At Home On Earth

SIMPLE / SMART / SUSTAINABLE / STORIES

Our favorite long-distance walker, Miles Howard (we call him “Miles to Go”), shared this piece about walking holidays: “You stuff some essentials into a backpack,” he writes, “a few sets of clothes, snacks, a first aid kit, and whatever electronics you need to function. You plot a multi-day walk that will take you from Point A to Point B, on trails, sidewalks, quiet roads, you name it. And each day, you refuel at restaurants or markets along the walk, and you retire to local inns for a hot shower and a restorative night’s sleep on an actual mattress that you don’t have to unfurl and inflate. The next morning, you wake up, enjoy a nice leisurely breakfast, and you do it all again. That is a proper Walking Holiday, my dear friends.” And fall, he posits, is the perfect time to hit the trails or the sidewalks. See more of Miles’s walking adventures here. 

Be among the first to experience a Bluedot Living–curated travel experience, where you’ll connect with local environmental change-makers and enjoy carefully designed all-inclusive itineraries and farm-to-table dining, all in exquisite locales. With five trips scheduled for 2026, ranging from Hollywood, California, to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, there’s a destination to suit every traveler.

“Each one of us matters, has a role to play, and makes a difference. Each one of us must take responsibility for our own lives, and above all, show respect and love for living things around us, especially each other.” 

– Jane Goodall, primatologist and environmentalist, April 3, 1934 to October 1, 2025

The extraordinary Jane Goodall passed away this week in the midst of a speaking tour. Jane was a pioneer in both the way scientists studied animals and for women in the field. And she was tireless in her environmentalism, convinced and convincing that we all have a responsibility to preserve our common home and to all with whom we share it. 

But among her many achievements for which we are grateful, we at Bluedot will remember her for reminding all of us that kindness is strength, curiosity a superpower, and that each of us has value … and an important role to play. Rest in peace, Jane Goodall. 

• The National Loon Center Has Opened in Minnesota

• Have Yourself a Walking Holiday

• Recipe: Kiwi-Sumac Quick Jam

• Using AI to Prevent Wildfires

• Bluedot Trips: Ranches, Islands, Beaches, and Environmental Stewards

• Dear Dot: Is Biodegradable Polyester a Legit Fabric?

• Avoiding Food Waste on Vacation

• Researching Dairy Cows While Raising Them

• Working on Climate Solutions in the Public and Private Sphere

• Fight Food Waste with an App

• Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet

Make sustainable living simple with the Bluedot Living’s Green Home Deluxe Kit — a $170+ value collection of our editors’ favorite Earth-friendly products, free with your membership. You’ll also enjoy exclusive member savings, inspiring community connections, and more planet-positive perks.

FEATURED STORIES

BIG IDEAS AND LOCAL CHANGEMAKERS

 Bluedot Living Kitchen

Travel, Trash, and a $2 Billion Problem You Can Help Fix

No matter where we go, we all gotta eat. That’s why the one thing it seems we can never avoid is wasting food, even while on vacation. In the U.S., vacationers staying in short-term rentals waste $2 billion in food each year. But there’s a growing network of travel influencers, non-profits, and short-term rental hosts who are finding ways to help mindful travelers cut back on food waste while in paradise. As B-Corp certified Airbnb host Jennifer Schnier says, “There is a whole travel movement that they just want to take memories and only leave footprints.”

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Dear Dot: Is Biodegradable Polyester a Legit Eco-Fabric?

Dear Dot,

I was on a company’s website, and it listed a sweater vest made with linen, cotton, and “biodegradable polyester,” described as “an innovative fiber that biodegrades at rates similar to natural fibers such as wool in landfill conditions, all the while reducing synthetic microfiber pollution.” Is that legit?

– Lizanne

Dear Lizanne,

While attending a fashion design program, I learned about designers and manufacturers that are quite literally trying to weave sustainability principles into fashion. But I’m frustrated at the amount of greenwashing in the fashion industry. Clothing brands are trying to keep up with consumer demand for sustainability (which we love), but I’ve noticed a lot of claims that seem too good to be true. Are they? Let’s take a look at what experts are saying and figure this out.

Before we get into biodegradable polyester, let’s get on the same page about what, exactly, regular old polyester is. In simplest terms, polyester is a type of plastic. And what is the main ingredient in plastic? Crude oil — noxious from drilling to disposal. Unfortunately, since emerging on the fashion scene in the 1950s, polyester has become ubiquitous in our clothes, often mixed with natural fibers. You and I both probably wear plastic every day. It’s cheap, it’s versatile, and it’s easy to care for.

All of which is to say, the notion of biodegradable polyester is exciting. Affordability with a reduced environmental price tag? Yes, please. But first, let’s see if claims hold up. …

Curious? Keep reading.

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BUY LESS/BUY BETTER: Top Picks for Spotting Migratory Birds

If you make a purchase through our links, including from Amazon, we may earn a small commission.

Birders, rejoice: October offers ample opportunities to spot songbirds, raptors, shorebirds, and more. With warmer weather lingering in some regions, migrations may come later than usual, keeping sparrows and hawks moving well into November. To learn when bird activity may be busiest in your area, check out this handy list. The three items below can help you enhance your enjoyment of the season. 

A Great Birding Book

If you’re interested in becoming a better birder, check out Find More Birds: 111 Ways to Spot Birds Wherever You Are by Heather Wolf. A true expert on urban birding — Wolf has spotted 130 bird species in Brooklyn Bridge Park alone —  she also has great suggestions for birders in all types of locales. Shop on Thriftbooks or Amazon.

Durable, Affordable Binoculars 

Nocs, a Climate Neutral Certified brand and 1% for the Planet member, makes durable, comfortable binoculars backed by a “no-matter-what” lifetime warranty. For birders who love to capture the moment, an optional photo rig connects your phone to the lenses so you can snap crisp close-up shots. Shop Now.

A Smart Birdfeeder

The Bird Buddy Solar Smart Bird Feeder is WiFi-connected and feature-packed, using AI to recognize and identify more than 1,000 species. Its solar roof keeps the feeder powered, while app notifications, photo captures, and even a meme generator make birding interactive and fun for all. Shop on Amazon.

Bluedot’s creative director Tara Kenny loves Too Good to Go, an app that connects her with nearby restaurants and grocers with excess food. She gets to pick up what she wants — often at reduced prices — and keep perfectly good food out of landfills. 

The Keep-This Handbook

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is coming up on Oct. 25, so start rounding up all that out-of-date or unused medication so that it can be safely, conveniently, and responsibly disposed of. Check out Bluedot’s Guide to Getting Rid of (Almost) Anything or click here.<> 

The Roads We Travel 

We’re thrilled to share what we’ve been dreaming up behind the scenes: Bluedot Living Travel. These thoughtfully curated trips invite you to explore stunning destinations while connecting with the local environmental leaders who inspire our stories. Each all-inclusive itinerary is designed with care — from farm-to-table meals to immersive experiences that reflect the spirit of each locale. We’re launching five trips for 2026, including Santa Barbara (think wineries, Indigenous heritage, storied gardens), Little St. Simons Island in Georgia (wilderness sanctuary, low-country dining, barefoot luxury), and B Bar Ranch in Montana (nature walks, campfire talks, ranch-to-table dining). We’d love for you to be among the first to join us. Visit our website to explore our destinations. 

Enjoy the weekend, and we’ll see you next week.

–Jamie Kageleiry (and Emily Cain, Leslie Garrett, and Robin Jones)

Editors

Write us at editor@bluedotliving.com

Leslie Garrett has been covering climate stories for close to two decades.  She makes her home in Canada, west of Toronto. She’s still figuring out her favorite spot but it’s definitely near the water.

Jamie Kageleiry, a longtime magazine and newspaper editor from Martha’s Vineyard, says her favorite spot on earth is out on a kayak there, looking at birds.

Robin Jones is a Southern California native who served as an editor at Westways magazine for more than a decade. She lives in Long Beach and teaches journalism at Cal State Long Beach.

Emily Cain is a recent graduate of Cal State Long Beach, where she wrote and edited for the university’s award-winning magazine, DIG.

Our audience is informed, intentional, and tuned in to sustainable living. Reach our 300,000 readers by advertising here, or contact adsales@bluedotliving.com to reserve your space.

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