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.
A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Blog: Everything You Need to Know About Zero Waste Mouthwash Crystals

Today we’re gonna go on a deep dive all about our zero waste mouthwash crystals, and how this refreshing, low waste alternative to traditional mouthwash may be the sustainable oral care solution you've been looking for. We’re gonna answer every question you’ve ever had about them, because they’re really stinkin’ cool but perhaps not something you’re super familiar with. Let's dive in!

A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Blog: Conservation is all of us.

I just spent six days at the Vermilion Sea Field Station on our Baja EcoWarrior Retreat. This wasn’t the first time I’d visited the Field Station, but as I’ve reflected on this year’s Retreat and the impact it had on me, there’s one phrase that keeps coming up for me: Conservation is all of us. This wasn’t a theme of the trip. It wasn't even said on the trip. And yet…it’s all I can think about.

A Drop in the Ocean Shop x Markee Ecological Design: Closed Loop Landscaping - Have Your Yard and Eat It Too with Foodscaping
Landscapes that are visually pleasing have a long history, but are they the only way to approach landscaping? You may already be familiar with pollinator gardens and edible gardens, but what about a foodscape? What exactly is a foodscape and how can you go about creating one of your own? EcoWarrior Anna joins us to write a guest post on the subject.
The Sustainability of Wine vs. Beer

This week’s topic is one of those, “Does it *really* matter, Krystina?” kinda topics, but also just a lot of fun to think about and super interesting to research. In honor of International Beer Day this Friday, today we’re talking about the sustainability of wine versus beer…because why the heck not?? 😄

A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Blog: 5 Sustainable Alternatives to Plastic Trash Bags

Plastic bag bans have been implemented in countless cities, counties, states, and countries, giving us the perfect opportunity to explore better, more sustainable trash bag options in our homes. Here are my top 5 favorite tips and alternatives to ditch plastic trash bags once and for all - without simply trading one plastic product for another.

The 10 Best Tips for an Eco-Friendly Laundry Routine - A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Blog
It’s one of those sad truths of adulting that you’re literally never done with laundry. It's something that we’re all doing all the time, so it's a fantastic place to focus on reducing our eco-impact. It’s not something new you need to add into your routine. You’re already doing it. So let’s just do it…better.
What does France's 'ban' on fast fashion mean? - A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Blog
In March 2024, the lower house of parliament in France unanimously approved a bill aimed at curbing the consumption of ultra-fast-fashion clothing items. It still needs approval from the senate, but here's what you need to know about this groundbreaking legislation.
Air Dryers vs. Paper Towels - Which is more eco-friendly? - A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Blog

When I saw “Drying hands with paper towels vs air dryer,” on my potential list of blog topics, I thought to myself, “That shouldn’t be too complicated! I’m sure there are plenty of studies that give a clear answer to that!” Oh how wrong I was, friend... How wrong I was…

How to Spot Greenwashing: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide - A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Blog

I talk about greenwashing so much that I'm often asked if specific brands are greenwashing. So today, I’m walking you through the exact process that I use to determine whether a company or product is actually sustainable or greenwashing, or if they’re somewhere in between.

5 Things You Didn't Know About A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Store
Sometimes I can’t believe it’s already been 5 years since I launched A Drop in the Ocean. So much has changed since then, but our core values and mission has always remained the same. In honor of this significant milestone, today I'm sharing 5 things you probably didn’t know about A Drop in the Ocean.
A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Store: Liquid Refillable Shampoo and Conditioner Ingredients

Let's talk ingredients! I recently did some digging into the ingredients in our liquid, refillable shampoo and conditioner, and even thought I knew they’re all healthy, natural, hair-loving ingredients, I wasn't sure what they actually *do*. And you know what I found out? They do a LOT. Let's get into it! (Plus 4 tips for how to use them!)

A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Store 2023 Year-End Sustainability Report
Today, I'm sharing with you our first ever full, year-end report! We're pulling the curtain WAY back on what's happening behind-the-scenes at A Drop in the Ocean - including our sustainability impacts, donations, financial summary, and goals for 2024. Let us know what you think!
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: 24 Sustainable Actions to Try in 2024

I want to kick off the new year with something super simple… 24 sustainable actions to try in 2024. Every action on this list is intended to perhaps push you a little outside your comfort zone, but still be totally actionable and do-able in most of our lives. Which ones will you try this year?

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.