WasteBar turns cigarette butt waste into food currency in the Netherlands
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM There is a small mobile cart somewhere in the Netherlands right now, and if you bring it a handful of cigarette butts, it will give you poffertjes. Those are Dutch mini pancakes, in case you were wondering, and yes, the exchange is real. WasteBar is the Read More...
5 plant-health boosting orange peel tricks to use in your garden this summer
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every orange you eat comes with a second product most people toss without thinking. The peel is packed with limonene and other essential oils, citric acids, flavonoids, polyphenols, and antimicrobial compounds. Gardeners have been finding uses for it, and the Read More...
9 clever ways to give your old sponges a second life
BY THE OPITMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM You know the feeling: you’re staring at a sponge that’s clearly past its kitchen prime, and something makes you pause before dropping it in the bin. Good instinct. Old sponges, especially natural ones made from cellulose or other plant-based materials, Read More...
7 tips for zero-waste air travel
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM This month is Reduce Plastic Month, also known as Plastic Free July in the United States, making it the perfect time to revisit simple but impactful ways to cut down on plastic waste, especially while traveling. With summer in full swing, many of us are Read More...
A guide to reducing holiday packaging waste
Despite the joy of giving gifts over the holidays, the excessive amount of packaging trash is a growing problem, particularly considering the recycling catastrophe in the United States. Before China banned the import of plastic waste back in 2018, it had taken 70 percent of the United States' Read More...
How to create low-waste habits that work for you
We're all works-in-progress when it comes to developing and maintaining low-waste behaviors. And being able to reevaluate your choices on a regular basis is one of the most crucial elements in living more sustainably. Every decision has an impact, from the minor (such as avoiding single-use Read More...
Turkey’s Zero-Waste Project protects environment and boosts economy
Observing the slow pace of environmental action, starting any kind of climate-focused initiative can feel futile. Don't let the cynics win. The fact is, our individual and collective efforts can make a significant difference. A wonderful reminder of this is Turkey’s Zero-Waste Project, which Read More...
8 clever cleaning hacks that are zero waste and toxin-free
When the average person reaches for their cleaning supplies, they are likely opening a cabinet full of plastic spray bottles, solutions, and solvents that employ harsh chemicals to make everything sparkle and shine. However, there are many alternative ways to clean the house without chemicals and Read More...
5 Tricks to save your avocados from turning brown
Avocados in the prime of their lives only last for what seems like a bat of an eyelash before their once vibrant, appetizing green turns into a sad, sick-looking brown. Don’t fret, though! Even though brown avocados are inevitable, there are a few easy tricks to help prolong the Read More...
7 tips to kickstart your Plastic Free July
The Plastic Free July initiative first began in 2011, and since then the campaign has grown so much that in 2017, the founder of the movement, Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, set up the Plastic Free Foundation Ltd. This foundation is an independent non-profit charity striving for a future that is free of Read More...