Mar 5th 2025
What does it mean to be eco-conscious?
Well, according to Merriam-Webster, eco-conscious means “marked by or showing concern for the environment”.
By this definition, it’s safe to say a large portion of the US population are eco-conscious. The question then becomes “How can I make an impact?” When you ask yourself this question, the list of opportunities can be overwhelming.
Where we chose to begin…
In 2024, usmooth launched usmooth • eco in efforts to decrease our carbon footprint.
1. We knew our primary goal was reducing e-waste. This led to a partnership with eSCO Processing and Recycling. With any purchase of a usmooth tool, you can go on our website and print a prepaid shipping label to send us your old or broken tool to be recycled or repurposed. For more information, visit https://usmooth.com/recycle/
2. Our second area of focus is sequestering carbon. We chose to partner with Veritree, a company that provides nature-based solutions for mission-driven companies that want to revitalize ecosystems. Through this partnership we plant 1000 trees and 1000 sea kelp each month. For more information, visit https://usmooth.com/partners-in-kindness/#renew
On our quest to find the right partners for our mission, we’ve discovered many areas that requires attention. One is the repair of our ecosystems. Non-native plants, turf grass, and the use of pesticides are devastating our ecosystems. We need them intact to maintain a healthy planet and we need a healthy planet to maintain healthy humans.
How can you make an immediate impact.
With Spring around the corner many of us are thinking about our landscapes and gardens. Outside of the obvious (recycling, etc.), the fastest way to help the planet is by planting native trees and plants. This begs the question, “Which plants are native to my area?”. We’ve got you covered! Below is a small list of resources. The first two sites have ecoregion locators. You can quickly generate a list of native trees and/or plants specific to your area.
Once established, you’ll notice they are easier to maintain than non-native/ornamental plants. Soon small mammals, birds, and pollinators will be seeking refuge in your yard. This is a sign the ecosystem in your yard has begun to regenerate itself.
*Remember it is imperative to give up chemical pesticides. Insects are vital to our planet’s food web.
https://homegrownnationalpark.org
