Dumpster dive | April 22, 2024

Image by drewplaysdrums from Pixabay

• Happy Earth Day! Check out Earthday.org for ways you can participate. This year's theme, Planet vs. Plastics, "calls to advocate for widespread awareness on the health risk of plastics, rapidly phase out all single use plastics, urgently push for a strong UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution, and demand an end to fast fashion."

• Related, this article from the Associated Press is trending: Earth Day: How one grocery shopper takes steps to avoid 'pointless plastic'

• Speaking of pointless plastic: More than 30 billion plastic K-Cup® pods end up in the trash every year. To address the waste, Keurig® has been developing plastic-free compostable coffee pods that will soon be available to the public. But hold the applause, since the new pods will be compatible only with the new Keurig Alta™ machine. [Fast Company]

• Every day is Earth Day here at GIC, so consider catching up on past articles you may have missed. In keeping with this year's theme I'll recommend the following:

  • Microplastics: Tiny toxic timebombs

  • Coca-Cola is the world's leader in plastic pollution, with a close follow by PepsiCo and Nestle.

  • Resolve to be less trashy in 2024

• Good news for planet Earth: The US EPA has finally imposed its first-ever enforceable limits on the levels of PFAS chemicals (forever chemicals) in drinking water. However, the limits apply only to a handful of PFAS chemicals, and not the fifteen thousand or so known to exist. But indeed it's a step in the right direction. [The Guardian]

• The Guardian also reports that Ocean spray emits more PFAS than industrial polluters, but I have a question: How did PFAS end up in the ocean spray to begin with?

• We know what you did: The Carbon Majors Database tracks global C02 emissions from 122 of the world's largest private- and state-owned oil, gas, coal, and cement producers. The dataset, which dates back to 1854, holds producers accountable for their climate related impacts by quantifying their contributions. The top two private-owned emitters are Chevron in first place and ExxonMobil in second, responsible for a combined 5.77% of global C02 emissions. Their Climate Policy Engagement scores are D- and D, respectively. Shameful.

• Team Swiss! In a landmark ruling, Europe's highest human rights court sided with 2,000 Swiss women over 64 years old who sued their government for not doing enough to combat climate change. [Axios]

• If you have piles of fabric or scraps you don't know what to do with, look to SewCanShe for inspiration and free patterns. 35 ideas for scraps include gift cards and tags, washi tape, a twisted rope bowl, and small wallets, pouches, and zipper bags. Make big beautiful bags and useful items like oven mitts, pot holders, aprons, pillow cases, organizers, and baskets. Try Japanese-style quilting and even more craft ideas.

• Stop Food Waste Day is April 24 and I'm cooking up something for that.

• Until then, maybe I'll try cooking rice in pickle juice. It sounds weird enough that it might actually be good? [The Kitchn]