October 29, 2019

Redesigning the Way We Shop

by Sarah Levy

The owner of a new, low-waste, personal and home care store in Cambridge, MA, Sarah Levy has re-envisioned the way we shop while helping our community to reduce its waste. For as long as I can remember, I’ve tried to use resources efficiently (i.e., not waste stuff), which is likely a result of growing up… Continue reading Redesigning the Way We Shop

Photo of Sarah Levy refilling a shampoo bottle in Cleenland
October 29, 2019

A Roadmap for Combatting Climate Change

by Alyssa Rayman-Read

(This article originally appeared in Commonwealth Magazine.)

The front of the Massachusetts State House, with the gold dome visible in front of blue sky
October 28, 2019

Our Recycling System is Broken

by John Hite

Our recycling system is in a crisis. Up until last year, recyclables collected for the U.S. were shipped to China for processing. But then, China stopped accepting our recycling, setting off a chain reaction of problems. In New England and across the country, the cost of recycling for towns and cities is skyrocketing, forcing local… Continue reading Our Recycling System is Broken

Plastic water bottles
October 28, 2019

Municipal Solid Waste: What is It and Why is It a Problem?

by Kirstie Pecci

Think for a moment about the trash you produce every day, either directly or indirectly. First, there’s what you throw out at your home or your job; then there’s the trash that restaurants, laundromats, doctors’ offices, and other businesses you frequent throw out after you leave. Next, add the waste from the farms that produce… Continue reading Municipal Solid Waste: What is It and Why is It a Problem?

Landfill in Saugus, MA
October 25, 2019

Latest Trump Administration Rollback Threatens Environmental Justice

by Amy Laura Cahn

The Trump administration government is rolling back a key way to prove discrimination in court, but a set of bills in Massachusetts would make sure those protections remain at the state level. The bills would provide legal safeguards for communities of color and refugee and immigrant communities to ensure that policies addressing the intense heat, dangerous flooding, and extreme weather events of climate change do not discriminate.

The Massachusetts Legislature missed their chance to lead on energy today. Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
October 22, 2019

Revived Bill Threatens Waterfront Public Access in Massachusetts

by Deanna Moran

Last year, you took action to oppose a proposed bill that would have threatened public access to Boston’s waterfront and set a dangerous precedent for waterfront areas statewide. That bill died in the legislature last session but has since been revived and is up for debate by a key legislative committee next week. So now… Continue reading Revived Bill Threatens Waterfront Public Access in Massachusetts

October 11, 2019

Is Massachusetts Opening the Door to Dirty Energy?

by Rohemir Ramirez

Biomass developers are pushing for state policy changes that would allow their plants to emit more air pollution, underreport their climate impacts, and take families’ and businesses’ money while harming the health of our communities. CLF is joining Springfield residents and other local groups in fighting back.

Dirty energy sources contribute to dangerous air pollution
October 8, 2019

Rhode Island Communities Step Up to Stop Plastic Pollution

With action to stem plastic pollution stalled at the state level, communities across the Ocean State continue to pick up the slack and take on this important work.

October 8, 2019

A North Atlantic Right Whale Family Tree

by Ashira Morris

This summer, 10 right whales died, including Wolverine, the great-grandson of famous right whale matriarch Kleenex. Each whale death this year means families lost mothers, fathers, siblings, and grandchildren — a family tree that’s losing branches. Calving mothers like Kleenex are crucial to the right whales’ survival.

North Atlantic right whale
October 8, 2019

Can You Slash Your Trash for One Week?

by Olivia Synoracki

We live surrounded by trash, especially single-use plastic. It’s in our homes, schools, restaurants, offices, communities, and the environment. There’s so much waste that it can be easy to miss its full scale in our lives. Manufacturers and brand owners have created this throw-away culture by mass-producing disposable goods. But when it comes time to… Continue reading Can You Slash Your Trash for One Week?

Food waste