There are several brands in the fashion industry (Levis, Burton, Marimekko) that are taking more initiative to end fast fashion and waste by creating more sustainable clothing. But ultimately, it's up to the consumer to educate themselves to be able to identify and differentiate sustainable products and brands when shopping. 2. Shop With Reusable Bags Whether you are shopping at the mall, grocery store, or your local market, plastic bags are way too easily accessible. As a result, billions of bags end up in our landfills each year that can take decades to decompose. Reusable bags are not only a more eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags, but they are also more sustainable and completely necessary for reducing waste and harm to the environment and wildlife. Plus they are pretty trendy right now. 3. Wash With Care Eco-friendly laundry detergent, softeners, and dryer sheets do the same job as regular laundry products, but without all of the harmful chemicals that pose a threat to the environment. When shopping, look out for products that are free of optical brighteners, dyes, fragrance, or phosphates. To save energy, consider drying your clothes on low heat or line drying. And if you need a dry cleaner, look up an eco-friendly, organic cleaner as there's bound to be one in the area. 4. Buy Vintage or Sustainable Clothing Macklemore might have made thrift shopping cool again with his song, “Thrift Shop,” but buying secondhand clothing and vintage items benefits the planet, too. Not only are you saving money, but you're also helping to reduce, reuse, and recycle fashion items. 5. Discard Responsibly If you've grown out of your clothes or you just don't wear them anymore, don't throw them away. According to The True Cost, a ...

“Why is there all this trash and why is that okay? We have to find solutions before it gets out of control.” - Lauren Singer Have you ever thought about how much waste you produce in a day? What about per year? The average American produces 4.3 pounds of waste per day; that's nearly 1,600 pounds per year. Approximately 55 percent of that waste ends up in our landfills each year. If we took some simple steps like using reusable bags, we could easily minimize our waste. At least that's what Lauren Singer did. For the last three years or so, Lauren has been living a “zero-waste” lifestyle. In doing so, she was able to fit two years of trash in one small, 16-ounce mason jar. In her mason jar, you'll find everything she couldn't recycle, compost, or figure out what to do with – an idea that came to her when she was a senior at NYU studying Environmental Studies. You Can Live Without Producing Trash Lauren's Top 3 Tips for Reducing Waste  1. Look in your garbage can and see what waste you can reduce. 2. Use a reusable bag instead of a plastic or paper bag. 3. Make products like toothpaste and deodorant, yourself. Lauren is a great inspiration for all of us. She's shown us that reducing waste can actually be fun and rewarding, not only for yourself but for the environment as well. So, the next time you go to the grocery store or your local farmer's market, try to remember to bring your reusable bags with you. Some stores such as Target and Whole Foods will even reward you for bringing your own bags. Start composting. It's easy! Look out for local gardens in your community that may accept your food scraps for compost, or try composting in your own garden. It's a simple way to make your soil nutrient-rich and fueled for plant growth. Lastly, get your DIY on by experimenting with making your own everyday products such as toothpaste and deodorant. Replace single-use products such as paper towel with cotton napkins or materials that can be reused instead of being thrown away. Lauren has proven that by making your own products, composting, recycling, and using reusable bags, you can reduce waste to almost zero and make a huge positive impact on the environment. It's a simple combination of eco-friendly efforts that everyone is capable of trying. If you're looking for more zero-waste tips, you can check out Lauren's blog, Trash is for Tossers.

The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on Friday was a spectacular event, especially considering that Rio's organizers had to make do with 10 percent of the lavish budget London had. It's no secret that Brazil is reeling from political and economic turmoil, but the event didn't focus on these issues. Instead, Rio's directors made sure to highlight the environment, climate change, global warming, and the country's impressive Amazon rainforest. "The world is very tense and so is Brazil. We are also willing to tell the world to stop attacking our home. The world is threatened because of global warming. We are calling for action," said Fernando Meirelles, one of the directors of the show. Organizers also found a way for athletes to leave their mark on the environment. As they entered the stadium, each athlete received a seed and a cartridge to plant a native tree of Brazil. There were 207 species represented – one for each country in the Games. With each delegation, a child carried a more mature version of the tree. After athletes planted the seeds, they were moved to the middle of the stadium where they opened to reveal lush vegetation in the shape of the Olympic rings. The plan is for these seeds to grow into trees that will form the Athletes' Forest in the Radical Park in Deodoro and serve as a reminder that replanting forests and taking care of the environment should be universal. Brazil is Home to About One-Third of the World's Rainforests It was fitting that Brazil chose to raise awareness about the planet given that the country is home to about one-third of the world's rainforests and more than half of the Amazon rainforest. Large portions of that land have been lost to deforestation with drier, hotter weather expected to beat the rainforests only more in the next few years. According to calculations made by climate scientists, “burning rainforests and deforestation accounts for anywhere from 5% to 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions per year.” But it's not all bad. In 2008, Norway rewarded Brazil with $1 billion for keeping the Amazon full of trees. Deforestation has also declined significantly since 2004, thanks to the creation of national parks and enforcement of laws. Rio's Message Couldn't Be Greener There was an underlying message within the fireworks, performers, and musical acts. Rio's opening ceremony brought global climate change front and center, reminding us of the real consequences if the whole world does not commit to fighting against these changes. If we are capable of coming together to celebrate the Olympic Games, surely we can unite to help solve the environmental problems our world is currently facing. Did you watch the opening ceremony? What was your favorite part? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

In 2014, more than 7 billion plastic bags were estimated to have been handed out to shoppers at major retailers in England. This number was derived from the country's seven main retailers: Asda, Co-operative Group, Marks & Spencer, Morrison's, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose. As of early October 2015, a new policy was put in place requiring large shops (with 250 or more employees) to charge 5p for all single-use plastic carrier bags. In just six months of the charge being enacted, the number of single-use plastic bags plummeted by more than 85 percent. "This is the equivalent to the weight of roughly 300 blue whales, 300,000 sea turtles or three million pelicans," according to DEFRA. A fitting analogy considering that the bag fee was introduced to help reduce litter and protect wildlife. To date, the plastic bag charge has raised over £29 million for good causes including charities and community groups. Even though England was the last part of the UK to adopt the 5p levy (after Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), the scheme was just as successful. It just comes to show that it's never too late to make a change. https://twitter.com/DefraGovUK/status/759482520295604224 Bangladesh, Africa, Italy and the U.S. Are Saving the Planet Too The UK isn't the only place that's making progress. In 2002, Bangladesh became the first country in the world to ban plastic bags altogether, after they were found to have blocked local drainage systems during floods. Other countries including South Africa, Kenya, China, Rwanda, and Italy followed suit. The United States is also eager to join the fight against plastic. Between 2015 and 2016, at least 77 bills have been proposed by 23 states regarding the regulation of plastic bags in retail settings. The cities and counties that have already implemented plastic bag fees include: Boulder, Colorado, Brownsville, Texas, Montgomery County, Md., New York, N.Y., Portland, Maine, and Washington D.C. Reusable Bags Are the Answer Plastic poses a major threat to our environment, ecosystems, and marine life. It's even being found in seafood that can eventually land on our plates. So, what's the solution? We already know that a trillion single-use plastic bags are used each year, so by cutting out plastic and switching to alternatives such as reusable bags, we can significantly reduce our own personal waste and help the environment. After all, one of the main reasons for DEFRA's plastic bag policy was to “reduce the use of single-use plastic carrier bags, and the litter they can cause, by encouraging people to reuse bags.”