Carbon Capture in the Battle Against Climate Change

You likely don’t have to be told that our planet is facing a climate crisis— it’s old news. Nearing the point-of-no-return, many companies, organizations, and governments are scrambling to find solutions to this larger-than-life issue. Innovation on the carbon sequestration front is crucial, and a new technology known as Direct Air Capture (DAC) is gaining a lot of attention for its potential. But how effective and accessible is DAC, really?

In recent years, companies such as Climeworks of Switzerland and Carbon Engineering of Canada have developed machines that use technology similar to that of particulate matter scrubbers and filters. Air is taken in and carbon dioxide is separated out of it through special filters that capture it or through fluid solutions that “pull it out.” Carbon dioxide is then stored permanently underground or converted into gasoline with no additional carbon added to the atmosphere in the process. These machines are powered by sustainable energy sources such as solar and wind power, and a majority of the carbon collected from them is permanently removed from the atmosphere, making these machines efficient in their function.

However, this technology is incredibly expensive, making it extremely difficult to increase the amount of those in use. This means that even though they’re ideal in many ways in the battle against CO₂, they’re hardly accessible at all. For the same reason many homeowners do not purchase solar panels for their properties, many governments and corporations are reluctant to invest in these machines in order to compensate for their emissions. Currently, they’re simply not efficient enough to be considered worth the money.

Even as an incredibly expensive option, DAC technology may be one of the least costly approaches to climate change overall. Research has shown that utilizing DAC could drastically cut costs of climate mitigation globally, if acted upon fast enough. Some companies, like Microsoft, have incorporated consideration of the technology into their climate pledges already. It is important to remember, though, that if mitigation efforts become too dependent on DAC, and these machines fail to deliver on their promises, the world would face a detrimental setback. On top of that, if used as needed, these machines would take up an estimated quarter of energy use worldwide by the year 2100.

As technology continues to advance, though, these machines will become cheaper, and over time their accessibility will increase as their prices drop. That being said, the materials and labor needed to create DAC machines will continue to be regarded as highly valuable, so it can be expected that they remain at a relatively high price-point overall. So while these innovative machines may become more common in the future, it’s hard to imagine them becoming the main defense against the climate crisis.

All things considered, DAC technology is quite possibly a piece of the much larger climate mitigation puzzle. Its unique approach to achieving negative emissions is certainly a valuable asset in the fight against the climate crisis. It’s hard to say whether the machines will reach the front lines, but you can be sure this isn’t the last you’ll hear of them.

Breaking Down Plastics

Your Comprehensive Guide to Plastic Pollution and Microplastics

Surely you’ve heard people discussing the harm of plastics, but where do they come from, and why exactly are they so bad? The history of plastic is surprisingly brief for its huge impacts on industries, cultures, and lives across the world. Consumers are becoming more and more wary of plastic as its evolution continues, and for good reason. If you harbor curiosity for what’s choking our harbors, read on!

Where Does Plastic Come From?

So, what is plastic made of, anyway?

The plastic-making process starts with a base material, which is usually natural oil, gas, or cellulose from plants. These raw basics are refined into chemicals like ethane and propane, which are then treated with heat until they turn into monomers— chemicals that can be bonded together to form polymers (what plastics are made of)— such as ethylene or propylene. These monomers are then bonded with a catalyst, another chemical that jumpstarts a reaction, which then forms a grainy powder. This powder is melted down and formed into pellets, which are shipped off to factories to be molded into whatever product is being made with them.

The History of Plastic

In 1862, the first semblance of man-made plastic was introduced to the public by Alexander Parkes at the London International Exhibition. He had developed it in an attempt to create an alternative to shellac for waterproofing purposes. It was made of cellulose, and didn’t end up making any big breaks in popularity.

Then, in 1907, scientist Leo Baekeland created “Bakelite,” a new type of plastic made from formaldehyde, now a known carcinogen, and phenol, a byproduct of coal production. He patented it in 1909 and launched his own company, which was the beginning of the rise of the plastics industry.

During the time period of World War II, many innovations in plastic production were made, and new types of plastics emerged for multitudes of uses. England developed a type of plastic called polyethylene in an effort to improve their planes and other war devices, using it as a lightweight insulation for radar cabling. Nylon was also created during this time and was originally marketed for hosiery, but the US army rationed it to make supplies like rope and parachutes. This was when plastics really began to be used regularly.

Oil embargoes in the 1970s prevented oil from being used nearly as much in plastic production, which urged the industry to experiment with other raw materials. They eventually developed plastics made from plant cellulose, which became more and more mainstream in use over time.

Today, the use of plastic is implemented into almost every area of life, meaning that you’re likely wearing and sitting on, in some form, fossil fuels.

Types of Plastics

You may have noticed those number labels on your plastic items, but what do they mean? Each of these numbers, 1-7, is coded to a different type of plastic, which indicates to you, the consumer, what it is used for and whether it can be recycled. Let’s get into specifics:

• Type 1— PET/PETE. This stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate (don’t worry, there’s no quiz), which is used to make many different things, including but not limited to drink bottles, condiment jars, the stuffing in winter jackets, the pellets in bean bags, and hair combs. This type of plastic is commonly recyclable, but make sure that your curbside recycling will take the specific item before you toss it in there (i.e., don’t go putting your bean bags out on the curb— they’ll end up in landfill! Bottles and jars are fine, though.)

• Type 2— HDPE. This stands for High Density Polyethylene, another type of polyethylene (you’ll be seeing this one a lot!). It’s used to make milk jugs, grocery and trash bags, shampoo/conditioner/soap bottles, and detergent and bleach jugs, among other things. Many plastic toys are also made of this type. HDPE bottles and jugs can be recycled curbside, and you may be able to drop off grocery bags for recycling somewhere near you, but again, some of these things like toys will not be accepted through curbside recycling programs.

• Type 3— PVC. Pipes, gutters, window frames, and plastic films are made of this type, which is also known as Polyvinyl Chloride. Some grocery bags are also made with this. You can also thank PVC for some of your tiles, ducts, and shoes, to name a few others. This type of plastic can be recycled, but check with your recycler before doing so.

• Type 4— LDPE. Low Density Polyethylene (you guessed it!) is used to make sandwich bags, cling wrap, squeeze bottles for condiments like ketchup, some grocery bags, and flexible plastic container lids, plus more. This can also be recycled, but as with PVC, contact your recycler to know for sure if they’ll take it.

• Type 5— PP. This stands for Polypropylene, which is what makes up things like plastic diapers, prescription bottles, tupperware, and yogurt tubs. PP has a history of being difficult to recycle, so check with your recycler on this one as well. You can also look for send-in programs where you can ship your PP to them for recycling!

• Type 6— PS. PS stands for Polystyrene, the plastic that makes up fast food to-go containers. Styrofoam, the material used for takeout, disposable cups, packing peanuts and bike helmets, among other things, is a type of polystyrene. Polystyrene is also used to make plastic cutlery and some other things. It’s generally unrecyclable.

• Type 7— Miscellaneous. These plastics are less widely used than the other six types and are therefore given their own category. Things like baby bottles and CDs fall into this category, and are usually unrecyclable, but you can check with your recycler to know for sure on specific items.

Day-to-Day in a Plastic World

Take a moment to think about all the plastic you use on a daily basis, from dawn to dusk and beyond.

The device you’re reading this on is probably framed in plastic or in a plastic case, your pens and mechanical pencils are made of it, your toothbrush likely is. You eat food that comes wrapped in it, and you likely wrap yourself in it, too— many clothes, blankets and towels are made of plastic fibers. You might drink out of it, take your medicine out of it, wear it on your feet in the form of sneakers. Your credit card and ID are made of it.

Look around you right now— how much of your surroundings are made up of plastic? Probably more of them than you think. And nowadays, the alternatives can be hard to find. Why is this such an issue? Read on to find out.

Where Does It All Go?

Somewhere between 75-90% of all plastics disposed of end up in landfills or as litter, meaning a large amount of them will find their way into the ocean. It is estimated that there are 70 kilograms of plastic per every square kilometer of sea floor, where most ocean plastics end up, but much of this plastic also sits at the surface, forming things like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a floating collection of marine debris that spans from the west coast of the US all the way to Japan. This plastic pollution ends up killing a lot of wildlife, mainly by choking and asphyxiation, but through other ways, too.

No matter where the plastic ends up, it’ll be seeping dangerous chemicals into the environment. Each of the types of plastic we discussed before leach toxins and carcinogens into surrounding areas when they’re exposed to heat and/or moisture in too high levels or for too long.

Microplastics

Plastics don’t fully break down for centuries, meaning that every piece of plastic ever created is still around. But they do break down into smaller and smaller pieces over time, into what’s called microplastics. These specks of plastic are so small that wildlife often mistake them for food or just inhale them somehow, which leads to a serious plastic infiltration of the food chain. Species lower on the food chain consume these specks of plastic, and then these species are eaten by predators, which then carry the microplastics inside of them, all the way up until they reach our own plates. The average human consumes about a credit card’s worth of plastic weekly in microplastics. Crazy, huh?

What Sets Alternatives Apart?

Silicone, Explained

Why is silicone touted as the perfect alternative to plastics?

The answer lies in how it breaks down— or rather in how it doesn’t. Silicone is much more durable than plastic in a variety of ways. It generally doesn’t break down as fast as plastic and is much more heat and water resistant. When it gets too hot— which isn’t usually a problem, considering it’s widely used in the oven— it reverts to its virtually harmless building blocks (silica, carbon dioxide, water vapor) unlike plastic, which, as aforementioned, releases multitudes of toxins and carcinogens. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of silicone use, you can find that info here.

But like all materials, silicone comes with its cons, as well. Since it’s so durable, it cannot biodegrade, so while it is a better alternative to plastic, it ultimately acts the same when it reaches a certain point. Another issue with silicone is the extraction process of the sand it takes to make it. That being said, it’s still a much better alternative to plastics, and is perfectly safe if you buy it food- or medical-grade.

Biodegradable and Compostable Options

There are some alternatives to plastics being made known as bioplastics, which are commonly made of corn, hemp, and other plants, and formed in a different way than traditional plastics in order to break down much more quickly and wholly. And they don’t leach toxic chemicals, either!

Demand for these is growing rapidly but there are a few challenges this new forefront faces, including land usage. These alternatives are also relatively more expensive than traditional plastics to create. To learn more about the trials and tribulations of these, take a look here.

At the end of the day, plastic pollution is killing animals, warping the environment, and leaving unknown impacts on humans that we have yet to fully explore. We are entirely too dependent on plastic, and it’s suffocating this planet. A cultural shift will be crucial in saving wildlife, the earth, and the human race from its detriment. But there is hope— stay tuned for info on how you can help out, and for the inspiring stories of others across the globe combatting plastic pollution.

Green Event Planning

What you need to know to host a sustainable gathering

You may be wondering how you can reduce the environmental impact of your next

big shebang. Events like conferences and weddings often carry a big price tag when

it comes to their impact on the planet. You’ll want to take everything from event size

and transportation to waste production and management into account, so let’s get

started!

Implement Efforts Right From the Start

You’ll want to have a well-thought-out plan for your event and what you can do to improve sustainability therein. Work through the event in your head, or write it down— what do you need? Are you sure it’s a necessity? If it is, is there a way to borrow it, rent it, thrift it? If you can’t do any of those things, can you buy something versatile, to reuse later at another event or donate? If it has to be disposable, are there biodegradable options? If not, what about compostable? If it can’t be either of those, can it be easily recycled? Consider every option at hand.

Also, try to keep the event as small as possible— this will provide a more intimate and personal atmosphere while reducing the overall waste and climate pollutants your guests will create during travel. It’s also less to have to worry about for you!

Digital Considerations

● Consider sending invitations to your event online, as well as updates and other notifications, to reduce unnecessary paper use and emissions created through shipping. This also increases the accuracy of your attendance count, so that you can provide just enough resources for those who will be there and not any more than necessary. It’s also cheaper and easier to keep track of. If you do use physical invitations, look into using 100% recycled paper for printing, natural inks, and maybe even plantable invitations like these.

● Look into venues that provide digital signage. Some event venues may have the option to use digital signage so that you don’t have to create physical waste in order to advertise and organize your event. You also won’t have to spend money on printing signs, and if there’s a mistake, it can easily be fixed!

● For business-type events like conferences, try to make video calls more accessible to potential attendees. This may increase event turnout while allowing for a reduction in emissions and waste from travel. It’s also much cheaper for your company overall since there won’t be any lodging or food to buy for these people!

Location is Crucial

Try to host your event in a place where most participants won’t have to travel too far to get there. This will reduce the number of emissions coming from car and air travel. It’s also good to consider the walkability of the area— if your guests have to stay somewhere overnight, help make it easy for them to walk to the venue and to restaurants and other places they may need to go during their stay. If all your guests are staying in one area but the venue isn’t within walking distance, consider hiring a shuttle service to transport them from one location to the next. It’s like carpooling— the fewer vehicles in use, the better! If your event has multiple segments, like a wedding with a service and reception, try to keep those locations a walkable distance from each other as well.

Choose Partners Carefully

It’s important to choose to work with venues, caterers, entertainers, and other partners that share your vision of sustainability or are willing to cooperate with you on it, to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible.

● You may be able to find green venues and lodgings that provide features such as solar power, plastic reduction initiatives, water recycling, compostable toilets, and other eco-friendly facilities. Having guests stay at places like these can help reduce water consumption and plastic pollution drastically, and it’s always good to use clean energy when possible.

● Try to work with a caterer who uses locally grown, in-season food. This will reduce shipping emissions for vegetables, meat, etc., and will also reduce the likelihood of the use of harmful pesticides and hormones during their production processes. It also helps to keep money in the local economy of the place in which you’re hosting.

● Local rental companies can provide you with decor, attire, and equipment you might need. This way you aren’t throwing out things you aren’t going to use again— the items get their full usage before they’re disposed of. This is also commonly cheaper than buying something new. They may even offer equipment with cool eco-friendly features, like lighting and sound equipment that runs on solar power.

● Above all, choose local. If you have the opportunity and ability to support a local business through one of the above ways or others, go for it! It’s important to keep money local for an abundance of reasons, including the more ethical treatment of workers and better pay. Local companies also often have much smaller climate footprints than corporations.

Waste Reduction & Management

There are so many types of waste created at events and a multitude of ways to reduce them:

Food

● Make sure you have a reliable guest count so that you order only enough food and not any excess. Having copious leftovers after an event is a common problem, and it usually all gets thrown away, contributing largely to food waste. This is often perfectly good food that gets trashed for no reason.

● If you find yourself with excess food, donate or compost it. Contact a local organization such as a soup kitchen or homeless shelter beforehand, so that you can make sure the food is in a donatable condition. There’s no reason for someone else to go hungry when you have more than enough to go around. If there’s food you can’t donate for some reason, compost it when possible— it can be used to grow new food!

● Serve food with less meat, dairy, and eggs since these ingredients come with high emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change. Try to make a vegetable or something else the star of the show, and use these sparingly as pillars of the meal rather than the main features. It may not be possible or wise to completely exclude these ingredients, but a reduction in them is important!

● Choose platters rather than individually packaged meals in order to reduce packaging waste and to allow people to take only what they’ll eat and nothing more. This will, again, help prevent perfectly good food from being thrown out unnecessarily!

● Provide condiments and beverages in bulk when possible, another important measure to reduce waste from packaging. Allow guests to pump their own sauces because those little packets of ketchup are annoying to open anyway! Drinks won’t be wasted as much either, since attendees can determine the amount of what they’re getting rather than it being pre-determined by a can or bottle, which will in turn not need to be recycled.

● Biodegradable, compostable, or paper-to-go containers give participants an opportunity to take food with them for later, which allows for less food waste in the moment and a possible reduction in packaging later on since they won’t be grabbing a plastic-encased snack from the vending machine.

Reusables

● Opt for reusable tableware that can be washed and used again rather than disposable plates, forks, napkins, cups, and so on. This is a pretty obvious one. If you have to use disposables, try to find biodegradable or compostable ones before resorting to plastic!

● If your event is annual, don’t print dates on things

so that you can use them again and again for years to come, instead of making them new each time.

Business Gatherings

● Ask attendees of your conference or business event to bring their own reusable mugs and water bottles. This can drastically reduce the need for disposable coffee cups!

● Lanyards are often used once and disposed of, so partner with an organization like fairware, who will send lanyards for your temporary use and take them back later so that they can be used again by someone else. The little things count too!

Other

● E-waste from sound and light equipment, among other things, is common because its disposal needs are unique. Since it may contain dangerous components, it is handled specifically for the safety of workers, so you will need to carefully consider where you get this equipment and that company’s policy on reuse and disposal before you rent it. If you purchase the equipment, find an adequate company or organization to come to get it for you so that they can take care of it properly.

● Eco-friendly party favors and swag are important to think about. If you intend on giving freebies to your guests, consider sending online coupons and e-tickets to them, or giving them nifty recycled/upcycled things. For weddings, maybe give your guests wildflower seeds, and for raffles, consider donating to a worthy cause in the winner’s name. Reusable items like mugs, water bottles, and totes might be nice too, but let people take them at will instead of giving them directly, to give people the option of passing something by that they don’t need.

● Secondhand decor, attire, party favors, and more are available from places like eBay, and there are sites for specific occasions as well, like Budget Savvy Bride. Consider renting or buying something second-hand before purchasing it brand new. The planet will thank you, and your wallet will, too.

Disposal

When it comes to disposing of the waste your event creates, make recycling and composting accessible. Place trios of bins altogether for trash, recycling, and compost in very conspicuous places so that they’re easy to find and get to. Make sure that each bin is clearly labeled and consider placing graphics with them so that people know what goes where in order to prevent contamination of each bin by things that don’t belong in it. If your event is super large, think about gathering

volunteers to help direct people towards the proper bins, and to help with sorting and other processes later on.

Spread the Word

It’s a good idea to publicize your efforts in achieving sustainability at your event so that attendees are aware of and curious to help with reaching goals. Let them know how they can contribute positively, and maybe even reward them for it with some recognition in an email, on a sign, or out loud at the event. You can also spread awareness for the impacts of day-to-day actions and what guests can do to help on their own, by making statistics and tips & tricks accessible to them in an update or announcement, digital or in-person.

Hidden Flower Tiny Farm

If you’re looking for an intimate, green venue for your next gathering, whether it be a wedding or elopement, corporate retreat, or health and wellness vacation, Hidden Flower Tiny Farm in Asheville, NC would love to have you! We’re a local small business that provides sustainable lodging and a beautiful setting for any of your needs. Right outside of town and close to the mountains, you can get a taste of all Asheville has to offer here. Come put your green event plan to work!