What Can You Recycle?
To my beloved children, Despite the fact that you have lived in my house for most/all of your lives, during which time I have consistently demonstrated effective recycling behavior, there seems to be some residual confusion about what you can can and cannot recycle. It’s complicated, I get it. From the time you were small, the a profusion of different materials has exploded exponentially and therefore you were required to continuously improve on your knowledge. This is a problem for all of us — that’s why we have that giant plastic trash slick in the middle of the ocean and microplastics in our fish. And it’s why so many people…
More Plastic in Oceans Than Fish?
I was startled when I read this prediction: By 2050, we’ll have more plastic in oceans than fish. Today, by weight we have about 20% plastic in oceans, as compared to fish, which is still a startling statistic. But a new report shows that we may have passed the tipping point. Why–and what can you do? Read on!
Mommy Greenest Guide to Green Recycling
So I was cleaning the bathroom the other day, wondering to myself how three children can make one room smell like a subway station urinal in a matter of hours, when I spied the empty toilet paper roll on the counter. Of course, no one had thought to put out more toilet paper—that would be far too much effort—nor had he or she endeavored to toss the roll into the trash can. But as I picked the roll up to throw it away, I stopped myself—wondering, as I do a hundred times a day, if it can be recycled. What would you do?
Treehugger Newspaper Conundrum
During childhood visits to my grandmother’s house, she’d put me to sleep on the fold-out couch in the den. At some point early in the morning—it was always dark outside—I’d half-awaken to the sound of her puttering around in the kitchen and the smell of the mud she called coffee percolating on the counter. By the time I actually got out of bed a few hours later, the coffee would be gone and my grandmother would be happily working on whatever task she’d set for herself that day. Note my use of the word “happily.” Consider, if you will, the contrast in my house.
Recycled Angst
So I was cleaning the bathroom the other day, wondering to myself how three children can make one room smell like a subway station urinal in a matter of hours, when I spied the empty toilet paper roll on the counter. Of course, not one of my children had thought to put out more toilet paper—that would be far too much effort—nor had he or she endeavored to toss the roll into the trash can. But as I picked it up to throw away, I stopped myself—wondering, as I do a hundred times a day, if it can be recycled.
Easy Upcycled Halloween Crafts
I am not a crafty person. I like to DIY beauty products—as long as they’re three ingredients or less—and occasionally I post some cute craft ideas on the Mommy Greenest Loves Pinterest page, but in general my art ability is limited and I can barely sew on a button. But because I’m hosting The Pump Station’s Great Green Halloween Play Date parties later this month, I figured I should find some Halloween crafts that are easy enough for a toddler to manage (with a little help) and also show how much fun upcycling can be! The Pump Station’s party is part of Green Halloween, a national movement empowering parents to think…
Top 10 Recycling FAQs Answered
I am not great about remembering my reusable water bottle. Unless I’m going on a picnic, I tend to forget it in the car whenever I resort to plastic bottles or cups, I make sure to recycle them—even if it means carting them home in my purse. You might think I’m crazy, but the truth is nearly 80% of plastic water bottles aren’t recycled, and plastic makes up 80% of the trash that pollutes our oceans. Hopefully the fact that I just signed Food & Water Watch’s Take Back the Tap pledge to pack reusable water bottles this summer will keep me in line. (Want to join me? Sign here!) But…
Jenna Elfman Gives Props to MG
In this video, Jenna Elfman shares her thoughts on Mommy Greenest: “She presents how to get more green in nice bite-sized pieces.” *blush* Thanks Jenna!
