Welcome to the A Drop in the Ocean blog!

Every Monday we're popping into our EcoWarrior community's inboxes with practical + actionable tips for living more sustainably, and we're always working hard to add those emails to our blog as well. But we're a small team and sometimes we get behind because, hey, we're human.

So if you want these kinds of tips every week, without even leaving your inbox, join the EcoWarriors for Make Waves Mondays - because that's one thing we don't get behind on. Pinky promise.

Blog

What is "green hushing"?

I learned a new term recently... Green hushing. Apparently, this term is nothing new. A quick Google search for the term yields a plethora of results, but this is a whole new world to me, and I thought it might be for you too. So let's talk about green hushing and why it may be the new corporate greenwashing.

A Drop in the Ocean Blog: How "closed loop" is becoming greenwashing

I stumbled across an ad for a skincare company that said their products are closed-loop refillable. So I went to their website and and I found a video explaining their so-called "closed-loop" refill system... And that's how I learned "closed loop" is becoming greenwashing. Here's what you need to know.

A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Store: 5 Lessons Learned from Plastic Free July

This week marked the last day of Plastic Free July, and instead of our usual blog format, today I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past month and some of the lessons I’ve learned from it. Some of these are new lessons for me, and some are simply reminders that were brought to the surface again, but all of them are so valuable, and might resonate with you, too.

A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Store: What is wishcycling and why is it a problem?
Let's be real... Recycling makes us feel goodBut unfortunately, our brains are so wired to do the “right” thing that it can actually lead to "wishcycling" instead of true recycling, and, ultimately, all that wishcycling actually leads to less being recycled. So let's talk about that really means for sustainability.
A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Store: Get to Know Okapi Conservation Project
In honor of the BEST DAY OF YEAR - *ahem* World Okapi Day *ahem* - I’m passing the proverbial mic over to Lucas Meers, Program Manager for the Okapi Conservation Project, to share with you more about the work Okapi Conservation Project is doing and how you can support okapi from the comfort of your own home.
A Drop in the Ocean Blog: Why Small Businesses Should Always be Held Accountable
Listening to feedback and staying transparent is critical, but sometimes we can forget that when our business is our baby. So today I'm sharing with you a really important lesson I learned as a small business owner on a mission to do things differently - and how it impacts you. 
A Drop in the Ocean What is Earth Hour plus 8 ways to spend Earth Hour

Earth Hour was founded in 2007 as a call to awareness about our climate crisis. It’s a simple, symbolic way we can all take a stand and make a difference. To participate in Earth Hour, on March 26th, for one hour, beginning at 8:30pm, turn out your lights and choose how to spend Earth Hour. Here's how I'll be spending the hour this year.

A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Store Ocean Conservation Partner Vermilion Sea Institute Field Station
You already know at least 1% of our sales are donated to our ocean conservation partner, Vermilion Sea Institute. But have you ever wondered, “Why VSI? Who is Vermilion Sea Institute? Why did we choose them to be our ocean conservation partner??” I'm about to tell you all about it.
A Drop in the Ocean Shop What is Lights Out for Migratory Birds?

I first heard of the Lights Out for Migratory Birds program in 2017, and the more I learned about the program, the more interested I became. I discovered just how important programs such as these are for our wildlife - and for ourselves. So today I wanna share with you a bit about Lights Out, why it matters, and what we can all do to protect migratory birds from the comfort of our own homes.

What is manufactured demand?
How the heck did we end up in a place where bottled water is everywhere and people are actually paying for it, when most of us can get clean drinking water essentially for free from our taps? The answer: manufactured demand - the manipulative marketing tactic we should all know.
A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Sustainable Living Blog What is Line 3 and what can we do about it?

Zero waste is about more than reducing our waste. It’s also about increasing access to healthcare, advocating for marginalized communities, holding corporations accountable, supporting renewable energy, voting for leaders that act on climate change, honoring indigenous practices, and more. One of the best examples of how these things are interconnected is the current construction and subsequent protesting of the Line 3 pipeline.

My favorite animal, the okapi.

Today, I want to tell you all about my favorite animal, the okapi. Because even though we're focused on waste and plastics around here most days, sometimes we could all use some cute animals and wildlife conservation in our lives. So what are okapi? And how can we protect them from home?

3 Ways to Spot Greenwashing
Greenwashing is rampant in marketing campaigns, and sometimes it's really hard to tell what's actually sustainable. So what exactly is greenwashing, and how can we spot it? Here are three of my go-to ways to spot greenwashing in the wild, plus how to hone your greenwashing-spotting skills.
A Drop in the Ocean Tacoma Zero Waste Sustainable Living Blog How and Why to Break Up with Amazon plus Amazon alternatives
It's time to do the thing. We’re gonna dive deep into the problems with Amazon, and you can be certain that once we’re through that, there’s gonna be a ton of resources and tips (plus 13 alternatives!) to help you finally break up with Amazon once and for all.
A Drop in the Ocean Tacoma Zero Waste Sustainable Living Blog 10 Ways to Celebrate World Ocean Day
It's World Ocean Week! This year’s World Ocean Day theme is protecting at least 30% of our blue planet by 2030, and we've put together our 10 favorite zero waste wannabe ways to celebrate World Ocean Week - and have fun in the process.
Do we need corporate action or consumer action for zero waste?
Last week I posted a TikTok about how plastics aren’t actually recyclable. I very quickly received a comment that said, “Pretending this is a consumer issue is not going to help anything.” And I agree. But these are complex issues. So in our quest for a zero waste world, do we need corporate or consumer action?
A Drop in the Ocean Tacoma Zero Waste Sustainable Living Blog Why I Don't Recommend Seaspiracy Documentary
These are big issues. These are complex issues. These are issues that involve governments, corporations, communities, individuals, scientists, and activists. And because of all of that and more, here's why I can't recommend the Netflix documentary Seaspiracy.