Acreage for GM Crops Declined in 2015

For the first time since their introduction, farmers planted less acreage of genetically modified (GM) crops in 2015. The drop was small, from 448.5 million acres in 2014 to 440 million in 2016. The value of GM seeds also dropped slightly last year. Unfortunately, the U.S. is still the largest grower of GM crops such as corn, soy, cotton, canola, etc, with just over 175 million acres planted. The decline is due in part to the low commodity prices for those top crops,  but no matter the reason, we’re excited to see a drop in the planting of GM crops! Keep buying non-GMO and organic products, hopefully we’ll see a bigger drop next year.

Keurig’s New K-Cup Coffee is Recyclable, but Hardly Green

Keurig has come under fire in the past few years for the millions of single serve plastic pods that end up in landfills every year. The wastefulness is huge and sales have slowed as consumers have realized the impact. Keurig has designed a new pod that is made of polypropylene and can be recycled just like plastic bottles. This is a small step in the right direction, but unfortunately it’s not a big enough step. The pods cannot be reused or composted, and millions of the pods will still end up in landfills because consumers won’t take the time to dump out the grounds. We suggest buying a reusable K-Cup here. It’s a small, one time investment, but it will save you lots of money in the long run, and is much better for the environment. Plus, you can refill it with organic coffee!

Eating Fast Food Exposes Consumers to Toxic Chemical

Americans know that fast food wreaks havoc on the body and is bad for our health, but for some reason we still eat millions of dollars worth of fast food every year. Not only is fast food filled with more sodium, fat, and sugar than our bodies can handle, but there are also high levels of phthalates involved as well. Phthalates are hormone-disrupting chemicals found in plastics, food packaging, flooring, etc, and are associated with fertility, developmental, respiratory, and neurobehavioral issues. If the high fat and sodium counts aren’t enough to persuade people away from fast food, hopefully this study linking severe health issues to the food will help change minds.