As a high school student, motivated by the desire to keep useful items out of landfills, William Chui built an online store where users could shop for free, pre-used clothes and household wares. When he arrived at UC Berkeley as a freshman last fall, he learned about the piles of waste generated when students moved out of their dorms which the city then has to contend with.
Inspired by Auguste Escoffier's exceptionally simple tartare, I've given his recipe a zero-waste twist by using whole boiled eggs and swapping in pickle brine from a jar of gherkins or capers to replace the vinegar. Everything else is optional: tarragon, mustard, cayenne add what you like or have in store. Traditionally, tartare sauce is delicious with fish and chips, calamari or in a chicken sandwich, but I also like it tossed through potato salad with tinned sardines and radicchio.
Using one in place of a cloth dinner napkin was unacceptable, and if I ever used more than a single perforated sheet to wipe up a spill then I'd expect to hear about it. It wasn't until I was a fully grown adult, responsible for stocking my own kitchen, that I understood why: Paper towels aren't cheap! They're also super wasteful, which is why I've made the switch to the more sustainable and budget-friendly Stasher Reusable Swedish Dishcloths - and I'm never going back.
With toy safety concerns continuing to make headlines-from recent research finding potentially toxic elements like barium, lead, chromium, and antimony at levels up to 15 times above legal limits in plastic toys-buying gifts for children requires more vigilance than ever. According to a 2024 Toy Association survey , 45% of parents under 40 now consider a toy's sustainability credentials before purchasing.
Parmesan rinds are the ultimate zero-waste hack like a cheesy stock cube, they enrich stews, sauces and all sorts, and add pure deliciousness in the form of umami depth and creamy texture. Stored in the fridge or freezer, they keep almost indefinitely. This week's recipe uses them in a thrifty, creamy corn orzo that transforms a few simple ingredients into comforting autumn fare.
"It's a privilege to watch artists, fairgoers, and volunteers come together to create such a vibrant community in the redwoods," said Bev Abbott, Executive Director. "Each artist brings not only their work but also their passion, making the fair a place where connections are built year after year."
Many store-bought cleaning products contain toxins such as propylene glycol, ammonium hydroxide, and synthetic fragrances. They may smell good, but the odor could be harming you. Making your own cleaning products is an easy way to save money and reduce toxins in the home. If you have children, this can even be a fun family project. With just a few basic ingredients, you can make a variety of products.
"A lot of these amendments are being made to align with our existing operations and existing outreach," McCombs said. "Our rules have over time kind of fallen out of date, and we're needing to kind of catch up and get to where we are as a department."
