The Anti-Packaging Movement

Everyone has heard of recycling, but “pre-cycling” (eliminating waste before it’s created) is a more obscure concept. Stores of every kind use over zealous amounts of packaging for their products, sometimes even packing products in a plastic bag, inside of a box, with plastic sealing the box. So much waste can be eliminated by reducing or ideally eliminating packaging, especially when it comes to food. Some stores in Europe have turned to the pre-cycling method – there are no produce bags, grains, candies, produce, etc are taken from the store in jars and containers brought from home, even products like oil and vinegar are bought with a small bottle deposit, and the bottles are returned and cleaned when empty. Denver, Colorado is getting a net zero store in the near future, will New York be next?

A Call for a Ban on Drug Ads on TV

The American Medical Association is calling for a ban on drug ads on TV, claiming they do nothing but drive a demand for expensive treatments. Companies spend billions of dollars a year on advertising because it does increase sales substantially. There is an average of 80 drug ads played every hour in the U.S!  A bill has been introduced to the senate to take away the tax breaks companies get for these ads. Some studies show that drug ads may help people talk to their doctor about problems they’re having, so a compromise has been proposed – only advertise drugs that have been on the market for years and have been found to be safe long term.

Big Food Guilty in Multimillion Dollar Cover Up in GMO Labeling Fight

A Washington superior court decided that the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association (GMA) is guilty of hiding the source of millions of dollars contributed to fight against GMO labeling. The GMA intentionally hid the identity of at least ten big companies (PepsiCo, Nestle, and Coca Cola top the list with the largest contributions), which goes against the required disclosure laws of Washington state. The judge ruled that the people of Washington voted for transparency and full disclosure, which the GMA had intentionally violated. Washington Attorney General Ferguson is seeking a penalty of at least $14 million, to send a strong message that big food companies will be held accountable for their actions.