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 Can I Unclog a Drain without Drano?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I have a bathroom drain that clogs a lot. I don’t want to dump a bunch of corrosive chemicals down my drain (and into our waterways). Is there a better way to unclog it?
–Evelyn
The...
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: 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....
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: 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...
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The Ecology Center is Making Regenerative Organic Farms Mainstream
Evan Marks grew up as your typical Orange County surfer, catching waves on the beautiful Southern California beaches.
He quickly realized that rainstorms often made...
Bluedot Founder Victoria Riskin Talks to Maggie Baird
Maggie Baird, mom of superstars Billie Eilish and FINNEAS, plants the seeds for getting plant-based food to underserved communities.
Celebrating Vegan Eateries in Los Angeles
Emily Cain - 0
Global events and media organization The Vegan Women Summit (VWS) hosts events to “empower women to build a kinder and more sustainable world,” and...
Yesterday’s DNA is Saving Species Today
Darcy Rhyno - 0
The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), native to Spain, is one of the world’s most endangered cats. In 2002, scientists estimated that the population had...
Climate Quick Tips: Tips For Collision-Injured Birds
If a bird hits your window, gently place it inside an unwaxed paper bag or cardboard box firmly secured, recommends FLAP (Fatal Light Awareness...