Shopping | Grist

Hop on the ban wagon

Disposable-bag restrictions around the U.S. and the world 4
Posted 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Seattle is considering a fee on disposable bags, but that hardly gives the city green b(r)agging rights. Cities around the U.S. and countries around the world have already imposed bag bans for all sorts of eco-reasons.
Two Prongs Make a Right

Ask Umbra on smarter outlets 9
Posted 3 months, 4 weeks ago
New Zealand has outlets with on-off switches, as do several other countries. Do these power-saving devices exist in the U.S.? And if not, are there similar alternatives? Umbra plugs in to the smart-outlet scene.
Bag it

Better ways to spend $1 million on plastics 4
Posted 4 months, 1 week ago
A plastics industry trade group plans to drop $1 million to fight Seattle's 20-cent tax on shopping bags. We suggest some better uses for the money.
This Week in Placemaking

The greenest grocery store, biggest “living wall,” and more eco-innovations 5
Posted 4 months, 1 week ago
From the country's greenest grocery store in Augusta, Maine, to a soaring transit station in Anaheim, Calif., we survey the landscape of green-building projects in the news.
The Root of the Matter

A tasting of nine “natural” root beers yields surprising results 12
Posted 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Your beverage aisle might showcase retro, handcrafted "root sodas" with exotic spices, certified organic root beers, a green-tea root beer, and a diet root beer spiked with an eco-sounding plant-based sweetener. Which to choose? Let our taste test be your guide.
The Last Step

Ask Umbra on green moving companies 2
Posted 4 months, 4 weeks ago
Wrapping up her trifecta of moving-day columns, Umbra unpacks some info on the growing field of green moving companies.
Ask Umbra’s video advice on sunscreen 2
Posted 5 months ago
Bone of Contention

Ask Umbra on meating your needs 9
Posted 5 months, 1 week ago
Should a vegetarian faced with reduced-price (and about-to-be-thrown-out) meat give in to the way of flesh, just to prevent needless slaughter? Umbra chews over the question.
It Might as Well Be Spring

Ask Umbra on sparkling water 7
Posted 5 months, 1 week ago
Two gals from Alabama love to drink bubbly water -- but a little guilt is beginning to soak into their souls. Can Umbra quench their thirst for knowledge about the eco-effects of their fav bev?
Same Batshit Channel

The digital TV conversion is here—are you e-ready? 2
Posted 5 months, 4 weeks ago
All TV broadcasts have now gone digital. Here's how to green your transition.
Goode Will

George Will hates greens, cartoons ... and shopping 4
Posted 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Noted Post crank says Mike Judge's show is just the smack in the face our current "chorus" of planet-savers needs.
Bra Va

Ask Umbra on eco-undies 14
Posted 6 months ago
What have you got on under there? Umbra covers the topic of green unmentionables.
Ask Umbra on how to be a green wedding guest 1
Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Papa, Can you PR Me?

World’s first eco-article about “world’s first” eco-items 3
Posted 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Did you know there's now an eco-friendly car wash? Eco-friendly wedding album? Eco-friendly nose-hair groomer? OK, we made up that last one, but we wouldn't be surprised if it's out there. We imagine what happens when "world's firsts" collide.
Oy Convey

Ask Umbra on escalators 1
Posted 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Moved by a column about elevators, a letter-writer wonders about the eco-perils of escalators -- and Umbra rises to the challenge.
One Word, Infinite Possibilities

Plastic bags get a new life in Jerusalem 1
Posted 6 months, 3 weeks ago
When Eric Pallant showed a group of teachers how to make a fused-plastic fabric, he never imagined the creations that would result.
Love Your Mother(s)

Gobs of green ideas for Mother’s Day 4
Posted 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Tips for showing mom the love -- while showing a little respect to Mother Earth.
Zac and Forth

Catching up with eco-model Summer Rayne Oakes 0
Posted 6 months, 4 weeks ago
Since we last checked in with the ubiquitous face of green, she's launched a shoe line and a book. She talks about what's coming next -- and the one non-green habit she just can't shake.
How many LEDs does it take to light up the Earth? 0
Posted 7 months, 1 week ago
Go Green? Make Me

The psychology of eco-choices 3
Posted 7 months, 1 week ago
Savvy environmentalists know that people don't go green because it's "good for the planet." So what works?