Field Notes

Colorado Makes Hopeful First Step Towards Better Recycling and Sustainability
Colorado Makes Hopeful First Step Towards Better Recycling and Sustainability
Some big news on the EPR front was announced in Colorado last week, where the state has taken a major step in implementing its extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for packaging by selecting the Circular Action Alliance as their producer responsibility organization (PRO). This is a pretty big deal for...
Chris Mauro • May 08, 2023
Bazinga! Sheldon P Cooper's Guide to Outsmarting PFAS
Bazinga! Sheldon P Cooper's Guide to Outsmarting PFAS
With the advent of powerful AI tools, we're rapidly approaching a monumental societal shift that's sure to be a mixed bag of delightful discoveries and spine-chilling uncertainties. So how should we feel about engaging with them?  Well, this post is about PFAS, the pesky cockroaches of the chemical kingdom. They've been...
Chris Mauro • Apr 24, 2023
Brand Spotlight | Avasol: Revolutionizing Sun Protection with All-Natural, Eco-Friendly Ingredients
Brand Spotlight | Avasol: Revolutionizing Sun Protection with All-Natural, Eco-Friendly Ingredients
In a world where countless skincare products harbor chemicals detrimental to both humans and the environment, being confident about the ingredients in your sunscreen can prove to be a daunting task. Continue reading below or listen now: Enter Chris Wilkinson, the visionary founder of Avasol sunscreen, who is determined to...
Chris Mauro • Mar 26, 2023
Meet the Hawaiian Family of Surfing Champions Dedicated to Restoring the Next Generation of Ocean Stewards
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,...
Chris Mauro • Mar 14, 2023
Three Pivotal Steps Brands Should Take Immediately to Embrace the Coming EPR Future
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. 
Chris Mauro • Mar 05, 2023
The Global South is Drowning in Plastic Pollution. Here's Why Effective EPR in the Global North is the Answer
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...
Chris Mauro • Mar 02, 2023