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Ecoholic takes off

So the Ecoholic book hit stores this week and I have to say it’s really exciting to see the little-column-that-could in mass circulation across the country! So far reaction to it has been incredibly welcoming and positive from Charlottetown to Whitehorse. I spoke with CBC radio affiliates in 11 cities coast-to-coast in a seriously intense but invigorating 3-hour timeframe on Friday and I have to say, it’s just cool to think what started as a tiny column wedged in the middle of NOW is being yakked about all the way up in Yellowknife!

Even more surprising is the reaction people have been having to my ramshackle stumbling through the garbage-free challenge! I thought you guys would be emailing me yelling at me for caving over a hemp bar or that drunken Styrofoam poutine episode in Montreal. But nope, either you’ve been telling me you’ve been totally inspired to ditch the packaging from your life or you’ve been sending me super supportive tips to make garbage-free easier. [Thanks, Sarah!] I’m happy to say I’m sticking with 90 per cent of it (including finally ending my 18 year addiction to gum! I’m using natural Spree mints now – you can get a jar of 250 in recyclable packaging at some health stores), though I’ve gone back to my spelt Shasha bread and I will have packaged organic wheat gluten here and there.

Oh and by the way, the sidebar that went with my article says you can put your floss in the greenbin but that’s a mistake. Supposedly the city can’t differentiate between biodegradable floss and regular floss so they just see it as a contaminant. Also many health store flosses aren’t actually biodegradable, they’re often just naturally waxed nylon (nylon’s petrol-based). Radius brand is made of silk but the packaging isn’t recyclable in Toronto. I’m still trying to find a solution to this one beyond those tee tree stick things from Australia and will let you know once I have time to research it more.

Keep sending me your tips! And don’t forget to pick up your copy of Ecoholic – the book edition!

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