Podcast
Greening Up My Act: A Sustainable Living Podcast
The everyday sustainability podcast that helps you live a little greener, without the guilt trips, jargon, or pressure to be perfect. We're breaking down hundreds of hours of research into what actually makes an impact, and what you can skip.
Hosted by current marketer, Kat Cox, and former marketer turned native landscape designer, Tiffany Verbeck, you'll come away feeling like sustainability is doable — through real DIY swaps, native plant tips, and honest call-outs on the brands trying to greenwash their way into your cart.
As our listeners put it, we "cut through the jargon" to make sustainable living "easy to understand and enjoy at the same time." Hit follow and let's dive in.
- Episodes
- 134
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 50 min
- On air since
- 2023
- Latest episode
- 4 days ago
Episodes
134 episodes, newest first
-
58 min
What Do We Do With All These Pumpkins?
Episode 121
Show notes
Welcome to our Halloween edition! Explore a fascinating history of pumpkins (Stingy Jack makes an appearance), the best ways to dispose of pumpkins, and more.
SOME NEWS: We aren't sure what the future of our show will look like, or if we will be able to continue. While we love doing this, we both need time to focus on other things right now. We may be able to figure out a way to come back in a new form in 2027, but we aren't sure right now. We will let you know!
Sources
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpkin
University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management - https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2013/10/Pumpkin-A-Brief-History/
Woodstock History Center - https://www.woodstockhistorycenter.org/articles/2023/10/10/the-historic-pumpkin
USDA - https://www.ers.usda.gov/newsroom/trending-topics/pumpkins-background-statistics
http://boreal.org - https://www.boreal.org/2024/11/01/470980/over-80-of-halloween-pumpkins-are-thrown-away-each-year-heres-what-you-can-do-instead
Colorado Gardener - https://www.coloradogardener.com/post/knuckleheads-warty-pumpkins
White Hutchinson - https://www.whitehutchinson.com/news/agrinews/2023/november/article105.shtml
The Hustle - https://thehustle.co/the-economics-of-pumpkin-patches
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
40 min
Should You Live Off the Grid?
Episode 120
Show notes
Maybe you've dreamed of living off grid with images of walking barefoot through bright green and swimming in streams, but is off-grid living sustainable? Join as we cover off-grid living problems, the downsides of off-grid living, and answer the question: is off grid living actually eco friendly?
AND this is our season 10 finale! We'll be back October 1, 2026 with season 11 — covering YOUR requested topics. Can't wait!
Sources
• Wikipedia: Earthships
• Enel
• Neal Haddaway on Medium
• CNET
• Sunny Simple Living
• Young NRG
• Kuby.caPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
51 min
Are Solar Lights Actually Bad for the Environment?
Episode 119
Show notes
If you have heard negative things about solar power, you might be asking yourself are solar lights eco-friendly, or not? We look at solar lights' environmental impact (from manufacturing to disposal), whether or not you can recycle solar lights, if solar lights cause pollution, and more.
Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, send your support!
Sources
• Green Home Systems (company): https://greenhomesystems.com/
• Home & Gardens: https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/are-solar-lights-eco-friendly
• International Energy Agency (IEA) on solar PV: https://www.iea.org/reports/solar-pv-global-supply-chains/executive-summary
• IEA on critical minerals: https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions/executive-summary
• Renewable Energy Journal: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960148124014757
• Conservation Law Foundation: https://www.clf.org/blog/the-truth-about-carbon-footprints/
• Kleinman Center for Energy Policy: https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/research/publications/impact-of-solar-lighting-kits-on-the-lives-of-the-poor/
• Harvard study in Uganda: https://healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu/cleaner-air-changes-more-than-lungs-findings-from-rural-uganda/
• Climate Brief’s 16 misleading myths about solar power: https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/factcheck/solar/index.html
• Solar Magazine: https://solarmagazine.com/sustainable-solar-lighting-for-the-garden/
• Forbes, Best Outdoor Solar Lights: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/the-best-outdoor-solar-lights/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
43 min
Ways to Upcycle Your Outdoor Space (and Still Make It Cute)
Episode 118
Show notes
Upcycled outdoor furniture is often greener than buying new — and can still be cute as hell. If an upcycled outdoor space on a budget brings up images of shabby pallet couches and crooked DIY tables, never fear. Learn simple improvements that re-use what you already own (or can get from a Buy Nothing group) to create a beautiful, enjoyable outdoor space that you actually want to hang out in.
Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, send your support!
Sources
• Emily Henderson blog
• HGTV on DIY Outdoor Furniture
• Patio LivingPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
49 min
Can Vertical Gardens Lower Your Cooling Costs?
Episode 117
Show notes
If it's not data centers raising your energy bills, it's hotter days and months. Enter vertical gardens, also called green walls or living walls. We uncover whether green walls in urban spaces actually cool surface temperatures (you'll be shocked!) and whether adding them to your house could have a serious impact on your monthly bills.
Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!
Sources
• Crunchbase
• Plenty on its chapter 11 bankruptcy
• Nature-Based Solutions journal
• Utrecht University
• Grow a Living Wall: Create Vertical Gardens With Purpose, Shawna Coronado (affiliate link)
• Lowe’s
• EWG
• AGardenPatch.com blog
• The SprucePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
30 min
Why Your Fear of Bugs Could Be Blocking a Greener Life
Episode 116
Show notes
You lie awake at night and wonder if you're doing enough to help the future of the planet. But there's something very close to home that you can do to make an immediate impact: overcome your fear of insects. Tune in as we walk you through why insects are important, as well as strategies for how to overcome a fear of bugs. No more screaming or smashing needed.
Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!
Other Episodes You'll Love
• Insect Decline: Why You Should Care That Your Windshields Are Clean
Sources
• Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants, Douglas Tallamy (affiliate link)
• Discover Magazine, Why Are We Afraid of Bugs?
• How To Podcast, How To Squash Your Fear of Bugs (and Other Phobias) [more helpful]
• Feel Good Now Podcast (less helpful)Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
51 min
4 Ways Insect Decline Might Totally Change Your Future
Episode 115
Show notes
Bugs are disappearing, which means way more than your windshield being cleaner than it used to be. If this scares you, soothe your panic with us as you learn what you can do to help the bug population, while understanding the link between insect decline and food security.
Listen to get these answers:
• Why are insects disappearing?
• Why do we need insects?
• What would happen if insects went instinct?
• What can we do about it?Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!
Sources
• NPR: Insect populations drop even without direct human interference
• Friends of the Mississippi River
• Penn State Huck Institute of Life Sciences
• Oklahoma State Extension
• Huck Institute (again)
• UC IPMPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
47 min
Urban Farms vs. Urban Food Forests — Which Is Better?
Episode 114
Show notes
Urban farms are all the rage, but there's a different idea that might be even more impactful — food forests. It might sounds like something out of Fern Gully, but food forests offer a real way to increase biodiversity, lower maintenance, and add useful food sources to your community. Join us for this food forest for beginners crash course to walk away with realistic tips for starting small and cheap where you live.
Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!
Sources
• Project Food Forest - https://projectfoodforest.org/what-is-a-food-forest/
• Permaculture Apprentice - https://permacultureapprentice.com/creating-a-food-forest-step-by-step-guide/
• Stanford Report - https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2023/05/food-forests-urban-farms-hold-promise-addressing-numerous-problems
• Community Food Forests - https://communityfoodforests.com/resources/funding/
• Garden Therapy - https://gardentherapy.ca/urban-orchards/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
43 min
Is Dr. Bronner's Really Sustainable? With Outdoor Minimalist [Crossover] Bonus
Show notes
Welcome to our first ever collab episode! Dr. Bronner's has long been considered the gold standard of sustainable soap. It's a staple in outdoor kits, zero-waste homes, and camping gear lists thanks to its versatility, plant-based ingredients, and reputation for environmental responsibility.
But how much of that reputation actually holds up under closer scrutiny?
In this collaborative episode with Meg Carney, the host of Outdoor Minimalist, we take a deep dive into one of the most recognizable sustainability brands on the market.
Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!
Sources
• Dr. Bronner's: https://www.drbronner.com/
• Dr. Bronner's, Leave No Trace Guide to Using Soap Outdoors: https://www.drbronner.com/pages/camping-with-dr-bronners
• Leave No Trace Seven Principles: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/
• Dirty Labs: https://dirtylabs.com/
• Camp Suds: https://www.rei.com/product/407166/campsuds-biodegradable-concentrated-soap-2-ozPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
44 min
Are Perennial Vegetables Worth the Money?
Episode 113
Show notes
Vegetables you only have to plant once? Sounds like a dream come true. Except it might be slightly more complicated than that. Join hosts Tiff and Kat as they take you on a perennial vegetable journey — from good perennial vegetables for beginners to why growing Jerusalem artichokes may not be your next best move. Learn which are easy perennial vegetables to grow, and which you can avoid eye contact with at the seed store.
Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!
Sources
• Amy Manning: https://amymanning.substack.com/p/perennial-vegetables-mostly-duds
• GrowVeg.com: https://www.growveg.com/guides/best-edibles-for-pollinator-gardens/
• RuralSprout.com: https://www.ruralsprout.com/perennial-vegetables/
• University of California: https://ucanr.edu/blog/napa-master-gardener-column/article/perennial-vegetables-and-herbs
• Nature.com scientific report: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-09737-1
• PLoS One study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7351156/#sec016
• Martha Stewart’s blog: https://www.themarthablog.com/2023/04/planting-asparagus-at-my-farm.htmlPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
55 min
Why Everyone Is Wrong About Vegetable Garden Costs
Episode 112
Show notes
Sure, a vegetable garden can be expensive the first year. But hosts Kat and Tiff dive into vegetable garden costs over a span of a decade. Once you have your structures in place, what's your vegetable garden ROI typically look like? Join as they revisit this topic for a deeper dive into the reasons why — with the craziness of the world — you may want to consider becoming more self-sufficient.
Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!
Sources
• Blog of Gardening: https://www.bigblogofgardening.com/can-vegetable-garden-save-money-on-groceries/
• Farmers Almanac: https://www.almanac.com/how-save-vegetable-seeds
• Backyard Garden Lover: https://www.backyardgardenlover.com/9-vegetables-and-herbs-that-could-cut-your-grocery-bill-by-400-this-year/
• Food Forest Living: https://foodforestliving.com/31-ways-growing-vegetables-is-cheaper-than-buying-them/
• NPR: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/28/nx-s1-5836525/affordability-report-brookings-inflation-wagesPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
1 hr
Mulch, or How to Keep a Pollinator Garden Alive
Episode 111
Show notes
Sounds boring; isn't. Wondering how to grow a native garden? You might be surprised at the importance of a seemingly mundane addition: mulch. We cover all things mulch this week — and it's way more interesting than even they expected.
Learn:
• 3 main ways mulch helps your garden
• Where to find free organic mulch
• Why is living mulch the coolest thing ever?Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!
Sources
• Evolution of Hardwood Mulch article: https://www.ruppertlandscape.com/evolution-hardwood-mulch/
• Mulch as a Drylands Strategy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1cgx33E3LM
• University of Michigan leaf mulch study: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/mitgc/article/199866b.pdf
• University of California Cooperative Extension water retention and mulch study: https://ucanr.edu/media/305486
• Plants journal: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10975533/
• University of California pamphlet: https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2026-02/UCANR%20Mulches%20for%20Landscapes%20by%20Downer%20and%20Faber.pdf
• Gardening Know How on eco-friendly mulch: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/mulch/best-eco-friendly-mulch
• Growing a Greener World on mulch certification: https://www.growingagreenerworld.com/is-your-mulch-safe-heres-how-to-find-out/
• Mulch and Soil Council guide: https://mulchandsoilcouncil.org/pdf/Education/2013_Mulch_Selection_Guidev3.pdf
• Edge of the Woods Nursery on living mulch: https://edgeofthewoodsnursery.com/living-mulch-part-one-an-ecological-alternative-to-wood-mulchPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
39 min
Does DIY Deer Spray Really Work?
Episode 110
Show notes
If you're wondering just how god awful (but useful!) DIY deer spray is, listen in as we discuss the pros and cons of making it yourself. Learn why you don't need to accept critters constantly munching on your plants.
Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!
Sources
• Reddit (of course!) https://www.reddit.com/r/NativePlantGardening/comments/14f7b11/how_do_you_prevent_or_reduce_deer_from_destroying/
• Savvy Gardening - https://savvygardening.com/deer-proof-gardens/
• The Deer Guys - https://www.thedeerguys.com/blog-posts/what-is-the-best-homemade-deer-repellent
• LiquidFence - https://www.liquidfence.com/
• Farmer’s Almanac - https://www.almanac.com/5-natural-homemade-deer-repellents-actually-workPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
52 min
Which Native Plants Thrive in Container Gardens?
Episode 109
Show notes
Small space doesn't have to mean small impact. Get practical tips for incorporating native plants into small areas like balconies and container gardens, and why it's so essential to start today. Join us to learn which native plant options are happy in containers, as well as strategies for advocating for native plants in public spaces, schools, and your broader community.
Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!
Sources
• National Wildlife Federation: https://www.nwf.org/Native-Plant-Habitats/Plant-Native/Small-Space-Wildlife-Gardening/Container-Gardening
• Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife With Native Plants, Douglas W. Tallamy: https://amzn.to/4uAiLML (affiliate link)
• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windshield_phenomenon
• Their GUMA episode on bee hotels and native bees: https://www.greeningupmyact.com/1849707/episodes/14888630-are-bee-hotels-worth-the-space-in-your-garden
• Home Depot for pricingPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
46 min
[Replay] Can I Replace My Lawn with Clover?
Show notes
In case you missed it the first time, take a listen to one of Tiff and Kat's favorite episodes during the break. They're back with season 10, all about getting your hands dirty outside, on June 4.
Clover lawns are all the rage — but should they be? Hosts Tiff and Kat answer:
• What eco-friendly claims do folks make about clover yards? Are they true?
• Why is Reddit so uncomfy?
• What are the disadvantages of clover lawns?Explore how to spot greenwashing in the world of clover lawns with your two favorite marketing writers in this upbeat sustainability podcast.
Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!
Sources
• Martha Stewart: https://www.marthastewart.com/8322420/clover-lawns
• Gardenia Creative Gardens: https://www.gardenia.net/guide/native-plant-alternatives-to-trifolium-repens
• Podcast: Backyard Ecology episode on clover: https://www.backyardecology.net/clovers-native-clover-conservation-clover-yards-and-more/
• Reddit - No Lawns subreddit specifically covering Clover: https://www.reddit.com/r/NoLawns/wiki/meta/clover/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1#wiki_clover_controversy
• The Spruce: https://www.thespruce.com/all-about-clover-lawns-6362145
• Bob Vila: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/clover-lawn/
• Wild Ones garden designs: https://nativegardendesigns.wildones.org/designs/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
45 min
[Replay] The Real Real About Essential Oils
Show notes
In case you missed it the first time, take a listen to one of our favorite episodes. In this episode, we come clean about essential oils and whether they're worth all the hype -- or hate. Spoiler: it's complicated. There's a lot of info to soak up about green hooey and essential oils. Learn away!
Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links below are paid links.
What We Talked About
• doTERRA Essential Oils
• Amazon (basic search for "essential oils")
• Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Lavender SoapSources
• National Library of Medicine - Essential Oils as Antimicrobial Agents – Myth or Real Alternative?
• National Institutes of Health - Essential Oils
• NLM - Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils
• ASPCA - The essentials of essential oils around pets
• Cleveland Clinic - Essential Oils 101
• Healthline - What Are Essential Oils?
• NLM - Aromatherapy for Health Care: An Overview of Systematic Reviews
• NLM - A Systematic Review of the Effect of Inhaled Essential Oils on Sleep
• NLM - An Overview of the Biological Effects of Some Mediterranean Essential Oils on Human Health
• The Kind Store - A Guide to Sustainable Essential Oils
• Sustainably Chic - Are Essential Oils Sustainable?
• Red List of Threatened SpeciesPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
44 min
[Replay] Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner: You’ll Crap Your Pants at the Savings
Show notes
Check out this revisit of one of our favorite previous episodes! In case you missed this the first time, learn all about the awesomeness of DIY all-purpose cleaner. You'll save money and time spent restocking with this easy recipe that might just make you shit your shorts from excitement. This is one of those rare, truly sustainable and functional product winners.
Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links below are paid links.
What We Bought
Source Links
• National Library of Medicine for all-purpose cleaner definition
• Environmental Working Group all-purpose cleaner ratings and a few other products ratings
• The Spruce’s 8 best all-purpose cleaners
• Three DIY all-purpose cleaner options from Insider
• Consumer Reports for vinegar + stone countertops
• CountertopSpecialty.com for hydrogen peroxide on countertops info
• The Kitchn for castile soap definition and all-purpose cleaner recipe
• Dr Bronner’s website for info about its Castile soap
• National Library of Medicine on antibacterial properties of peppermint.
• Bob Vila for castile soap on hardwood
• Amazon and Target for pricesPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
51 min
Fjallraven: On Point or Overhyped?
Episode 108
Show notes
To end their fashion-filled season, we examine one of the most popular sustainably brands: Fjallraven. Learn what sustainability promises they're making and whether or not they're following through with them, and where they may be falling short.
Explore:
• Are Fjallraven products as durable as they claim?
• Can normal people afford Fjallraven?
• Are they as top-notch on their sustainability efforts as people assume?Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!
Sources
• Fjallraven US online store: https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/
• Fjallraven sustainability page: https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/about/sustainability/
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/comments/181dp2n/fjallraven_opinions/
• Wirecutter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/classic-fjallraven-kanken-backpack/
• Commons: https://brands.thecommons.earth/brand-rating/632/fjallraven
• Good On You: https://directory.goodonyou.eco/brand/fjallravenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
52 min
Amazing Garment Repair: A Mom-and-Pop You Can Use From Anywhere
Episode 107
Show notes
If you're tossing holey sweaters or ripped jeans into the landfill every year, you might be surprised how simple repairs could extend their life and slash waste. In this episode, discover how the old-fashioned art of clothing mending is making a comeback, and why it matters more than ever for our planet.
Join hosts Tiff and Kat as they unveil the fascinating techniques behind professional sewing repair shops like Amazing Garment Repair in Kansas City, where master French weavers and hand mend experts create near-invisible fixes that transform old, damaged garments into like-new treasures.
Learn:
• How visible mending doubles as a trendy art form with over 20 million views on TikTok, blending style with sustainability.
• The detailed craft of reweaving, including French weaving that makes actual holes vanish without a trace.
• Practical tips on whether you can and should repair your own clothes, plus how much it costs to have skilled artisans do it for you.
• The emotional and societal significance: how repairing your wardrobe can reconnect you with traditions of craftsmanship, countering the throw-away culture driven by fast fashion.
• Policy ideas from the UK that could revolutionize how clothing is designed, produced, and disposed of — potentially changing the industry and reducing textile waste dramatically.Sources
• Amazing Garment repair site: https://www.amazinggarmentrepair.com
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/amazing-garment-repair-overland-park
• Wirecutter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/online-custom-tailors-review/
• NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/style/eva-joan-clothing-repair-shop.html
• Sustainability Journal: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7616726/
• Eva Joan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evajoanrepair/
• http://earth.org: https://earth.org/how-repairing-clothes-slows-down-climate-change/
• http://earth.org: https://earth.org/statistics-about-fast-fashion-waste/
• UNEP: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/putting-brakes-fast-fashion
• Repair What You Wear: https://repairwhatyouwear.com/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
Facebook: Greening Up My Act
Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
YouTube: Greening Up My Act -
42 min
Rothy's: Washable, “Sustainable” Shoes?
Episode 106
Show notes
Discover the truth behind Rothy’s, the popular eco-friendly shoe company, and whether they’re genuinely making a difference or just greenwashing to sell more shoes. In this episode, hosts Kat and Tiff unpack Rothy’s claims to use recycled plastic bottles, discuss whether their sustainability certifications hold up, and explore deeper concerns like microplastics and the true environmental impact of fast fashion. You'll learn how their innovative 3D knitting process reduces waste, but also how their rapid expansion into new styles and materials may dilute their eco-efforts.
They break down:
• The real story behind their recycled plastic shoes and their plastic bottle savings
• How credible their third-party certifications like LEED, TRUE, and SCS really are
• The hidden costs of microplastics from washable shoes
• Why greenwashing is more common than you think and how to spot it
• The broader implications of consumerism and fast fashion’s impact on our environmentSources
• RunRepeat: https://runrepeat.com/womens-shoe-statistics
• Fashion for Good: https://www.fashionforgood.com/innovation-platform-2/how-it-works/footwear-circularity/
• Rothy’s website: https://rothys.com/
• Rothy’s sustainability page: https://rothys.com/pages/sustainability
• U.S. Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) TRUE - https://www.gbci.org/about-true
• U.S. Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI) LEED - https://www.usgbc.org/leed
• SCS Global: https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/recycled-content-certification
• Good On You: https://directory.goodonyou.eco/brand/rothys
• The Commons: https://brands.thecommons.earth/brand-rating/122/rothy's
• Trust Pilot: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/rothys.comPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/greeningupmyact
Instagram: @greeningupmyact
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Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com
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