We all love the feeling of accomplishment that comes with making small upgrades around the home. Unfortunately, these changes can come at a cost to the planet—be it in the form of excess waste, buying decor or furniture that’s cheaply made and doesn’t last, or using non-renewable resources that have a hefty environmental footprint. This week, Laura is sharing eco-upgrades she's made around her own home—and how you, too, can make home improvements sustainably. For show notes, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/sustainable-home-improvement-tips. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you haven’t jumped on the meal prepping bandwagon yet, you’ll want to change that ASAP. It’s a secret weapon that can transform your life into a sustainable, money-saving, waste-reducing adventure. This week, Dini Klein, the founder of Prep + Rally, is sharing everything you’ll need to know to get started on your journey. For more tips and tricks, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/how-to-make-homemade-salad-dressing. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, Laura is chatting about an interesting new report from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication that will leave you feeling hopeful for the future of our planet. Plus, a Stasher rant you won't want to miss. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We have a major “stuff” problem. With everything we want just a click away, we bring new things into our homes every day… just to toss them out. This excessive consumption has led to an alarming statistic: The average American produces 4.5 pounds of trash each day. For a family of four, that’s 6,570 pounds of trash generated per year. This week, we dive into the issue with Nick Huzar, the co-founder and board director at OfferUp and the founder of StuffTV. For more information, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/americas-stuff-problem. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We all want to put our money toward saving the environment, and luckily, there are many organizations to choose from that are doing just that. The unfortunate reality is that it can be really hard to tell where your donations are actually going—and whether or not they’re making an impact. This week, Chris Vargas, a Silicon Valley-based tech entrepreneur and the founder of ReWorld, is sharing the surprising truth about what goes on behind the scenes at some of these environmental organizations and how to ensure your dollars are being well-spent. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It feels impossible to scroll through social media without stumbling upon a fast fashion haul. And it's no wonder why fast fashion is so popular—it's cheap, easily accessible, and trendy. But there are much better ways to shop for both your wallet and the planet. This week, we're resharing a past episode that dives into how to break up with fast fashion for good and finally build a sustainable wardrobe you love. For more information, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/how-to-break-up-with-fast-fashion. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

PVC or polyvinyl chloride, one of the most widely used plastics in the world, has a unique combination of properties, making it versatile and useful in the fashion industry and beyond. However, it’s also a controversial material due to its environmental impact and potential health risks. This week, Laura dives into the topic with Alden Wicker, an award-winning journalist and the author of ‘To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick.’ For more information, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/pvc-health-environment-concerns. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you’ve ever wished there was a thrift store for crafters filled with paint, fabrics, scrapbooking supplies, stickers, beads, and essentially everything else your creative heart desires, you’re in luck. Creative reuse centers are on the rise, and they’re giving these odds and ends a new destiny—one that doesn’t involve the landfill. This week, Toban Nichols, the director of education and development at REMAINDERS Creative Reuse in Pasadena, California, discusses how creative reuse centers are benefiting the planet—and why you’ll want to plan a visit to one ASAP. For more information, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/creative-reuse-centers. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Clean beauty is a complicated topic. This week, Laura shares what "clean beauty" really means, the benefits of switching to cleaner products, how to make the transition, and the tried-and-true products she can't live without. For more information, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/how-to-successfully-transition-into-a-clean-beauty-routine. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hydropower is one of the world's oldest renewable energy sources. But what is it, how does it work, and how does it benefit the planet? In this week’s episode, Dr. Melissa Lott, the Director of Research at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, is diving into all of the above. For more information, visit https://brightly.eco/blog/hydropower-guide. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy