Eco-Vlog

Laundry is a way of life. But the copious amounts of plastic jugs that are mostly filled with water and never completely disappear from the planet doesn’t have to be. There’s a better way to do laundry without the environmental impact of bottled detergent. Consider Frey’s laundry detergent sheets instead.  The company’s not new to the personal care and laundry care market. It’s been busy dialing in its products. They started with biodegradable , all-natural ingredients and detergent that’s free of parabens, synthetic dyes, and animal testing. Related: Intergravity launches sustainable clothing that reduces the need to do laundry “Our brand is all about turning everyday experiences into something extraordinary, whether it’s in the shower, the laundry room or the rest of the home, all while helping to make a positive impact on the world ,” said Frey Cofounder Erin Robert Frey. The company’s past versions of laundry detergent even concentrated on being concentrated. The packag...

The trees and plants on our planet sequester carbon in the soil, absorbing it from the air and releasing oxygen in its place. If you stir the dirt, it releases that carbon back into the atmosphere. Even though this is how it’s been done for generations, at its core, this basic concept explains why industrialized farming is a primary contributor to carbon release and the resulting climate change.  Creating a solution for this problem is in direct contrast to traditional tilling of the land as a means to prepare the soil when growing crops. But there is a solution and it comes in the form of truly traditional, small-scale farming practices. Recently dubbed regenerative agriculture, the concept is simple. Related: First regenerative turkeys in California are from Cream Co. What is regenerative agriculture? Regenerative agriculture describes farming practices that create a cycle of caring for the soil through responsible grazing and land management. It’s a general term that encom...

The Swedish Transport Administration recently announced the completion of an  ecoduct over the E6 in Skåne  in southern Sweden. The animal crossing path is the agency’s third in the country. In January, Sweden announced plans to set up several reindeer crossings to help the animals cross the dense network of roads. These bridges and underpasses, also called ecoducts, are being established globally to help animals thrive in regions with dense road networks. United States President Joe Biden has already allocated $350 million of his $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan to building wildlife crossings.  Related: A radical plan for livestock is coming to The Netherlands  In southern California , plans are underway to begin the construction of the world’s largest wildlife crossing bridge in 2022. The bridge will help isolated mountain lions cross thick road networks in the state. These structures will help reduce the high rate of wildlife collisions across the U.S. It i...

Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg has criticized U.S. president Joe Biden for failing to lead in the fight against the climate crisis. In a detailed  interview  with the Washington Post, the 18-year-old activist criticized Biden and other world leaders for their lack of action. Thunberg turned down a suggestion that Joe Biden is a leader in the fight against climate change. Instead, she argues that the U.S. is facilitating the climate crisis and making it even worse than it is. “It’s strange that people think of Joe Biden as a leader for the climate when you see what his administration is doing,” Thunberg said. “The US is actually expanding fossil fuel infrastructure.” Related: Greta Thunberg slams global leaders for their “blah, blah, blah” The activist says that elected leaders and those in positions of authority have relegated their duties to activists and teenagers. She says that if they were to take responsibility, they would not need to be remi...

Swedish bike maker CAKE has released a new e-bike solution for professional delivery and service people who use bikes for their work — the :work series of e-bikes and mopeds. The new e-bikes were unveiled at the International Motorcycle and Accessories Exhibition in Milan. According to CAKE, the new series aims to fill the gap between delivery vehicles on four wheels and the non-motorized delivery bikes used by some professional delivery people. Think DoorDash. Related: Kalk anti-poaching e-bikes join the battle in the African bush CAKE says that the World Economic Forum projected that by 2030, last-mile delivery vehicles in the 100 largest cities in the world would increase by 36%. Further estimates predict same-day and instant deliveries, the fastest-growing segment of last-mile deliveries, will account for 15% of all online orders by 2025. The purpose of the :work series is to fill this need with sustainable, eco-friendly transport vehicles. The :work series includes three...

Electric vehicles (EVs) are taking to the roads in record numbers. Car manufacturers drive huge sums into innovating better solutions for range and battery recyclability . States in America are working on infrastructure in anticipation of the changing dynamics on the highways. The federal government is working towards massive tax advantages for those who make the change to electric vehicles too. Bumper, an automotive site aimed at facilitating well-informed car sales and purchases, has put together a ranking of the financial and infrastructural aspects of owning an electric car in the U.S. Which state has the most readily-available charging stations? Where will you receive the largest kickback for your purchase of an electric vehicle? Related: Public art electric vehicle charging stations merge design and function The key takeaway is that Washington is the best overall state for owning an EV. Utah comes in at a close second, followed by Colorado, Massachusetts and California. The ...

After centuries of trying different techniques and using various chemicals to clean art, scientists found an eco-friendly solution that already exists in the natural world. Bacteria were thought of as art’s greatest enemy. They are evil, microscopic monsters intent on doing damage to the delicate canvases created by the hands of great art masters throughout history. But maybe not. Scientists have learned how to use helpful bacteria to clean and restore great art from the past. Recently, the technique has been used on carvings etched by Michelangelo. Related: What causes zombie plants? The Italian National Agency for New Technologies (ENEA) started experimenting with microorganisms. They performed a “biocleaning” on tombs in Florence, Italy created by the hands of Michelangelo to remove centuries of gunk and grime from the stone . The restored statues are just one more piece of evidence that this type of art restoration is potentially far more effective than anything ever used in t...

Often, people are not satisfied with their lives because they focus on what they don’t have or cannot do. We all want to find peace, purpose, and happiness in what we do. But sometimes, it can be hard to know where to start. If you’re looking for ways to live a life of fulfillment, a few tips in this episode of the Lifehack Show can help. The post Living a Life of Fulfillment: How To Find Peace, Purpose, And Happiness appeared first on Lifehack . from Lifehack https://ift.tt/3EFQ2Lq via IFTTT

As the holidays wind down and the cleanup begins, you may be wondering what to do with your Christmas tree. Whether your tree is live, recently cut, or fake, think about the greenest way to reuse or recycle your tree with consideration for the  environment .  Live trees The most environmentally-friendly tree is the one that is still living. Whether you dug one out of the ground or purchased a tree in a pot, a living tree has a long and prosperous life ahead. That’s good for the air we breathe, the soil, and our connection to nature.  Related: What are sustainable alternatives to a Christmas tree? What you do with your live tree depends on your future goals, as well as your landscape. If you have a smaller tree you would like to bring in to use again next Christmas , replant it in a larger pot and include a bit of compost for nourishment. You can leave it on the deck or place it in a flower bed.  If the tree is already large or you have no plans to bring it in ...

Scientists have developed biodegradable food packaging material that kills microbes that contaminate foods. The waterproof packaging uses a type of corn protein called zein, plus starch and other natural compounds. A team of scientists from the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, U.S. developed the material. According to a study published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, the new packaging material could help increase fresh foods’ shelf life by days. Lab experiments with the packaging showed its resilience when exposed to increased humidity or enzymes from harmful bacteria . The packaging releases natural antimicrobial compounds that can kill common fungi and bacteria such as E. Coli. Related: Artist 3D-prints biodegradable agar floral lamps Professor Philip Demokritou, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Health at Harvard Chan School, says that the new material could be instrumental in resolving the current food sa...

Local campaigners have blocked Shell from exploring oil on South Africa’s eastern coastline. In a battle pitting the oil company against the community, the court ruled that Shell halt its seismic tests. Activists and locals argue that the seismic tests are detrimental to the environment. The tests involved blasting sound waves on a coast full of whales, dolphins and seals. Campaigners against the company welcomed the ruling, calling it a win for the locals. The campaigners represent Indigenous groups that live near the Wild Coast. According to South Africa’s constitution, only the locals have rights to the area for small-scale fishing and spiritual purposes. The campaigners say the government bypassed this right by allowing Shell to explore oil in the region. Related: Scottish climate activist shames Shell CEO Lawyers demonstrated to the court that Shell had failed to involve the local community in its plans. They also provided evidence that the seismic waves could affect marine l...

All too often, headlines are built strictly from terrible and shocking stories. It’s easy to lose track of the kindness and generosity of humanity, as well as efforts to do good for the planet. If you’ve been following environmental news in 2021, like every year, has highlighted atrocities around the globe. Yet, there are countless stories of policy changes, local cleanup efforts, impactful corporate action and innovations all aimed at decreasing carbon, conserving trees, protecting wildlife and so much more.  1. Limiting oil and gas exploration This year’s COP26 saw nations from every corner of the planet focused on the same goals. With the environment in the forefront, seven countries pledged to end oil and gas exploration. None of the seven countries source significant oil from their own soil, but the resulting Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance gives other nations and regions a platform to join the effort. You can read more at 7 countries vow to end new oil and gas exploration . ...

The resurgence in popularity for instant cameras shows just how much people love playing with retro style. The latest cool throwback camera comes with a thoughtful, eco-friendly twist. Paper Shoot is an innovative digital camera that lets you capture film-like photos. What is Paper Shoot? Paper Shoot is a compact camera with a handful of pieces that are easy enough to put together yourself. Insert the circuit board into a creative case of your choosing, put in an SD card and two AAA batteries , then secure it together with a few screws that can be twisted together by hand — no special tools required. “The switchable and editable camera case provides people with a fun unique digital photography experience that’s tailor made for the individual, brand or event,” explained on Paper Shoot’s website. Related: These AI-powered cameras can sense poachers and save wildlife How is Paper Shoot eco-friendly? The slim and simplistic design is not only easy to assemble, but good for the en...