Most discussions about climate change focus on energy, like moving from fossil fuels to solar, wind, and other renewables. While that shift is crucial, it only tackles about 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The other 45% comes from something we rarely discuss: how we make and use everything from steel and concrete to food…
We already have the technology to decarbonize buildings, and many pilot projects have shown it works. So why hasn’t progress toward net zero moved faster? Colin Mangham believes it’s because we’re still using outdated business models to promote new solutions. Colin is the Chief Experience Officer at the US Green Building Council California and leads…
Button cell batteries are the small, flat, round batteries found in watches, hearing aids, car key fobs, calculators, and medical devices. Although they are tiny, these batteries contain valuable materials that can be recovered and can harm the environment if not handled or disposed of correctly. The main challenge in recycling button cells is their…
The U.S. waste management industry moves more than 290 million tons of municipal solid waste each year. This is a potential trillion-dollar market, but much of the work still relies on paper tickets, clipboards, and spreadsheets. About 10,000 independent haulers handle a large share of collection and materials transfer in the U.S. In this business,…
Rechargeable nickel-cadmium (NiCd) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are used in cordless phones, power tools, electric toothbrushes, cordless vacuums, and many other household devices. Unlike single-use alkaline batteries, these rechargeable types have valuable materials inside. NiCd batteries also contain hazardous substances, so recycling them is not only smart but also required by law in many…
Smart lighting is a type of intelligent lighting system that uses sensors, automation, and connected LED technologies to reduce energy waste in commercial buildings. Lighting typically accounts for 15–20% of a commercial building’s electricity use, making it one of the most significant areas where organizations can lower consumption without sacrificing visibility or comfort. Every building…
Revisit an important conversation about understanding the source of your food. Consumers and grocers who want to verify the quality of the beef they sell are asking for increased supply chain transparency. Vivian Tai, Director of Innovation at GS1 US visited with Earth911 in February 2024 to introduce GS1’s Digital Link advanced universal product code and…
Each year, over 11 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean, which is like dumping a garbage truck full of plastic every minute. For years, we’ve known that marine animals eat this debris, but no one had measured exactly how much plastic it takes to kill them. Dr. Erin Murphy, who leads…
Every minute, a garbage truck’s worth of plastic ends up in the ocean. This constant flow has created a global pollution problem that now touches every marine ecosystem, from coastal waters to the deepest parts of the Mariana Trench. The UN Environment Programme estimates that 19 to 23 million tons of plastic waste enter aquatic…
The world’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is a necessary evolution to a smarter, cleaner and more resilient system. Its impact goes beyond the environment, paving the way to a healthier society and a more stable economy. However, renewable energy is an initiative. It requires both top-down efforts and individual consumer actions to…