Today’s Solutions: October 14, 2024

What is PALM-ALT? A healthier

What is PALM-ALT? A healthier and more eco-friendly alternative to palm oil

The global need for palm oil, a common ingredient in food and cosmetics, has long been a source of worry due to its association with deforestation. PALM-ALT, a Scottish research team from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, believes it has discovered the code to a sustainable alternative. The Read More...

Recycle clothes concept. Young woman with recycling box full clothes.

Could this invisible label revolutionize textile recycling?

It's no secret that garments are thrown out at an alarming rate due to fast fashion and the rapid-fire cycling of trends. Furthermore, we are doing a poor job of recycling textile waste. In the United States, less than 15 percent of the 92 million tons of clothes and other textiles are recycled Read More...

Laptop keyboard with plant growing on it. Green IT computing concept.

What you need to do to make your office more sustainable

Chances are it takes quite a lot of resources to keep your office running. Think about it. The office needs lighting and heat, the printer requires ink and paper, and may use disposable cups and other single-use plastics that can easily be thrown away instead of cleaning. With just a few changes, Read More...

Person looking through clothes in a store when shopping.

5 essential questions for the eco-friendly fashionista

We've all heard by now that fast fashion hurts the Earth, but the question remains: how can we buy clothes that meet our needs and support the needs of the planet? Over the past 20 years in the U.S., the average number of garments purchased per year has more than doubled, with Pandemic boredom Read More...

Senior woman doing woodwork in a workshop.

The surprising benefits of woodworking

The historical practice of woodworking is believed to have started thousands of years ago in ancient Chinese and Egyptian civilizations, as seen in drawings and artifacts preserved in tombs. Since then, the skill has grown into a hobby and evolved thanks to advances in modern technology. Of Read More...

Different fresh wild mushrooms in wicker bowl on black wooden table.

Four surprising reasons to add more mushrooms to your diet

Here at The Optimist Daily, we are huge fans of mushrooms. As each year passes, more scientists are turning toward fantastic fungi to treat a range of mental health conditions and look to their impressive networks for inspiration in building complex computing devices. Mushrooms have soared in Read More...

Viv for your V

Viv for your V: championing sustainable periods for menstruators everywhere

Here at The Optimist Daily, we are always excited to feature solutions that elegantly address multiple problems at once. That’s why we were so pleased to interview Katie Diasti, the founder of earth-friendly period care company Viv for your V on our podcast, The Optimist Daily Update. The Read More...

five diverse girl friends laugh and give each other piggybacks in the sun

In the market for sustainable swimwear? These are the fabrics to look for

The weather is getting warmer, and the days are growing longer. Now that travel is finally back on schedule, many of us are dreaming of seaside vacations. Sand and sun and relaxation. Sounds great! However, over the pandemic period, many more issues have bubbled to the surface of our collective Read More...

Pile of ripe potatoes on ground in field.

Banana paper saves potatoes by blocking worm communication

The potato cyst nematode is a pathogenic worm and something of a global menace. When these little critters come across potato farms they infest the crops, drastically reducing yield and size. Some areas of Africa see a 60 percent decline in potato yield after infestation, negatively affecting Read More...

Person holding pile of brightly colored patterned pillows.

Check out these Black-owned home decor brands to liven up your space

The Optimist Daily has regularly tried to draw positive attention toward black-black-owned businesses. Being mindful where you spend your money and choosing racial minority owned stores can help close the racial wealth gap, celebrate black culture, promote representation, and create jobs. With Read More...