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Natural Awakenings Twin Cities

Conscious Consumption

Leather alternative purse made out of mushroom mycelium
The Perils of Plastic Clothing: Embracing Slow Fashion and Sustainable Fabrics

Dec 30, 2022 08:30AM ● By Sandra Yeyati

Most clothes made today contain plastic, mainly in the form of polyester, which takes a large toll on the planet. Here are sustainable fabric options and eco-friendly fashion tips.

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Person sitting at table at restaurant looking at menu
Carbon Labels Cut Environmental Impact of Dining

Aug 31, 2022 08:30AM

Researchers studied the design of restaurant menus and how adding carbon labels indicating the greenhouse gas emissions per dish affected the choices people might make when dining out.

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Kids bicycling wearing helmets with mother walking behind them
Back to School with the Planet in Mind

Aug 31, 2022 08:30AM

This back-to-school season, families have an opportunity to make sustainable decisions as they prepare their children for a successful educational experience.

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Person using tools wearing protective gear standing outside of Asheville Tool Library
Conscious Consumerism: The Rise of Sharing and Reselling

Aug 31, 2022 08:30AM ● By Sheila Julson

Local shared enterprises and secondhand shops are saving people money and reducing the impact of excess consumerism on the environment.

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Fashion accessories labeled with sustainable tag
Fashion Industry Sustainability Campaigns Fall Short

Jul 29, 2022 08:30AM

A recent report finds that environmental certification programs claiming to verify the sustainability of fashion brands facilitate “greenwashing” for the apparel industry.

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Person shopping green packaged personal care items in store holding skin scrubber to face
The Greening of Packaging: Cleaning and Personal Care Products Go Eco

Jul 29, 2022 08:30AM ● By Sheryl DeVore

Consumers are demanding that home cleaning and personal care products come in environmentally friendly packaging that reduces waste and plastic use.

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Artwork of a sustainable community
Savvy Shopper Tips for the Farmers Market

Jun 30, 2022 08:30AM ● By Bob Benenson

Ways to save money on healthy food at farmers markets while supporting the local community.

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Glass bottles of milk with food labels of expiration dates on top
Expiration Dates: When to Eat or Toss Food

Mar 31, 2022 08:30AM

How to make sense of expiration labeling—those ambiguous “best before” or “sell by” dates—to help reduce food waste.

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Person working food stand at farmer's market selling fruits and vegetables
The Bounty of Farmers Markets: Buying Local Boosts Health, the Economy and the Planet

Feb 28, 2022 08:30AM ● By Sandra Yeyati

Farmers’ markets offer the freshest fruits and veggies around, encourage organic and seasonal eating, support local farmers, and lower the carbon footprint of buying and shipping produce.

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Bananas, chocolate bars, coffee beans, herbs, spices next to chalkboard sign reading Fair Trade
Purposeful Shopping: How Fair Trade Can Change the World

Jan 31, 2022 08:30AM

Fair trade is an alternative international business model that puts people and the planet first. Consider these steps to achieve ethical, sustainable shopping.

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Person lying on couch shopping second hand items online through phone
Secondhand Fashion: Online Used Clothing Stores Good for the Wallet and Planet

Jan 31, 2022 08:30AM ● By Sandra Yeyati

Fueled by the pandemic and economic downturn, online resale shops are booming, driven by younger, tech-savvy shoppers and a host of specialized apps and websites.

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Bedroom decorated with eco-friendly decor
Eco-Decor for the Home: How to Buy Sustainable Furnishings

Oct 29, 2021 08:30AM ● By Sandra Yeyati

What to look for when shopping non-toxic, eco-friendly home decor items that are built to last and won’t pollute the environment.

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Buy Nothing logo
Buy Nothing: Neighborly Groups Share More and Waste Less

Sep 30, 2021 08:30AM

With the aim of reducing waste through local sharing, Buy Nothing provides a Facebook-based platform to freely give, ask, borrow and lend items.

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Simple, minimal living room with couch, throw pillows, end tables with plants and storage and bicycle
Less Stuff, More Joy: Ways to Live Simpler and Lighter on Mother Earth

Sep 30, 2021 08:30AM ● By Ronica O’Hara

How to turn to simpler, sustainable, conscious ways of living molded by our personal values through minimalist lifestyles.

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Glass jars of various dry foods sitting on counter
Living Lighter Checklist: Some Ways to Up Our Game in Simpler Living

Sep 30, 2021 08:30AM ● By Ronica O’Hara

Ideas for adopting minimalist simplicity—living with less clutter; ecological simplicity—prioritizing sustainability; and conscious simplicity—driven by personal and spiritual values.

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LED lightbulb illuminated
Shedding Light on Lightbulbs: The Ins and Outs of Our Options

Aug 31, 2021 08:30AM

The pros and cons of incandescent, fluorescent and LED bulbs, with information on costs and proper disposal.

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Stack of copper pots and pans sitting on counter next to spices
Healthy Cookware: How to Choose Non-Toxic Pots and Pans

Aug 31, 2021 08:30AM ● By Amy Coyle

From classic pots and pans to the latest modern synthetic materials, here are some basic factors to watch for in choosing environmentally sound and chemical-free cookware.

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Olio app on a smartphone
Olio App Prevents Food Waste

May 28, 2021 08:30AM

The smartphone app Olio allows people with extra food to post a picture online. Anyone that wants the food can respond and pick it up as a gift.

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Eco-friendly athletes drinking from sustainable, green water bottles after working out
Eco-Athletes: Working Out with the Planet in Mind

Mar 31, 2021 08:30AM ● By Marlaina Donato

Professional and recreational athletes alike are increasingly working out with the planet in mind. Here are some sustainable ways to put eco-fitness into action.

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Golden Rules: Moms Launch Eco-Friendly Certification

Oct 31, 2019 08:30AM

A nonprofit has launched Moms Across America Gold Standard, a multi-tiered verification program for food, beverages and supplements that creates a simple, trustworthy resource for consumers.

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Kool-Kats: Candy Wrappers Reimagined as Origami

Oct 31, 2019 08:30AM

KitKat chocolate bars from Nestlé's Japan confectionery branch will soon be wrapped in paper instead of plastic, with instructions for how to fashion it into the iconic origami crane.

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Antiques Rising: Discovering the Green in ‘Brown’ Furniture

Oct 31, 2019 08:30AM

Add character to your home and practice sustainability by repurposing, upcycling or restoring old antique furniture items in an eco-friendly way.

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Rethinking Our Stuff: Moving Toward a Circular Economy

Sep 30, 2019 08:30AM

The “circular economy” is all about rethinking the way we make stuff—designing products that can be reused and powering it all with renewable energy.

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Natural Awakenings Twin Cities April 2024
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