Becoming Less

Eco Mom

Bizz chats with new co-host, Cara, about her tips on being an eco-mom.
 
Things we talk about:
Reusable Diapers
Reusable Wipes (See Sniffle Crate Pattern on Etsy)
Diaper services
Babies grow so quickly
Get clothing second hand
Get toys second hand, too
Choose toys from natural materials, avoid things that take batteries.
Formula
Choose concentrates like powder
Consider the materials that the formula comes in - metal cans are more easily recycled than a pouch or something with mixed materials
Baby food jars are only reusable if you have a use for them - and you end up with A LOT
Make your own baby food - it's just cooked, blended veggies
Maternity clothes are temporary - borrow or get used
Safety devices, such as car seats - know the history, or get it new. You don't want to skimp on safety!
Donate to support waste reduction at wastefree.ca or on Patreon
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)

Pets - Part 2

Bizz and Emma continue their conversation about becoming less with their pets.
 
Things we talk about:
Buying treats in bulk
Make your own food
Use bags from food and litter to line your trash bin
Dryer lint is often still plastic
Dehydrating treats
Wood pellet litter
Toilet training cats
Clay litter requires strip mining
Compostable bags require very specific environments to break down.
Edmonton's composting facility requires BPI or BNQ rated bags (not BPA as I said in the podcast!)
Donate to support waste reduction at wastefree.ca or on Patreon
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)

Pets - Part 1

Bizz and Emma chat about our pets and how we can still become less while being loving, doting owners. 
 
Things we talk about:
Grooming is important for health and reducing hair
Dog toys are consumable itemsTry getting second-hand stuffed animals (if your dog destroys these, only allow supervised play. You don't want them swallowing the stuffing or eyes)
Real tennis balls are bad for dogs' teeth
Buy quality and/or natural materials - Check out:
West Paw Design (Durable, recycled rubber)
Honest Pet Products (Natural materials)
Kong (Durable natural rubber)
Harry Barker (Recycled and/or sustainable materials)
Beco Pets (Natural rubber, recycled cotton)
Cats generally don't need you to buy them toys. Find things around the house that might otherwise be thrown away. 
Dog clothing:
For warmth, try finding used, otherwise buy sustainable and/or good quality that will last.
For fun, the same, but remember to minimize the demand for new production. 
And that's all we had time for! Join us next week for Part 2!
Donate to support waste reduction at wastefree.ca or on Patreon
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)

Second Hand Gifts

Bizz and Emma chat about becoming less by giving gifts that were purchased second-hand.
 
Things to consider:
Let others know that you are open to, and prefer, second-hand gifts
Start the conversation. Ask others how they feel about it. 
Make sure your gifts are clean and in good condition. 
Sometimes the gift is INSIDE the second-hand item: plants in used pots, pictures in used frames, etc.
Second-hand resources:
Buy Nothing Groups - buynothingproject.org
Kijiji - kijiji.ca
Facebook Marketplace - facebook.com/marketplace
Nextdoor App - ca.nextdoor.com
Thrift Stores
Reuse Centres
Garage Sales
Donate to support waste reduction at wastefree.ca or on Patreon
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)

Upgrading

Bizz and Emma talk about how to become less when we decide to upgrade our technology and other possessions.
 
References we make:
The Minimalists Upgrade Rule - theminimalists.com/upgrade
Kijiji
Facebook Marketplace
Most eco-friendly phone? The internet says Fairphone, though they do not appear to be available in Canada.
Donate to support waste reduction at wastefree.ca or on Patreon
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)

Buy Nothing Groups

Bizz and Emma chat about how Buy Nothing Groups can be a great tool to use on your journey to becoming less.
 
References we make:
Buy Nothing Project - buynothingproject.org
Kijiji 
Next Door - ca.nextdoor.com
Mushroom Foraging Episode - Episode 68
Mud, Sweat and Gears - mudsweatandgears.ca
Donate to support waste reduction at wastefree.ca or on Patreon
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)

Waste Reduction Week

Bizz and Emily talk about Waste Reduction Week, which is a national week in Canada that is focussed on raising awareness for ways to be become less. 
 
Waste Reduction Week - wrwcanada.com/en
Monday - Circular Economy
Tuesday - Textiles
Wednesday - E-Waste
Thursday - Plastics
Friday - Food Waste
Saturday - Sharing Economy
Sunday - Swap and Repair
Other references we make:
The Dress Library - @thedresslibrary_yeg
Tool Libraries - @yegtoollibrary - wrwcanada.com/en
Blenderz Garment Recyclers - @blenderz_garment_recyclers
Donate to support waste reduction at wastefree.ca or on Patreon
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)

Tool Libraries

Bizz chats with Emny from the Edmonton Tool Library about how sharing tools can help us become less.
 
Find the Tool Library:
Instagram - @yegtoollibrary
Facebook - facebook.com/yegtoollibrary
Website - edmontontoollibrary.ca
In person - 7308 112 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB
More Tool Libraries, or start your own:
List of Tool Libraries in Canada
Google It
Donate to support waste reduction at wastefree.ca or on Patreon
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)

Pumpkins

Bizz and Emily chat about how to becoming less with our pumpkins this fall season.
 
All things pumpkin:
Pumpkin carving - Google it
Pumpkin gut recipes - Google it
Pumpkin seeds - Google itscoop, separate, rinse, dry, oil, season, bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until golden, stirring often
Pumpkin soup recipes - Google it
Pumpkin smash parties - Google it and then host your own!
Other references:
That "something centre"... yeah it was Salisbury at Enjoy Centre in St Albert - salisburygreenhouse.com, @salisburyatenjoy
Loop Store - loopstore.ca
Donate to support waste reduction at wastefree.ca or on Patreon
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)

Mushroom Foraging

Bizz chats with fellow Alberta Mycological Society member, Mel, to nerd out about mushrooms.
 
References we make:
Alberta Mycological Society - albertamushrooms.ca
From The Wild - fromthewild.ca
Donate to support waste reduction at wastefree.ca or on Patreon
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)