Our daily lives consist of a lot of cooking, which can significantly impact the environment. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to saving the environment. These are some tips that can help you become eco-friendly when you are cooking:

Avoid single-use items: This includes disposable utensils, plates, and cups that end up in our landfills. If necessary, you can buy compostable and environmentally friendly substitutes or utilize reusable options.

Investing in an induction stove: These stoves are up to 10% more energy-efficient than electric stoves and three times more energy-efficient than standard gas stoves. Additionally, it is also better for your air quality. 

Disposing of cooking oil: Wait until your cooking oil has totally cooled before putting it in a metal can or plastic container instead of discarding it directly in the sink or the trash. You can then properly dispose of it in the trash after that.

Reduce food waste: Meal planning for the week helps reduce the amount of food that is wasted unnecessarily. Furthermore, you can freeze or use your leftovers to create a new dish. 

Buy from local farmers: In addition to supporting local farmers, we can lessen our influence on the environment by supporting local farmers that grow their food without the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

Together, we can reduce the environmental impact of our time spent in the kitchen!

Recycle Utah, your community non-profit drop-off recycling center, provides these weekly tips.  Visit their website for more information – www.recycleutah.org.

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After a long period of hibernating throughout the winter, bees are slowly starting to emerge as spring is now upon us. Spring is a crucial time for bees as colonies begin forming and new colonies appear again. As we face the climate change crisis, we now see a decline in pollinator species such as butterflies, flies, beetles, and, most importantly, our honey bees.

Research has shown that harmful pesticides such as carbaryl have been a factor in the decline of bees. However, the most significant impact of the decline is climate change caused by global warming.

Estimates have shown that around 75% of the crops we grow for food depend on pollinators to a certain extent. They play a prominent role in producing our food supply, so their protection needs to be a priority.

Listed below are ways you can help our bees this season:

• Using natural or organic pest control solutions is a great way to stop using pesticides. Neem oil is an excellent option, or you can make a DIY insecticidal soap.
• Don’t get rid of your dandelions, at least until they bloom. Dandelions are a food source for bees that provide pollen and nectar.
• Planting native flowers that thrive in your region attracts bees to your garden. Creating a bee garden will attract not only bees but other pollinators as well.
• Purchasing organic honey items from your local beekeepers. Local beekeepers ensure bees are well cared for and support bee population growth.

We can work together to help save the bees!

Recycle Utah, your community non-profit drop-off recycling center, provides these weekly tips. Visit their website for more information — www.recycleutah.org.

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The winter season in Utah is in full swing bringing an increase in pollution through inversions. The state of Utah also estimates that each year 19.3 metric tons of carbon dioxide are emitted per person into the atmosphere annually. These factors produce devastating impacts on our air quality, which can be harmful to our environment and health. 

Air pollution can affect us by impacting our heart and respiratory health. Chances of stroke, heart disease, and other illnesses become increasingly more likely due to poor air quality. 

Here are some of the ways that you can protect your lungs:

• Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables have been shown to contain phytonutrients that offer protection for the lungs, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and other essential health benefits. Apples are one of the fruits proven to provide benefits such as reduced lung cancer and asthma risks. These can be a great addition to any diet!

• Plants: Studies have shown that houseplants can clean your air by removing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from your air. Some plants achieve this and are low maintenance, such as the peace lily, snake plants, English ivy, and dracaenas. 

• Teas: Many types of teas have antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties that may improve our lung health. Tulsi, green, and turmeric tea are some of the best options!

• Air Purifiers: Air purifiers can also be an excellent way to keep the air clean in your home. These devices are a great investment in monitoring your air quality while also cleaning your air by eliminating smoke, allergens, odors, and dust. 

Recycle Utah, your community non-profit drop-off recycling center, provides these weekly tips.  Visit their website for more information – www.recycleutah.org.

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Before slathering your moisturizer on your face or applying your new mascara, I would invite your first to ask, “What exactly am I about to place on my skin?” Today, the Food and Drug Administration does not require safety testing for ingredients in our skincare and makeup products. Many products on the market may contain toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, a well-known carcinogen.

Luckily, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released an app called Healthy Living which allows you to confirm if a product is EWG VERIFIED. EWG verification is based on their Skin-Deep database, which provides consumers with information on personal care products. Using the data from this database, the Healthy Living app allows you to find products based on the organization’s strict standards that ensure safety from chemicals on their “Unacceptable” list. The list includes ingredients that concern our health, contamination, and ecotoxicity. By knowing your product is EWG VERIFIED, you can ensure transparency in ingredients based on decades of research. 

To use the app, simply tap scan at the bottom of the page, scan your product’s barcode, and receive an overall rating. From there, you can further explore individual ingredients to find their rating and use. Additionally, the app offers data on food and household cleaning products. 

The EWG is an activist group founded in 1993 that conducts research and advocacy work focused on protecting public health. EWG has made great strides in fighting against damaging agricultural practices and outdated legislation. Their website, EWG.org, offers not only information on personal care products but also food, water, energy, and more!

Recycle Utah, your community non-profit drop-off recycling center, provides these weekly tips.  Visit their website for more information – www.recycleutah.org.

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