Dear Dot
Dear Dot is here to answer all your sustainable living questions from her perch on the porch. Got a question for Dot? Send her a note for a chance to be featured in an upcoming post.
More Articles
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Why Aren’t Cities Embracing Bicycle Infrastructure?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I’ve heard that bike transit could really help fight climate change but New York City sometimes feels very anti-bike (and dangerous!). Why aren’t cities embracing bicycle infrastructure?
–Kyle, Brooklyn
The short answer: While more cities are...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Is Fake Grass Better Than the Real Thing?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I’ve heard about artificial grass as a water-saving alternative to real grass, but if it's plastic, is the fake stuff really eco-friendly?
– Randi, San Diego
The short answer: Artificial turf is not a good alternative,...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Where Can I Find an Eco-Friendly Mop and Bucket?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
Where can I buy a mop that is made of biodegradable materials and a mop bucket made of recycled plastic? Thank you!
—Carole A.
The short answer: Dot’s number one rule for purchasing eco-friendly products: The...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: How Can I Tackle an Ant Problem Without Toxic Pest Control?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
Did you run an article about ants? I am unable to stop the swarm in my kitchen. Have tried Terro which has always worked for me in the past, but my bottle might be...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Air Dry or Paper Towels?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
If I'm in a public bathroom and I have a choice between paper towels and an electric hand dryer, which should I choose? I imagine it depends a lot on whether those towels are...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Where Can I Find Earth-Friendly Sheets?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I’m looking for bed sheets that are both happy to sleep on, and aren’t bad news for our environment. What should I look for?
—Dawn
My dear Dawn,
Are you the same Dawn who wanted to deter...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: What Can I Do With My Old Piano?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I’m moving and downsizing. It seems I can’t even give away my family’s 1880s square piano. No one I’ve contacted even wants it to repurpose the exquisite wood. I contacted Big Reuse and they...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: How Can I Find Solar Panels Not Made in China?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I have been thinking about going solar. Apart from technical and expense questions, I was reading that most solar panels are produced in Xinjiang province, China, often with forced labor. Can I even find...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Is Green Electricity More Expensive?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
How green is my electricity and is that why it's so expensive?
–Roberto, San Diego
Dear Roberto,
The forces that keep our lights on can often seem shrouded in mystery. But it’s actually not mysterious at all....
Discover
Trending
RECIPE: Super-Creamy Hummus
We all want to eat more plant-based, both for our own health and the health of the planet. Got a can of chickpeas? Crack...
Battling Big Ag in Iowa
In the early 20th century, Iowa's fields and farms were a testament to self-sustainability, producing most of the food consumed in the state. Fast...
Tapping Tourists to Help Save the Peruvian Amazon
Shortly after our guide, Fernando Coa, gestured for silence and pointed beyond the tree line, two brightly colored parrots flew across the sky. I...
Dear Dot: Which is Worse for the Planet — Food Miles or Food Waste?
Dear Dot,
My eldest child signed up for Misfits Market, hoping to help reduce food waste. They were surprised to see items like strawberries and...
White House on a Green Rampage
Jim Miller - 0
Federal-level action on the environment can really shift the reality on the ground, and the news coming out of Washington lately is surprisingly positive.
A...