Field Notes

Meet the Hawaiian Family of Surfing Champions Dedicated to Restoring the Next Generation of Ocean Stewards
Duane DeSoto was swimming before he could walk. That was a tradition passed down from his kupuna, or ancestors, in Makaha, on Oahu's West Side. "We grew up with an unbroken connection to their knowledge of the ocean," he explains. "Canoes, fishing, surfing. All of that fed into our stewardship,...

Three Pivotal Steps Brands Should Take Immediately to Embrace the Coming EPR Future
California's Plastic Pollution Reduction and Producer Responsibility Act (SB-54) means big changes are coming for anyone doing businesses in the Golden State in the years ahead. By 2032, when this historic bill is fully phased in, any packaging that isn't reusable, recyclable, or compostable will face significant fees.

The Global South is Drowning in Plastic Pollution. Here's Why Effective EPR in the Global North is the Answer
If you haven't had a moment to absorb the devastating plastic pollution problem in the global south it's high time you give it a look. Fair warning: depending on your temperament the scenes will either bring tears to your eyes or turn you red with rage. The gist is this: since...

Kelly Slater Hopes to Set a Sustainable Path for the Surf Industry
Kelly Slater was born in 1972, just a few months before first Earth Day. But when the 11-time world champion surfer was growing up, the only time he heard the word "sustainability" uttered, if ever, was when stony surfers were referencing their weed source. Surfers of the 70s were among...

Can SB 1458 Make Hawaii the Reuse State?
Environmental advocates in Hawaii are making an ambitious push to make reuse the primary waste reduction movement of the future. Their mantra: "1-4-5-8 make Hawaii the reuse state!" Continue reading below or listen to this story here Senate Bill 1458 in Hawaii was introduced late last year by Senator Mike...

If Bioplastics Have a Future in Packaging, Where Should it Be?
If you're a regular reader of this blog you're already familiar with the magnitude of the plastic pollution problem. You know the primary sources of plastic pollution are fossil fuel and petrochemical companies looking to expand their portfolio of products. You know the primary victims are our oceans, lakes and...