Issue Nº 503

Thursday

In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:

• Looking after cotton clothes

• Rhinos making a comeback

• Keep your home warm this winter

• Incredible packaging innovations

True or False?

One million species are on the brink of extinction.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

How to Care for Cotton

Organic cotton clothes can be truly sustainable. Cotton is grown without harmful chemicals and requires less water, while the material is biodegradable, so it will harmlessly return to the earth at the end of its life. But how do you prolong that end for as long as possible? Here are some ways you can look after your cotton t-shirts to keep them in the best shape.

1. Wash Cold

Cold water will stop your cotton clothes from shrinking and keep the colors as bright as they were when you first bought them. Plus, it’ll reduce the energy consumption of your laundry.

2. Hang Dry

Use the power of the sun to dry your cotton clothes rather than a dryer. This not only reduces your household's carbon footprint but also serves as a natural disinfectant—a benefit for both the planet and your home!

3. Use Gentle Detergent

Don’t use harsh chemicals or bleach on your soft cotton clothes and sheets - it’ll seriously deteriorate their quality and you’ll instantly regret it! Using environmentally-friendly washing detergent will keep them soft, plus it won’t release toxic chemicals into our waterways. Win-win.

4. Iron on a Low Heat

There’s no need to turn your iron all the way up - keeping it cool will still get those pesky creases out, but won’t damage the fibers. Your cotton clothes will thank you.

Rhino Populations are Bouncing Back

Rhinos in Assam, India have been brought back from the brink thanks to the work of conservationists. The numbers have grown five times - from 600 to 3,o00 - as habitats have been expanded and nature restored. Plus, poaching has reduced by 86% since 2016. Similar stories are being told around the world - in Africa, rhino populations grew by 5.2% between 2021 and 2023. These growing numbers aren’t just cause to celebrate for the rhinos themselves - rhinos are also great at supporting plant biodiversity through their eating habits.

Don’t Let the Cold Sneak In - Time to Upgrade Your Windows and Doors

As temperatures drop, keeping your home warm and cozy becomes more important than ever. Don’t let the cold sneak in—replace your drafty windows and doors with Renewal by Andersen®. Their energy-efficient windows are designed to seal out cold air and help you save on heating costs all winter long. For a limited time, save $400 on every window and $850 on every door¹. Plus, their products are backed by a limited warranty and installed by experts to ensure a perfect fit. There’s no better time to upgrade! Schedule your free consultation today and secure your savings.

Prepare Your Home for Winter

Incredible Eco-Friendly Packaging Alternatives for the Planet

Around 300 million tons of plastic waste is produced every year, with the vast majority of this coming from packaging. Faced with this monumental problem, the industry is innovating new materials that don’t cause destruction, and in some cases can even do good to the earth. Let’s take a look at some of the brightest ideas.

1. Turning the Tide on Pollution

Seaweed is biodegradable and grows naturally in the - you guessed it - sea, so it doesn’t need fertilizers or land. It can be used to create plastic alternatives that are strong and durable, but can be dissolved in hot water, or even eaten! 

2. Keeping Packaging in Circulation

Remember in the old days when milk would be delivered in glass bottles, collected, and then delivered again another day? This old-school tradition now seems innovative again in a world that’s obsessed with the disposable. Imagine if you could easily refill your laundry detergent or shampoo at the store with a pre-existing bottle, thereby hugely reducing the amount of plastic that enters the environment. 

3. Return to the Earth

Biodegradable packaging, made out of natural materials like corn starch, can be safely returned to the earth without causing harm. In fact, it can actually nourish the soil by providing nutrients, a far cry from the toxic chemicals released by plastic.

4. Seeding Hope

Taking compostable packaging one step further, plantable packaging actually contains seeds that when placed in soil will grow into flowers or herbs.

Reflections:

• 🌎 True or False: True, one million species are on the brink of extinction.

• 🎁 Shop Smart, Gift Green: This holiday season, give the gift of sustainability with our hand-picked eco-friendly gifts from our 2024 Gift Guide!

• 🌅 Sunset Of The Day: The sun can provide the most beautiful photography. That's why we're eager to see your favorite sunrise or sunset photos. Reply to this email with your best sun-based pictures for a chance to be featured in next Wednesday's newsletter!