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.
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Dear Dot
Dear Dot: How Do I Keep Pigeons Away From My Balcony?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
Pigeons are ruining my ability to enjoy my balcony. They perch on a ledge above, so poop is everywhere. I don’t like the idea of using those pointy sharp metal things to discourage them;...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Are Hotel Linen Reuse Programs Actually ‘Green?'
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I always see in hotels that they're making a "green" choice by not changing sheets and towels every day unless requested. I know this was not always their policy, so has it actually made...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: How Can I Reduce My Utility Costs?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
The cost of my utilities is steadily going up. What can I do to reduce what it’s costing?
–Nina
Dear Nina,
The Short Answer: Living lighter on the planet shouldn’t be a matter of spending more money...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: How Do I Dispose of Leftover Paint?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
Thanks for telling me about what to look for in eco-friendly paint, but how can I responsibly dispose of any leftover paint when I’m done?
—Frances
The Short Answer: The best use for leftover paint is...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Does Being Vegan or Vegetarian Help the Environment?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
How much does being a vegan or vegetarian help the environment?
–Jessica
The Short Answer: Put simply, Jessica, veganism and vegetarianism offer a clear environmental advantage over meat consumption.
Dear Jessica,
Dot’s eldest daughter once had a friend...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Must I Remove Packing Tape and Labels Before Recycling Amazon Boxes?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
While Amazon and other online stores are using more recyclable packaging, they all come covered with packing tape and labels. Can cardboard boxes be recycled when covered with all of that, or does that...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: What’s the Deal with Compostable and Biodegradable Plastics?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
What’s the deal with compostable and biodegradable plastics? Are they really compostable? Can I toss these plastics in my recycle bin? Or is there another way I should be disposing of them? Also, why...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: What are Your Favorite Eco-Cleaning and Beauty Products?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I would love to find great, gentle, and good-smelling cleaning and beauty products that are also high-concentration and low-volume, but I’m totally overwhelmed by the vast amount of marketing from many different companies telling...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: What’s the Deal With ‘Phantom' Power?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
What’s the deal with “phantom” power? Does turning off my coffee maker each night really make any difference? Or should I focus on the big things, like buying an EV?
–Leonard
Dear Leonard,
The Short Answer: Phantom...
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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...
Homestays and Hatchlings in the Gambia
Omar Saho, a Gambian environmentalist living in Seattle, Washington, has decided to do something to both promote environmental awareness and help people in his...