Do What You Can For The People

On this week’s episode of #DWYCFTP I chat with… me. I’ve been incredibly irritated with the rise of greenwashing as brands try to capitalize on eco trends. It’s not always intentional, but it is always harmful. In this episode I talk about the most common types of greenwashing and share some thoughts and examples on how to spot and avoid them. Every day should be Earth Day. As consumers we have the power and the responsibility to hold brands accountable to the claims that they are making, and brands have a responsibility to do better.

On this week’s episode of #DWYCFTP I chat with the hosts of the Fifth Element Podcast, Emily Bruce & Keighlee Anastasia, about periods, the patriarchy, and patterns of systemic oppression in the workplace. Did you know that women operate on an infradian rhythm as well as a circadian rhythm? The infradian rhythm follows a monthly cycle, much like the moon, and each phase offers a different superpower for women to tap into. Unfortunately, most women operate in a workplace built by and for men that ask them to show up with the same energy levels and mindset everyday. In this episode, Emily, Keighlee & I imagine what a world could look like if we started listening to and living more in flow with our bodies and natural cycles.

On this week’s episode of #DWYCFTP I chat with Kathy Pazakis, the Executive Vice President, Commercial at TerraCycle about recycling systems in the US and extended producer responsibility. We get into how recycling is an industry that is losing profitability, how consumers are demanding more sustainable systems from the private sector, and how TerraCycle is helping consumers and brands bridge the gaps. Kathy and I dive into why recycling is such a big challenge in the US and share some of our favorite FREE recycling programs from TerraCycle’s long list of partnerships. If one of your NYE resolutions is to live a lower impact life, we hope you’ll enjoy this video and sign up for some of these programs!

On this week’s episode of #DWYCFTP I chat with Sara Smith, the founder of Wrappily - a company that makes and sells gift wrapping printed on 100% recycled newsprint. In case you didn’t know, most traditional wrapping paper is not recyclable because it is laminated, dyed, or contains additives like glitter. And every year, wrapping paper and shopping bags alone account for about 4 million tons of trash in the U.S. alone. Sara and I chat about why this issue matters to us personally, how Wrappily has created a more sustainable solution to decorating our gifts, and some fun alternatives to using wrapping entirely. We hope that this episode inspires you to think creatively this year - we truly believe that we can still have beautifully wrapped gifts without all the waste and guilt!

On this week’s episode of #DWYCFTP, I chat with Diana Farmer and Terrance Williams about holiday shopping! More specifically, we dive into shifting consumer preferences around our culture of consumerism and choosing small businesses over bigger retailers. This year, more than ever, small businesses are at risk of closing shop. We hope that this conversation inspires you to shop local, shop small, and think a little more creatively and responsibly about the gifts you give this year.

On this week’s episode of #DWYCFTP, I chat with Katy Cassady, graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, an advocate of sustainable eating and the content producer of Radically Sustainable, about how to eat more sustainably this Thanksgiving. For me, there are two main components of a more sustainable Thanksgiving holiday: eating more local/seasonal produce and reducing waste. Thrilled to have Katy share her expertise on eating locally/seasonally. We dive into why it’s important and how to get started. Katy was also kind enough to share 13 INCREDIBLE recipes to consider this holiday season.

On this week’s episode of #DWYCFTP I chat with Allie Gumas, the Organics Outreach Coordinator at NYC Department of Sanitation and a fellow Bard alum with a Masters in Environmental Policy, about composting. Food waste makes up approximately 22% of municipal solid waste, and in this episode Allie and I talk about why that number is so high and how to bring it down. Composting is much easier than you might think! Join us as we talk about the different types of composting, how to get started, and what to watch out for.

On this week’s episode of #DWYCFTP I chat with Michael Cyr, the co-founder of Cup Zero, about the death of disposable culture. As we enter the holiday season, it can be all too tempting to use paper or plastic plates, utensils, and cups for our seasonal gatherings. If you’re worried about cost, storage, and/or cleaning of non-disposable goods, Michael and I have some good news for you! There are so many options available these days for your small gathering of friends/family as well as your larger company-wide bashes. Check out our best tips for renting, sharing, and thinking outside the box!

On this week’s episode of #DWYCFTP, I break down carbon offsets with Dan Linsky, the Vice President of Voluntary Markets and Leader of the Transaction Team at ClimeCo. You may be wondering what carbon offsets have to do with the holidays? Well, according to the EPA, in 2018, 28% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States came from transportation (cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes). And in non-COVID times, we’d all be thinking about our holiday travels right about now. Despite being immersed in the sustainability world, carbon offsets are something that have always been a bit of a mystery to me. Turns out, they are much simpler and much more attainable than I thought. As part of my ongoing mission to do what I can for the people, this episode dives into what carbon offsets are, how individuals and corporations can purchase them, and how to ensure that they are aligned with your values. A huge thank you to Dan & ClimeCo for not only shedding some light on this topic but also for graciously offsetting my footprint for 2020! And in case you’re curious, I used the conservation.org calculator

Season 3 of #DWYCFTP, let’s do this! And this time it’s all about the holidays. In this week’s episode I chat with Ashley Gosselin, a crafting WIZARD, about Halloween waste, DIY costumes, and recycled material crafting. We dive into flipping thrift scores, finding online inspiration, donating used costumes, and ways to get started if you’re a n00b like me.