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 streets of New York City are swelling with waves of fashion’s finest, thanks to the New York Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2026 season. From front-row celebrities and models to media personalities and journalists, the fashion-obsessed are proudly showing off their outfits. From tons of layers, dramatic fur coats, statement hats, and tried-and-true boots, bundling up…
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,…
In 2023, U.S. households, retailers, and restaurants wasted approximately 73.9 million tons of food—about 31% of the food supply, valued at over $382 billion —according to the nonprofit ReFED. That wasted food accounts for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, nearly five times more than aviation. Now, a growing movement is transforming ingredients that would…
Night sky with heart shape written in the stars…created in PS. Happy Valentine’s Day! This year, we are reflecting on the importance of connection and acceptance — not from others, but from the relationship we have with ourselves. Be warned though as the Waning Crescent Moon in Capricorn brings an unexpected twist. This is due…
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…
On September 29, 2025, 49-year-old Arturo Ruvalcaba, who is deaf, was waiting at a bus stop near Salt Lake City to head back home from work. As Ruvalcaba, who is originally from Mexico, waited, three SUVs arrived at the stop and two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents approached him. They were wearing green uniforms,…
Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar. This week: a senior director working for a non-profit who makes $170,000 per year and who spends some of it on…
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…
Time stands still for no one, or so the planet Saturn teaches us. Saturn is leading us into Aries on February 13th. As we move onward in life, the austere and reverent cosmic force urges us to be responsible and ambitious as we grow. Along the way, Saturn will present obstacles and it’s up to…