Greening Up My Act: A Sustainable Living Podcast

Is your turf grass destroying the planet — or is it more complicated than that? Welcome to season 4 of your favorite sustainability podcast, where hosts Tiff and Kat head to the Great Outdoors. In this episode, learn about potential greenwashing behind the no mow movement, whether not cutting grass for bees makes a real difference, and if you should nix your lawn altogether.

• Discover Magazine on lawns: https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/your-perfect-lawn-is-bad-for-the-environment-heres-what-to-do-instead
• National Resources Defense Council on lawns: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/more-sustainable-and-beautiful-alternatives-grass-lawn
• The Guardian on lawns: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jul/31/this-heatwave-is-a-reminder-that-grass-lawns-are-terrible-for-the-environment
• Scientific American on lawns: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/anthropology-in-practice/the-american-obsession-with-lawns/
• Grist on tree cover in low-income neighborhoods: https://grist.org/cities/tree-cover-race-class-segregation/ 
• Jacobin on Green Jobs Programs: https://jacobin.com/2023/10/biden-administration-climate-corps-shortcomings-green-new-deal-jobs-guarantee 

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Good news and bad news, friends of Greening Up My Act!
The bad news: We had to delay season 4 until February 20.
The good news: We have a whole new format which will be easier for us and more fun for you!

Tune in Tuesday, February 20 wherever you get podcast. And thank you <3

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Have you heard that dry shampoo causes cancer? In our last episode of season 3 (and first of 2024!), Kat and Tiff dig deeper into the savior of every harried working woman to find out if dry shampoo is as bad as you may have heard for your health or the environment and come up with more hope than you might expect. 

What we used:

• Batiste Dry Shampoo

Sources:

• The Earthling Co., What’s Wrong with Aerosol Dry Shampoo?- https://theearthlingco.com/blogs/news/what-s-wrong-with-aerosol-dry-shampoo
• Allure, Is It Time to Quit Dry Shampoo? https://www.allure.com/story/dry-shampoo-risk
• Our Endangered World, Is Dry Shampoo Bad? https://www.ourendangeredworld.com/is-dry-shampoo-bad/
• Propane.com, Propane and the Environment - https://propane.com/environment/myth-busting/
• Clarify Green, Environmentally Friendly Dry Shampoo You Should Try! https://clarifygreen.com/environmentally-friendly-dry-shampoo-you-should-try/
• Fact.MR, Dry Shampoo Market Outlook – https://www.factmr.com/report/4300/dry-shampoo-market
• Time, Popular Dry Shampoos Found to Have Cancer-Causing Chemical - https://time.com/6227492/dry-shampoo-benzene-cancer/
• Good Housekeeping, 5 DIY Dry Shampoo Recipes That Really Work - https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/g35215439/diy-dry-shampoo-recipes/

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In this bonus episode of your favorite sustainability podcast, Kat and Tiff look back at the past year — and forward to the next year. Learn to set realistic green New Year's resolutions that you both care about and you can accomplish. And just remember: Progress wasn't built in a day. Or Rome. But also progress.

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There are an estimated 550 billion cotton swabs thrown out every year. Now that's a statistic! So what's the alternative? In this greenwashing podcast, marketing writers Tiff and Kat examine the company LastObject's LastSwab and LastRound. The hosts say "swab" far too many times while determining if LastObject is full of it — or legit.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links below are paid links.

What We Analyzed

• LastSwab from LastObject: https://amzn.to/3tvBUVJ
• LastRound from LastObject: https://amzn.to/4avYwG3

Sources

• LastObject’s website: https://lastobject.com/
• The Guardian on cotton water usage: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/mar/20/cost-cotton-water-challenged-india-world-water-day
• NIH on using cotton swabs: https://www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov/have-you-heard/cotton-swabs-ears
• UNC Health article called Put the Cotton Swab Down: https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/put-the-cotton-swab-down-clean-your-ears-safely/
• Tilted Map’s review of LastObject: https://www.tiltedmap.com/lastswab-vs-earthsider-review-zero-waste-greenwashing/
• MaterialsToday study on polypropylene: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214785321075969
• Plantish on the wastefulness of cotton: https://plantishfuture.com/blogs/zero-waste-living/the-waste-from-disposable-cotton-rounds
• Going Zero Waste blog on homemade cotton rounds: https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/diy-cotton-rounds/
• Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance article on the reliability of company’s carbon footprint: https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2021/10/04/the-reliability-of-your-companys-carbon-footprint/

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Washing your hands is probably second nature since the onset of the Plague 2.0, but the big question is: Which soap to use? And if you're interested in living as sustainably as possible, which soap has the least impact on the environment? Join marketing writers Tiff and Kat in this week's deep dive into potential greenwashing behind bar soap vs. liquid soap to learn which type of soap reigns supreme for washing germs down the drain without taking the Earth down the drain with it.

What we used

• Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap - https://amzn.to/3QJbEia

Sources

• FDA: FAQs on Soap - https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/frequently-asked-questions-soap
• The Good Boutique: The Environmental Impact of Liquid Soap - https://www.thegoodboutique.com/inspiration/the-environmental-impact-of-liquid-soap-why-bar-soap-is-a-better-choice
• Cleveland Clinic: Triclosan - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24280-triclosan
• WFLA: Soap Showdown: Bar soap vs liquid soap for your daily cleanse - https://www.wfla.com/bloom-tampa-bay/soap-showdown-bar-soap-vs-liquid-for-your-daily-cleanse
• FDA: Antibacterial Soap? You Can Skip It, Use Plain Soap and Water - https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/antibacterial-soap-you-can-skip-it-use-plain-soap-and-water
• Minnesota Environmental Health Division of the Minnesota Dept of Health, Tricolosan and Drinking Water - https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/risk/docs/guidance/dwec/triclosaninfo.pdf
• NIH - Environmental impact of increased soap consumption during COVID-19 pandemic: biodegradable soap production and sustainable packaging - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8272010/
• The Healthy - Is Liquid Soap Better than Bar Soap? - https://www.thehealthy.com/skin-health/bar-soap-vs-liquid-soap/
• Huffpost Chemical Marketplace: Bar Soap vs Liquid Soap - https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chemical-marketplace-bar_b_2104678
• What’s Your Impact? Liquid vs Bar soap, which is more environmentally friendly - https://whatsyourimpact.org/the-eco-guide/liquid-vs-bar-soap-which-more-environmentally-friendly
• Slate - Is Dove Soap Actually Soap? - https://slate.com/technology/2020/04/what-is-soap-coronavirus.html
• Lovely Greens - 7 Ways to Make Soap - https://lovelygreens.com/5-ways-to-make-handmade-soap/

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The horribly named "no poo" movement may need marketing help, but solid shampoo companies are making big claims.  It's supposed to be "more sustainable shampoo," "plastic-free shampoo," "naked," "clean," or "vegetarian" choices. Are these claims just greenwashing (a.k.a. green hoey)? Or not? Find out from marketing writer hosts Tiff and Kat, along with one free trick that may be an even better use of your time in this funky sustainability podcast.

What We Analyzed

• Lush Shampoo Bar's website: https://www.lush.com/us/en_us/c/shampoo-bars

Sources

• Treehugger on plastic waste in products: https://www.treehugger.com/incredibly-simple-solution-plastic-packaging-waste-4857081
• National Geographic on shampoo bars: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/shampoo-bar-sustainable-toiletries-plastic-free
• MadeHow.com on how regular shampoo is made: http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Shampoo.html#google_vignette
• BBC on homemade shampoo and the climate: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220407-are-homemade-shampoos-better-for-the-climate
• Super useful Swiss study by Hanna Kröhnert and Matthias Stucki: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/15/8478/htm
• Women’s Health on more sustainable shampoo options: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/beauty/hair/g38999295/best-eco-friendly-shampoo-bars/
• Treehugger DIY shampoo recipes: https://www.treehugger.com/how-to-make-your-own-organic-shampoo-4863262
• EWG for product ratings: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/products/1019461-Matrix_Biolage_Ultra_HydraSource_Shampoo/
• Consumer Reports on the “No Poo Movement": https://www.consumerreports.org/health/personal-care/no-poo-hair-care-a3112258874/
• Hairstory product page: https://hairstory.com/products/new-wash-original-brush-set-bca

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If you find it hard to draw a line between "sustainable" and "non-toxic" products in the greenwashed landscape, marketing writers Tiff and Kat are right there with you. Join them this week as they explore the sustainability of makeup brand Beautycounter and see if it passes muster.

What we used

• Beautycounter makeup - Beautycounter.com 

Sources

• Absestos.com - https://www.asbestos.com/featured-stories/makeup-toxicity-survey/
• Sustainable Earth, Cosmetic Ingredients - https://sustainable-earth.org/cosmetic-ingredients
• Kite Nest, How Do Cosmetics Impact the Environment? - https://kitenest.co.uk/blogs/news/how-do-cosmetics-impact-the-environment
• Tree Hugger, Environmental Impact of Cosmetics - https://www.treehugger.com/environmental-impact-of-cosmetics-5207672
• The Coconut Mama, Homemade Natural Makeup Recipes - https://thecoconutmama.com/homemade-natural-makeup-recipes
• Healthline Toxic Make up - https://www.healthline.com/health/toxic-makeup
  
  

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Stinky stories abound about natural deodorant: "It doesn't work. I still smelled like sh*t. My family started to avoid me." You get the picture. Marketing writers Tiffany and Kat cut through the greenwashing so you don't have to wonder if it actually helps the earth.  Learn this and much more in this fun sustainability podcast.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links below are paid links.

What we covered

• Purelygreat Cream Deodorant: https://amzn.to/3uqMYU4
• Native Deodorant: https://amzn.to/46vPE03

Sources

• Fast Company on plastic waste from deodorant: https://www.fastcompany.com/90705210/inside-the-22-billion-deodorant-industrys-effort-to-ditch-plastic
• The Guardian on paper vs. plastic energy usage: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/mar/31/plastics-cardboard
• American Cancer Society on antiperspirant: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/chemicals/antiperspirants-and-breast-cancer-risk.html
• EWG for product ratings: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse/brands/8081-Native/?brand=Native&category=antiperspirant%2Fdeodorant&page=6
• EWG Explains: Phthalates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1cpGpmH-WU
• NYT, “Are Natural Deodorants Really Better for You?”: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/09/well/live/natural-deodorant-questions.html
• Native's blog: https://www.nativecos.com/blogs/news/native-will-help-you-smell-outta-this-world-and-protect-her-too
• Terracycle on recycling deodorant containers: https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/toms-of-maine-hello#@40.77027075200147:-95.93705549677736zoom:4
• More DIY deodorant recipes from Treehugger: https://www.treehugger.com/homemade-deodorant-5205029

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It's Thanksgiving, which means the consumer season is upon us! Skip Black Friday's buying frenzy this year and be grateful for what you have with our first Anti-Black Friday Gift Guide. Whether you make your own gifts, give digital gifts, buy local, or choose to opt out and maybe just give your time and affection this year, Tiff & Kat have a few ideas to help you make sustainable holiday choices. Happy holidays from your friends at Greening Up My Act!

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links below are paid links.

What we endorsed:

• LegitTrips.com for travel services
• TaylorMadeNM.com for upcycled and knitted goods
• Wool Dryer Balls
• The Keeper - https://keeper.com/shop/the-keeper-cup/
• Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap - Lavender 
• Nancy Birtwhistle Book
• Buy Nothing Book 
• Le Loup Garou by Kat Cox

Sources

• Queue It - 115 Black Friday Statistics Every Retailer Needs to Know in 2023 –  https://queue-it.com/blog/black-friday-statistics
• Phys.org - Most Black Friday purchases soon end up as waste - https://phys.org/news/2019-11-black-friday.html
• Country Living – 100 DIY Christmas Gifts to Spread Christmas Joy - https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/tips/g645/crafty-christmas-presents-ideas/
• The Kitchen McCabe - Whipped Grapefruit Mint Sugar Scrub - https://www.thekitchenmccabe.com/2014/02/21/whipped-grapefruit-mint-sugar-scrub/
• The Stripe - A List of the Best DIY Christmas Ideas - https://thestripe.com/a-little-list-of-the-best-diy-christmas-gift-ideas/

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