Nocs Provisions partners with Indigenous artist and REI

Nocs Provisions, a San Francisco-based optics company, celebrates nature, the environment and Indigenous art in a new collaboration with artist Amelia Winger-Bearskin and outdoor giant REI.

This limited edition bundle, sold exclusively at REI, includes one pair of Nocs Standard Issue 25 millimeter binoculars, a strap designed by Indigenous artist Amelia Winger-Bearskin, a storage bag, cleaning cloth and Nocs Photo Rig Smartphone Adapter for taking photographs through the binoculars. The Nocs Provisions Honor Native Land Binocular Bundle is available for $150 in two colors at REI.

Related: Native Root Coffee supports Indigenous Colombian farmers

Born 10 blocks from the surf, Nocs is entirely about being inspired by nature. Inasmuch, it’s dedicated to protecting and teaching about nature. The company has been a member of 1% for the Planet since day one, where it supports Trips for Kids Marin, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting youth to nature.

In fact, Nocs takes special care with the packaging, providing everything in a plastic-free box made from recycled cardboard. The compact design includes instructions printed directly on the box using soy-based ink.

Amelia Winger-Bearskin brings an Indigenous perspective to the project, being a member of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation of Oklahoma, Dear Clan. The design on the strap represents traditional beadwork from the tribe. In addition to being a digital artist and tribe member, Winger-Bearskin is deeply involved in many projects, including a role with the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture: Honor Native Land nonprofit where this collaboration found its theme. The goal of the organization, and this product release, is to bring awareness to the history and culture of Native lands.

“For so long, the indigenous artwork and designs of my people and other Nations have been copied, repurposed and profited from by organizations that have no intention of honoring the original artists. This collaboration with Nocs is an example of how native heritage can be recognized and preserved,” said Winger-Bearskin. “And I’m honored to have the opportunity to collaborate on this with both Nocs and REI Co-op.”

The binoculars also feature adjustable eye cups that cater to those who wear eyeglasses. Built for the outdoors, they are also waterproof in depths up to three feet for up to 30 minutes. The lenses are fog-free for clear viewing.

“We are so grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Amelia and have a part in honoring and acknowledging Native Land with this collaboration,” said Chris McKleroy, Founder and CEO of Nocs Provisions. “We’ve always approached what we design as tools for discovery, and we hope that the Honor Native Lands project can help encourage people to recognize artists and explore native lands.

Nocs first earned Climate Neutral certification in 2020 and is still certified in 2022. Climate Neutral certification is a third-party evaluation of carbon use. It begins with a comprehensive evaluation of carbon production throughout the sourcing and transport of materials in addition to the energy used throughout the manufacturing cycle. The company then offsets any residual carbon and sets goals for future reduction.

Review of Nocs 

The company sent me a Nocs Provisions Honor Native Land Binocular Bundle for review, which I traveled with this past weekend and enjoyed along the McKenzie River in Oregon. 

Furthermore, the bundle arrived in a timely manner and I was impressed by the packaging. It’s obviously well thought out. What starts as a flat piece of cardboard folds into three sections without any glue, each of which is dedicated to holding an essential piece of the bundle. The box is printed with instructions for attaching the strap to the binoculars and using the cell phone picture-taking accessory. This thoughtful touch means less waste from unnecessary additional instructions.

The binoculars

Colorful and striking in its detail, the strap is sturdy and beautiful. It hangs comfortably and securely holds the binoculars in place.

The binoculars are lightweight, weighing just 11.8 ounces. They are also compact and fit easily into the provided storage bag. The rubber exterior then provides a surface for a slip-free grip. As binoculars, they work the way they are supposed to. There’s nothing complicated here. The middle hinge allows for setting eye width. The adjustable eye cups are a unique touch to add comfort and the focus is located between the eye cups as expected.

As a standard issue, they offer an 8×25 magnification and a field of view that extends 357 feet. Looking downriver or across the road, I estimated I was viewing rocks, leaves and downed branches at about 100 yards, which would fall inside this range. These binoculars are great for weekend trips, daily bird watching and checking the surf before you head out on your board. They are affordable, accessible, compact and comfortable. I’m excited to have a pair of my own.

The cell phone attachment

Additionally, the cell phone attachment is a nice feature. I’ve often tried to amplify the distance on my cell phone by capturing an image through binoculars or my larger-lens camera but have never found success. It was fun to view the world through the cell phone/bino combination and capture some closer shots. I didn’t think there was much value in the process as objects really didn’t seem that close.

In two shots I took, I focused on a red reflector in the driveway. Obviously, the closer version is through the binoculars. The image that looks down on a bush with a blanket of leaves on the road behind it is the same shot without the zoom of the binoculars, showing the advantage of zooming up to 400 millimeters.

+ Nocs

Via REI, Amelia Winger-Bearskin

Images via Nocs and Dawn Hammon

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Sustainable pet products calm and clean the zoo at home

The natural products Alzoo offers is a complete line of flea and tick solutions, calming products, grooming goods and more. Most of the lineup is made in the U.S. and the company is in the process of certification to earn B Corporation Certification status. In addition, the company recently switched its structure to be classified as a Benefit Corporation. 

“As a company that aims to be a force for good in the world – creating products that make a positive, direct impact on people, their pets and the community they live in, becoming a Benefit Corporation was the natural step forward for Alzoo,” said Alzoo CEO, Philippe Chelle. “Benefit Corporations must commit to high standards, purpose, accountability and transparency surrounding all its operations – standards we are proud, and have always been proud, to uphold.”

Related: WizSmart offers waterproof pet pads made from diaper waste

Shampoos

Alzoo offers a line of shampoos, each designed to address common issues. There’s a plant-based shampoo and conditioner in one and an anti-itch blend to address dry, itchy skin. A gentler puppy formula cleans and conditions and a hypoallergenic option cleans sensitive skin. All of these eight-ounce products are delivered in a sugar-cane-based tube that is recyclable. All shampoos are free of sulfates, paraben, dyes, soap, phthalate and synthetic perfumes. Alzoo shampoos are pH balanced and cruelty free.

Additionally, the company offers a dry shampoo powder. It comes in a small package to reduce shipping size and weight. Combine the shampoo with water in the endlessly reusable recycled-aluminum bottle. The bottle is also recyclable at the end of its useful life. 

Flea products

The company designed a line of products that are safe for your pet, yet effective for flea control. The flea collars offer four months of protection against fleas, ticks, and lice. The active ingredients are peppermint oil and cedarwood oil. There’s also a flea and tick spray that can be applied directly to the dog’s coat for an added layer of protection against fleas, ticks, sand flies and even mosquitos. Alzoo couples these products with a flea and tick shampoo as well as a powder. Follow the directions for introducing your pet to these products so you can monitor for an allergic reaction.

Calming aids

We all know animals can get a bit worked up if left alone or when fireworks are going off in the neighborhood. Alzoo uses a combination of anxiety-reducing ingredients like hemp extract and essential oils in its line of sprays, collars and room diffusers for both cats and dogs.

Deodorizers

Alzoo understands litter boxes could benefit from a little scent improvement, but no one wants to mask one bad scent with a chemical smell. Instead it offers lavender, ocean breeze, island paradise and sweet vanilla. It also created a deodorizer for the chicken coop. To correct bad behavior, there is also a stain and odor training spray.

Personal review of Alzoo shampoo

When the company learned we had three dogs and four cats, they sent a gift box of samples to try. We received each of the five shampoos, a calming diffuser and flea collars.

Since we recently used another flea treatment, I haven’t tried the collars but noticed they are waterproof, which is nice for our hunting dogs. Plus, the cat collars are equipped with a breakaway safety system so they don’t choke if they get hung up. Flea collars are intended for dogs and cats over four months of age. 

We used the shampoos on all three dogs on the last of the somewhat sunny days before the fall rain settled in. The bottles are easy to grip, even with wet hands. They are durable in construction and look like they could handle a few inevitable drops should they occur. 

The scents are well balanced. The fragrance lingers with a freshness that erases the typical overpowering wet dog smell. I’m very scent sensitive and didn’t find these to be overwhelming at all. They are subtle, but noticeable. Walking into the room with three freshly-bathed dogs just smelled clean. Trust me, that’s rare in my house. My daughter and I both have a sensitivity to lavender so we didn’t use the puppy formula. I’ll pay that one forward in my community. The others have some odd names, but I found the palmarosa and rice milk fragrances quite pleasant. 

We have large dogs, ranging in size from 45 to about 75 pounds. They are German Shorthaired Pointers so their fur is short. Even with little fur, it required a healthy palmful of shampoo to do the job. I felt like it was a reasonable amount. 

The shampoo applied nicely, spreading around with a standard amount of water on the pet. It’s not a frothy, sudsy shampoo. There are a small amount of suds so you can tell where you’ve washed, but don’t expect bubbles to fly. 

My favorite aspect of the shampoos is the clean rinse. The dogs weren’t crazy about being under the hose so a quick rinse is appreciated. It didn’t take long to remove all the shampoo and it didn’t leave any residue behind.

+ Alzoo 

Images via Alzoo and Dawn Hammon

Editor’s Note: This product review is not sponsored by Alzoo. All opinions on the products and company are the author’s own.

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Nike Forward drops manufacturing footprint by 75%

Nike Forward is an innovative new process for piecing together high-performance apparel with a reduced impact on the environment. A trademark name in both the athletic clothing industry and a driving force for the sustainability movement, Nike released its newest technology in the form of an iconic classic — the gray hoodie.

“We believe this platform has the potential to reset the way we think about material and apparel. This is the biggest Nike apparel innovation since Dri-Fit 30 years ago and has huge potential to transform the industry in the way that Air and Flyknit did for Nike footwear,” says Aaron Heiser, VP Global Apparel Product Merchandising, NIKE, Inc.

Related: Nike playground is made of 20,000 upcycled sneakers

What’s special is that Nike Forward results in a 75% reduction in the carbon footprint during manufacturing compared to Nike’s traditional knit fleece. The process allows the use of several thin layers of carefully chosen material to balance softness with warmth and performance. The simplified process results in fewer steps in the manufacturing process. Instead of continuing the traditional processes for knit and woven materials, Nike Forward looks ahead to a new way of doing things. 

“Nike Forward feels different because it is different. It is not a traditional knit or woven, but a completely new material that drastically reduces its carbon footprint,” says Carmen Zolman, VP Innovation Apparel Design, NIKE, Inc.

Further, the streamlined process of converting fiber into textiles using a needle-punch process means skipping several stages in a typical production. Each skipped step means reducing the amount of energy, water and manpower resources that are required.

Nike took the minimalist approach a step further with an ultra-simple design on the hoodie that forgoes dyes and extras like zippers and aglets. The raw cut pockets provide a distinct throwback look while saving on additional materials and energy. The finished hoodie is made up of 70% recycled content, contributing to the circular goals of the company.

Nike’s no stranger to innovation and a commitment to corporate responsibility. Nike Forward is simply the latest in a long line of efforts to continuously raise the bar of performance and dedication to doing better for the planet.

+ Nike

Images via Nike 

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How can we fuel nuclear energy for a cleaner future?

Nuclear energy is obtained by the huge amount of energy that is released by atoms in the processes of fusion or fission. Fusion is when two lightweight atoms (like hydrogen) are joined to form a larger atom. On the other hand, fission requires splitting large and heavy atoms (like uranium) into smaller ones. Both processes release large amounts of energy which can be used to efficiently power cities without directly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. One of the key challenges is fueling these processes safely and sustainably.

Nuclear energy processes

Both the fission and fusion processes have their own sets of challenges. While nuclear fission is a process that has been honed over the years, nuclear fusion is still a relatively new advancement. When the hydrogen particles bond together, it creates helium gas and free-floating neutrons that transfer their kinetic energy as heat. The heat can be used to boil water for steam, which powers turbines to produce electrical energy.

Related: Nuclear fusion is the newest advancement in clean energy

Fusion requires high amounts of energy to conduct and control. This is because particles have to be heated to immensely high temperatures. Once that occurs, they can be forced to fuse despite their extremely repulsive electrostatic forces. While the sun and other stars do this every second, it was unknown if these conditions could be replicable on Earth until very recently.

One of the downsides of fusion is that there is very little exploration in this field because of technological limitations and costs. Advances in equipment and methods to carry out fusion have only recently been made and progress is slow. However, there is an increasing interest in fusion energy because of its incredible efficiency. In fact, it is one of the most efficient renewable energy sources because, after the first fusion process, the energy obtained can be used to power more reactions down the line.

Conversely, fission is easier to carry out because larger atoms are easier to split. To do this, a neutron collides with a large atom and splits it into multiple parts, releasing energy through heat and radiation. Though fission is an easier process to carry out, it produces weapons-grade radioactive waste that is harmful to living organisms. This is because high exposures to radioactive material can alter DNA at the cellular level, which can impact overall health and reproduction.

Energy fuels for fusion

Deuterium and tritium are forms of hydrogen that can be used as fusion fuels and are prominent in nature. Deuterium can easily be distilled from seawater or freshwater and is very efficient. There is enough deuterium naturally available to sustain humans for 150 billion years! Though tritium is rarer, it can be produced synthetically. It can be extracted from lithium, which is also abundant in nature.

Using tritium in conjunction with deuterium in nuclear reactions can be extremely useful. In fact, just a few grams of each reactant can produce one terajoule (one trillion joules) of energy. That is enough to meet the energy needs of an individual in a developed country for 60 years.

Since fusion uses two hydrogen atoms that fuse into helium, a non-toxic gas, the process is quite safe. Fusion also produces very minimal radioactive material. The radioactive waste produced is also short-lived and can be recycled within 100 years or so, unlike that of fission, which can take several centuries.

Fueling fission

U-235

Heavy atoms like uranium and less commonly plutonium or thorium, are required to fuel fission. Nuclear power plants mainly use a specific isotope of uranium, known as U-235, because its atoms are easy to divide. Though uranium is a common element, U-235 is extremely rare, occurring in only 0.7% of natural uranium.

Uranium can be found in rocks and seawater and the concentrate is separated from the ore at mills or a slurry through in-situ leaching. In the past, traditional uranium mining would cause major ground disturbance and the lack of regulations posed risks to the environment and workers onsite. These hazards are now limited through the use of contemporary in-situ leaching methods.

In-situ leaching uses water injected with oxygen that circulates through boreholes to extract uranium ore. This uranium solution is then pumped to the surface and dried to become uranium oxide concentrate before it can be enriched and processed for fuel.

Once uranium oxide concentrate is obtained, it must be converted into uranium hexafluoride gas, which is enriched in centrifuges to obtain U-235. This is then converted into uranium dioxide powder and compressed into fuel pellets. These uranium fuel pellets are roughly the size of a sugar cube. However, despite their tiny size, they are incredibly powerful. Each pellet contains as much energy as one metric tonne (1.1 U.S. tons) of coal!

Though there are mines across the globe, 85% of the uranium used for energy is produced in Australia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Namibia, Niger and Russia. Uranium mines tend to have similar environment and health-related hazards to metalliferous mines, but with additional radiation-related risks. If not managed appropriately, uranium mining can pose risks such as air pollution through radioactive dust and contamination of surrounding groundwater.

Molten salt reactors

Molten salt reactors (MSRs) were first tested in the 1960s. These machines would use a combination of liquid salts for fuel. Using MSRs is potentially safer than typical nuclear reactors because they require lower pressures and have in-built safety measures for overheating.

For the fission process, radioactive thorium in the core heats the molten salt. This turns water into steam that activates a turbine to generate electricity. If at any point the core does overheat, the salt drops into a containment vessel and solidifies.

In recent years, MSRs are being developed in countries such as China, the US and Denmark. They are being explored to commercialize for ships. This way, the vessels will be able to cruise electrically by producing their own electricity supply and never have to rely on fossil fuel-based energy.

Triso fuel

In recent years, TRISO fuels have been gaining speed. These are TRi-structural ISOtropic particle fuels. Each particle is made up of an oxygen, uranium and carbon kernel which is encased in three layers of ceramic-based materials which prevent the release of radioactive material. These kernels are only about the size of a poppy seed but are very robust. In fact, they have even been deemed the most robust nuclear fuel on earth because of their resistance to high temperatures, neutron irradiation, corrosion and oxidation.

These fuel kernels are also very versatile. Once they are fabricated into billiard ball-sized pebbles, they can be used in MSR or high-temperature gas reactors. Because of TRISO fuels‘ unique properties, they can be used multiple times, making them sustainable as they require less frequent manufacturing. Presently, TRISO fuels are still being developed for maximum efficiency. They are also being explored for use in both large nuclear reactors and smaller modular reactors/micro-reactors.

In conclusion…

Depending on the type of nuclear reaction taking place, a variety of fuels can be used for power. For fusion, deuterium and tritium are particularly useful because of their abundance and ease of production, respectively. For fission, slowly moving away from uranium may be a safer and more sustainable approach. This way, newer developments of MSRs and TRISO fuels can be utilized for their optimized safety and efficiency.

Via U.S. Energy Information Administration

Images via Pexels

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This company cleans microplastics from water with whirlpools

Starting as a research project and evolving into a nonprofit research organization, Wasser 3.0 developed a technology that uses a centrifuge and a clumping agent to pull microplastics from the water and recycle the collected material. 

To understand this solution, we have to first understand the problem. Over the past five decades, plastic has become one of the most ubiquitous materials on the planet. Its production commonly relies on petroleum (although there are an increasing number of bio-based options). Some plastic can be recycled, but in the end, less than 10% globally actually is. Instead, it ends up on beaches, at the bottom of the ocean, in landfills and everywhere in between. 

Related: 9 surprising sources where microplastics can be found

The result is a massive plastic pollution problem. We’re not just talking about fishing net waste and floating single-use water bottles, although that all needs to be addressed. The unseen issue is in the microplastics created as plastic begins to break down. Microplastics are literally everywhere. They’ve been found in frozen ice on mountaintops, in baby food, soil, the human body, sandy beaches and animals. 

Scientifically, microplastics are described as those measuring less than five millimeter in length. These are tiny pieces of plastic that are released from your synthetic clothing in the wash, degrading packaging and consumer products. While they are often the result of decomposition, many everyday products include microbeads, such as toothpaste and cosmetics. Understanding the dangers to the environment and human health, the U.S. and many other countries have banned the use of microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics.

Even with an understanding of the problem and actions to minimize pollution from the source, our waterways are filled with microplastics, which are then ingested by marine animals, spread during irrigation and kept circulating throughout our water supply. Most municipal treatment plants use filters that catch some microplastics during preliminary filtration, yet still release a lot of particles.

The process 

Now we return to the work at Wasser 3.0. The process can be used in any kind of water, from freshwater and seawater to industrial and wastewater.

To visualize the process, imagine a large container of water. You can’t see the microplastics inside, but the addition of a compound known as Wasser 3.0 PE-X causes those microplastic particles to clump together as the water spins. 

The compound is a non-toxic, silicone-based gel that attaches to the microplastic surfaces and adheres them together in the whirlpool. Clumps of microplastics, unseen individually, turn into ping-pong size balls of material within minutes. The clumps of microplastics are then skimmed from the surface. 

While the primary goal is to remove the microplastics, leaving clean water behind, all the retrieved materials are then recycled into new products rather than being deposited back into the waste stream. 

The potential

Wasser 3.0 technology is already in use at a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Landau-Mörlheim, Germany, and at a paper-processing factory. The company wants to expand the technology to sewage treatment plants and industrial manufacturing plants worldwide. 

“During a 12-month trial at the Landau site, around 600 pounds of microplastics were removed,” according to Dr. Katrin Schuhen, founder and CEO of Wasser 3.0. She says the technology is affordable and scalable because of the basic nature of the process.

There are other methods of microplastic removal in use. After all, the dangers of microplastics is not a new topic. Neither is the idea of filtering the particles out of water. It’s commonly implemented at water treatment plants, but the effectiveness varies widely. A 2021 report evaluating 10 years of data and published by Science Direct states, “This review showed highly variable efficiency of the water treatment technologies with primary treatment of wastewater treatment plants reported to remove 16.5 to 98.4% microplastics.”

In addition to the inconsistent results, filtration results in sludge, which is a waste product that isn’t reliably recycled. The microplastics can also clog up the filtration systems. 

Wasser 3.0 is squarely focused on contributing towards reaching the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Outlined in 2015, the SDGs are a 15-year plan to aggressively obtain certain human and environmental goals by 2030. The SDGs are a commitment to end poverty, improve education, address water shortages, eliminate inequalities and focus on the climate, as some of the 17 designated targets.

+ Wasser 3.0

Images via Wasser 3.0 and Pexels

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Take a sip from the Kreis Cup made out of coffee grounds

A Kickstarter for a product called the Kreis Cup has more than doubled its $10,000 goal to create coffee cups out of, well, coffee. Using plant-based materials and coffee grounds, the new company Coffee Kreis has already started manufacturing these coffee cups, which even smell like the wonderful beverage.

What’s unique about these cups is that they’re reusable and recyclable, break-resistant and have thermal insulation. And yet they’re made out of what you’re probably putting into these cups: coffee. The Kreis Cup is even dishwasher safe.

Related: Your next watch could be made of and smell like coffee

By using used coffee grounds collected from coffee shops, restaurants and hotels, the designers of the Kreis Cup say they aim to recycle millions of tons of coffee waste that otherwise would end up in landfills. Acidic leachate runoff from coffee in landfills can cause a particular problem beyond greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the acid from coffee can damage the soil around landfills.

This unique cup also removes plastic and paper waste from landfills by offering a great reusable alternative. So far, the company has kept 120 pounds of coffee waste from ending up in landfills. They’re just getting started. The company also says this amount of waste prevention has stopped 750 cubic meters of methane from being released into the atmosphere. This company is just beginning operations but has already kept 70,000 single-use cups out of landfills.

So why can you put this in the dishwasher? The reason is that the Kreis Cup is made of a bio-based, biodegradable plastic. Meanwhile, up to 30% of the cup is made of coffee grounds. This gives the cup stability but allows it to decompose quickly, in a matter of months as opposed to the 11 generations it takes most petroleum-based plastics to break down in the landfill.

Best of all, Coffee Kreis is committed to collecting cups at the end of their life to recycle them into new cups, so this product never needs to touch the landfill. Rather, it pulls material out of the landfill and puts it back into use. You can pre-order Kreis cups in a travel cup form with a lid, or as a latte cup and saucer. Pretty cool.

+ Coffee Kreis

Images via Coffee Kreis

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How to lower your digital carbon footprint

When we think about our carbon footprint, hot topics include plastic waste, air pollution and high energy consumption. But we don’t give as much attention to the impact of our digital life. 

With the corporate and social changes of the past few years, more and more people are working and schooling from home. That shift comes with some benefits to the environment, like less commuters on the road and virtually no paper correspondence. However, it also comes with a massive energy footprint. 

Related: Understanding NFTs and energy consumption

According to a 2021 study, when pandemic lockdowns occurred in the first quarter of 2020, internet usage jumped by 40%. That means we’re sucking up a lot more energy than we used to. Most electricity is still produced from fossil fuels, primarily oil, coal and natural gas. While we work towards an increased reliance on renewable energy instead, one action we can take is to curb our digital footprint. 

This energy discussion doesn’t even start to touch on other environmental aspects of our digital lives, such as mining and manufacturing involved in making our tablets, laptops, desktops, cell phones and other electronic devices. With technological innovation spinning out at the speed of light, e-waste is a huge issue too. So what can we do to reduce our impact?

Clean out your digital storage

With everything stored in the digital realm, we often lose track of the thousands of pictures and documents we’ve sent into the cloud. But digital storage contributes to a massive footprint with huge data centers working on the storage task. Reducing your personal storage by consistently cleaning out pictures, videos, documents and other digital products, means less servers, equipment and energy is needed to maintain the temperature-controlled data centers. 

Skip the upgrades

Sometimes your work requires the right tool for the job. Obviously if you need to upgrade a sluggish computer or glitchy phone, do what you’ve got to do. Otherwise, resist the urge to upgrade simply because you can. Wait for your device to come to the end of its usable life before replacing it. 

If you do make an upgrade, sell or donate your older model so others can benefit from it before it reaches the end of its days. 

Repair instead of replace

We live in a time of disposable products. Manufacturers don’t offer much in the way of inspiration when it comes to repairing electronic devices. In fact, many make it downright difficult. Have you tried to get into a laptop recently? This “planned obsolescence” is purposeful in order to sell more products. However, you can often find a way around the difficulties in making these repairs. Look to local service people. Check iFixit for manuals and guides. Hit up YouTube for repair tutorials. 

Recycle responsibly

The EPA reports barely more than 12% of e-waste is properly recycled. That’s a massive amount of chemicals and hardware left to leach into the soil and mound up for generations. 

If it’s time to recycle your device, look for an e-waste recycler to do the job properly. Most municipal waste management companies offer the service. Many large retailers do too. You can even recycle electronic batteries, cords, remotes and cables.

Kill the power

Phantom energy flows from your devices, even when you’re not using them. There’s no reason to power computers, televisions and other devices during the off hours. Instead, shut down computers, turn off the television if you’re not in the room and unplug all devices when not in use or charging. This simple task can significantly improve the lifespan of your device, keeping it out of the waste stream longer. 

You can make cutting power easier by plugging primary devices into power strips that can be turned off with the flip of a switch. If you have outlets powered by a light switch, it makes it even easier. 

Work devices more efficiently

There are many settings on your devices that allow for more energy-efficient operation without affecting your service. For example, you can lower the brightness on your screen to consume up to 20% less energy. 

Find your device settings and schedule your screen to sleep after the lowest time available, often 30 seconds. This not only saves energy, but improves the longevity of your device. 

Also, take a look at your streaming devices. Instead of automatically playing the next episode, turn off the auto features so you’re not sucking up data while sleeping or when you leave the room. 

Unsubscribe

You may find it easy to ignore the junk that automatically funnels into your junk file or the sight of your overfilled inbox may give you hives. Either way, each of those emails leaves a digital footprint. Take the time to unsubscribe from unwanted emails, not only for the sake of your sanity, but for the unnecessary energy consumption required to receive those unwanted mailings. 

Re-source your energy

Perhaps the best way to rebalance your digital consumption is to source the energy you do use from renewable resources. Install solar panels, or tap into wind, geothermal or hydro options in your area. 

Via EcoWatch

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