Green Living

A homeowner reconsidered new carpeting due to VOCs and other harmful chemicals. Experts recommended natural fiber carpets and advised checking labels for lower emissions.

Usefull has helped divert more than 7,300 plastic bottles from landfills, since it started as a pop-up store in 2018. The brick-and-mortar shop opened in Oak Cliff’s Bishop Arts District last year.

The Fairmount Trash Pirates got its start in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Five years later, the Pirates still gather at least once a month to scour West Magnolia Avenue from Hemphill Street to 8th Avenue.

Many homeowners fear composting is too complicated, smelly and attracts pests. Master composter Lance Johnson at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden helps dispel those fears.

The Mind Body Ecology Institute (MBEI) focuses on fostering people’s connection with nature and community through mindfulness and diverse cultural wisdom rather than technology or a singular leader. Under Dr. Blake Hestir’s leadership, it offers multifaceted programs that promote emotional resilience and collective well-being.

The Great American Cleanup Campaign, sponsored by Keep America Beautiful, involves communities nationwide in litter cleanup efforts. Despite criticism of shifting blame from corporations to citizens, volunteers continue impactful cleanup initiatives. Upcoming events are planned in Grapevine, Dallas, and Fort Worth.

Turf-grass yards face criticism for their environmental impact, contributing to water waste and pollution. Tim Yatko advocates for native plant landscaping in North Texas, challenging city codes favoring traditional lawns.

With the election over, properly disposing of campaign signs is crucial to avoid environmental harm. Dallas offers recycling for signs at transfer stations, while other Texas areas have specific guidelines. Signs not accepted for recycling should be reused or discarded properly, avoiding wish-cycling practices.

Wild Ones DFW, a new native plant group in North Texas, held a meet and greet at the Flower Mound Library. Led by Kristina Dunn, this group focuses on advocating for native plants and is the only Wild Ones chapter in Texas. They aim to collaborate, not compete, with the Native Plant Society of Texas. Dunn hopes to expand to other Texas regions due to ecological diversity.

A revitalization effort for neglected Dallas cemeteries, led by the Friends of Warren Ferris Cemetery, has successfully transformed Warren Ferris Cemetery into a refuge and is now expanding to five additional cemeteries. The initiative, Constellation of Living Memorials, aims to restore cultural significance and green space, requiring larger organizational support.