Wild Virginia Old Dominion Eco Buzz

Chronicles of the James River: Exploring the Past and Present of Virginia's Iconic Waterway

The James River, a river in Virginia that begins in the Appalachian Mountains and flows from the confluence of the Cowpasture and Jackson Rivers, meanders through the heart of Virginia for approximately 348 miles before emptying into the Chesapeake Bay. Its origins trace back to the Appalachian Mountains, specifically in the Allegheny Mountains, where the river's headwaters begin their journey across the landscape. This magnificent river has played a pivotal role in shaping the history, culture, and economy of the region.
The James River is at risk from 1,100 toxic storage sites, up to 5 billion gallons of coal ash and millions of gallons of crude oil traveling along the shore.

PFAS in Sewage Sludge and the Health Risks They Pose

Sewage sludge contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are a class of chemicals that are toxic and persistent in the environment. PFAS are often called "forever chemicals". 
 
David Sligh, Conservation Director and water issue expert joins the podcast to discuss this issue and its implications.

Our Democratic Leaders and Legislation Affecting Water

Activate Virginia began in late 2016 as a vehicle to address Virginia’s lack of competitive elections and corrupt campaign finance system through candidate recruiting, activism, and public education. Activate Virginia now serves as an all-volunteer network of researchers and activists who focus on uncovering corruption in Virginia and taking on undemocratic features of Virginia government.
Josh Stanfield, Executive Director of Activate Virginia and graduate of the 2024 Clean Water Advocates Program, joins the podcast to discuss other issues harming Virginia's water like pipelines and the cruise ship industry.

Push to Protect Diamondback Terrapin as Endangered Species

The diamondback terrapin was once so closely associated with Maryland that the state's leading university adopted the terp as its mascot, and it holds the title of the official state reptile.
However, this species has encountered significant challenges, initially from overharvesting for food and more recently due to drowning in crab traps. The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) has joined forces with 20 other organizations to advocate for Endangered Species Protection for the diamondback.
This coalition, which includes regional organizations like Assateague Coastal Trust and Wild Virginia along with national nonprofits, submitted a petition to NOAA Fisheries last month, seeking protection for the diamondback across its coastal marsh habitat from Massachusetts to Texas.
According to CBD, the Chesapeake Bay is “likely the most crucial location for diamondback terrapins across its entire 16-state range along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.”

This Refill Store is Cheaper than Instacart!

This Refill Store is Cheaper than Instacart! (and More Sustainable, too)
Fillagreen is an eco-friendly store located in Manassas, Virginia. It specializes in providing sustainable and environmentally conscious products to the community. The store offers a variety of items, including reusable household goods, zero-waste personal care products, and natural cleaning supplies.
Fillagreen aims to reduce the environmental footprint by encouraging customers to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. The store often promotes the use of products that can be refilled, reused, or recycled, and it may also host workshops or events to educate the public about sustainable living practices.
If you're looking to make more eco-friendly choices in your daily life, Fillagreen could be a great local resource to explore.
TIPS TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE WHEN YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR HOME PRODUCTS
1. Choose Eco-Friendly Materials
Look for natural materials: Opt for products made from renewable resources like bamboo, cork, or sustainably harvested wood.
Avoid plastics: Whenever possible, choose items made from metal, glass, or recycled materials to reduce plastic waste.
2. Prioritize Energy Efficiency
Energy Star-rated appliances: These products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines and can significantly reduce your home's energy consumption.
LED lighting: Use LED bulbs which last longer and consume less electricity compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.
3. Support Sustainable Brands
Research brands: Choose companies that prioritize sustainability, fair labor practices, and ethical sourcing.
Certifications: Look for certifications like Fair Trade, B Corp, or Cradle to Cradle, which indicate a commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
4. Buy Second-Hand or Upcycled Items
Thrift stores and online marketplaces: These can be treasure troves for unique, high-quality second-hand furniture and decor.
DIY upcycling projects: Get creative and repurpose old items into something new and useful, reducing waste and saving money.
5. Minimize Packaging Waste
Bulk buying: Purchase items in bulk to reduce packaging waste, especially for household staples.
Reusable bags and containers: Bring your own bags and containers when shopping to avoid single-use plastic bags and packaging.
6. Focus on Longevity and Quality
Durable products: Invest in high-quality items that will last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Timeless design: Choose classic styles that won’t go out of fashion quickly, helping you avoid the temptation to redecorate frequently.
7. Consider the Product’s Lifecycle
Biodegradable or recyclable: Opt for products that can be easily recycled or are biodegradable at the end of their life.
Repairable: Choose items that can be repaired rather than replaced, supporting a circular economy.
8. Local and Handmade Options
Support local artisans: Buying locally made products reduces transportation emissions and supports your local economy.
Handmade goods: Often crafted with care and sustainability in mind, handmade items can be a more eco-friendly choice.
9. Mindful Consumption
Need over want: Before making a purchase, consider if you truly need the item or if it’s an impulse buy.
Multi-functional items: Choose products that serve multiple purposes, reducing the number of items you need to buy.
10. Educate Yourself
Stay informed: Keep up with the latest trends and innovations in sustainable products and practices.
Community involvement: Join local or online communities focused on sustainability to share tips and experiences.
By incorporating these tips into your shopping habits, you can make a positive impact on the environment and support a more sustainable lifestyle. Happy eco-friendly shopping!

How Bulk Food Stores Help the Environment

Bulk food stores play a significant role in helping the environment through several impactful practices.
We chat with the Trace - The Zero Waste Store on the Wild Virginia Old Dominion Eco Buzz podcast. They are Fairfax County's only zero waste and bulk refill store.
Here are a few key ways they contribute:
Reduction of Packaging Waste:Bulk food stores often encourage customers to bring their own containers, reducing the reliance on single-use plastics and packaging materials. This practice helps to minimize the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and oceans, which in turn reduces pollution and conserves natural resources.
Decreased Food Waste:These stores allow customers to buy only the quantity they need, which can significantly reduce food waste. Instead of purchasing pre-packaged amounts that might be too large for one's needs, shoppers can get just the right amount, leading to less spoiled or unused food.
Lower Carbon Footprint:By sourcing products in large quantities and reducing the need for extensive packaging, bulk food stores can lower the carbon footprint associated with the transportation and production of packaging materials. Bulk buying reduces the number of trips needed for restocking and the overall environmental impact of distribution.
Support for Sustainable Practices:Many bulk food stores prioritize sourcing products from local or sustainable producers. This supports farming practices that are better for the environment, such as organic farming, which reduces the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers, and promotes soil health and biodiversity.
Encouragement of Reusable Products:Bulk food stores often sell reusable containers and bags, promoting a culture of reusability. This shift away from disposables to reusables helps conserve resources and reduce waste.
Consumer Education:These stores frequently serve as hubs for educating consumers about sustainable living and the environmental impact of their choices. By providing information and resources, they empower individuals to make more environmentally conscious decisions in their daily lives.
Through these practices, bulk food stores contribute significantly to environmental sustainability and help foster a more eco-friendly community.

Want to Compost without the Yuck? This Williamsburg Virginia Store Offers It

Fill Happy VA is just that. You’re happy about the product. Happy about your carbon footprint. And very happy meeting the owner, Jana. She joins the Wild Virginia podcast to talk about her store and composting.
 
Growing up in a rural area has deeply ingrained a love for nature in Jana’s heart. Witnessing her 2-year-old daughter develop a profound fascination with the ocean, particularly whales and sharks, has fueled herpassion for environmental conservation. As a family, they delved into ocean-related topics and became increasingly aware of the plastic crisis jeopardizing wildlife, contaminating ecosystems, and contributing to global warming.
Fill Happy serves as an inclusive marketplace, free from judgment. Jana believes that progress towards zero waste doesn't require perfection from a select few but imperfect efforts from millions. Through conscious consumerism, each individual wields the power to make a positive impact. Your choices matter, and every small decision contributes to significant change. I invite you to join us in embracing sustainable products, one step at a time.
Did you know that plastic takes over 400 years to decompose, with more than 40 percent being used just once before disposal? At Fill Happy, their focus is on facilitating a low-impact lifestyle by offering simple eco-friendly swaps that are safe for both you and the planet. Something different from other refillery stores that Fill Happy offers: COMPOSTING. You see bigger cities like Vancouver, British Columbia offer it, but there was nothing available in Williamsburg.
Composting is a fantastic way to recycle organic waste, reduce your carbon footprint, and enrich your garden soil.
What is Composting?
Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic materials, such as kitchen scraps and yard waste, into a nutrient-rich soil amendment called compost. This process is driven by microorganisms, worms, and other decomposers.
Why Compost?
Reduces Waste: Keeps kitchen scraps and yard waste out of landfills.
Improves Soil: Adds essential nutrients to your garden, improving soil structure and fertility.
Saves Money: Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and soil conditioners.
Environmental Benefits: Decreases greenhouse gas emissions from waste decomposition in landfills.
What You Need
Compost Bin or Pile: You can buy a compost bin or simply create a pile in a designated area of your yard.
Organic Materials: These can be divided into two categories:
Greens: Nitrogen-rich materials like fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings.
Browns: Carbon-rich materials like dry leaves, straw, cardboard, and paper.
What to Compost
Fruit and vegetable scraps
Coffee grounds and filters
Eggshells
Grass clippings
Shredded newspaper and cardboard
Leaves and plant trimmings
Tea bags (make sure they are compostable)
What Not to Compost
Meat, fish, and dairy products (they can attract pests)
Oils and fats
Diseased plants
Pet waste
Synthetic chemicals or treated wood
How to Compost
Choose a Spot: Pick a well-drained area with good air circulation.
Layering: Start with a layer of browns, followed by greens, and alternate. Aim for a 3:1 ratio of browns to greens.
Moisture: Keep the pile moist, like a damp sponge, but not soggy.
Turning: Aerate the pile by turning it with a pitchfork or shovel every few weeks to speed up decomposition.
Patience: Composting can take anywhere from a few months to a year. You'll know it's ready when it looks dark, crumbly, and smells earthy.
Troubleshooting
Bad Odor: Usually due to too much moisture or not enough air. Turn the pile and add more browns.
Pile Not Heating Up: The compost needs more greens or moisture. Mix in green materials and water lightly.
Attracting Pests: Avoid adding meat or dairy products and make sure food scraps are buried under browns.
Using Your Compost
Once your compost is ready, you can use it to:
Enrich garden soil by mixing it in.
Top-dress your lawn.
Use as mulch around plants.
Brew compost tea for liquid fertilizer.
Composting is a simple yet effective way to contribute to environmental sustainability and boost your garden’s health. Happy composting!

Buy Nothing Groups and Keeping Trash Out of the Landfill

For this episode of Wild Virginia Coffee Talk, we chat with the owner of Refill Renew, a local refill store in Staunton and Charlottesville VA.
They are your go-to bulk refill store for your everyday essentials. They provide communities with more sustainable options to reduce plastic waste and carry products that are free of sulfates, parabens, plastic, artificial scents and colors.Even when we do our best to sort our plastics and recyclables, global statistics tell us that only 9% of all recycling actually gets recycled. The best way to reduce plastic from our oceans and landfills is to reuse the bottles consumers already have.
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REFILL STORES REDUCING PLASTIC WASTE
Refill stores, also known as zero-waste or bulk shops, offer various benefits that extend beyond the immediate convenience of shopping. One of the primary advantages is the significant reduction in plastic waste. By allowing customers to bring their own containers and purchase only the quantity they need, these stores help cut down on the single-use plastics that contribute to environmental pollution. This not only benefits the planet by decreasing landfill waste and ocean pollution but also raises awareness about sustainable living practices.
Another major benefit of refill stores is their ability to support local economies and small businesses. Many refill shops source their products from local farmers, artisans, and suppliers, fostering a community-driven economy. This not only ensures fresher, higher-quality goods but also helps to empower local entrepreneurs and create jobs. Additionally, because these stores often focus on organic and ethically-produced items, they encourage more responsible consumerism, promoting products that are better for both people and the environment.
Refill stores also offer a unique shopping experience that fosters mindfulness and intentionality. Customers are encouraged to think about the quantity they need and the quality of the products they are purchasing. This often leads to more conscious consumption patterns, reducing food waste and promoting healthier lifestyles. Furthermore, the communal and educational atmosphere of many refill stores can inspire customers to adopt more eco-friendly habits in other areas of their lives, creating a ripple effect of positive environmental impact.
THE BUY NOTHING PROJECT
The Buy Nothing Project is a social movement that encourages communities to build stronger relationships and support networks through the sharing of goods and services rather than through traditional consumerism. Someone’s trash could be a neighbor’s treasure - this ideal also keeps things out of the landfill and prevents people from buying new! Founded in 2013 by Liesl Clark and Rebecca Rockefeller, the project started as a hyper-local experiment in Bainbridge Island, Washington, and has since grown into a global network with thousands of local groups. The central idea is to create a gift economy where participants freely give and receive items, fostering a sense of generosity, sustainability, and community.
Participants in the Buy Nothing Project join local groups, often hosted on social media platforms like Facebook, to post items they want to give away or to request things they need. These items can range from clothing and household goods to services and skills. The emphasis is on reducing waste by reusing and recycling items within the community, thus minimizing the environmental impact of consumerism. Additionally, the project aims to break down social barriers by encouraging interactions between neighbors who might not otherwise connect, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.
The Buy Nothing Project also promotes a shift in mindset from ownership to access, challenging the conventional notion that happiness and fulfillment come from purchasing new items. Instead, it highlights the value of community, shared resources, and the joy of giving and receiving without the expectation of monetary exchange. By participating in the Buy Nothing Project, individuals can contribute to a more sustainable and connected world, one where resources are more evenly distributed and relationships are strengthened through the simple acts of giving and receiving.

Beyond Plastics and Maintaining the Health of Your Family

Eryn from Eco Inspired joins the podcast to discuss her company, an organization that provides you with products, tools, and resources to help you live a healthier and lower waste lifestyle. They are located in Bon Air outside of Richmond VA, and have products that have been thoroughly vetted to ensure they are ethically and sustainable made and sourced, good for you and the planet and most importantly, practically applicable to sustainable living.
Eryn tells us a little bit about her story, why she started the store, the most common materials used as alternatives to plastic, and the Beyond Plastics movement.
She has also adovacted for local restaurants to join the #SkiptheStuff campaign.
Every year, billions of unused straws, utensils, napkins, condiment packets, and other items are added to take-out and delivery orders only to be discarded. In the United States, 561 billion disposable food service items are utilized annually, leading to 4.9 million tons of waste. Americans go through over 36 billion utensils and up to 142 billion straws each year. Many restaurants include these items in take-out orders, even if the customer doesn't require them.
WHAT PFAS HAS TO DO WITH THE PLASTICS ISSUE
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals", are a class of manmade chemicals that are often used in the plastic molding industry. PFAS are used as a common ingredient in mold release composites and coatings, where they are effective at releasing molded plastic parts from molds. However, PFAS also have properties that make them persistent in the environment.
PFAS are toxic at very low levels and have been linked to a wide range of health risks, including cancer, reproductive problems, and immune system disorders. They have also been found in human blood and breast milk, drinking water, soil, and food packaging. A study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that food packaging from around the world contains at least 68 PFAS.
To lower your risk of exposure to both the harms of PFAS and plastics, you can try to:
Use glass instead of plastic
Use cast iron or uncoated ceramic instead of nonstick cookware
Cook at home instead of relying on takeout
Learn more about the products you can order through Eco Inspired by visiting their online shop, or join the voices of the Beyond Plastics movement.

Yesah Tribunal, MVP Update, and Rights of Rivers Legal Instrument

The International Rights of Nature Tribunal held its 12th local hearing at the Haw River State Park in North Carolina this month. Led by our partners 7 Directions of Service with Movement Rights and the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature, it was the first Indigenous-led tribunal of its kind in global history. The Yesah Tribunal: Mountain Valley Pipeline and the Rights of Rivers had More than100 people attended in person, and dozens more tuned into the day-long proceedings via livestream. The Tribunal took place shortly after MVP experienced serious pipe failures during hydrostatic testing, all while developers are demanded FERC grant the project an in-service request. 
They received their grant at the dismay of environmental groups and frontline communities. David Sligh, Conservation Director, joins the podcast to talk about his experience as an expert at the Tribunal, an update on what's next for the fight against the MVP, and context for Rights of Nature / Rights of Rivers as a legal instrument.