We already talk about it a lot, it's true! Figures such as Greta Thunberg , Dominic Champagne and Autumn Peltier (do you know her? At 15 years old, this member of the First Nations campaigning to protect drinking water) makes noise to raise awareness and raise awareness among our leaders. And so much the better: their flame makes us want to improve, to pose as models for the youngest and to make informed consumption choices. I asked the members of the ELÉ Quebec editorial team to tell you about their favorite brands that are taking concrete steps to make a difference. Here they are!   Our favorite allies The Lush brand collects our empty jars. After bringing five empty jars to a Lush store , we leave with a free fresh mask. And the company reuses these pots! Same principle at M • A • C , where we get a new lipstick when we bring back six empty tubes. For its part, L'Occitane en Provence, in collaboration with TerraCycle, collects empty containers in its partner shops. So they don't end up at the dump. The most beautiful? Those of other labels are accepted too!   +   At the café-repair My neighborhood workshop in Villeray, you can enjoy a hot drink, borrow tools and get help to repair a broken object - and thus avoid buying something new. We want it everywhere, right? +   Les Trappeuses invite us to make homemade products! All their recipes, like that of the anti-aspi and zero waste coffee grounds exfoliant, are on their site.   + H&M accepts all our fabrics and clothing in stores, regardless of the brand and their condition, against a discount to use at our next shopping session. As for what we have entrusted to the Swedish chain, a second life awaits it, by being postponed or recycled.   +   What do we do with our old winter coat? The Montreal brand Norden offers to take it back for a voucher to repair and resell it or give it to someone in need. And if the garment is irretrievable, it will be 100% recycled.   +   Zara has set up the Join Life clothing collection, which allows us to bring back items that we no longer wear. The house donates them to non-profit organizations, which reuse them.   +   L'Escale verte is an eco-responsible social economy company that sells all kinds of ecological and zero-waste products (beauty, household maintenance, etc.), in addition to providing filling services.   +   The following pages are filled with information, ideas and initiatives that I hope will inspire you too.

Planning an eco-friendly wedding can feel daunting at times. There are so many moving parts involved, which makes it difficult to ensure you’re being sustainable at every turn. One of the more attainable steps you can take is to use eco-friendly makeup with sustainably-sourced ingredients and recyclable or reusable packaging at your pre-wedding events. You'll likely hire a professional makeup artist for your actual wedding day (beauty pros tend to use their own products), but using eco-friendly makeup for the events leading up to your nuptials is an effective way to cut down on your wedding's overall waste and carbon emissions.   The beauty industry accounts for a great amount of waste in landfills, which is why these brands are making a change. If you’re looking for even more tips on how to throw a green wedding, we’ve broken down other approachable ways to host a sustainable wedding (or even a zero-waste wedding if you’d like). Check out 17 eco-friendly makeup brands you can use for all of your pre-wedding events (think: engagement party, bach bash and rehearsal dinner).  

1. LUSH

LUSH may be best known for their bath bombs, but they’re also known for their eco-friendly and ethical practices. On a mission to reduce their impact on the earth, LUSH is taking several measures with their packaging. Nearly 35 percent of their products are sold “naked,” meaning package-free. The brand also uses 100 percent post-consumer plastic which can be recycled. In 2012, LUSH also made their plastic bottles 10 percent thinner. (In four years, the company saved nearly 13,500 pounds of plastic through this initiative). The brand has also phased out gift wrapping and excess packaging, offering reusable scarves made from recycled plastic and plant-based, compostable packing peanuts. Their partnership with the Ocean Legacy Foundation allows them to use recovered plastic from the ocean for their packaging as well. In addition to their sustainable packaging, the company also sources their ingredients ethically and responsibly so ecosystems are not harmed. Whether you pick up a face mask, a shampoo bar or a mascara, you’ll know that your pre-wedding purchase is ecologically responsible.  

2. Ethique

Ethique (French for “ethical”) is on a mission to rid the world of plastic waste. This brand makes solid bars—everything from shampoo to face wash to body wash—that are packaged in 100 percent naturally-derived and biodegradable paper packaging. The company also goes the extra mile to ensure that their paper is chlorine- and acid-free to mitigate pollution of waterways. Ethique also ships their products in biodegradable packaging so that you can compost the waste and sleep well knowing it will disappear in a matter of months (just in time for your wedding).  

3. NakedPoppy

NakedPoppy is a beauty company founded to provide customers with the cleanest clean beauty products possible. But in addition to their commitment to human health and animal health, NakedPoppy is passionate about the planet’s wellbeing. Minimizing their environmental impact is a top priority for the company. They make sure that their ingredients are sourced ethically and sustainably—and that they’re supporting the ecosystems they tap. Give your makeup bag a makeover by working with this company’s algorithm, which suggests products that are perfect for you.  

4. True Botanicals

The founder of True Botanicals started the company after her thyroid cancer diagnosis. She channeled her fear and frustration with the beauty industry into research—and a passion for creating pure, potent and proven products that are good for people and the planet. The ingredients are clean and sustainably-sourced, while the glass packaging can be easily recycled or upcycled. Get a glowing, refreshed complexion before you exchange vows with their popular skincare products.  

5. Cocokind

Cocokind, a natural skincare company, is also focused on sustainability as well. Most of the brand’s packages are domestically-sourced flint glass jars—meaning their carbon footprint is low, as they require less additives and they can be reused or recycled. The company also created their tubes out of sugarcane instead of plastic, use shipping materials approved by the Forestry Stewardship Council and print soy-derived ink on their products. Cocokind also strives to use less water in their product formulations to help conserve the previous natural resource. Whether you try out their new resurfacing mask (it contains a plant-based retinol alternative), their popular watermelon hemp oil or their tinted face stick, this sustainable beauty brand has everything you need to prep for your pre-wedding parties.  

6. Herbivore

Herbivore creates clean beauty products made with ethically-sourced ingredients. The brand also prioritizes sustainability, as they use recyclable and reusable packaging. Shop through their extensive collection of facial oils, serums, moisturizers and toners. The founders of the company believe that skincare is a perfect opportunity for self love and relaxation—making their products perfect for to-be-weds who need extra TLC.  

7. Ilia

Ilia, a clean cosmetics company, is dedicated to reducing the makeup industry’s impact on the planet. They use sustainable packaging options such as recycled aluminum, glass components and responsibly-sourced paper. But Ilia is also focused on what happens after a product is finished, so they’re using TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Box platform. To-be-weds who live in the U.S. can mail in five empty beauty products per month to Ilia (psst: they can be any brand) and TerraCycle will break them down responsibly so they don’t end up in a landfill. If planning your wedding is making you stressed out, this eco-friendly decluttering method might be perfect for you.  

8. Tata Harper

Tata Harper is an especially sustainable beauty brand, as their products come straight from their own farm to your face. But the company also strives to be as eco-conscious as possible with their packaging. Almost all of their packaging is recyclable and reusable glass, while the small amount of plastic they use is made from sugar cane. They also use soy-based ink to print on their products, use shipping materials approved by the Sustainable Forestry initiative and use 100 percent post-consumer materials whenever possible. Their luxe skincare products will turn your own bathroom into a full-blown spa.  

9. RMS Beauty

RMS Beauty uses natural products that are intended to heal the skin and improve its health over time. The brand is also committed to bettering the planet’s health as well with their eco-friendly practices. The brand makes a conscious effort to keep packaging as minimal as possible and uses recyclable and reusable materials for their products. Unleash your inner glow with their creamy luminizers, concealers and blushes.  

10. Vapour

Focused on using plant-based ingredients, Vapour offers to-be-weds clean, natural makeup. The brand has everything from foundation to eyeshadow to deodorant (yes, really). The team is also deeply committed to being as sustainable as possible, so they are actively searching for the best packaging ingredients and methods. In the meantime, they’ve created their Empties Recycling Program, where customers can mail back four or more empty containers. Why four or more? So that customers can cut down on carbon emissions from shipping and handling.  

11. Coola

Whether you’re having a spring, summer, fall or winter wedding, sunscreen is an absolute must. Coola, best known for their SPF, also offers clean, plant-based skincare and bodycare. They use naturally effective and sustainably-sourced ingredients that are responsibly farmed. Beyond the product formulation, the product packaging is eco-friendly too. Coola believes in composting and recycling whenever possible and is on a mission to lower their impact on the environment. This year, their tubes used 30 percent less plastic than before. Stock up on their assortment of warm weather essentials before you exchange vows.  

12. Hourglass

Hourglass is a beauty brand loved by celebrities like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jasmine Tookes and Janelle Monae. The company produces high-end luxury products (which are mostly all vegan), but they’re also focused on sustainability. They’re helping to cut down on makeup packaging waste with products like their refillable lipstick. Once the actual lipstick is used up, customers can keep the wand and use it again.  

13. Beautycounter

Beautycounter is not only producing clean beauty products, they’re also fighting for political change in the beauty industry—calling for more regulation and higher standards. They’re also making an effort to be as eco-friendly as possible with their packaging. As glass is easier to recycle than plastic, they aim to use as much glass as possible and reduce any additional plastic add-ons (think: spatulas, overcaps and lid inserts). They also include directions on how to recycle all of the packaging on the container, so you don’t have to do any guess work. Pick up their best-selling foundations or highly-coveted velvet eyeshadow palettes.  

14. Tarte

This brand is popular among beauty editors and influencers alike. Tatre is known for their powerhouse ingredients, like Amazonian clay and their Rainforest of the Sea complex. The brand ensures that their products are sustainable—but they also make an effort to give back to the communities they tap. Tatre works with cooperatives in the rainforest to ensure that the ingredients are sustainably harvested and supports the ocean ecosystem through their partnership with the Sea Turtle Conservancy. If you’re a fan of glitter, you’ll love their selection of eyeshadows, lip glosses and highlighters.  

15. Sol de Janerio

Known best for their Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and signature scent, Sol de Janerio is also on a mission to be more sustainable. The brand uses eco-friendly and recyclable materials whenever possible and they select manufacturing partners who efficiently utilize resources through renewable energy, recycling and hazmat waste programs, and water filtration. They also have promising goals for 2020 (like reducing their overall plastic consumption by 25 percent, for example). Pick up any of their luxurious products and be immediately transported to your honeymoon.  

16. Josie Maran

Josie Maran, famous for their argan oil products, is also known as an eco-friendly makeup brand. The company is currently converting to carton packaging made of 100 percent post-consumer waste material. They’re also focused on water conversation and have saved nearly 143,000 gallons of water with their sustainable practices. Load up on skincare, body care and makeup for all of your pre-wedding events.  

17. Lilah b.

Lilah b. was founded with the goal of decluttering makeup routines. Their minimalist line—with its all-white packaging—is perfect for nearlyweds. But they’re also committed to decluttering in a sustainable way, which is why they started their Recycle Program. Send any unwanted beauty products (lilah b. or otherwise) and they’ll work to process and recycle the goods to make room for only what you need.  

Denton has seen its fair share of upstart festivals.   But have any of them been inspired by trash?   Denton’s newest music festival — BUTTS Fest — wouldn’t exist without cigarette litter around the downtown Denton or the volunteers who’ve come together to clean them up. This weekend, it will be a 45-act festival making the most of the sunshine (and the musicians who intended to play the now-canceled South by Southwest) at Harvest House, Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios and Armadillo Ale Works.   Denton musician Michael Tong Kokkinakis is the guy holding the smoking butt, so to speak.   “BUTTS stands for Better Understanding Through Trash Service,” Kokkinakis said. “It got started last Earth Day. We were already involved in trash pickup, so I thought, ‘Why not create something that spreads the word about it?’”      

BUTTS FEST

Where: Harvest House, 331 E. Hickory St.; Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios, 411 E. Sycamore St.; and Armadillo Ale Works, 221 S. Bell Ave.   Details: For most events, a suggested $5 donation is encouraged. On Sunday at Rubber Gloves, admission is $10, or $5 before 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.buttsfest.com or www.facebook.com/buttsdtx.   SATURDAY Harvest House 11 a.m. — Karma Yoga Noon to 5 p.m. — Art & Artisan Market 1 p.m. — Lollard (DJ) 2 p.m. — Phokis.wav (DJ) 4 p.m. — Phlowerie 5 p.m. — Andoren 6 p.m. — Mother Tongues 7 p.m. — Breathing Rainbow 8 p.m. — Maestro Maya 9 p.m. — Aztec Milk Temple 10 p.m. — Jeb Bush Orchestra 10:45 p.m. — Self-Help 11:30 p.m. — Moon Kissed Rubber Gloves indoor stage 6 p.m. — Glow Yoga 8 to 10 p.m. — Burlesque 10 p.m. — Miss Mino 11:15 p.m. — eve.ning 12:30 p.m. — YSA Rubber Gloves outdoor stage 6 p.m. to midnight — Where? House Art Collective 6 to 8 p.m. — Breeze-o-matic 8 p.m. — Sanford Black 10 p.m. — Sum Bloke Rubber Gloves Library Stage 9 p.m. — Karaoke, hosted by Nancy & Silky Jo SUNDAY Armadillo Ale Works Noon — Community unity brunch Noon — Michael Kokkinakis 12:30 p.m. — Scott Levings 1 p.m. — Nancy Alatorre 1:30 p.m. — Open mic, hosted by Rache Ann 3 p.m. — City Limits 4 p.m. — Dirty Dan & the Basketball Boys 5 p.m. — Sea of Oaks 6 p.m. — Maya Rubber Gloves indoor stage 2:30 p.m. — Anthony Cappeto 3:30 p.m. — Patti 4:30 p.m. — Irrevery 5 p.m. — Carlo Pezzamenti & Kokkinakis 5 6:30 p.m. — Gold Dime 7:30 p.m. — Felt & Fur 8:30 p.m. — Blank Hellscape 9:30 p.m. — Psychic Killers 11 p.m. — Mattie 11:30 p.m. — Rat Bastard Midnight — Heavy Baby Sea Slugs 1 p.m. — Monte Espina Rubber Gloves outdoor stage 3 p.m. — Sexual Jeremy 4 p.m. — Starfruit 6 p.m. — Thin Skin 7 p.m. — Hot Mom 8 p.m. — Flesh Narc 9 p.m. — Janet Xmas & Blyre Cpanx 10 p.m. — Leya 10 Rubber Gloves Library Stage 2 p.m. — Froggy 2000 5 p.m. — MILL 10:30 p.m. — Locations 12:30 a.m. — Chelsey Danielle   Kokkinakis said he and other volunteers meet on the Square at 6:30 p.m. each Monday and pick up cigarette litter until about 9 p.m.   “People might not notice it, but there are so many cigarette butts all around the downtown area, even though there are a lot of spots to dispose of them,” he said.   Nonsmokers might pass them by without a glance, but there are cigarette trash receptacles downtown. They’re mounted on poles — small boxes that declare “The butt stops here.”   Autumn Natalie, the program manager of Keep Denton Beautiful, said the nonprofit installed 20 of the receptacles in downtown Denton and in Quakertown Park. The pole-mounted receptacles — a trademarked design called the Sidewalk Buttler — are placed around the Square, side streets just off the Square and near Fry Street on Hickory Street by the University of North Texas campus. In-ground cigarette receptacles are placed throughout Quakertown Park, and all of them are designed to be moved quickly if officials find that smokers aren’t using them at that location. Each can hold up to 700 cigarette butts. The receptacles are metal, and able to contain the paper if a cigarette is still burning.       Natalie said flicking cigarette butts to the ground, or walking off after stepping on them to extinguish them, is littering, which can carry a fine up to $500.   “It’s the No. 1 littered item in the state, the city and the country,” Natalie said. “Aside from the work Michael and his group have done, our staff and volunteers have collected just shy of 40,000 cigarette butts since Oct. 1.”   Keep Denton Beautiful doesn’t discard the collected butts. It packages them and ships them to TerraCycle, which recycles the butts, breaking them down into cellulose acetate pellets that can be used to make park benches and play sets for children, Natalie said.   Kokkinakis is a smoker himself (“I should probably work on quitting,” he says), and said he used to be among the smokers who flick butts to the ground when an ashtray isn’t available. Then, he said, personal research on the matter converted him.   “Smokers think cigarettes are biodegradable. That it’s just paper. I thought so, too,” he said. “But the filters are full of chemicals. ... So when it rains, all that stuff washes out, leaches into the ground.”   And there’s a lot more cigarette litter than people think, he said.   “Thirty-eight percent of the trash worldwide is cigarette litter,” he said. “It’s really surprising.”         As he and other volunteers continued cleaning up butts, Kokkinakis said, they recruited local downtown businesses to allow the volunteers to place buckets smokers can use as ashtrays outside their businesses. The volunteers empty the buckets on their circuit.   “It’s a trash pickup that turned into a pub crawl,” Kokkinakis said. “We’ve created a community that cares about the city.”   Kokkinakis is a classical guitarist — he seemed to have a knack for the instrument, then got more serious about the art after taking a class at Richland College and Brookhaven College. He studied with renowned classical guitarist Carlo Pezzimenti, a Texas Woman’s University faculty member, and he and Pezzimenti have a duo act.   Kokkinakis said as he watched community build over the simple act of picking up cigarette butts, he also started to miss 35 Denton, a popular music festival that last took place in 2016.   “Since all these venues were on for a festival, we decided to book bands for a festival,” he said. “There will be touring groups, but we were also focused on showcasing local bands. Whatever we do here, we want to celebrate Denton. I’ve been here eight years — I want to show my gratitude.”   BUTTS Fest isn’t a genre festival. Kokkinakis said music lovers will catch chillwave, lo-fi, classical guitar music, DJ sets, blues, folk and country music. The festival includes a Sunday brunch for the homeless — including an open mic — at Armadillo Ale Works.   “The main focus here was culture,” he said. “Denton has a nice culture to it.”   Kokkinakis said he means for the festival to be an annual event.   “The level of interaction has people really collaborating,” he said. “I can say I want to change the world. I just want people to stop littering. I’d like for people think more about their waste.”  

Planning an eco-friendly wedding can feel daunting at times. There are so many moving parts involved, which makes it difficult to ensure you’re being sustainable at every turn. One of the more attainable steps you can take is to use eco-friendly makeup with sustainably-sourced ingredients and recyclable or reusable packaging at your pre-wedding events. You'll likely hire a professional makeup artist for your actual wedding day (beauty pros tend to use their own products), but using eco-friendly makeup for the events leading up to your nuptials is an effective way to cut down on your wedding's overall waste and carbon emissions.   The beauty industry accounts for a great amount of waste in landfills, which is why these brands are making a change. If you’re looking for even more tips on how to throw a green wedding, we’ve broken down other approachable ways to host a sustainable wedding (or even a zero-waste wedding if you’d like). Check out 17 eco-friendly makeup brands you can use for all of your pre-wedding events (think: engagement party, bach bash and rehearsal dinner).  

1. LUSH

LUSH may be best known for their bath bombs, but they’re also known for their eco-friendly and ethical practices. On a mission to reduce their impact on the earth, LUSH is taking several measures with their packaging. Nearly 35 percent of their products are sold “naked,” meaning package-free. The brand also uses 100 percent post-consumer plastic which can be recycled. In 2012, LUSH also made their plastic bottles 10 percent thinner. (In four years, the company saved nearly 13,500 pounds of plastic through this initiative). The brand has also phased out gift wrapping and excess packaging, offering reusable scarves made from recycled plastic and plant-based, compostable packing peanuts. Their partnership with the Ocean Legacy Foundation allows them to use recovered plastic from the ocean for their packaging as well. In addition to their sustainable packaging, the company also sources their ingredients ethically and responsibly so ecosystems are not harmed. Whether you pick up a face mask, a shampoo bar or a mascara, you’ll know that your pre-wedding purchase is ecologically responsible.  

2. Ethique

Ethique (French for “ethical”) is on a mission to rid the world of plastic waste. This brand makes solid bars—everything from shampoo to face wash to body wash—that are packaged in 100 percent naturally-derived and biodegradable paper packaging. The company also goes the extra mile to ensure that their paper is chlorine- and acid-free to mitigate pollution of waterways. Ethique also ships their products in biodegradable packaging so that you can compost the waste and sleep well knowing it will disappear in a matter of months (just in time for your wedding).  

3. NakedPoppy

NakedPoppy is a beauty company founded to provide customers with the cleanest clean beauty products possible. But in addition to their commitment to human health and animal health, NakedPoppy is passionate about the planet’s wellbeing. Minimizing their environmental impact is a top priority for the company. They make sure that their ingredients are sourced ethically and sustainably—and that they’re supporting the ecosystems they tap. Give your makeup bag a makeover by working with this company’s algorithm, which suggests products that are perfect for you.  

4. True Botanicals

The founder of True Botanicals started the company after her thyroid cancer diagnosis. She channeled her fear and frustration with the beauty industry into research—and a passion for creating pure, potent and proven products that are good for people and the planet. The ingredients are clean and sustainably-sourced, while the glass packaging can be easily recycled or upcycled. Get a glowing, refreshed complexion before you exchange vows with their popular skincare products.  

5. Cocokind

Cocokind, a natural skincare company, is also focused on sustainability as well. Most of the brand’s packages are domestically-sourced flint glass jars—meaning their carbon footprint is low, as they require less additives and they can be reused or recycled. The company also created their tubes out of sugarcane instead of plastic, use shipping materials approved by the Forestry Stewardship Council and print soy-derived ink on their products. Cocokind also strives to use less water in their product formulations to help conserve the previous natural resource. Whether you try out their new resurfacing mask (it contains a plant-based retinol alternative), their popular watermelon hemp oil or their tinted face stick, this sustainable beauty brand has everything you need to prep for your pre-wedding parties.  

6. Herbivore

Herbivore creates clean beauty products made with ethically-sourced ingredients. The brand also prioritizes sustainability, as they use recyclable and reusable packaging. Shop through their extensive collection of facial oils, serums, moisturizers and toners. The founders of the company believe that skincare is a perfect opportunity for self love and relaxation—making their products perfect for to-be-weds who need extra TLC.  

7. Ilia

Ilia, a clean cosmetics company, is dedicated to reducing the makeup industry’s impact on the planet. They use sustainable packaging options such as recycled aluminum, glass components and responsibly-sourced paper. But Ilia is also focused on what happens after a product is finished, so they’re using TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Box platform. To-be-weds who live in the U.S. can mail in five empty beauty products per month to Ilia (psst: they can be any brand) and TerraCycle will break them down responsibly so they don’t end up in a landfill. If planning your wedding is making you stressed out, this eco-friendly decluttering method might be perfect for you.  

8. Tata Harper

Tata Harper is an especially sustainable beauty brand, as their products come straight from their own farm to your face. But the company also strives to be as eco-conscious as possible with their packaging. Almost all of their packaging is recyclable and reusable glass, while the small amount of plastic they use is made from sugar cane. They also use soy-based ink to print on their products, use shipping materials approved by the Sustainable Forestry initiative and use 100 percent post-consumer materials whenever possible. Their luxe skincare products will turn your own bathroom into a full-blown spa.  

9. RMS Beauty

RMS Beauty uses natural products that are intended to heal the skin and improve its health over time. The brand is also committed to bettering the planet’s health as well with their eco-friendly practices. The brand makes a conscious effort to keep packaging as minimal as possible and uses recyclable and reusable materials for their products. Unleash your inner glow with their creamy luminizers, concealers and blushes.  

10. Vapour

Focused on using plant-based ingredients, Vapour offers to-be-weds clean, natural makeup. The brand has everything from foundation to eyeshadow to deodorant (yes, really). The team is also deeply committed to being as sustainable as possible, so they are actively searching for the best packaging ingredients and methods. In the meantime, they’ve created their Empties Recycling Program, where customers can mail back four or more empty containers. Why four or more? So that customers can cut down on carbon emissions from shipping and handling.  

11. Coola

Whether you’re having a spring, summer, fall or winter wedding, sunscreen is an absolute must. Coola, best known for their SPF, also offers clean, plant-based skincare and bodycare. They use naturally effective and sustainably-sourced ingredients that are responsibly farmed. Beyond the product formulation, the product packaging is eco-friendly too. Coola believes in composting and recycling whenever possible and is on a mission to lower their impact on the environment. This year, their tubes used 30 percent less plastic than before. Stock up on their assortment of warm weather essentials before you exchange vows.  

12. Hourglass

Hourglass is a beauty brand loved by celebrities like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jasmine Tookes and Janelle Monae. The company produces high-end luxury products (which are mostly all vegan), but they’re also focused on sustainability. They’re helping to cut down on makeup packaging waste with products like their refillable lipstick. Once the actual lipstick is used up, customers can keep the wand and use it again.  

13. Beautycounter

Beautycounter is not only producing clean beauty products, they’re also fighting for political change in the beauty industry—calling for more regulation and higher standards. They’re also making an effort to be as eco-friendly as possible with their packaging. As glass is easier to recycle than plastic, they aim to use as much glass as possible and reduce any additional plastic add-ons (think: spatulas, overcaps and lid inserts). They also include directions on how to recycle all of the packaging on the container, so you don’t have to do any guess work. Pick up their best-selling foundations or highly-coveted velvet eyeshadow palettes.  

14. Tarte

This brand is popular among beauty editors and influencers alike. Tatre is known for their powerhouse ingredients, like Amazonian clay and their Rainforest of the Sea complex. The brand ensures that their products are sustainable—but they also make an effort to give back to the communities they tap. Tatre works with cooperatives in the rainforest to ensure that the ingredients are sustainably harvested and supports the ocean ecosystem through their partnership with the Sea Turtle Conservancy. If you’re a fan of glitter, you’ll love their selection of eyeshadows, lip glosses and highlighters.  

15. Sol de Janerio

Known best for their Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and signature scent, Sol de Janerio is also on a mission to be more sustainable. The brand uses eco-friendly and recyclable materials whenever possible and they select manufacturing partners who efficiently utilize resources through renewable energy, recycling and hazmat waste programs, and water filtration. They also have promising goals for 2020 (like reducing their overall plastic consumption by 25 percent, for example). Pick up any of their luxurious products and be immediately transported to your honeymoon.  

16. Josie Maran

Josie Maran, famous for their argan oil products, is also known as an eco-friendly makeup brand. The company is currently converting to carton packaging made of 100 percent post-consumer waste material. They’re also focused on water conversation and have saved nearly 143,000 gallons of water with their sustainable practices. Load up on skincare, body care and makeup for all of your pre-wedding events.  

17. Lilah b.

Lilah b. was founded with the goal of decluttering makeup routines. Their minimalist line—with its all-white packaging—is perfect for nearlyweds. But they’re also committed to decluttering in a sustainable way, which is why they started their Recycle Program. Send any unwanted beauty products (lilah b. or otherwise) and they’ll work to process and recycle the goods to make room for only what you need.

Hi hello dear friends! We’re starting our second year as part of the Tom’s of Maine Goodness Circle, which means we get to preview new products, review their classics, and let you know all our thoughts on them. Last year we got to go to Kennebunkport, Maine, to see their facility (and experience legit fall foliage for the first time!), and that trip solidified our excitement to be aligned with a brand whose products and values we can get behind.   While we were there we got a sneak peek of their new Natural Prebiotic Personal Care line. You’re probably familiar with probiotics, but maybe not prebiotics. We weren’t either, but we were lucky enough to get a run down straight from the Tom’s of Maine team. While probiotics add good bacteria, prebiotics help promote existing good bacteria we already have (in your mouth, underarms, and on your skin) and crowd out bad bacteria that can cause bad breath and body odor. We’re all about maintaining a healthy, folks!   And here’s the less sciencey reason we like these products: they smell / feel SO GOOD. The “soft rose” scent is actually amazing, and, like… no big deal but its packaging was basically designed for our Instagram feed (it wasn’t really, but it’s so cute). We’re also crazy about the “fresh apple” and “blood orange” scents. The new prebiotic line includes toothpaste, deodorant, body wash, beauty bar, and hand soap. We’ve got a little bit more in-depth reviews on two products we’ve been using a lot—the hand soap and toothpaste—below!   Blood Orange Prebiotic Moisturizing Hand Soap   For starters the smell is incredible. It’s like juicy orangey goodness. The cute bottle looks great on the counter and I’m usually the one on dish duty, so I love that the Prebiotic hand soap is gentle and retains my skin’s natural moisture. Like a lot of Tom’s of Maine’s products, this bottle is a part of their TerraCycle program, which means it can be dropped off at a TerraCycle center or shipped to their facility for recycling.       Peppermint Prebiotic Fluoride Toothpaste   We’ve been diehard fans of Tom’s of Maine toothpaste for a while, and this newest edition of theirs meets our Very High Standards. It’s got prebiotics to support the good bacteria and help crowd out the bad to keep your mouth in healthy balance while reducing the odor associated with bad breath, fluoride to protect against cavities, all while whitening your teeth and fighting tartar build up—plus it feels nice and cool just like a toothpaste should. Loves it. If you’re also already a fan of Tom’s of Maine toothpaste, this toothpaste won’t be a big change for you, but just has the added benefit of prebiotics. Definitely worth a try!       We’re still working our way through trying all of their new products, but so far we’re huge fans. Whether you’re new to Tom’s of Maine or have been using their sustainable & cruelty free products for a while now, we highly recommend giving this newest addition a try.   Thanks for stopping by the blog! Let us know if you give any of these products a try :)

Get a full night’s sleep. Our natural night circadian rhythm places our body into repair mode and needs 6–8 hours to finish its cycle. When we don’t sleep, we don’t fully repair, and our mental function declines. I also love drinking a glass of alkaline water when I first wake and right before bed, as it helps with this circadian cycle. On nights that I can’t sleep, I take a tart cherry supplement. It helps.     As a part of my series about “5 Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Dramatically Improve One’s Wellbeing”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nicole Simpson. Nicole is an accomplished beauty veteran in the aesthetics industry. As the founder of Amethyst Beauty, she proves her innovation in the beauty space with a skincare line entirely dedicated to healing & protecting the skin from environmental toxins and skin stressors.     Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?   I have been obsessed with skin and hair care products since I was a little girl. I remember being very young, maybe 6, looking up ingredient lists on the back of the shampoo bottles in my mom’s bathroom, asking her “mom what does this do?” It drove her crazy, but she soon realized that I was really into ingredients and science, and my parents cultivated a STEM environment for me. I was always at the science fair, discovery museums, volunteering with physicians at the local children’s hospital, and even playing chemist in my own kitchen. I became infatuated with the biochemistry of skin and its ingredients and made my first “potion” when I was 16 to help heal my acne (It actually worked!)   I worked for a short while as a chemist after graduating from university, but I hated it. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to be in the skincare industry, so I followed my absolute passion and became an aesthetician. The rest is history! I was recruited by a major skincare company to teach skincare from a scientific perspective to other aestheticians, physicians, and nurses. From there I went on to become the AVP of Global Education and Business Development for SkinCeuticals/L’Oreal. I traveled more than 32 countries, working with some of the most prominent physicians in the world to become successful with skincare in their practices.   It was during my travels that I started to see that in America, our reality is a bit different than the rest of the world. My time in China, India, and some European countries allowed me to see our future. The air is heavily polluted. The water is contaminated. There are places in China where food doesn’t grow because the soil is too acidic from acid rain. The University of California Irvine published a study a few years ago that showed that all of the smog that blows over from China adds 5–8 extra days of smog to Southern California each year. While we are not alone, the beauty industry is a major contributor to this. I made the decision several years ago that when I would create my own skincare line, I would do it as a platform to have an impact on this situation. While the industry is not perfect, there are things we can do today to reduce our global impact on pollution, and improve sustainability, which I am committed to being a part of.   Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?   When I was about 3 weeks on the job for the first major skincare company I worked for, my youngest brother passed away in a terrible accident. He was 20 years old; I was 28. It was devastating for our family. I remember having a very frank conversation with my boss at the time. She asked me if I wanted to continue. Every part of me was in pain from the loss. I could have gracefully resigned, but in my heart, I knew it wasn’t the right thing to do. It was hard, but I picked myself up, and I continued. I learned all about resiliency and determination. I knew that if I really wanted something, it was absolutely within reach. I was at rock bottom at a young age, but I quickly rose to the top by believing in myself and my goals. I also learned a lot about what is truly important and keeping that in perspective. These lessons have served me well later in life. While our wounds are healed, there have been many times where I have found myself caught up in “life”, especially in the corporate world, and all that comes with it. Thinking about that time helped me remember that there was nothing that anyone could do or say that was worse than anything I had already gone through, and if it was, I absolutely had the strength to pull through. It gave me perspective to know that we are on a journey, and each lesson is important, but it was okay to disconnect from all of that and live a peaceful life.   Can you share a story about the biggest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?   The biggest mistake I made when I first started was allowing the opinions of other people to define who I was. I would let people’s opinions of my performance mold my opinion of myself. It took me a few years to realize just how dangerous and toxic that was. I believe that when we go through times like these, it is important not to lose the lesson. Being comfortable in my own skin was something I wasn’t good at then, but I am good at now. When I spend time mentoring young women in the space, this is usually the topic where we spend the most time. I feel that this is a critical rite of passage when developing strong leadership skills.   None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?   The importance of people is often underestimated. I have villages (and I mean villages!) of people who have helped! But if I had to choose one, it is a woman named Dr. Sheila Marie Love. She was a pediatric orthopedic surgeon who repaired my broken knee when I was 15. She was a total badass. She was a female in a mostly all-boys club, who actually founded the surgical practice that was just her and 4 other male physicians. She sparked a passion for medicine at the time and allowed me to shadow her in the operating room for all 4 years of high school. She was the first true example I had of a woman stepping into her strength and taking on a very powerful leadership role as a minority in the space. I still think of her today when things get tough. In my career, I have been lucky enough to have found success at an early age. That did not come without discrimination on not only my gender but also my age. Dr. Love was gracefully strong. It was learning these qualities from her that allowed me to rise above the discrimination and become who I was meant to be- the CEO of a conscious beauty company that will use our products as a platform to spark some major changes in the world.   Ok perfect. Now let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?   I have developed every single product in the Amethyst Skincare range to promote the ultimate in health and wellness. Being a self-proclaimed nerd, I like to read the scientific publications surrounding climate change, which is a topic that is very important to me. The 2050 climate report is scary. Even if we could implement the best-case scenario today, which would be no CO2 emissions, our air quality is still going to get much worse before it gets better. As the environment continues to change, the way that our skin ages will also change. There was a study recently published that proved a group of women living in a city had skin that was 10% more aged than their same-aged counterparts living outside of the same city. The toxins found in our air, water, and consequences of poor diet and stressful lifestyle have significant impact to our skin. The ingredients in Amethyst Skincare were meticulously selected to nourish and protect skin, and promote the self-repair necessary to maintain its youthful state for the long-term.   The Amethyst stone has been known throughout history as the gemstone of youth. It also helps reduce stress. We believe it helps create the space needed for the type of self-care that results in stress reduction, contributing not only to healthier skin, but also the overall health and wellness of our entire being.   While we are not perfect, we are doing what we can to reduce our impact on the environment. We use glass bottles and recyclable cardboard. We haven’t been able to completely reduce plastic, so to help offset that, we have two programs in place. More than 85% of beauty packaging is not recyclable by mainstream standards, and even with our good intentions of placing it in the recycling bin, it still goes to landfill, and can end up in the ocean. We encourage anyone who makes a purchase on our website to send us back their packaging when it’s empty. We will send it to Terracycle, who can recycle all our components and ensure that no plastic goes to landfill. Additionally, we support a company called 4Ocean, who works tirelessly to clean plastics out of the oceans around the world. We reserve 5% of all purchases to pay for their famous bracelets to help them continue with their mission.   Additionally, two of our SKUs are waterless — the face oil does not use any water in its production. The Anti-Pollution Mist uses aloe vera instead of water to try and reduce our water consumption overall.   Our goal is to be completely carbon neutral in our production within the next 5–7 years. Additionally, our 3-year plan is for our packaging to become 100% sustainable. In the meantime, we are doing our best to make the least amount of negative impact possible to our earth.   Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing? Please give an example or story for each.  

• Diet and exercise go without saying. Choose the healthy foods and exercises that you love the most because it will be easier to be consistent. Self-love through meditation.
• Get a full night’s sleep. Our natural night circadian rhythm places our body into repair mode and needs 6–8 hours to finish its cycle. When we don’t sleep, we don’t fully repair, and our mental function declines. I also love drinking a glass of alkaline water when I first wake and right before bed, as it helps with this circadian cycle. On nights that I can’t sleep, I take a tart cherry supplement. It helps.
• Do brain games. We are sharper at everything we do when we are good about improving our memory. It helps keep our minds healthy and well for the long term in a very stressful world.
• Sunshine, good food, laughter, and family are the best medicine. There are not many things in life that are worth stealing the joy away from any of these.
• Eat lunch out with someone new once a week. There is a lot of importance in surrounding yourself with the right people. Taking the time to slow down and enjoy facetime with people is the ultimate in promoting wellness. Some researchers have compared having a weak social circle as the equivalent of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.

  If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?   This movement would definitely be environmental wellness and creating awareness as actionable steps for as many people as possible.   While the beauty industry is not perfect, we are doing what we can to reduce our impact on the environment. We use glass bottles and recyclable cardboard. We haven’t been able to completely reduce plastic, so to help offset that, we have two programs in place. More than 85% of beauty packaging is not recyclable by mainstream standards, and even with our good intentions of placing it in the recycling bin, it still goes to landfill, and can end up in the ocean. We encourage anyone who makes Amethyst Skincare to send us back their packaging when it’s empty. We will send it to Terracycle, who can recycle all of our components and ensure that no plastic goes to landfill. Additionally, we support a company called 4Ocean, who works tirelessly to clean plastics out of the oceans around the world. We reserve 5% of all purchases made on our website to purchase their famous bracelets to help them continue with their mission.   Additionally, 2 of our products are waterless. The face oil does not use any water in its production. The Anti-Pollution Mist uses aloe vera instead of water to try and reduce our water consumption overall.   Our goal is to be completely carbon neutral in our production within the next 5–7 years. Additionally, our 3-year plan is to become 100% sustainable on our packaging. In the meantime, we are doing our best to make the least amount of negative impact possible.   We are looking forward to inviting all who would like to join our journey.   What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?  

• The world might hate you once you start your climb. Do it anyway. As I started becoming more visible, I was also exposed to more opinions. I wish I would have learned to tune out the noise much earlier.
• I came up in this very competitive industry assuming I couldn’t say no. I wish someone would have told me it is okay to stand my ground and say no. I said “yes” on far too many occasions that compromised my family time, quality of life, and even sometimes, my personal health.
• The work you do today in the beauty industry will absolutely impact the quality of life for the multitudes of women tomorrow. The beauty industry goes much deeper than what it seems on the surface. We create products that boost self-esteem, improve health, and quality of life.
• When women go together, they go further and stronger. I was not whole until I found my tribe of absolute superstar women that I could call at any time of day to speak to, learn from, bounce ideas, and have a compassionate voice of encouragement.
• Community over competition. Period. There is enough space here for everyone. We can create more impact on the things that matter when we go together. Strength in numbers.

  Sustainability, veganism, mental health and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?   All are very important to me. I believe sustainability and environmental changes go hand-in-hand. I want my children to grow up in a world where they can play outside, and their kids can play outside, and they can grow a garden, and drink clean water. I want them to be able to go on a safari and actual see a live animal. We all have a responsibility to act now and fast. We aren’t moving fast enough.   What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?   @Nicoleknowsskin   @skinbyamethyst

Attention local musicians. Don’t throw out those old, broken guitar strings. This weekend, those broken strings could get swapped for new ones…and help the environment.   On Saturday, March 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Martel Music will take part in “Playback,” a recycling event at their store on the corner of Whiting Street and W. Main Street in Plainville. Musicians who bring their old strings to the recycling drop box at Martel Music will receive a package (or have their guitar restrung with) D’Addario NYXL or nickel bronze acoustic strings, while supplies last.   The event is sponsored by D’Addario and TerraCycle, an innovative recycling company that has become a global leader in recycling hard-to-recycle materials.   “As a musician, you can or do change strings pretty often on a guitar, bass, acoustic or electric and you throw away your strings, let’s say, every time you change them because that’s just what you did for years, decades,” said Corey Martel, owner of Martel Music. “I don’t think a lot of people realize you can recycle strings—guitar strings or any instrument really, but I don’t know if you can just drop them in your normal recycling bin at home.”   Martel explained that once the drop box collects about two pounds worth of strings, the materials will be shipped to the D’Addario. These strings are recyclable due the fact that they’re made from different blends of metals, and these materials span from phosphor to bronze to nickel to steel. According a press release from TerraCycle, “the collected metal strings will be converted into recycled alloys which are commonly utilized in the construction of guitar necks and the recycled nylon will be used in automotive applications.”   “The feel, the sound, the look, the tension, all these things change with all the different kinds of materials they are using so it’s not just one, it’s a mixture,” said Martel. “That’s probably also why it’s tricky to recycle them because there’s so many different materials—some strings are nylon, some are steel, there’s coatings on the strings too sometimes to protect them.”   While the “Playback” recycling box may be new to Martel’s shop, he and the shop are not new to the area. Martel opened in 2017, saying that he and his team loved the area due to many factors—the population and demographics, and the great music program offered through the schools. They were so impressed by the town’s music education, that they offer rental and sale of band instruments.   “There’s a lot behind music that isn’t just fun” said Martel, “it’s great to help your social activities, your confidence, math skills and science skills, and all these different things that are brought into a musician by learning, by reading music or just playing an instrument, whether that’s a band instrument or a rock band instrument.”   The “Playback” recycling box is now a permanent fixture in Martel Music, and musicians are invited to come down to the store to recycle their strings during business hours—from 11 a.m. to 6p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Martel Music also offers a selection of music classes, and more information can be found by contacting the store by calling (860) 479-5188, or by visiting their website www.MartelMusicStore.com.

It’s official: Your reusable mug has been tainted — with suspicion. Starbucks announced last Wednesday that it is “pausing the use of personal cups and ‘for here’ ware in our stores” due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, and Dunkin’ and Tim Hortons quickly followed suit. That secondhand side-eye doesn’t just apply to coffee containers. Given the rapid, worldwide spread of COVID-19 — the severe respiratory disease caused by this new coronavirus — all manner of reuse habits that just a few months ago might have been considered environmentally virtuous now invoke the same kind of germaphobic fear response as a public coughing fit. Renting clothes so you don’t have to buy new ones that you’ll only wear once or twice? Rent the Runway updated its frequently asked questions last week to reassure concerned customers that “there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted from soft surfaces like fabric or carpet to humans.” Shopping with a reusable bag to avoid single-use plastics? A local news station in Buffalo ran a segment warning viewers to wash or disinfect their bags between each use, citing research showing that a completely different type of virus can be transmitted from reusable bags to other parts of a grocery store via shoppers’ hands. Reusing goods and packaging as many times as possible, instead of disposing of them and then buying new ones, is one of the greenest practices there is. It prevents energy and resources from being spent on manufacturing and shipping new stuff. It diverts old stuff from landfills and oceans. These facts are at the heart of the so-called zero-waste movement, which has spawned books, blogs, and package-free stores in recent years. And there have been promising recent signs of a burgeoning “circular economy” — that is, a no- or low-waste system that encourages reuse rather than disposal. ThredUp, an online secondhand clothing store, grew from receiving 4 million clothing items for resale in 2014 to 21 million in 2018. In 2019, fast-casual chain Just Salad says it diverted 75,000 pounds of plastic from landfills with its $1 reusable bowls, which customers wash at home and then bring back to be filled with salad again. Last May, Terracycle launched Loop, an online store that sells groceries and household items in reusable packaging that shoppers return to Loop once they’re empty in exchange for a deposit. But can the circular economy continue to grow during what some epidemiologists are already calling a pandemic? Reusable or secondhand items are unlikely to spread the novel coronavirus, as long as they’re washed or disinfected in between uses. But new items come with an aura of cleanliness, while reusable and secondhand goods often fight the perception of being unsanitary. The key to encouraging reuse at a time when coronavirus infection numbers are rising might be recognizing that neither stereotype is true. “No disposable package is today sterile, just to be explicitly clear,” said Tom Szaky, the founder and CEO of TerraCycle in an interview with Grist. Different kinds of disposable packaging have different microbial limits set by independent standard-setting organizations — and unless a product is explicitly marked sterile, none of those limits are zero. That means a certain level of bacterial contamination is considered acceptable and inevitable. Take a disposable plastic bottle, Szaky said. “That bottle is going to be moving through a bottle plant. It’s going to be put onto a pallet. That whole process is being touched and dust is being collected on it,” he said. “In no way should you take the message from me that a disposable package is dangerous … It’s just not surgically sterile and not even close.” For Béa Johnson, the author of Zero-Waste Home, one of the founding texts of the zero-waste movement, the hygienic uncertainty in the supply chain is one reason she prefers a reusable water canteen to disposable water bottles. “With disposables, you have no idea who has touched it. With your own reusables, you do!” she wrote in an email to Grist. “Being afraid of reusables is as ridiculous as being afraid of Corona beer,” Johnson added. So why do we tend to think of plastic packaging as being sanitary when it’s not? Szaky traces that idea to the 1950s, when the oil industry first introduced disposable plastic packaging and goods. “Disposability brought about unparalleled affordability and convenience. Moving from a plate you had to wash — probably by hand, because there weren’t even dishwashers then — to a disposable plate you could throw away was massively liberating and also very cheap,” Szaky told Grist. “And I think what ended up happening is people got this misperception that wrapping something in plastic also made it more sanitary.” Loop’s circular model is aimed at doing away with the stereotype that packaging has to be disposable to be sanitary. Szaky emphasized that the process of rewashing Loop’s reusable packaging is “at the most sophisticated level washing can be.” The cleaning facility “looks like a silicon wafer factory,” he told Grist. But Vineet Menachery, an assistant professor of microbiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, says that level of sophistication isn’t necessary to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Depending on temperature and humidity, coronaviruses can survive on hard surfaces like steel or plastic for two to nine days — but only if you don’t do anything to stop them. “Relatively minor cleaning will actually dissolve or destroy the virus, and so if you use anything with between 60 and 70 percent ethanol, the virus will be destroyed in less than 60 seconds,” Menachery told Grist. When it comes to reusable cups, mugs, and plates, plain old soap and water does the trick. “If you’re regularly cleaning stuff, you should be fine,” Menachery said. “My house, we have three kids, so we’re running the dishwasher all the time. I wouldn’t expect any virus to survive a dishwasher.” As for secondhand or shared clothing —or cloth napkins — Menachery said people are unlikely to get COVID-19 from fabric because “if the surfaces absorb, it’s harder to transmit the virus.” But again, washing fabric with detergent and water will destroy the coronavirus. I asked Menachery about the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 from a shared or secondhand object like a library book or a secondhand appliance from Craigslist. “A Clorox wipe or something like that would definitely dissolve the virus,” he said, though he added that those products might be hard to find right now. As for reusable shopping bags, Menachery said he’d used one himself at the grocery store recently. “I’d be less worried about my shopping and more worried about maybe the touch screen when you’re punching in your codes for the ATM or whatever,” he said. In other words: Buying new rather than secondhand won’t protect you from COVID-19. You’re more likely to get coronavirus buying something new that got coughed on by the last person to walk down the aislethan from a secondhand item that’s been washed with soap and water or wiped down with sanitizing wipes. The bottom line, Menachery said, is that the best way to avoid getting COVID-19 from an inanimate object — whether it’s new or used —is not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth after you touch it. “The inanimate object could be coated,” he said. “And as long as you don’t bring it to the mucosal surface, it’s hard to get infected that way.” Regardless of how long the coronavirus epidemic lasts, the problems of environmental degradation, climate change, and plastic pollution will still be with us when it ends. So Szaky says, don’t take coronavirus as a sign you need to give up your vintage clothing habit or avoid shopping at a package-free store. “That’s really important for the environment to do, and we shouldn’t suddenly forsake that because of all the fear around this particular issue,” said Szaky.

MARFA — The Marfa High School environmental systems class would like to present their new recycling bins. With the help of Chinati Foundation, Ms. Christina Pryor (from the Marfa Recycling Center) and Mrs. Lora Loya, these classes were able to get recycled material from the Marfa Recycling Center to create these bins.   Each bin will be used to recycle certain items that will be changed periodically.   For our first recycling collection, we will be recycling Solo cups (plastic #6). All the Solo cups that will be collected will be shipped to the TerraCycle headquarters in Trenton, New Jersey. TerraCycle is a recycling company that recycles a lot of everyday used items. TerraCycle is a volunteer-based company that collects a multitude of items, mostly non-recyclable and pre/post-consumer waste, that can be refurbished into new products. Donors and cities (both urban and rural) contribute to the renewal of these items.   These bins will be located in various places, which include Marfa Robinson Cafeteria, the Marfa Junior Senior High School Office, the Marfa Elementary School Office, and Marfa City Hall. The environmental systems class will receive different points depending on the items collected. The school will get a small donation for the total points received. Thank you for the continued support, and let’s get our recycle on!

For several generations of young Americans, the idea of a ‘milkman’ is a completely foreign concept. But if you lived in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, and you were in the middle-class, you likely had a delivery truck dropping off fresh bottles of milk on your front porch—and you would leave the empties outside to be picked up. It was super convenient—and, better yet, there was no waste generated in the process. With tons of plastic containers overrunning landfills, and an innovative partnership of consumer brands emerging, the milkman idea of circulating containers is making a comeback. Loop launched in Paris and New York one year ago as a company that ships customers their favorite products packaged in reusable stainless steel or glass containers to be collected later for cleaning and refilling—just like your grandfather’s milk. They quickly expanding their operation to cover much of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region, and this month Loop will be bringing their pioneering business model to the UK, a move they hope will make them the biggest eliminator of single-use plastics in the global grocery market. They also announced plans to expand soon into Canada, Germany, and Japan. Loop teamed up with some of the biggest consumer industry giants to create eco-versions of hundreds of popular products like Tropicana, Haagen-Dazs, or Hellmann’s mayonnaise; cleaning products like Tide and Clorox wipes; and skin and hair care essentials like deodorants, from companies like Dove, Pantene, L’Oreal, and Crest. Procter & Gamble, Loop’s biggest partner, which also owns a 2 percent stake in the enterprise, tapped into 10 of its most iconic brands as part of the Loop 2019 launch, including Ariel, Cascade, Crest, Febreze, Gillette, Pantene, Pampers, and Tide, according to GreenBiz. Image by Loop Stateside, the refillable products are available at Kroger and Walgreens, in addition to the online Loop store, and they cost nearly the same as their plastic counterparts, except for the cost of a deposit. Founded by the brilliant recycling company TerraCycle, Loop plans to expand across the U.S. this year where more consumers in specific zip codes can place empties inside their Loop insulated zipper tote on the doorstep—to be picked up, washed, and reused. In France, where Loop has already partnered with Carrefour—one of the largest grocery chains in Europe, consumers pay a small deposit on the items purchased, in case the packages aren’t returned later. This includes small bottles, where a deposit might only be a few cents, or large tubs that might contain laundry soap or paper towels. 1953 photo by Ben van Meerendonk / AHF, collectie IISG, Amsterdam When asked about the hefty carbon footprint of shipping the products all over the country and then shipping them back for washing and refilling, Loop’s founder, the mastermind of Terracycle, Tom Szaky, explained that if you add up all the energy and shipping it takes to create and distribute plastic, the carbon footprint is cut in half—plus you are digging up the actual root of the plastic problem, so it can be eliminated. Furthermore, as drone delivery technology becomes more and more feasible in major cities, delivery will become much cheaper and more energy efficient. Companies like DHL, UPS, Amazon, Google, Dominoes, Rakuten, and 7-11 all have drone-delivery technology. According to the Business Insider 2018-2020 report on online grocery shopping, 10% of consumers utilize online grocery store options, while the market value of these services doubled from $12 billion in 2016 to $26 billion in 2018 and shows no sign of slowing down. It’s possible that in the next ten years thanks to companies like Loop, all the benefits of the friendly neighborhood milkman will be resurrected to create a healthier planet for all.