Good Together: Ethical, Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Living

Brightly’s second annual Sustainability Trends Report just went live, and one of the most intriguing trends covers the deathcare industry’s sustainable evolution. One eco-friendly alternative worth diving into is aquamation, a water-based alternative to flame cremation. This week, Mallory Greene, the co-founder and CEO at Eirene, discusses exactly how the process works and why it’s a more sustaina...

We all know that a huge cornerstone of sustainability is reevaluating our relationship with consumerism—which means taking stock of what we have, what we need, and what we don’t. Dara Zycherman, a minimalist lifestyle coach and the owner of Less Equals More, has made a career of helping others pare down their belongings, supporting clients in reducing their “stuff” to help improve their lives. Her...

Did you know not all wildfires are bad? This week, Deborah Landau, the Director of Ecological Management at The Nature Conservancy, discusses the benefits of prescribed burns—aka planned wildfires that encourage ecosystem restoration and natural biodiversity. To learn more, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/controlled-burns-benefits. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-...

Spring is here, aka the season of deep-cleaning and decluttering. But there's no need to sweep the planet under the rug in the process. Though this time of year finds many Americans sorting through their belongings, the practice can result in undue waste when undertaken mindlessly. That's exactly why we’re getting tips and tricks from journalist and recycling expert Adam Minter, who's...

When we talk about reducing our carbon footprint, we often look toward obvious factors like landfill waste, transportation, emissions, and household use. But speaking of household use, there's actually another factor that has a greater impact than you might think: streaming your favorite shows, music, and more. This week we're resharing an important past episode that will make you see your...

Living a more sustainable lifestyle is all about paying attention to your consumer habits—investing in products with a longer life and lower footprint, repurposing as much as possible, and generally buying less. But this week you'll learn how organizing these items can be a crucial step in making the most of what you have (saving time and money in the process). For more tips and tricks, visit...

Whether you're interested in learning how to collect rainwater, the benefits of native plants, or why to ditch grass for good, Nick Cutsumpas has you covered. This week, the plant coach and urban gardener discusses all of the above... and then some. To learn more, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/plant-blindness. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://red...

Microplastics can be found everywhere, from our oceans to our food and even our drinking water. This week, Dr. Imogen Napper, a marine scientist and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Plymouth, shares everything you should know about microplastic pollution—including how to start making a difference right at home. For show notes, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/microplastics. Advertising...

In our new series that covers current eco-events, Laura will be discussing important headlines you should know about. This week, learn about a recycling scam in Australia that’s resulted in a ton (actually, thousands of tons) of wasted plastic. For show notes, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/australia-redcycle-plastic-recycling-scam. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Op...

Did you know the average American family does 300 loads of laundry per year? As you can imagine, that water and energy usage adds up. In this week’s episode, Zachary Pozniak, a mechanical engineer turned luxury dry cleaner and laundry content creator, shares simple swaps that will make your laundry routine more sustainable. For show notes, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/eco-friendly-laundry-swaps...

There’s nothing less romantic than trashing the planet. This week, Laura is giving you the low-down on how to celebrate Valentine's Day in the most sustainable way possible. From gift ideas that won't break the bank (or the planet) to simple ways to reduce waste, you don’t need to sacrifice romance for sustainability. For show notes, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/how-to-have-an-eco-frien...

Graham Hill has worked in the environmental field for more than 20 years. From founding the website Treehugger in 2004 to the creation of The Carbonauts in 2019, he’s made it his life mission to better the planet. In this week’s episode, he’s helping you do the same by sharing what he calls “The Big Six”—the most impactful actions you can take to reduce your carbon footprint. For show notes, visit...

Temperatures are rising all around the world. But if you feel like the streets of your urban neighborhood are especially sweltering, you may be right. Climate scientists like Dr. Jeremy Hoffman are studying the heat island effect, an infrastructure, equity, and climate-based issue that results in higher localized temperatures than those experienced in outlying areas. Climate change is undoubtedly...

Small changes can have a really big impact on the planet—and what better way to make a difference than by creating New Year's resolutions that help you live more sustainably in 2023? This week, Laura takes you through her own resolutions and shares tips and tricks on how to create eco-habits that stick. For show notes, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/sustainable-new-years-resolutions. Advertis...

Yep, you read that right—restaurateur Kayla Abe wants you to eat your trash. In this week’s episode, learn how her San Francisco eatery, Shuggie’s Trash Pie + Natural Wine, relies on ingredients that might go unused elsewhere—think irregular produce and offcuts from the meat industry—to create a menu that’s unique, climate-friendly, and delicious. For show notes, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/ka...

Whether it's a clothing item that doesn't fit or decor that isn't your style, returns are inevitable. But while most people assume a returned item goes back onto the shelf, that's unfortunately not always the case. In this week’s episode, we dive into what *actually* happens to your returns—and what you can do to combat the issue. For show notes, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/wha...

In today's fast-paced, stressful world, a wellness routine isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. This week, Laura chats with Samantha Leal, the deputy editor at Well+Good, about how taking care of yourself and the planet can go hand-in-hand. From choosing activewear made from eco-friendly materials to swapping single-use beauty products for refillable options, consider this your go-to guide. To learn...

Let’s be real—some people are really hard to shop for. This week, Laura is sharing her top tips for choosing the perfect holiday gifts, which not only brings on the holiday cheer, but also prevents returns—a category that accounts for five billion pounds of landfill waste every year. To shop her top sustainable picks, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/gifts-for-people-who-are-hard-to-shop-for. Adver...

The holidays are quickly approaching, and you know what that means: it’s time to decorate the Christmas tree! Before making a purchase, let’s dive into one of the most popular holiday debates: Which is better for the environment—real or artificial? This week, we answer that question with Andy Finton, a Massachusetts-based Forest Ecologist for The Nature Conservancy. For more information, visit htt...

We talk a lot about greenhouse gas emissions and what they’re doing to our atmosphere. But what about our oceans? That’s a question best posed to Dr. Jessica Cross, a research oceanographer with the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Seattle, WA. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn everything there is to know about ocean acidification and the effect it has on the planet. For...

Last year, 27 million Americans moved. Not surprisingly, that many moves result in a lot of waste. Think about all the boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap it takes to pack up and transport your entire life to a new location. This week, you’ll get tips and tricks from the Brightly team that will make your next move more sustainable. For show notes, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/10-tips-for-an-ec...

When it comes to environmental footprints, our water use warrants a serious conversation—and Jonah Schein, the national program manager for Homes & Buildings at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense Program, agrees. This week, Jonah settles the dishwasher vs hand washing debate (once and for all!) as well as shares other ways we can increase our efficiency around usage. For sho...

This week, host Laura Wittig shares everything she's learned about sustainable parenting in her first year of motherhood. She covers the realities of cloth diapering, tips for cutting costs on essentials, how homemade baby food has helped her family combat food waste, and more. For show notes, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/sustainable-parenting-tips. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle....

The alternative leather market is exploding right now. There’s leather made from mushrooms, pineapples, recycled bottles, and even apples. This week, we're resharing a past episode where we do a deep-dive into the world of eco-leathers. Are they worth the hype? Come find out. For show notes, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/vegan-leather-sustainability. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle....

Kellie Brown of "And I Get Dressed" is known for her incredible taste in style and interior design. But you won't always find her buying new—she prefers being thrifty and is a pro at scoring secondhand home finds that belong in your favorite magazines. In this week's episode, we're stealing all her secrets. For show notes, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/secondhand-shopping-tip...