We’ve been spotlighting microplastics and the ecological consequence of microfiber shedding due to laundering synthetic clothing at home. Is professional dry cleaning any safer for our planet and our health? Are environmental dry cleaners a real thi
Read more…To follow up on the previous article, which lays out the problem of microplastics, SCOCO Board Member Dr. Laurine G. Osborne shares ideas for effective local action here in Contra Costa.
It begins with something familiar: a well-loved fleece, zipped
Plastics are washing up on shorelines and waterways around the globe, and the so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a swirling plastic galaxy as big as the state of Texas. Now, scientists are finding small bits of plastic in our brains and bodies.
Summer is here, and so is summer irrigation! If you’re looking to make the most of every drop with smart, simple changes, Contra Costa Water District’s (CCWD) free Water Wise House Call can help. During a typical Water Wise House Call, CCWD’s knowled
Silk is associated with luxury and known for its luster, strength and softness. This natural protein fiber originated over 8,500 years ago in ancient China and was traded along the famed Silk Road.
Conventional silk production, known as sericulture,
Read more…By this time, most of the Earth Day and Earth Month celebrations are over for the year, and the organizations that work hard to prepare for them are probably thinking about next year. SCOCO volunteers and volunteers from other organizations should be
Read more…Soil vs. Dirt, Biodegradation, and Landfills
Last month, Sustainable Contra Costa hosted a showing of the highly acclaimed documentary Common Ground, which depicts the "Soil Your Undies Challenge." This experiment playfully challenges participants to
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After remodeling my wife’s childhood home in Orinda, moving there from a much-loved home in Walnut Creek, and working to make our house and property safer in a wildfire, I wondered, What are our responsibilities as homeowners, neighbors, and toward
Read more…Artificial intelligence (AI) has gained popularity in recent years in numerous arenas: workplace, healthcare, transportation, creativity, communication, social media, entertainment, and more. Some may claim it is even taking over the world! Today AI
Newsletter contributor Hyun-Soo Hong shares what he has learned about disposing of coffee grounds.
I am a coffee enthusiast (but not a coffee snob!). I buy whole green coffee beans, roast them myself, grind them, and make my favorite coffee. I’ve tr
Read more…Have you wondered about those multi-colored gel packs for dishwashers? They are pre-measured and convenient to use; just pop one pod into the dishwashing compartment where you normally pour liquid or powder and you’re good to go. This may sound easy
Read more…A sustainable house and neighborhood uses water, building materials, and fuel efficiently, enhances sustainable recreation and transportation, and doesn't burn up in a wildfire. All are worthy goals that are hard to achieve for individuals and commun
Photo by David Clode on Unsplash
Cooking oil is an essential staple in the kitchen. Whether you are sautéing chicken, frying up eggs, tossing a salad, or making popcorn, you are no doubt using more than one type of cooking oil on a regular basis. Ther
Read more…Our 2nd ever Repair Cafe was a success! It took place January 25th at Walnut Creek's Civic Park Community Center. We are thankful to the City of Walnut Creek, Recycle Smart, Republic Services, and Sustainable Rossmoor for collaborating on this big ev
New article author Hyun-Soo Hong shares his experience learning about household hazardous waste disposal.
I did not know where to dispose of my unwanted household hazardous waste until last month. My previous employer offered a service to employees,
Read more…No, this isn’t about football. It is about saving lives and buildings in a wildfire—major factors in sustainability. My wife called the Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) and asked for a home wildfire preparedness inspection. She knew from others th
Foraging has been an integral activity of human culture for thousands of years. Early hunter-gatherers fished, hunted, and gathered wild plants long before the agricultural domestication of crops and livestock. Today, people replicate this ancient pr
In a fast-paced world fueled by instant gratification and a constant stream of new trends and products, it’s easy to forget the value of just keeping what we have. But there’s a growing movement promoting a shift away from our throwaway culture. We'
Read more…Salt is a historically significant commodity that is essential to human life. Humans have used salt for thousands of years to preserve and flavor food, and there are many modern industrial applications of salt such as de-icing roads or adding it to
Read more…With the holiday season upon us, we’ll have more opportunities to enjoy home cooked meals with family and friends. For this holiday cooking season, why not make a shift towards more plant-based options? It’s worth reflecting how eating more sustainab
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