Greening Up My Act

Did you know there are over 400,000 eco-friendly hotels around the world? Join Tiff and Kat in exploring how to identify these hidden gems in the wild and what they're doing to combat overtourism.Sources:NatGeo - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/what-sustainable-tourism-meansProven Partners - What Makes a Hotel Eco-Friendly? https://www.proven.partners/blog/eco-friendly-hotelThe Conversation - Why Australia Might Be at Risk of Overtourism - https://theconversation.com/why-australia-might-be-at-risk-of-overtourism-99213NatGeo - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/renewable-energy-how-hotels-make-a-differenceUNSW Sydney - The carbon footprint of AirBnB is likely bigger than you think - https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2021/05/the-carbon-footprint-of-airbnb-is-likely-bigger-than-you-thinkCNN - https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/eco-friendly-hotels-greenwashing-cmd/index.htmlPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

9/3/24 • 63:25

Rockefeller-founded brand Paravel claims to make the "world's first carbon-neutral suitcases." The company's mission is also to make the world a better place. Are either of these things realistic? Join marketing writers Tiff and Kat as they explore the highfalutin world of luxury sustainable travel in your favorite sustainability podcast.SourcesParavel: https://tourparavel.com/collections/luggage Nat Geo: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/what-sustainable-tourism-means CNN: https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/paravel-travel-luggage Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2021/09/the-net-positive-manifesto Travel & Leisure: https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/how-to-recycle-an-old-suitcase Terracycle: https://shop.terracycle.com/en-US/products/luggage-and-travel-bag-boxes-zero-waste-boxes Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

8/27/24 • 47:37

Airplanes and passenger jets get a lot of flak for emissions and pollution. But just how much does your flight overseas affect climate change? And what are scientists and the government doing to try and fix it? Find out in this week's episode of your favorite green living podcast.Sources:Kat’s rocket scientist sisterOur World in Data - Sector by sector: where do global greenhouse emissions come from? - https://ourworldindata.org/ghg-emissions-by-sectorThe Commons - How to Fly Sustainably: 6 Tips to Cut Your Carbon “Flight” Print - https://www.thecommons.earth/blog/simple-steps-to-make-flying-more-sustainableAscent, the aviation sustainability center - https://ascent.aero/Nasa, Partners Explore Sustainable Fuel’s Effects on Aircraft Contrails - https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/armstrong/nasa-partners-explore-sustainable-fuels-effects-on-aircraft-contrails/FAA (Federal Aviation Admin) - Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transitions (FAST) Grants - https://www.faa.gov/general/fueling-aviations-sustainable-transition-fast-grants/App in the Air -- https://appintheair.com/ US Dept of Energy - Alternative Fuels Data Center - https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/sustainable-aviation-fuelBuilt In - What Are Electric Planes? https://builtin.com/articles/electric-planePatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

8/20/24 • 45:48

15-minute cities are a bit of a head-scratcher. On the one hand, hosts Tiff and Kat talk through beautiful examples of real cities becoming more walkable and bikeable. But on the other hand, there are some truly wild 15-minute city conspiracy theories around the topic. Let's get into it!SourcesDeloitte: https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/Industries/government-public/perspectives/urban-future-with-a-purpose/15-minute-city.htmlFast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com/91119919/how-paris-became-a-15-minute-city Bureau of Investigative Journalism: https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2023-10-04/what-is-the-15-minute-cities-conspiracy-theory/ Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/15-minute-city-conspiracy-uk-politics/ Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

8/13/24 • 51:53

Find out if an electric scooter (e-scooter) is the green transportation choice of your dreams or if it's all just a green hooey fantasy in the lastest episode of your favorite sustainability podcast.Sources:Reddit post - https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricScooters/comments/cnhox6/escooters_are_worse_for_the_environment_than_many/ - Are e-scooters polluters? The environmental impacts of shared dockless electric scooters - https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ab2da8Nought (Scooter company) - Are e-scooters good for the environment? https://nought.tech/blogs/journal/are-e-scooters-good-for-the-environmentCenex -  Maximizing the benefits of e-scooter deployment in cities - https://www.cenex.co.uk/app/uploads/2020/08/Maximising-the-benefits-of-e-scooter-deployment-in-cities.pdfColorado Sun - Electric scooters are the most efficient way to cut greenhouse gas emissions - https://coloradosun.com/2024/03/19/electric-scooters-transit-commuting-colorado-greenhouse-gas/7 Reasons E-scooters are better than cars - Apollo - https://apolloscooters.co/blogs/news/7-reasons-why-electric-scooters-are-better-than-carsConsumer Reports - New Study Shows Safety Risks of Riding e-Scooters on the Sidewalk - https://www.consumerreports.org/electric-scooters/safety-risks-of-riding-e-scooters-on-the-sidewalk-iihs-study/Wired - Escooter rentals aren’t as green as you think - https://www.wired.com/story/e-scooter-rentals-carbon-emissions/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

8/6/24 • 46:10

Is ridesharing more sustainable than owning a car? Let's find out together on this episode of your favorite sustainability podcast. Hosts Tiff and Kat explain the (slightly shocking) study results, Uber's "road to zero emissions," and more. Vroom vroom!SourcesHyreCar sustainability claims: https://www.hyrecar.com/environmental-benefits-ridesharing/#how-does-ridesharing-contribute-to-the-improvement-of-the-environment Union of Concerned Scientists: https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/ride-hailing-problem-climate Yale Environment Review: https://environment-review.yale.edu/ridesharing-part-sustainable-future NRDC: https://www.nrdc.org/bio/rabi-abonour/report-role-uber-and-lyft-sustainable-cities Uber's road to zero emissions: https://www.uber.com/us/en/about/sustainability/ Rideshare Guy: https://therideshareguy.com/uber-statistics/ Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

7/30/24 • 52:01

We're back from summer break and ready to talk about public transit -- specifically, buses. Are they a better option for sustainable transportation? And why can't America get its act together when it comes to public bus systems?SourcesMIT Climate Portal Explainer - Public Transportation - https://climate.mit.edu/explainers/public-transportationWorld Resources Institute - Post-pandemic, public transport needs to get back on track to meet global climate goals - https://www.wri.org/insights/current-state-of-public-transport-climate-goalsCNBC - Here’s why public transit keeps running out of money - https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/25/heres-why-public-transit-keeps-running-out-of-money.htmlTransit for America - the Basics on How Public Transit is Funded - https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/James-Corless-Indy-academy-5-14-15.pdfReason Foundation - Does Bus Transit Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions? (2010) - https://reason.org/commentary/does-bus-transit-reduce-greenhouse/Sustainable America - Why Doesn’t the U.S. Have Better Public Transportation? - https://sustainableamerica.org/blog/why-doesnt-the-us-have-better-public-transportation/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

7/23/24 • 69:50

Ever wonder if passenger trains are actually a sustainable form of transport? Learn all about that in the newest episode of this fun sustainability podcast! Tiffany also covers her disaster of a cross-country Amtrak train trip in 2018 (and how to do it right if you're considering buying your own Amtrak tickets). SourcesBoston Consulting Group: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2022/riding-the-rails-to-the-future-of-sustainability European Environment Agency: https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/motorised-transport-train-plane-road Train company Brightline’s press release: https://www.gobrightline.com/press-room/2023/brightline-130-mph-milestone Popular Science on U.S. high speed rail: https://www.popsci.com/technology/high-speed-rail/ Washington Post on high-speed rail plans: https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2023/08/30/us-high-speed-rail-projects/ Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

6/25/24 • 40:57

How much of an impact can you make on carbon emissions by choosing to ride your bicycle instead of driving? And is it always the best choice? Kat and Tiff put their bike helmets back on to discuss the pros and cons of being a bike commuter (or casual rider) in America. SourcesUCLA Transportation - How Riding a Bike Benefits the Environment - https://transportation.ucla.edu/blog/how-bike-riding-benefits-environmentBicycling for Beginners - REI - https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/getting-into-biking.htmlIs cycling safe? - Harvard News - https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/01/is-cycling-safe-in-many-cases-the-answer-is-noHow Much Does a Bike Cost? - BuyCycle.com - https://buycycle.com/blog/en/post/how-much-does-a-bike-cost/Car, bike or motorcycle? Depends on where you live - Pew Research Center - https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/04/16/car-bike-or-motorcycle-depends-on-where-you-live/Secondary sourcesHow being a cyclist is like being a woman - Kat Cox - https://medium.com/@pqhaattte/how-being-a-cyclist-is-like-being-a-woman-1abbeeeac118Cycling is bad for the environment - Velo by Outside Mag - https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/must-read-cycling-is-bad-for-the-environment/IRS Commuter Benefits - TRPC - chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.trpc.org/DocumentCenter/View/4213/IRS-Commuter-Benefits?bidId=#:~:text=%E2%80%9CQualified%20bicycle%20commuting%20reimbursement%E2%80%9D%20means,employee's%20residence%20and%20place%20ofNational Bicycling and Walking Study - US Dept of Transportation Federal Highway Administration - https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/docs/case15.pdf (January 1993)Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

6/18/24 • 49:34

In our 50th (!!!) episode, Tiffany teaches Kat about the idea of "clean diesel" and how the U.S. government has been pushing it. Does it exist? Is it something you can use to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle? Or is it just a bunch of green hooey?Sources EPA on NOx: https://www.epa.gov/no2-pollution/basic-information-about-no2 US Department of Energy: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/di_diesels.shtml Scientific American on “clean diesel”: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-diesel-finally-come-clean/ International Council on Clean Transportation: https://theicct.org/sites/default/files/Gas%20_v%20_Diesel_%20CO2_emissions_%20EN_%20Fact%20_Sheet%202019_05_07_0.pdf Performance results on ducted fuel injection: https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2021-01-0503/ Impactful Ninja: Carbon footprint of biodiesel: https://impactful.ninja/the-carbon-footprint-of-biodiesel/ Car Talk: https://www.cartalk.com/content/car-talks-guide-alternative-fuels-0 Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

6/11/24 • 43:55

We're starting off season 5 with a controversial chat about electric vehicles and whether they're worth the switch. Subscribe to our new Patreon to get exclusive content and support the podcast! www.patreon.com/greeningupmyactSources: NPR - EV Batteries Hurt the Environment, but Gas Cars are Still Worse - https://www.npr.org/2024/05/09/1250212212/ev-batteries-environmental-impactThe Atlantic - The Best Hope for Electric Cars Could Be the GOP Districts Where They’re Made - https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/05/electric-cars-republicans-democrats-biden-infrastructure/678341/Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - The U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization - https://www.energy.gov/eere/us-national-blueprint-transportation-decarbonization-joint-strategy-transform-transportationUSA Facts - What are the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions? - https://usafacts.org/articles/what-are-the-main-sources-of-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions/CarMax - Electric Cars vs Gas Cars: What’s the Difference? - https://www.carmax.com/articles/electric-cars-vs-gas-carsCNBC - Poor resale values of EVs threaten adoption, warn some experts - https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/05/poor-resale-values-of-evs-are-a-problem-for-the-industry-warn-experts.htmlPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

6/4/24 • 51:34

Hooray! Kat and Tiff are so excited to announce they launched a Patreon. If you're looking to support an independent podcast and you get value from their show, they'd love the support. The cost of one cup of coffee a month gives you a bonus episode every month (even between seasons)!Head here to sign up: patreon.com/GreeningUpMyActPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

6/3/24 • 01:59

In the final episode of season 4, Kat and Tiff may break your heart a little as we discuss the truth about large-scale tree planting programs. But don't worry -- there's some hope for the forests.Season 5: Travel and Transportation starts June 4!Sources:U.S. Forest Service Plant-a-Tree Program - https://plantatree.fs.usda.gov/Yale Environment 360 - Are Huge Tree Planting Programs More Hype Than a Solution? - https://e360.yale.edu/features/are-huge-tree-planting-projects-more-hype-than-solutionCarbon Brief, Analysis:How some of the world’s largest companies rely on carbon offsets to ‘reach net-zero’ - https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/carbon-offsets-2023/companies.htmlU.S. Department of Agriculture - The Power of One Tree - The Very Air We Breathe - https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2015/03/17/power-one-tree-very-air-we-breatheEcoTree - How much CO2 does a tree absorb? - https://ecotree.green/en/how-much-co2-does-a-tree-absorbScience News - Why planting tons of trees isn’t enough to solve climate change - https://www.sciencenews.org/article/planting-trees-climate-change-carbon-capture-deforestationDeep Root - How Much Should You Water Your Tree? - https://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-entries/how-much-should-you-water-your-tree/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

5/7/24 • 41:25

Where exactly do you put compost? If you're as lost as Tiffany and Kat were, learn 9 easy ways to use compost.  Whether you buy compost or make it, your favorite sustainability podcast is here to bring you all the tips on adding it to your indoor and outdoor plants.SourcesNYC Compost Project: https://earthmatter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/tip-sheet-how-to-use-compost-cpts-htuc-f.pdfOregon State Uni. Extension: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9308-how-use-compost-gardens-landscapes Better Homes and Gardens: https://www.bhg.com/how-to-use-compost-7372129 Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

4/30/24 • 48:50

Xeriscaping literally means "dry-scaping", and it's been popular in desert towns in the U.S. since the 80s and 90s. But it's got a lot of promise for fixing the issues you may have with making an eco-friendly lawn even if cactus isn't your aesthetic. Get some tips for xeriscaping on a budget in this episode of your favorite greenliving podcast. BONUS CONTENT: A bit about rain barrels!As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links below are paid links.PBS Newshour - What is xeriscaping? How you can turn your lawn into a sustainable oasis - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/how-xeriscaping-offers-a-water-efficient-environmentally-friendly-alternative-to-lawnsBudget Dumpster - How to Xeriscape on a Budget for an Eco-Friendly Yard - https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/how-to-xeriscape-your-yard/EcoWatch - Xeriscaping: Everything You Need to Know - https://www.ecowatch.com/xeriscaping-facts-ecowatch.htmlDeseret - Xeriscaping Drawbacks (from 1990!) https://www.deseret.com/1990/8/1/18874220/xeriscaping-drawbacks/Today’s Homeowner - States Where It Is Illegal to Collect Rainwater - https://todayshomeowner.com/gutters/guides/states-where-it-is-illegal-to-collect-rainwater/FCMP Outdoor RC4000-BRN 50-Gallon BPA Free Flat Back Home Rain Catcher Water Storage Collection Barrel for Watering Outdoor Plants & Gardens, Brown - https://amzn.to/3QbsqHgPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

4/23/24 • 50:12

This week on your favorite sustainability podcast, Tiffany teaches Kat about bee hotels and whether they're really saving the right bees. Watch out for tarantula hawks and the Wasp Surprise!Sources:UC Davis on ‘beewashing’: https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=30929Scientific journal PLOS One study on bee hotels: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0122126 Xerces Society: We should focus on habitat, not honey bees: https://www.xerces.org/blog/want-to-save-bees-focus-on-habitat-not-honey-bees “Honey bees are not in peril. These bees are”: https://www.vox.com/down-to-earth/2023/1/19/23552518/honey-bees-native-bees-decline University of Minnesota Extension: Wasps are passive pollinators: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/wasps-are-gardeners-friend Songbird Essentials Bee Hotel: https://nature-niche.com/products/bee-insect-hotelPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

4/16/24 • 49:13

What do you do when you've grown too many tomatoes? Other than pawning them off on coworkers, you can try canning. But is this home method something anyone can do? Or is it just the realm of doomsday preppers and stay-at-home trad wives? Explore the eco-friendliness of home canning with Kat and Tiff in the latest episode of your favorite sustainability podcast. Bonus: count how many times Kat mentions asparagus.Sources:Clemson College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences - Canning Foods at Home - https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/canning-foods-at-home/All Recipes - I Was Legitimately Terrified to Can My Own Food, but I Just Learned How — And You Can Too - https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-can-food/Jar Store How To - Why You Should Try Canning Your Own Vegetables at Home! - https://jarstore.com/blog/?p=why-you-should-try-canning-your-own-vegetables-at-homeGreen Living Detective - How Green Is It to Can Food at Home? - https://www.greenlivingdetective.com/how-green-is-it-to-can-food-at-home/Melissa K Norris - Is Home Canning Really Worth It? - https://melissaknorris.com/podcast/is-home-canning-really-worth-it-does-it-save-money-to-can-at-homeCDC - Home Canning and Botulism - https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/home-canning-and-botulism.htmlUSDA - How long can you keep canned foods? - https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-keep-canned-goodsPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

4/9/24 • 38:20

Are biodegradable flower pots full of greenwashing? It depends. Listen as hosts Tiff and Kat jump over the moon for CowPots (and trip and fall over others). Find out what biodegradable plant pots are made of, how they work, and which ones studies say work best in this episode of your favorite sustainability podcast.SourcesCowPots website: https://cowpots.com/Biodegradable pot trial: https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/b802d35a-acf9-4af8-ac90-86d48343570f/downloads/2016%20Poster%20from%20MSU.pdf?ver=1705439455031EPA review of CowPots: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-09/documents/profile-freunds-farm-september2017_0.pdf University of Guelph on manure: https://ses.uoguelph.ca/what-does-manure-have-do-climate-change Farmer’s Almanac: DIY pots https://www.almanac.com/10-biodegradable-planting-pots-and-how-make-your-ownPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

4/2/24 • 42:47

Spring has sprung and gardeners across the U.S. are planting their vegetable gardens. Find out if growing your own tomatoes will reduce your carbon impact and save you money in the latest episode of your favorite green living podcast. Sources:The Garden Continuum - 6 environmental and health benefits of growing your own food - https://www.thegardencontinuum.com/blog/the-6-environmental-and-health-benefits-of-growing-your-own-foodInvestopedia - The Cost Effetiveness of Growing a Garden - https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0312/the-true-cost-of-growing-a-garden.aspxTreehugger - How to prevent food waste in your garden - https://www.treehugger.com/how-prevent-food-waste-garden-5201349Empress of Dirt - 10 Garden Mistakes That Waste Money - https://empressofdirt.net/garden-mistakes-waste-money/Earth 911 - Home “Eco”nomics - Vegetable Gardens - https://earth911.com/home-garden/home-economics-vegetable-gardens/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

3/26/24 • 47:51

Word on the street is that leaving your leaves on your lawn -- rather than keeping up with perfect lawn care -- is better for the environment. But is it? Marketing writers Tiff and Kat explore potential greenwashing behind the popular hashtag in this fun episode of your favorite sustainability podcast. SourcesTreehugger: https://www.treehugger.com/is-it-better-to-rake-or-leave-leaves-4864213 National Wildlife Federation: https://blog.nwf.org/2014/11/what-to-do-with-fallen-leaves/ Canadian Press: https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/don-t-rake-leaves-ncc-1.4887187 EPA Environmental Fact Sheet: Yard Waste Composting: https://shorturl.at/cdfIXYouTuber E Fleming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRVVtIf2ubw Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

3/19/24 • 38:14

Hardscaping isn't one of those flashy lawn replacement movements that you hear about on Instagram, but it's got some pretty interesting benefits. Listen as Kat and Tiff walk you through this underrated aspect of sustainable landscaping.Sources:The Spruce - What is Hardscape? https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-hardscape-2131060Ernest Maier - 7 Benefits of Adding Hardscaping to Your Outdoor Living - https://ernestmaier.com/7-benefits-of-adding-hardscaping-to-your-outdoor-living/Unit Paving - A Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable Hardscape Design - https://unitpaving.com/a-beginners-guide-to-sustainable-hardscape-designEPA - Greenscaping Brochure - https://archive.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/tools/greenscapes/web/html/brochure.htmlWater Conservation for Lawn and Landscape - Using Sustainable Hardscaping Materials - https://landscape-water-conservation.extension.org/using-sustainable-hardscape-materialsAustin Impervious Cover Calculation Criteria - https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/environmental_criteria_manual?nodeId=S1WAQUMA_1.8.0IMCOCACRPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

3/12/24 • 37:20

Tiff and Kat take you through the pros and cons of the wildflower lawn movement -- the kinder, gentler alternative to turf lawns that could be a gateway drug to overthrowing your HOA. Explore how to spot greenwashing in the world of wildflower and meadow lawns with your two favorite marketing writers in this upbeat sustainability podcast.Sources:American Meadows - Plant a Wildflower Lawn & Transform Your Yard to a Pollinator Paradise - https://www.americanmeadows.com/content/wildflowers/inspiration/get-this-look-pollinator-yardNational Wildlife Federation - Greening Your Homeowners Association - https://www.nwf.org/Home/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2022/Feb-Mar/Gardening/HOAsScience Alert - Replacing Your Lawn with Wildflowers Has Loads of Benefits - https://www.sciencealert.com/replacing-your-lawn-with-wildflowers-has-loads-of-benefitsFamily Handyman - 7 Things to Consider Before Planting a Wildflower Meadow - https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/wildflower-meadow/Holland Wildflower Farm - Comparing the Cost of Wildflower Seed to Lawn Grass Seed - https://hollandwildflowerfarm.com/compare-wildflower-seed-cost-to-lawn-grass/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

3/5/24 • 50:19

Clover lawns are all the rage — but should they be? Hosts Tiff and Kat answer:What eco-friendly claims do folks make about clover yards? Are they true?Why is Reddit so uncomfy?What are the disadvantages of clover lawns?Explore how to spot greenwashing in the world of clover lawns with your two favorite marketing writers in this upbeat sustainability podcast.SourcesMartha Stewart: https://www.marthastewart.com/8322420/clover-lawns Gardenia Creative Gardens: https://www.gardenia.net/guide/native-plant-alternatives-to-trifolium-repens Podcast: Backyard Ecology episode on clover: https://www.backyardecology.net/clovers-native-clover-conservation-clover-yards-and-more/ Reddit - No Lawns subreddit specifically covering Clover: https://www.reddit.com/r/NoLawns/wiki/meta/clover/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1#wiki_clover_controversy The Spruce: https://www.thespruce.com/all-about-clover-lawns-6362145Bob Vila: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/clover-lawn/ Wild Ones garden designs: https://nativegardendesigns.wildones.org/designs/  Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

2/27/24 • 45:06

Is your turf grass destroying the planet — or is it more complicated than that? Welcome to season 4 of your favorite sustainability podcast, where hosts Tiff and Kat head to the Great Outdoors. In this episode, learn about potential greenwashing behind the no mow movement, whether not cutting grass for bees makes a real difference, and if you should nix your lawn altogether.Discover Magazine on lawns: https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/your-perfect-lawn-is-bad-for-the-environment-heres-what-to-do-insteadNational Resources Defense Council on lawns: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/more-sustainable-and-beautiful-alternatives-grass-lawnThe Guardian on lawns: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jul/31/this-heatwave-is-a-reminder-that-grass-lawns-are-terrible-for-the-environmentScientific American on lawns: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/anthropology-in-practice/the-american-obsession-with-lawns/Grist on tree cover in low-income neighborhoods: https://grist.org/cities/tree-cover-race-class-segregation/ Jacobin on Green Jobs Programs: https://jacobin.com/2023/10/biden-administration-climate-corps-shortcomings-green-new-deal-jobs-guarantee Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

2/20/24 • 64:09

Good news and bad news, friends of Greening Up My Act!The bad news: We had to delay season 4 until February 20.The good news: We have a whole new format which will be easier for us and more fun for you!Tune in Tuesday, February 20 wherever you get podcast. And thank you

2/5/24 • 00:31

Have you heard that dry shampoo causes cancer? In our last episode of season 3 (and first of 2024!), Kat and Tiff dig deeper into the savior of every harried working woman to find out if dry shampoo is as bad as you may have heard for your health or the environment and come up with more hope than you might expect. What we used:Batiste Dry ShampooSources:The Earthling Co., What’s Wrong with Aerosol Dry Shampoo?- https://theearthlingco.com/blogs/news/what-s-wrong-with-aerosol-dry-shampooAllure, Is It Time to Quit Dry Shampoo? https://www.allure.com/story/dry-shampoo-riskOur Endangered World, Is Dry Shampoo Bad? https://www.ourendangeredworld.com/is-dry-shampoo-bad/Propane.com, Propane and the Environment - https://propane.com/environment/myth-busting/Clarify Green, Environmentally Friendly Dry Shampoo You Should Try! https://clarifygreen.com/environmentally-friendly-dry-shampoo-you-should-try/Fact.MR, Dry Shampoo Market Outlook – https://www.factmr.com/report/4300/dry-shampoo-marketTime, Popular Dry Shampoos Found to Have Cancer-Causing Chemical - https://time.com/6227492/dry-shampoo-benzene-cancer/Good Housekeeping, 5 DIY Dry Shampoo Recipes That Really Work - https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/g35215439/diy-dry-shampoo-recipes/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

1/2/24 • 37:33

In this bonus episode of your favorite sustainability podcast, Kat and Tiff look back at the past year — and forward to the next year. Learn to set realistic green New Year's resolutions that you both care about and you can accomplish. And just remember: Progress wasn't built in a day. Or Rome. But also progress.Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

12/28/23 • 32:37

There are an estimated 550 billion cotton swabs thrown out every year. Now that's a statistic! So what's the alternative? In this greenwashing podcast, marketing writers Tiff and Kat examine the company LastObject's LastSwab and LastRound. The hosts say "swab" far too many times while determining if LastObject is full of it — or legit.As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links below are paid links.What We AnalyzedLastSwab from LastObject: https://amzn.to/3tvBUVJLastRound from LastObject: https://amzn.to/4avYwG3SourcesLastObject’s website: https://lastobject.com/The Guardian on cotton water usage: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/mar/20/cost-cotton-water-challenged-india-world-water-dayNIH on using cotton swabs: https://www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov/have-you-heard/cotton-swabs-earsUNC Health article called Put the Cotton Swab Down: https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/put-the-cotton-swab-down-clean-your-ears-safely/Tilted Map’s review of LastObject: https://www.tiltedmap.com/lastswab-vs-earthsider-review-zero-waste-greenwashing/MaterialsToday study on polypropylene: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214785321075969Plantish on the wastefulness of cotton: https://plantishfuture.com/blogs/zero-waste-living/the-waste-from-disposable-cotton-roundsGoing Zero Waste blog on homemade cotton rounds: https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/diy-cotton-rounds/Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance article on the reliability of company’s carbon footprint: https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2021/10/04/the-reliability-of-your-companys-carbon-footprint/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

12/26/23 • 49:04

Washing your hands is probably second nature since the onset of the Plague 2.0, but the big question is: Which soap to use? And if you're interested in living as sustainably as possible, which soap has the least impact on the environment? Join marketing writers Tiff and Kat in this week's deep dive into potential greenwashing behind bar soap vs. liquid soap to learn which type of soap reigns supreme for washing germs down the drain without taking the Earth down the drain with it. What we usedDr. Bronner’s Castile Soap - https://amzn.to/3QJbEiaSourcesFDA: FAQs on Soap - https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/frequently-asked-questions-soapThe Good Boutique: The Environmental Impact of Liquid Soap - https://www.thegoodboutique.com/inspiration/the-environmental-impact-of-liquid-soap-why-bar-soap-is-a-better-choiceCleveland Clinic: Triclosan - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24280-triclosanWFLA: Soap Showdown: Bar soap vs liquid soap for your daily cleanse - https://www.wfla.com/bloom-tampa-bay/soap-showdown-bar-soap-vs-liquid-for-your-daily-cleanseFDA: Antibacterial Soap? You Can Skip It, Use Plain Soap and Water - https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/antibacterial-soap-you-can-skip-it-use-plain-soap-and-waterMinnesota Environmental Health Division of the Minnesota Dept of Health, Tricolosan and Drinking Water - https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/risk/docs/guidance/dwec/triclosaninfo.pdfNIH - Environmental impact of increased soap consumption during COVID-19 pandemic: biodegradable soap production and sustainable packaging - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8272010/The Healthy - Is Liquid Soap Better than Bar Soap? - https://www.thehealthy.com/skin-health/bar-soap-vs-liquid-soap/Huffpost Chemical Marketplace: Bar Soap vs Liquid Soap - https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chemical-marketplace-bar_b_2104678What’s Your Impact? Liquid vs Bar soap, which is more environmentally friendly - https://whatsyourimpact.org/the-eco-guide/liquid-vs-bar-soap-which-more-environmentally-friendlySlate - Is Dove Soap Actually Soap? - https://slate.com/technology/2020/04/what-is-soap-coronavirus.htmlLovely Greens - 7 Ways to Make Soap - https://lovelygreens.com/5-ways-to-make-handmade-soap/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

12/19/23 • 46:11

The horribly named "no poo" movement may need marketing help, but solid shampoo companies are making big claims.  It's supposed to be "more sustainable shampoo," "plastic-free shampoo," "naked," "clean," or "vegetarian" choices. Are these claims just greenwashing (a.k.a. green hoey)? Or not? Find out from marketing writer hosts Tiff and Kat, along with one free trick that may be an even better use of your time in this funky sustainability podcast.What We AnalyzedLush Shampoo Bar's website: https://www.lush.com/us/en_us/c/shampoo-barsSourcesTreehugger on plastic waste in products: https://www.treehugger.com/incredibly-simple-solution-plastic-packaging-waste-4857081National Geographic on shampoo bars: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/shampoo-bar-sustainable-toiletries-plastic-freeMadeHow.com on how regular shampoo is made: http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Shampoo.html#google_vignetteBBC on homemade shampoo and the climate: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220407-are-homemade-shampoos-better-for-the-climateSuper useful Swiss study by Hanna Kröhnert and Matthias Stucki: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/15/8478/htmWomen’s Health on more sustainable shampoo options: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/beauty/hair/g38999295/best-eco-friendly-shampoo-bars/Treehugger DIY shampoo recipes: https://www.treehugger.com/how-to-make-your-own-organic-shampoo-4863262EWG for product ratings: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/products/1019461-Matrix_Biolage_Ultra_HydraSource_Shampoo/Consumer Reports on the “No Poo Movement": https://www.consumerreports.org/health/personal-care/no-poo-hair-care-a3112258874/Hairstory product page: https://hairstory.com/products/new-wash-original-brush-set-bcaPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act

12/12/23 • 43:41