Monday

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

• How to ring in the new year sustainably

• How to help cat litter's eco impact

• Can fireworks be eco-friendly?

• The best sourdough, right to your door

True or False?

Snowflakes are always six-sided.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

How to Ring in the New Year Sustainably

This New Year’s Eve, take your celebration to the next level by making it both festive and sustainable. When hosting, skip the disposable plates and cups in favor of reusable ones, or shop at thrift stores for vintage glassware to add character to your celebration.

To keep waste minimal, you can encourage your guests to bring reusable containers for any extras. If you’re decorating, think natural: paper lanterns and biodegradable confetti can replace plastic alternatives. And for your party favors, choose gifts like small succulents or baked homemade treats.

Finally, forgoing fireworks for a bonfire or live music can add an exciting twist while minimizing environmental harm. By making these simple, sustainable choices, you’ll not only have a memorable NYE but also take a step toward a cleaner, greener future.

Is it Sustainable to Throw Cat Litter Away?

Even if you don’t have a cat, you’ve probably seen those giant bags of litter stacked in the pet aisle and wondered: Where does it all go? The short answer: mostly to landfills.

Traditional clay litter, which many cat owners still use, comes from strip mining and doesn’t break down once it’s tossed. That means every scoop of used litter basically lives on forever underground.

Still, there’s progress. A growing wave of sustainable litters uses renewable materials like coconut and cassava that are lighter on the planet and easier to process. It’s a small shift that shows how even something as ordinary as cleaning up after a pet connects to the bigger picture of what we throw away, and what stays behind.

5 Billion Pounds of Cat Litter Ends Up in Landfills Each Year

Most traditional cat litters are made from strip-mined clay or silica. Both end up in landfills when thrown away and are not biodegradable.

A new natural cat litter called Tailfeather is changing this with their eco-friendly, plant-based, clumping cat litter made from coconut and cassava.

Why coconut? The husk of the coconut absorbs liquid up to 9 times its weight! This makes for a soft, luxurious litter that cats love and is 70% lighter than traditional litter, but also doesn't track and bounce out of the box.

It's fully biodegradable and 100% plastic-free, including the packaging. Tailfeather is delivered conveniently to your door, and each package lasts for 8 weeks, double the amount of other litters.

For the next 24 hours, Canopy readers get a $15 credit on your first order with code Canopy15.

Try Tailfeather for your cat and the environment today.

Thank you to Tailfeather for sponsoring The Canopy.

Can Fireworks Be Eco-Friendly?

As fireworks light up the sky each New Year’s Eve, they create more than just excitement. They can leave behind significant environmental damage. Fireworks emit harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and particulate matter, which can damage ecosystems and human health. The loud explosions also disturb wildlife, including pets, and contribute to dangerous wildfires.

But there’s hope for more sustainable celebrations. Eco-friendly fireworks, which use cleaner-burning materials instead of harmful chemicals, are now available. These fireworks still emit some pollution but produce less smoke and use biodegradable materials, offering a greener alternative. For those looking for an even quieter option, drone and laser light shows provide an eco-friendly, reusable option that eliminates waste and pollution. Though drones have their own environmental impacts during manufacturing, they present a less harmful alternative to traditional fireworks.

To minimize environmental impact, consider attending a larger, professionally organized firework display instead of hosting individual ones. This helps reduce the number of smaller, waste-producing events and supports a more sustainable approach to celebrations. The future of fireworks might just be greener, and we can help drive that change.

Sick of Bread Getting Moldy Before You Can Finish It?

Today’s newsletter is sponsored by Wildgrain. They make it easier for you to enjoy bread that’s both delicious and better for you than typical grocery store options. All of Wildgrain's breads are slow fermented for 20+ hours, which not only delivers incredible flavor but also makes them naturally easier to digest.

In addition to the delicious breads, fill your Wildgrain box with slow-churned butter, fresh pastas, and seasonal artisanal pastries. Everything bakes from frozen in just 25 minutes or less. They have an all new gluten-free box with the best gluten-free breads you’ve ever had. Wildgrain is giving The Canopy readers $30 off their first box plus free croissants in every box!

Get $30 off plus free croissants!

Thank you to Wildgrain for sponsoring The Canopy.

Reflections:

🌎 True or False: True, due to the way water molecules bond when freezing.

🌅 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!