What if we told you that something your body grows naturally can be used to help oil spills, in a real way?

We wish that discussing oil spills wasn't even on the radar, but since 1969 there have been at least 44 oil spills affecting U.S. waters. What's even more daunting is that at least 420,000 gallons of oil was involved in each of those. Cleaning up that oil is far from a simple task, yet human hair (and that of your pets) can be used in cleanup efforts.

You shampoo because hair collects oil. Matter of Trust collects hair, fur, fleece and laundry lint to make mats that clean up oil spills. (2023 marks their 25th year in operation too!)

Whether you're at a salon, barber, or doing your cut at home......donate your hair clippings to help. PS - You can even mention it to your barber/salon to make an even greater impact.
https://matteroftrust.org/donate-hair-fur-and-fiber/

Source: Matter of Trust; NOAA - Office of Response & Restoration
📸: Unsplash

The awful paint smell that can permiate an office can make one feel nauseous. Worse yet, the toxic chemicals from methylene chloride-based paint strippers can cause asphyxiation and heart attacks. Dozens of people have been fatally impacted by this.

In 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed banning methylene chloride in paint stripping (for both consumer and commercial uses).  The EPA finally banned it from consumer products in 2019. But the agency gave the chemical industry a back door. It can still be used in the workplace—where it can be just as deadly as when it is used at home. 

Consider adding your name to close the loophole and ban these toxic chemicals in ALL spaces 👉 https://toxicfreefuture.org/take-action/tell-epa-ban-this-deadly-chemical-from-the-workplace/

Source: Toxic-Free Future
📸: World of Chemicals

If you're anything like me, you walk into a store and wish the products you want to purchase weren't encased in plastic! Example: Even a toothbrush with a more sustainable handle comes packaged in plastic. We're all doing our part to help, right? So why can't the big corporations take more steps to go sustainable?

A recent study found that 20 companies produce 55% of the plastic waste in the world. * Most plastic is made from oil and gas, so you come to realize that the list includes not only oil/gas companies but also banks who finance them.

Take 1 minute and join with me in signing a petition to urge these 20 companies to switch to producing eco-friendly, biodegradable options instead! After all, you and I are doing our part - now it's time for the big companies to help too.

Thanks for helping to make a difference. https://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/678/421/951/?TAP=1732

*: One Green Planet
📸: Shutterstock