Start the year off with resolutions that stick, and reduce waste while you're at it! Eleisha and Ali are back from their break to share the ultimate beginner’s guide to low-waste living. Whether you’re new to this lifestyle or need a refresher, this episode breaks down the "5 Rs" of waste reduction and offers actionable tips for making sustainable choices that fit into your daily routine.

Key Takeaways

• The 5 Rs of Low-Waste Living: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot.
• Trash audits: Analyze your household waste to pinpoint where you can cut back.
• Upcycling wins: Ali’s DIY yoga bolster shows how repurposing old items can be both functional and chic.
• Composting clarity: It’s not just for food scraps—you can include natural textiles, bamboo toothbrushes, and more.
• Start small: Swap paper towels for cloth rags, shop secondhand, or simply refuse freebies you don’t need.

Links

• World Waste Statistics
• Global Waste Management Outlook
• 2022 EPA Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15
• Join or find a Buy Nothing group: https://buynothingproject.org
• Compost services and tips: EPA Composting Guide
• Refilleries near you: Low-Waste Store Locator
• Learn more about Eleisha’s refillery and shop: mainlineshift.com
• Follow Ali’s viral upcycling tips on social media: @tiny_waste

Join the Conversation

Are you planning to lower your waste this year? Share your progress or tips with us on social media @OneCanHopePodcast!

Join Eleisha and Ali as they explore the holiday tradition of gift wrapping and its surprising environmental impact. From the history of wrapping paper to sustainable alternatives like cloth wraps and reused materials, this episode is full of tips to help you reduce waste without sacrificing the joy of giving.

Key Takeaways

• Wrapping Paper Waste: Discover just how much wrapping paper is used annually and why most of it isn't recyclable.
• The Crumple Test: A simple trick to determine if your wrapping paper can be recycled.
• Sustainable Wrapping Alternatives: From fabric wraps to maps, discover creative and budget-friendly ideas to replace traditional wrapping paper.
• Cloth Wrapping Benefits: Learn how cloth wrapping can reduce waste, be reused for years, and even support sensory needs or arthritis-friendly gifting.
• History of Wrapping: Did you know wrapping paper originated in second-century China? Plus, hear about the Japanese tradition of furoshiki and its modern sustainable revival.

Links

• Wrapping Paper Waste
• Distance to the Moon
• Sundale Research

• Gift Wrap Origins
• Hallmark's Hand in Modern Gift Wrapping
• Recycling Gift Wrap
• Learn more about Eleisha’s refillery and shop: ⁠⁠mainlineshift.com⁠⁠
• Follow Ali’s viral upcycling tips on social media: @tiny_waste

Join the Conversation

How do you wrap your gifts? Share your favorite sustainable wrapping ideas by tagging us on social media: @OneCanHopePodcast.

Reimagine the magic of the holiday season with a sustainable twist! Eleisha and Ali revisit the 12 Days of Christmas, unraveling its bird-heavy gift list with humor and insight, while sharing thoughtful ways to modernize your traditions.

Key Takeaways

• The 12 Days of Sustainability: A tongue-in-cheek look at what’s practical, what’s whimsical, and what needs a modern update from this classic carol.
• Personalized Traditions: Make memories that matter with unique holiday activities, like scavenger hunts and family-made gifts.
• DIY Advent Calendars: Creative ideas for countdown calendars that are fun, personal, and reusable.

• Eco-Friendly Cards: Ideas for reducing the environmental impact of greeting cards without losing the joy of connection.

Links

• Turtle Dove Conservation Efforts

• Methane from Cows

• Check out Eleisha’s refillery and sustainable goods shop: mainlineshift.com
• Follow Ali’s viral upcycling tips on social media: @tiny_waste

Keep your holiday spirit bright and your carbon footprint light as Eleisha and Ali compare real vs. artificial Christmas trees and share ways to make your home merry and sustainable this season.

Key Takeaways

• Real vs. Artificial Trees: Breaking down the environmental pros and cons of each option—and what to consider before making your choice.
• Creative Decoration Ideas: From fabric-scrap garlands to DIY lanterns, we’ve got ways to decorate with style and sustainability.
• Tree Rentals: A surprising third option that might just be the future of eco-friendly holiday decorating.
• Lighting Tips: How switching to LEDs can save energy and brighten the season without breaking the grid.
• Memories Over Mass Production: The magic of personalized ornaments and traditions that bring meaning to your decorations.

Links

• Real vs. Fake Trees
• Well-Maintained Forests Store Carbon
• Natural Climate Solutions
• National Christmas Tree Association
• Forest Stewardship Council
• Artificial Tree Reuse
• Philly Goat Project
• Tree Rentals
• America is Brighter During Holidays
• Seasonal Light Energy Consumption
• Energy from Christmas Day
• LED's Use Less Energy

• Learn more about Eleisha’s refillery and shop: ⁠⁠⁠mainlineshift.com
• Follow Ali’s viral upcycling tips on social media: @tiny_waste

Join the Conversation

What’s your go-to decoration strategy? Do you team up with tradition or try something new each year? Share your favorite eco-friendly holiday hacks by tagging us on social media @OneCanHopePodcast.

Black Friday is here—the unofficial holiday of overconsumption. But what if it didn’t have to be that way? This week, Eleisha and Ali uncover the history of Black Friday, explore its environmental toll, and offer practical tips for turning a day of retail frenzy into one of intentional and meaningful choices. Whether you’re navigating deals or opting out entirely, we’ve got ideas to make your holiday season more thoughtful and sustainable.

Key Takeaways

• The Origins of Black Friday: How Philadelphia gave this shopping day its infamous name—and how it’s evolved over the years.
• Environmental Costs of Returns: Did you know 80% of online returns end up in landfills? Plus, the massive carbon footprint tied to shipping and packaging.
• Sustainable Shopping Tips: Make a list, prioritize quality over quantity, and watch out for those inflated discounts!
• Shop Small, Shop Local: Support your community and align your purchases with your values by choosing brands that care about sustainability.
• Buy Nothing Day: Skip the sales and spend the day decluttering, donating, or hosting a toy swap with friends.

Links

• History of Black Friday
• Optoro’s Report on Returns and Waste
• Thanksgiving Weekend Spending⁠
• 2022 Retail Returns Rate⁠
• Returns Frequently End Up in Landfills⁠
• ⁠Online Packaging Waste⁠
• 2022 Paper & Cardboard Recycling Rates⁠
• Learn more about Eleisha’s refillery and shop: mainlineshift.com
• Follow Ali’s upcycling and low-waste tips on social media: @tiny_waste

Join the Conversation

How are you staying sustainable this Black Friday? Are you shopping small, celebrating Buy Nothing Day, or embracing a mindful gift-giving season? Tag us @OneCanHopePodcast on social media and share your sustainable shopping wins!

This week, Ali and Eleisha are serving up a feast of tips just in time for Thanksgiving! From shocking food waste facts to embracing seasonal produce, the sisters will explore how to make your holiday meals more mindful and eco-friendly. Plus, they'll dive into the Slow Food movement and share personal stories about CSAs, farmers markets, and apple-picking adventures. Whether you’re hosting a big gathering or enjoying an intimate meal, this episode will leave you inspired to savor the season sustainably.

Key Takeaways

• Food Waste Facts: How much waste we generate during Thanksgiving and its impact on the planet.
• Seasonal Eating: Why eating with the seasons is better for the environment, your health, and your taste buds.
• Slow Food Movement: A deep dive into slowing down to appreciate the journey from farm to table.
• Local Food Sources: Exploring CSAs, farmers markets, and u-pick farms for fresher, less wasteful produce.
• Gratitude Through Food: How engaging with your food can enrich your holiday experience.

Links

• ⁠Thanksgiving Waste Facts
• Seasonal Food Guide
• Slow Food International
• Learn more about Eleisha’s refillery and shop: mainlineshift.com
• Follow Ali’s upcycling tips on Instagram: @tiny_waste

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Join the Conversation
? Tag us on Instagram @OneCanHopePodcast and inspire others to start eating with the seasons.

Bask in the unexpected joy of “nothing.” Join Eleisha and Ali as they share the reasons why sometimes the best gift people can give and receive is simply… less. From reducing holiday waste to embracing experiences over items, we're exploring all the ways “nothing” can be everything.

Key Takeaways

• Gift of Nothing: Embracing the beauty of less and finding gratitude in simplicity.
• Waste from Freebies: Breaking down how much plastic and waste we can avoid—starting with those pesky gift bags.
• Alternative Gift Ideas: Low-waste party favors, group gifts, and sustainable ways to say “thanks” that don’t end up in the landfill.
• Experience-Based Gifting: Ideas for creating memories that don’t require more “stuff.”
• Gratitude Practices: Simple habits, like keeping a gratitude journal, to sustain joy and positivity.

Links

• ⁠Recycling Plastic is Practically Impossible
• ⁠Greenpeace Report⁠
• Plastic Recycling Rate
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Plastic Economy Initiative
• Learn more about Eleisha’s refillery and shop: ⁠⁠mainlineshift.com⁠⁠
• Follow Ali’s viral upcycling tips on social media: @tiny_waste

Join the Conversation

Share ways you plan to embrace the “less is more” approach this season by tagging us on social media @OneCanHopePodcast.

Consider how each dollar you spend can create positive change in the world. Eleisha and Ali guide listeners through an eye-opening mental exercise and share ways to use your purchasing power to campaign for a better future every day, not just on Election Day.

Key Takeaways

• Visualizing Your Impact: Imagine a bustling Main Street full of local businesses and community vibrancy, contrasted with the emptiness of a world dominated by corporate chains. Our spending choices shape the community around us.
• Small Businesses Matter: For every $100 spent at a local business, $68 stays in the community. This episode highlights why shopping small creates jobs, supports the economy, and builds a stronger, more sustainable community.
• Corporate Emissions and Boycotts: Learn about the massive impact of corporations on climate change and how successful boycotts have pushed some companies, like Canada Goose and SeaWorld, to make positive changes.
• Making Your Dollar Count: Shopping with purpose goes beyond boycotting big corporations; it’s about supporting businesses with values you trust. Eleisha and Ali break down what certifications mean, how to spot greenwashing, and the benefits of paying with cash.

Links

• Carbon Majors Report
• History of Successful Boycotts
• Learn more about Eleisha’s refillery and shop: ⁠mainlineshift.com⁠
• Follow Ali’s viral upcycling tips on social media: @tiny_waste

Join the Conversation

Ready to vote with your wallet? Share your favorite sustainable brands or local businesses with us on social media @OneCanHopePodcast!