Blog – Sustainable Saplings

Choose the Right Eco-Friendly Rental With These Green Tips

Living sustainably isn’t solely for homeowners these days; whether you own, rent a house, or live in an apartment, there are several things you can do to create a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

22 Activities to Try in 2022

To celebrate the new year, try a few activities from our list to learn more about environmental topics and support local businesses. These activities are sorted into effort levels, ranging from low, moderate, and high.

Thoughtful Tourism Series IV: Travelling Mindfully

We have spent the last few blog posts dissecting the ins and outs of travel. Now, we bring together everything so that we can travel more mindfully and make choices that will benefit the planet, ourselves, and other communities. Here are a few key takeaways that we hope you keep in mind when planning your next trip.

Thoughtful Tourism Series III: Our Travel Choices

You have carefully weighed the pros and cons and have decided that you will take a vacation. Will you use a remote destination or a cruise? Will you stay at an Airbnb or a hotel? Every choice you make on your trip has an impact on this planet.

Thoughtful Tourism Series II: The Bright Side to Traveling

This week, we get to look on the bright side. There are many ways that travel is sustainable and has significant value in many places around the world. Let’s dive in to the positives of travel.

Thoughtful Tourism Series I: Travels & Tribulations

For many of us, we love to travel and go on vacation, escaping the stress of our jobs and everyday life, especially during Covid. But can traveling really be sustainable? In this post we will explore the reasons traveling is not a sustainable practice.

Sustainable Sustenance Series IV: Benefits of Eating for the Planet

Now that you know how and why to eat sustainably by reducing animal products in your diet and focusing on buying local, let’s talk about all of the benefits of making this important change!

Sustainable Sustenance Series Part III: Sustainable Eating Action

Now that you are (hopefully!) on-board with eating plant based, let’s talk about how exactly to tackle this lifestyle change. Here are some of our best tips on how to eat more sustainably on the regular.

Sustainable Sustenance Series II: Busting Myths on Plant-Based Diets

The most sustainable diet is a plant-based diet, meaning a diet based on plants and little or no animal products. There are common misconceptions about undertaking a plant-based diet, especially here in America’s DairyLand! If you are committed to eating more sustainably but have concerns, here are some things that should not hold you back!

Sustainable Sustenance Series I: Eat for the Planet

Let’s talk food! Food has the ability to bring people together, transform your mood, and literally sustain life. Unfortunately, the way we currently grow, distribute, and consume food is not sustainable for the health of the planet or for ourselves. Over the next three weeks, we will tackle how to eat sustainably, including challenging the biggest myths and hurdles people face when trying to change eating habits

Plastic Series III: Where You Come In

Welcome back to the final installment in our series on plastic! After learning in Series II about the global issues with plastic, it’s time to take it back to our roots and remember the impacts plastic has on the Midwest.

Plastic Series II: A Pervasive Problem

Plastic has become a pervasive problem that we struggle on a daily basis. From different types of plastic to the struggles of recycling and waste management, plastic has become a resounding environmental issue.

Plastic Series I: Innocent Beginnings

In this 3-part series, we will explore all things plastic. This series will provide a greater understanding as to why plastic has become so pervasive, the problems plastic causes, and steps we Midwesterners can take to address these problems.

Look for the Label Series: 1% for the Planet

Do you want to be a more conscious consumer but don’t know how? Well, an easy way to do both is to look for labels that highlight a company, product, or organization that is making a conscious, determined effort to help the planet and its inhabitants.

Look for the Label Series: Fair Trade

Do you want to support more ethical and sustainable business practices? An easy way to do this is to look for the Fair Trade International and Fair Trade USA logo next time you go shopping.

Look for the Label Series: Certified B Corp

Are you trying to become more conscious with your purchases? Are you trying to support brands who are doing right by their employees and the earth? This series will look at labels that will help make your shopping choices easier.

Fashion Revolution Week

In remembrance of the 1,138 lives lost in the Rhana plaza factory collapse on April 24, 2013, we invite you to celebrate Fashion Revolution Week by taking a look at your closet and asking yourself “who made my clothing?”

Individual Action Matters

Learn how one man’s actions led to a global movement and created a day for many to voice their concerns about their environment. Individual actions hold more power than you think.

What is Environmental Justice?

You may have heard the term Environmental Justice but what does it mean and how will it play a role in the current administration? We have outlined what you need to know and why this is so important for us to focus on in coming years.

The Dark Side to Light

While we light up our night skies we don’t realize the harmful impacts that light has on our wildlife, our bodies, and our planet. Find out the truth about the dark side of light.

Planting the Seed of Victory

Spring is officially here, and that means it is time to start planting our Victory Gardens! Learn more about how Victory Gardens came to be and why they are vital in the fight against climate change.

Your Hidden Water Consumption

When we think of water conservation, we think of ways to conserve water around our house. We don’t realize that food, energy and material good can be very water intensive to produce. Check out this post to learn more about your hidden water consumption.

Realistic Recycling

In honor of Global Recycling Day we wanted to talk about some common recycling misconceptions and provide some tips on how to become better recyclers and stewards of the Earth.

Hillary’s Top 3 Sustainable Swaps

For my turn, I am writing about a different way to think about “swapping” your current lifestyle/product use with more sustainable alternatives.

Ashley’s Top 3 Sustainable Swaps

Sustainable swaps are a great place to start your sustainable journey. Check out Ashley’s Top 3 Sustainable Swaps to learn more ideas of how you can make simple swaps in your life to become more sustainable.

Sydney’s Top 3 Sustainable Swaps

The most realistic way to start your journey into sustainability is to start with 1 or 2 small changes. Here are a few simple swaps that, if realistic for your lifestyle and budget, we recommend trying out.

What does Biden’s Climate Plan mean for Wisconsin?

Newly-inaugurated President Joe Biden promised a lot in his first 100 days – including a comprehensive, aggressive and exciting climate plan. But what does that mean for us midwesterners?

Food for Thought

Think about it…when was the last time you threw out food because you couldn’t eat it all, or it went bad? Did you know the food you just threw away will rot away in a landfill and contribute to climate change? Learn more on how we can curb our food waste to curb our greenhouse gas emissions.

Thoughtful Take-Out

While ordering take-out is convenient, easy, and helps local restaurants, especially during Covid, it comes at the cost of single-use plastic and polystyrene foam. Learn tips and tricks to make your take-out a little more sustainable.

2021: The Year of Conscious Consumerism

While we refresh our resolutions, dreams, and wonder what a new administration will bring to our country, lots of us are undergoing a full clean-out of closets and homes. But while you purge your closet, it’s crucial to be conscious about where your clothing goes and who’s impacted by your donations.

A New Year, A New Hope for Climate Action

A new year usually brings hope of opportunity and change. However, especially this year, it is difficult to muster hope when facing the massive challenge of combating global warming. But we have never been better positioned to tackle this monumental challenge.

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