When a plastic bottle ends up in a recycling plant, the label attached to it usually isn’t recycled. This is because the labels are made from a different type of plastic than the PET used in bottles. And while they’re technically recyclable, most recycling facilities don’t have the adequate Read More...
Up for a challenge that does the world some good? Please welcome Plastic Free July! A global movement where millions around the world say no to single-use plastic for an entire month. Looking to contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet, millions of people across 177 countries have kicked Read More...
Months after mask manufacturers ramped up production of N95 masks in response to the coronavirus crisis, hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes taking care of COVID-19 patients are still facing shortages of the respirators. And while some hospitals have been provided with fairly expensive Read More...
Around 12 million tons of furniture ends up in landfills in the US each year. A startup called Feather is looking to change that by shifting ownership: Instead of selling furniture, the company rents it. When someone moves or wants a different sofa, they can send it back, and the company will clean Read More...
You may have heard that Indonesia has some of the world’s most beautiful and pristine beaches adorning its lush archipelago of islands. And while it’s true that there are few other places that can compete with these spectacular landscapes, over the recent years, an increasing number of Read More...
As a response to the COVID-19 outbreak, many states and countries have reversed the course of their efforts to reduce the ubiquity of single-use plastic. Some cafes have stopped offering drinks in reusable cups, while the plastic industry has also been busy promoting throwaway plastics by Read More...
If you’ve started buying basic supplies like shampoo and toothbrushes online during the pandemic, you may notice that you’re creating a lot of extra waste in your house. But soon you’ll also be able to buy versions that come with sustainable, reusable packaging. Loop, the milkman-style Read More...
When it comes to tackling the ubiquitous problem of plastic waste, the only solutions actually able to put a dent in this urgent environmental crisis are the ones that encourage reducing and reusing plastic in the first place. That’s why here at The Optimist Daily we are always happy to share Read More...
Whenever we receive a package or buy a new product, we’re so used to opening up the packaging and tossing it right away into the trash. But what if you could actually use the packaging for an entirely different purpose? That’s the idea being pushed forward by a company called Educational Read More...
While it's nice to own multiple styles of shoes, each one of the things has a big rubber sole that will ultimately end up in the landfill. On top of that, each pair’s production adds to the footwear industry’s environmental footprint, which is equivalent to the amount of carbon emitted by 80 Read More...