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

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.
What happens to all of the stuff we return?

With the holidays upon us, I thought it might be time to talk about returns. It happens - sometimes we buy or receive things that just aren’t what we expected, and our first reaction is typically to send it back. But what happens to all of those returns? Are they really going to be sold as new, no harm done? Let’s dive into it.

What is a Buy Nothing Group and why should you join one?
Building and supporting a sharing economy is a critical component of any zero waste lifestyle, and Buy Nothing Groups are one of the best ways to do that. So today we're talking all things Buy Nothing - what it is, why it's better than donating to a thrift shop, and even why your local group may be called a "Gifting With Integrity" group instead.
The 7 Best Documentaries for Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Living
Most sustainability documentaries are trash. But there are some truly spectacular documentaries about sustainability, waste, and climate change that have had lasting, positive impacts on my life. Here's 7 of my favorite documentaries to inspire you to live more sustainably - without guilt, shame, fear, and absolutism.
A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Blog: Sustainable Lawns
The American lawn is iconic, but more and more people are starting to question if constantly maintaining these little green squares is worth it. Where did the American lawn come from, how did it become so ubiquitous in our culture, and can we replace the lawn with something better? EcoWarrior Robb joins us to write a guest post on the subject.
A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Store: Composting vs. Recycling - Which is more sustainable?

Today we're chatting all about recycling versus composting, which is better, and why. This topic was inspired by one of our EcoWarriors when she commented on a post in our EcoWarrior Pod that pizza boxes are compostable, and that’s better than recycling. I realized that this is something many of us assume in the sustainability space, especially with how much we hear about how broken our recycling systems are, but is it really true?

Phantom Energy: Why we need to unplug our chargers.

What do phantoms and vampires have to do with zero waste? It’s all got to do with energy use. Because remember, zero waste is about more than physical waste. It’s about wasted time, wasted energy, and wasted resources. Phantom energy, or vampire power, is the energy your electronic devices are always consuming, even when they’re turned off or not in use, and all that phantom energy can add up quickly. 

What's the environmental impact of one pound of meat?

It takes intention to change food habits. They’re ingrained in our culture. So rather than use this space to say we should all go vegan or we should all go vegetarian, what if instead we each ate one less pound of meat each week? How much would it really matter?

5 Ways to Drive Less + The Impacts for Sustainability

Nearly a third of all of the United States’ greenhouse gas emissions are from transportation. About a sixth are from our everyday vehicles. That’s a huge portion of our emissions just from one aspect of life - getting from Point A to Point B! The good news is, we don’t need everyone to stop driving to make a sustainable difference. Do this instead.

What's the Environmental Impact of Online Shopping?
I want to take a little deep dive into the impacts of online shopping versus in-person, and how we are optimizing our systems to get you the essentials you need, as fast as possible, as safely as possible, and with the smallest carbon footprint possible. Because the answer to "which is more sustainable - online or in person?" may surprise you.
A Drop in the Ocean Sustainable Living Zero Waste How to do a Personal Waste Audit Template

We all want to do our part to protect our home, but sometimes we don't know where to start. So in honor of the new year, let’s start with the very beginning. The one thing that will really kickstart our sustainable journeys - whether you’re just getting started or you’re a veteran EcoWarrior. A personal waste audit.

How to Invest in Renewable Energy
Today, I want to explore how to invest in renewable energy, and break it down into an easy-peasy beginner's guide. Because investing in sustainability doesn’t have to be scary or expensive - no matter your age or your financial education.
10 Ways to Combat Wildfires and Protect Our Climate
Wildfires - both natural and human-caused - are burning longer and hotter as a result of climate change. Our global temperature is rising, our precipitation is decreasing, and it's creating the perfect storm for these massive fires to run rampant. Here's what we can all do to help.
Eco-Friendly Travel Tips: What are carbon offsets?
I'm a conservationist, but I'm not giving up flying. So when I talk about traveling, especially air travel, I often mention carbon offsets. But what exactly are carbon offsets, and why do they matter?
A Drop in the Ocean Tacoma Zero Waste Sustainable Living Blog What is palm oil and can it be sustainable?
Palm oil has become a buzzword in sustainability, and there's a lot of messaging about how it's causing habitat destruction, loss of wildlife, and other harmful environmental impacts. But what actually is palm oil, and is boycotting it the most sustainable option?
Is eating locally actually better for the planet?
Eating locally has a myriad of benefits and aligns with the values I choose to live by - but like anything in sustainability, it's not a silver bullet. Let's dive into what the benefits of eating locally are and the easiest ways to get started.