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.  

Trailblazer in Premium, Holistic Pet Food Debuts Two New Dog Food Product Lines; Extends Offerings for Cats with New Functional Food and Treats   BOULDER, Colo. (Feb. 25, 2020) – “I and love and you,” maker of premium, holistic pet food and treats, will debut two exciting new lines of dog food, Stir-Mix-a-Little and Ancient Grains, two new cat treats, Hair Meow’t Hearties and Meow & Zen Hearties, as well as two new SKUs for its signature Naked Essentials line for cats, Indoor Health and Digestive Support. Each of the new products are being introduced this March at Natural Products Expo West and feature the brand’s core ingredients of real meat and fresh ingredients, designed for pet-obsessed people to offer their fur children variety during mealtime. Attendees of the show are invited to booth #5728 to learn about the latest additions to the “I and love and you” family.   “We’re passionate about creating foods that allow pet-obsessed parents to personalize meals while also keeping mealtime simple, convenient and picky palate approved – because high-quality meals don’t have to be time-consuming,” said Beau Mainous, chief executive officer at “I and love and you.” “We launched our newest products for the pets who assume the role of the child in the household – they’re our fur children and deserve meals that are the same high standards as what we would feed our human children. Our diverse options blend the idea of providing our pets with delicious food and treats, while mixing in added benefits depending on the individual pet’s needs – whether that be helping to reduce anxiety and stress, providing a healthy coat and skin, or improving upset tummies with digestive benefits.”   All new product lines have been approved by a holistic veterinarian and include optimal whole-food nutrition, freshness and premium ingredients. Additional product details include:   Stir-Mix-a-Little – a fresh alternative to canned food. Recipes are 100 percent dehydrated meals with human grade meat, veggies and fruit. Simply add water and stir to easily make healthy wet food at home. Each meal comes in a convenient, resealable container to make ahead and store in the fridge for the week. The cups are also recyclable in many regions, as well as recyclable nationwide through TerraCycle. SRP $3.29 per 3oz. and available in three delicious flavors:   Beef and Bone Broth   Chicken and Bone Broth   Turkey and Bone Broth   Ancient Grains is an extension of the brand’s signature Naked Essentials dog food line, continuing to provide the same benefits dogs love, but now with an added bonus of good-for-you grains including sorghum, oats, millet and quinoa. With real meat as the first ingredient, plus prebiotics and probiotics, Ancient Grains are made without the use of preservatives or fillers. SRP $12.99 per 4lb. bag. Available in two great-tasting flavors:   Beef and Lamb Chicken and Turkey   Hair Meow’t Hearties are natural cat treats that felines will not only love but will also help their skin and coat through Omega 3s and Omega 6s. SRP $4.99 per 4oz.   Meow and Zen Hearties are made with botanicals including chamomile, passionflower and lavender, to help calm cats in moments of anxiety or stress. SRP $4.99 per 4oz.   Indoor Health – a new cat food specifically made to help cats obtain and maintain a healthy weight with at least 15 percent fewer calories than other cat foods. Indoor Health contains prebiotics and probiotics for added digestive benefits. SRP $10.99 per 3.4lb. bag.   Digestive Support supports healthy digestion in cats with bioavailable proteins and pumpkin, along with prebiotics and probiotics for added benefits. SRP $10.99 per 3.4lb. bag.   “I and love and you” believes love is the best food, and the best food should be available to all furry friends. All products are available at conventional, national and traditional grocers nationwide, as well as online at Amazon, Chewy, Thrive and more. For more information, please visit iandloveandyou.com.

One thing is certain: There is no quick fix to solve what is happening to our planet – the need for action around climate change has never been more urgent. And let’s keep it real: The fashion industry’s impact on the environment is significant and not something we can ignore any longer. This month’s issue contains many questions (and answers!) about the conventions we must challenge in order to make a lasting difference: Is it possible to have a fully sustainable fashion brand? Why are women impacted more by climate-change issues than men? How do we support the young activists taking extreme steps for our planet? We also flag small habits that can add up. My biggest challenge is reducing my carbon footprint. I used to brag about how many miles I travel, but now I feel ashamed of it, so I look to airline offset programs to mitigate my travel emissions. Since my daughter became a vegetarian two years ago, our household rarely has meat anymore, and I’m trading or borrowing clothes with my girlfriends like I used to do back in high school. Here are a few eco-friendly habits members of our team are adopting.   “I’m going to start using reusable make- up-remover pads instead of disposable wipes. I already travel by bike five months of the year, and I’ll extend this by one more month.” SOPHIE BANFORD, publisher   “I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll never be someone who regularly cooks at home, so I’m making a concerted effort to bring my own containers when I get takeout or at least visit places with compostable ones.” VICTORIA DIPLACIDO, digital director   “I already have all the compulsory reusable products – silicone snack bags, stainless-steel straws – but I’m done making excuses for not using them 100 percent of the time. So even if it means permanently saving space in my bag to make sure I always have my portable coffee mug with me, I’m doing it.” PATRICIA KAROUNOS, associate editor   “I’m eliminating processed food from my diet. I feel most connected to the earth when I cook from scratch, and it reduces waste significantly.” MELISSA PERDIGAO, beauty editorial assistant   “I’m committing to driving less. Whether it be walking, taking the streetcar or (very anxiously) biking around Toronto, it’s an easy way to reduce my carbon foot- print.” CHRISTINA TOURLOUKIS, editorial assistant   “I already use a reusable coffee cup and water bottle, but now I’m levelling up and bringing my own containers when I get lunch. And I’m taking advantage of all the beauty brands that are doing a program with TerraCycle rather than trusting the city to recycle properly.” LESA HANNAH, beauty director   “In addition to continuing to lead a plant- based lifestyle, I want to focus on reducing food waste and eating more sustainably. This means eating locally and seasonally when possible (making trips to the local farmers’ market when I can), freezing food and ensuring that food waste is composted.” HANNAH ZIEGLER, digital editorial assistant   “I’m trying to shop more sustainably this year. That means more thrifting and buying vintage, learning how to repair my clothes and only getting a new piece if I really, really love it.” ERICA NGAO, fashion editorial assistant   “I don’t buy very much clothing and prefer to buy quality that will last a long time. At home, we buy the exact amount of food we need so there is minimal waste. And I have decided to replace my car with an electric one.” ANNIE HORTH, creative director   “Our beauty director, Lesa, introduced me to great products like Guppyfriend, a washing bag that reduces microplastic pollution by catching fibres that get released when you do laundry. I’ll also be making it a point to shop at zero-waste markets for household products like hand soap and laundry detergent.” ELAINE JYLL REGIO, fashion & market editor   “I switched to soap bars a year and a half ago after feeling guilty about throwing out yet another empty body-wash bottle. Next up, I’m looking into options for shampoo and dish-soap bars.” JED TALLO, art director  

When it comes to predicting beauty trends, NPD Group has a pretty good track record. The company foresaw the past year’s slowdown in makeup sales, the rise of natural and the bounce in hair care sales.   Now NPD vice president and industry adviser for beauty Larissa Jensen is gazing into her crystal ball to reveal the biggest trends for the next decade.   Just as she foresaw a downturn a year ago looming in color makeup, Jensen thinks consumers are ready to cycle back. That’s good news for the mass market, which plays a dominant role in selling makeup.   “Makeup is expected to come back in 2021, based on historical cycles between the skin care and makeup categories, which typically last between four and five years,” Jensen said. “If history repeats itself, we are looking at a rebound in the category sometime around 2021, give or take a year.” Retailers also noticed that people are ready to refresh their supplies, as well as an influx of new colors this year — especially blue tones.   Skin care, the category that has been propelling overall beauty growth, might hit a bump in the road because the fast growing natural sector is becoming crowded. Natural has seen serious gains over the past year, with Nielsen data showing sales in mass stores growing at an 8.7% rate versus overall conventional health and beauty gains of 1.2%. Trend watcher Grand View Research estimated last April that clean beauty will generate nearly $25 billion in 2025.   Yet, Jensen foretells a slowdown in natural skin care caused by confusion in the market over such key words as natural, organic and clean. There also are so many brands with natural positionings. She also said there is lingering consumer disappointment in the payoff, especially with natural cosmetics brands. That said, however, she is banking on a consumer movement that will demand more sustainability from brands. Sustainability will be discussed at every top to top beauty meeting this year, experts said.   “Sustainability concerns are likely to run the gamut from packaging to ingredients,” Jensen said. “There are many ways to get tied up in it: You could have sustainable packaging, but an ingredient might not be sustainable.”   Beauty routines, which have expanded with the growth of multistep regimens and facial masks, are creating more waste, Jensen said. And, experts said people are good about recycling kitchen products; not so much bathroom empties. The beauty industry is working to change that through educational efforts.   Already companies are looking to close the recycling loop, adding more refillable packages and glass containers, and partnering with companies like TerraCycle. Ingredient-wise, waterless formulas are emerging to lessen the use of water. For example, Procter & Gamble is making products intended to help cut out showers, especially since consumers are washing their hair less frequently. Target has its Spring & Vine lineup, which uses 98% less water than traditional shampoos.

  One thing is certain: There is no quick fix to solve what is happening to our planet – the need for action around climate change has never been more urgent. And let’s keep it real: The fashion industry’s impact on the environment is significant and not something we can ignore any longer. This month’s issue contains many questions (and answers!) about the conventions we must challenge in order to make a lasting difference: Is it possible to have a fully sustainable fashion brand? Why are women impacted more by climate-change issues than men? How do we support the young activists taking extreme steps for our planet? We also flag small habits that can add up. My biggest challenge is reducing my carbon footprint. I used to brag about how many miles I travel, but now I feel ashamed of it, so I look to airline offset programs to mitigate my travel emissions. Since my daughter became a vegetarian two years ago, our household rarely has meat anymore, and I’m trading or borrowing clothes with my girlfriends like I used to do back in high school. Here are a few eco-friendly habits members of our team are adopting.   “I’m going to start using reusable make- up-remover pads instead of disposable wipes. I already travel by bike five months of the year, and I’ll extend this by one more month.” SOPHIE BANFORD, publisher   “I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll never be someone who regularly cooks at home, so I’m making a concerted effort to bring my own containers when I get takeout or at least visit places with compostable ones.” VICTORIA DIPLACIDO, digital director   “I already have all the compulsory reusable products – silicone snack bags, stainless-steel straws – but I’m done making excuses for not using them 100 percent of the time. So even if it means permanently saving space in my bag to make sure I always have my portable coffee mug with me, I’m doing it.” PATRICIA KAROUNOS, associate editor   “I’m eliminating processed food from my diet. I feel most connected to the earth when I cook from scratch, and it reduces waste significantly.” MELISSA PERDIGAO, beauty editorial assistant   “I’m committing to driving less. Whether it be walking, taking the streetcar or (very anxiously) biking around Toronto, it’s an easy way to reduce my carbon foot- print.” CHRISTINA TOURLOUKIS, editorial assistant   “I already use a reusable coffee cup and water bottle, but now I’m levelling up and bringing my own containers when I get lunch. And I’m taking advantage of all the beauty brands that are doing a program with TerraCycle rather than trusting the city to recycle properly.” LESA HANNAH, beauty director   “In addition to continuing to lead a plant- based lifestyle, I want to focus on reducing food waste and eating more sustainably. This means eating locally and seasonally when possible (making trips to the local farmers’ market when I can), freezing food and ensuring that food waste is composted.” HANNAH ZIEGLER, digital editorial assistant   “I’m trying to shop more sustainably this year. That means more thrifting and buying vintage, learning how to repair my clothes and only getting a new piece if I really, really love it.” ERICA NGAO, fashion editorial assistant   “I don’t buy very much clothing and prefer to buy quality that will last a long time. At home, we buy the exact amount of food we need so there is minimal waste. And I have decided to replace my car with an electric one.” ANNIE HORTH, creative director   “Our beauty director, Lesa, introduced me to great products like Guppyfriend, a washing bag that reduces microplastic pollution by catching fibres that get released when you do laundry. I’ll also be making it a point to shop at zero-waste markets for household products like hand soap and laundry detergent.” ELAINE JYLL REGIO, fashion & market editor   “I switched to soap bars a year and a half ago after feeling guilty about throwing out yet another empty body-wash bottle. Next up, I’m looking into options for shampoo and dish-soap bars.” JED TALLO, art director

I am almost positive that every sustainable shopper has heard of Package Free shop by now, but if you haven’t, you need to. Package Free is an NYC-based store and online shop that sells all the necessities for a low-waste lifestyle, all packaged in biodegradable, plastic-free materials. The store was founded by Lauren Singer, my personal environmentally-conscious role model and one of the prominent figures of the Zero-Waste Movement.   What is there not to love about a brand with minimal packaging and a neutral aesthetic? It’s a millennial's dream come true! However, for college students like myself who care deeply about sustainability but cannot afford to break the bank, it may not be the most realistic option. That is why I am bringing my lovely readers 5 sustainable swaps that lower the cost, but certainly not the style, of living a more environmentally-conscious lifestyle while in college.       We all watched as stainless steel straws became the beginning (and seemingly the end) of the media’s attempt to promote sustainable shopping. Of course, metal straws are definitely an improvement from single-use plastic, but even stainless steel has a limited life. In the long run, a bamboo straw and set of utensils are even better options because after you have gotten all of the use you can get from them, you can compost them!   Package Free sells bamboo straws on their own for $2 each and a bamboo utensil set for $14.95. However, I found a bamboo set on Amazon that includes a bamboo straw and cleaning brush, bamboo utensils AND a bamboo toothbrush all in a cute and convenient cloth case for only $11.97! That is an investment that I think all of us can justify. Adding to the cart!     Okay, I will be the first to admit that this swap is more so an homage to my personal Package Free wishlist than a necessity, however, I DID say that we wouldn’t be sacrificing style for these swaps. I am a firm believer that you do not have to compromise fashion to shop sustainably! That is why I fell in love with Package Free’s Biodegradable Scrunchie set...but I did not fall in love with the price. $20 for 2 scrunchies is unfortunately not something I can justify.  I bet you can imagine my excitement when I found an almost identical set on Etsy! This Basic Scrunchie Set is made out of 100% cotton, meaning at the end of its useful life, you can throw the material into your compost bin! That’s not even the best part-- this set is almost a quarter of the cost of Package Free’s AND it comes with one extra scrunchie. I’m sold. Of course, I am a big fan of the neutrals, but this seller and the Etsy site have hundreds of other colors to choose from. Just make sure that the material is 100% cotton.     Once I run out of the stockpile of beauty products that I currently have sitting in my dorm, waste-free personal hygiene items are what I am most excited to switch to and try in my journey towards living zero-waste. Lauren Singer even says that the first place you should look to eliminate your waste is your bathroom! Just think of all the lotions, body washes, hair products, and face creams we use each year, most of them coming from excessive plastic packaging.  Package Free sells a variety of Shampoo Bars and Conditioner Bars for $14 dollars each. However, that comes out to over $28 just to wash your hair, and while that may be less than your normal bottles of hair products, you do have to keep in mind that these bars do not last as long as large bottles. I found this Ethique Hair and Skin Bar Trial Pack on Amazon for the same price as 1 of Package Free’s bars. This set includes a mini shampoo bar, conditioner bar, face wash bar, and lotion bar all shaped like cute little eco-friendly hearts. This set is a perfect way to dip your toes into waste-free personal hygiene products and find what products work for you without breaking the bank.     Who doesn’t LOVE a good balm? I’ll be the first to admit, I have far too many lying around. Package Free has the cutest natural lip balm that comes packaged in glass and bamboo. I know what you’re thinking -- I NEED IT. However, I’ll bring you back down to earth with its price, a whopping $24. You’d be better off just buying another $2 chapstick at the drugstore, right? Wrong.  I will start off by saying that there are a dozen natural ingredients that will eliminate your need for lip balm entirely such as coconut oil, olive oil, aloe, avocado oil, etc. There are a ton of natural ingredients with a variety of beauty uses. However, if you’re anything like me, you just need a cute balm in every one of your bags. I have a solution: check out these Eco-Friendly Vegan Lip Balms I found on Etsy in completely biodegradable packaging. I mean, come on, they’re completely natural and come in 22 flavors and they’re oh so mini and adorable. At only $8.50 a balm, I’ll take 5. Again, there are so many eco-friendly lip balm options on Etsy so you aren’t limited to this seller, just make sure you read the product descriptions for packaging materials and ingredients!     1.    I think the beauty item that people most overlook when considering the amount of waste that they produce is makeup wipes. I mean, think about how many you use in a week, for me it’s at least one a day that goes straight into the trash can once I’m done. But they’re cotton, right? They’ll definitely decompose. Surprisingly, that’s wrong. According to Allure, most makeup wipes take up to 100 years to break down in a landfill. That's a statistic that'll make you sweat. 2. Fortunately, Package Free has a sustainable solution for that too! Their Organic Cotton Facial Rounds and Wooden Facial Rounds Storage Container would make the perfect pair to add to your minimalistic bathroom decor. However, at $20 for a 20 pack of rounds and an extra $30 for the storage container, they’re just another pair of items that will be staying in my wishlist. Luckily for you, I have yet another swap.  This Cotton Facial Rounds and Bamboo Storage Box Set from Amazon is, in my opinion, just as cute as Package Free’s set, if not more. It even comes with a little laundry bag to wash them in! The best part, as usual, is the price. This set is less than half of Package Free’s at only $17.99 with Prime free shipping. Pull out the trusty coconut oil and take your nighttime routine to the next level, all while lessening your impact on our Earth.   Before you go out and click “purchase” on all your online shopping carts, remember that the MOST sustainable option will always be to use what you already have on hand! Don’t go and throw away the plastic packaged products that you’re currently using because you’ll only be going backward. Instead, use up everything you already own and properly dispose of it, whether by recycling or by using the Terracycle service BEFORE purchasing new products.   It can be exciting to make a new transition and eagerness is so great, but remember going waste-free is a journey and a learning process! Take your time and always make use of the resources in front of you.   Finally, you can make sure that the items you do order are packaged with materials that will produce the least amount of waste by simply reaching out to the seller! Most companies and individual sellers will be happy to make arrangements, and if you are using Amazon, you can ask that all of your future orders be shipped without plastic packaging by simply contacting customer service.   Good luck on your waste-free journey and happy sustainable shopping!

March 28th, 2020 at 11 a.m.

Riverton Music, 7742 Campus View Dr Ste B-110, West Jordan

For environmentally-conscious parents, instead of throwing thousands of disposable diapers into the landfill every year, where they will take 500 years to biodegrade, a new company helps to clear your green conscience.   Just ship the baby’s dirty diapers off in the box, or use a local composter, then wash your hands of the whole situation. The first step is, you need to switch to the biodegradable diapers sold by a company called Dyper—and they even ship them to your house.   The manufacturer of responsibly-sourced bamboo diapers has teamed up with one of GNN’s favorite sustainable companies, TerraCycle. TerraCycle has been recycling and composting some of the world’s toughest items—and diapers was a natural target.   The unique recycling program aptly called “ReDyper” starts with a subscription, and includes boxes and bags that meet the United Nations Hazmat shipping specifications, as well as prepaid shipping labels to make the whole process as easy as possible.   “It’s got to be super convenient. It’s got to be, frankly, as close to convenient as possible relative to throwing it out,” TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky, told Fast Company.   After they arrive at TerraCycle’s facilities, they go on to industrial composting facilities that TerraCycle partners with to be turned mostly into compost for things like the landscaping on highway median strips.         Unfortunately, as diaper companies compete with each other, supposed innovations like infused lotions, latex cores, or plastic fasteners (made from phthalates for greater flexibility and toughness) have greatly reduced the biodegradability of the modern diaper. Dyper makes theirs without any of these chemical agents, ensuring minimal environmental damage, more natural ingredients, and quickest composting time.   “We talked to many moms that wish that they had that opportunity to compost, because they’re living in New York City in an apartment on the 24th floor and they have no option to do that,” said Taylor Shearer, content manager at Dyper.   Dyper.com says that each monthly subscription costs $68 for 260 diapers, and it includes free shipping to your door—and the company gives a 10% discount to members of the military. They will ship samples for $4 so you can check out the quality, but receive a credit if you end up buying.   Returning your used diapers for composting costs an additional $39, but includes all the boxes, bags, and labels. This is an add-on service because you might be able to find a composting facility or company near you, like those available in San Francisco, or you can do it yourself in the back field.   Because 3.5 million tons of diapers are tossed into the trash every year, any diaper recycling program is sorely needed—and welcome as a newborn baby.