EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Where do you recycle plastic stuff like sandwich bags, Saran wrap and plastic grocery store wrappers? Can they just go in with other plastics in the recycling bin? There never...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: OK, so are cell phones emitting dangerous radiation or not? If so, which phones are safer that others and what do we do to minimize exposure? — Luke Alderman, Santa Fe,...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: I am a bartender in Sacramento and I would love to be able to use some sort of locally made or sustainable version of sugar. What’s out there? – Ryan Seng, via e-mail It...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Where does ethanol as an automobile fuel fit into the alternative energy mix? Is it better for the environment than gasoline? – Donna Allgaier-Lamberti, Pullman, MI Ethanol—a...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Can airplanes be run on cleaner fuels or be electric powered? Are there changes afoot in the airline business to find cleaner fuels? – Reema Islam, Dhaka, Bangladesh...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that the BP oil leak is much more of an environmental threat than previous spills from tankers, and if so why? – Nathan Gore, Pawtucket, RI No one knows for...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: I’m told that, despite improvements in recent years, pesticides in flea collars are still harmful to pets and humans. Are there ways to minimize fleas without resorting to...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: I understand there’s an issue with the herbicide atrazine showing up in dangerous quantities in drinking water, mostly throughout the central U.S. Why is this happening and...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Given the huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last month, isn’t it high time the government put a stop to offshore oil drilling once and for all? Short of banning it altogether,...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Which woods are OK to purchase, and which are not, in the interest of preserving forests and not harming those who depend upon them? – Jon Steiner, Boise, ID Deforestation...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: What is “smart growth” and how does it benefit the environment? And what are the downsides, if any? – Frank Quinn, Missoula, MT Faceless B, courtesy Flickr Originating...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: How effective have plastic bag bans and restrictions been on reducing plastic litter and other problems associated with their proliferation? And is it really better to use paper...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Are there any health hazards associated with the use of the new silicone bake ware and cooking utensils?  I have found information associated with the hazards/benefits of Teflon...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Oceans are in big trouble and I understand President Obama is creating a high level ocean council to address them. What are the major issues? – Steve Sullivan, Bothell,...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: I know that purchasing organic crib sheets, mattresses and baby clothes is better for the environment—but do they make any difference in terms of the baby’s health? –...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: A friend with many minor health problems recently switched to a diet of only raw plant foods and reports feeling much better. She also insists her new eating habits are better...