#certified bamboo

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[bigification]

Bear Darts

"Yes! They finally came in." I say in excitement as I pick up a package in front of my dorm. I rush inside and rip open the package. 8 small darts with a weird green liquid inside and a bamboo tube. "There's no way they actually work right?" The website seemed so legit and the concept seemed too good to be true. "Guaranteed to transform any man into a certified bear." Was the tag line. I am tempted to jab one of them into my arm right now, but I'm too nervous. What if it's just poison or something? I should at least test it out, it'll be fun anyway.

I stuff the darts and the bamboo into my bag and head to campus. Who to start with? Mr. Henderson could be a good option. I don't like him so if it goes wrong I don't care, and he's pretty scrawny so I'll be able to see any difference. I decide to head to Mr. Henderson's office, figuring he'll be a good test run.

On the way, I come across a raccoon rummaging through garbage in an alley, and an idea sparks through my mind. If it's that harmful, it would hurt a raccoon, so I might as well test them out. I pull out a dart and the bamboo and head into the alley. I slot the dart into the end of the bamboo, line up the shot, and blow as hard as I can. I hear the swoosh of the dart piercing the wind. The dark hits the raccoons back and it barely reacts, as if it's just a measly mosquito bite. The green liquid drains out of the dart, and I wait for a reaction. It doesn't take long for the animal to start twitching. It's hard to tell in the shadow of the alley, but my kind went straight to the worst, it was poisonous. But then I saw its body change shape. It wasn't much, but its scrawny limbs grew thicker, its belly grew rounder, and its grubby little paws grew larger. By the end, it still resembled a raccoon, just larger and meatier than you'd expect a raccoon to be. Could this be real? I continue watching as the raccoon resumes its normal activities.

I let out a chuckle in excitement at what was yet to come. I walk back out of the alley and speed walk to Mr. Henderson's office, this was gonna be good. The website said results may vary depending on what the person looked like before the transformation, and based on other things like genetics. Essentially it's random. But I was still hoping to see Mr. Henderson with a big hairy gut spilling out of his shirt.

I finally make it to his office and I slowly open his door just a sliver. He's standing in the middle of the room, looking over at the wall to the left of the door. I feel confident enough that he's not able to see the door from the way he's looking. I look over to see he's very concentrated on a bunch of photos hung up on the wall, which makes sense as he's a photography prof.

I take a mental image of the prof before I line up the shot, so I can compare the before and after in my mind. He's got buzz cut and a bushy salt and pepper beard. His frame is quite skinny but I can see a little bit of a belly and moobs under his shirt. That shirts definitely not doing him any favours, I wonder what it will look like on him after. His arms and legs are scrawny, with little fat or muscle on them. He's also wearing some camo shorts.

Now with his image locked in my head, I prepare a dart and like up the shot. Same with the raccoon, I blow as hard as I can and the dart lodges into the side of his belly. He flinches for a moment, but then stops in places. I can see his muscle twitching, as if they're cramping and freezing him in place. It all happens so quickly. It starts with his belly. His small belly grows in waves of soft fat, each wave packing dozens of pounds. Each wave makes his gut jiggle more and more as it grows rounder and rounder. His gut and his love handles spill over his waistline as his shirt rides up, revealing a stretched out belly button. Soon enough, it appears as though he stuffed a small beach ball into his stomach with how large it is. Though it is soon complemented by a growing pair of soft moobs. If what he had before were moobs, he now has full on man tits. They're soft and round, pressing tightly against his shirt. I can even see his nipples harden under the shirt. Next to fall is his ass. His once flat derriere quickly plumped up similar to his belly. Waves of fat perked up his ass as it threatened to rip through his shorts. The button on his pants popped off and flung across the office in dramatic fashion, leaving his fly wide open. His arms and his legs thickened slightly as a layer of fat covered them, though they stayed quite skinny in proportion to his body. Also, in the process, his beard had grown out and became almost all grey.

The entire time I could feel my dick riding up into my waist band. This was so much hotter than I expected it to be. I want to go in there and get my hands on that fatass so bad, but I have to have restraint. His muscles have stopped twitching and he seems back in control, though he still seems laser focused on the wall of photos. He reaches to scratch his belly and seems a bit shocked at the fact that he's scratching skin rather than shirt. "Huh, I coulda sworn this fit yesterday, musta shrunk in the wash." He shrugs, completely oblivious to the changes his body had just gone through. I don't know if I find it more or less hot that he seems to not care that he's a fatass. I don't have time to think about it though, as he starts to turn towards the door. I quickly grab my bag and run. I'll get to see him for photography class tomorrow anyway.

I think about who I want to hit next. I've got 6 darts left and plenty of profs on my list. Now that it seems safe, I'm more willing to go for profs I like. So I think one of the hottest prof off the top of my head. Mr. Ahmed. God he's hot. He's got perfectly toned skin, a thick black beard, and beautiful eyes. The only thing is he's quite skinny, and I like my men thick. So this is the perfect opportunity, and his office is close by.

I arrive at his office and see him just on his phone. My mouth salivates as I think about what I'm gonna do to him. I pull out a dart and shoot it. It lands right into his biceps and the green liquid rapidly drains from the dart. My hand instinctively drifts to my crotch as I wait in anticipation.

He froze in place, just like Henderson. But this time it started from his arm instead of his belly, it must be from wherever the dart hits. His once skinny arm swells, ripping his sleeve in the process. His forearm followed suit, growing a thick pelt of hair in the process as his delicate hand grew into a monstrous man hand. The transformation continued into his shoulders, then to his chest. His shoulders broadened, pushing his small shirt to its limits. Then his suddenly exploded outward, tearing straight through what was left of his shirt. Thick muscles now lay under thick man tits as they hand over his stomach. His already thick chest hair became more dense as his nipples grew large and sensitive. His other arm quickly grew just as large as the first, evening out his hulking body. His exposed belly went from flat to large and rotund in a matter of seconds, though it remained quite solid from strong muscle that grew below it. His gut befell a similar fate to the rest of his body, being covered in a layer of dark hairs.

His lower half quickly grew to match his upper half. Fat and muscle flooded into his ass and thighs until his dress pants ripped in dramatic fashion, leaving him in nothing but his extremely tight underwear, leaving little to the imagination. The legs continued to grow, and his feet seemed to grow at least five sizes, busting out of his shoes. Finally his facial features began to change. The rather young professor looked as if he aged 15 years in just moments as wrinkles and blemishes riddled his face, and his hairline receded slightly. His face also seemed to become a bit chubbier, matching his hulking gut.

He finally unfroze, seeming unfazed by changes in his body. He reached to stretch some of his muscles, I'm sure they're sore after such an intense transformation. But he quickly realized his lack of clothing and left to a backroom to find some. The idea that he wouldn't be able to find any clothes that remotely fit him made it all the more hot for me, but I got out before I got caught.

I was on top of the world, there was no way I would stop now. I thought about who to find next, and the choice seemed obvious. Mr. Salim, how could I forget the health and fitness prof. Ive never had him, but damn it is tempting to take a fitness class just to get to look at him more. He kinda looked like Mr. Ahmed but buff, cocky, and far more charming.

I quickly made it to the fitness building and found his office. I peaked in and saw him working out with his earbuds in, this was my shot. Without hesitation I load a dart and shoot. I chuckle quietly as I see the dart lodge into his ass. He goes to scratch his ass but fails to notice the dart, soon after he drops his weights and freezes in place. His already perky ass grows slightly, but not as much as I'd expect. Still enough to pants ride down his ass a bit, revealing a bright blue jockstrap. Of course Mr. Salim would wear a jockstrap. His thighs grow significantly, bulging with muscle to the point of ripping his pants. The rest of his legs follow suit, growing thick calves and massive feet.

I can see under his shirt that his waist is tightening up, which is surprising given that he's the first one to not get fat. A little disappointing if you ask me, but I'm not disliking what I see so far. His shoulders broaden and his chest puffs out, ripping right through his shirt. His arms nearly double in size, making his look like a bodybuilder as his hands grow to match. His face seemed to age as some of his hair turned grey. As he aged, his already hairy body became even more so, covering most of his body in thick salt and pepper hair. Even his stubble grew out into a thick silver beard.

Mr. Salim put down his weights, got up, and walked to the mirror in his office. He turned so he could see his ass in the mirror and snapped a photo.

A part of me was hoping to see him become a fat slob, something about fat gym teachers always got me going. But I certainly wouldn't complain about this view.

The health and fitness building is right beside geography and history, so I should head there. I try to think of a teacher I've had in this department. Maybe Mr. Smith? I had him for first year history and he's hot, I just remember him being a bit weird. That doesn't matter, I'm already on my way to his office.

I peak through his door and see him focused on his computer, perfect timing. I load a dart and shoot it. It hits him in the side of his thigh. Within moments I can see his jeans struggling to contain his growing legs. His jeans become even tighter as fat fills his ass, creating a loud pop sound as his belt snaps off.

His slim torso expands until he has a thick muscle gut and love handles that spill over his jeans. His chest grows into two strong but soft looking pecs that are impossible to miss through his tight shirt. His arms explode with muscle, making it look like they're gonna rip his sleeves. Finally his face fattens up a bit as a short beard covers his soft jawline.

Mr. Smith leans back in his chair and crossed his arms over his tank of a gut.

It wasn't what I expected for Mr. Smith to be honest. I expected him to turn into a big fat history teacher, but he is hotter as a muscle chub. As I'm watching, he goes to unzip his jeans. He whips out his massive dick and starts to jerk off. Damn I didn't expect Mr. Smith to be packing that, but maybe it's a side effect of the darts. I keep watching until he swivels his chair in my direction, I can't risk being caught so I leave.

I look at my watch and realize I've lost track of time, I have a math class right now. I run across the campus to my math class and quietly sit at the back of the theatre.

I quickly get bored and wonder if I should hit Mr. Derrick with a dart in the middle of the lecture. It's risky but I'm bored so fuck it. I pull out the dart and try to shoot it as quietly as possible and it hits him square in the stomach. Mr. Derrick is a very scrawny man, so I'm curious about how it's gonna effect him.

As soon as he gets hit, he stops talking and freezes in place, but weirdly enough, no one in the class seems to notice. The man's skinny body explodes with fat. At first he grows a small pot belly, then a sizable beer belly, then it settles as a giant ball gut that looks like he stuffed a beach ball down his button up. I'm surprised his shirt has ripped yet. His chest grows two man tits that are visible through his shirt. The sleeve of his jacket starts to look like stuffed sausages as his fat arms fill out all the space in them. The man's thighs thicken until his pants start to rip and his fat ass causes his fly to rip open. Finally his clean shaven face grows a thick brown beard.

He continued the lecture as if nothing had happened. His lack of awareness of his body makes even more hot. I can't believe he ended up that fat, I can see his gut spill out of his shirt each time he reaches up. And every part of his body bounces when he walks around. Eventually he ended up sitting down for the second half of the lecture, and he was often out of breath from just talking.

Once the lecture is over, I walk up to the front of the theatre and talk to Mr. Derrick.

"Hey, I've been struggling keeping up with the material lately, I was wondering if we could have a one on one session?" I ask him.

"Oh ya for sure, just come by during my office hours and I'd be happy to help." He responds. The man is practically panting at this point and I can see the sweat start to drench his beard.

"By the way, I don't think that shirt fits you anymore sir." I say just to make him uncomfortable. He just looks down, blushes, and runs off. Hobbling as fast as he can out of the theatre.

I got two darts left, I should use them wisely. The only teacher I can think of right now is Mr. Brown. His voice is so deep and buttery but his body doesn't match it, he's really skinny. I think he'd be better off as a bear anyway.

I make my way to the athletics facility, I've had him for French and English class, so I know where to find him. He works out around this time most days, so I make my way to the gym. As I walk to the gym, I see him in the corner of my eye in the showers. He's turned away from me, so I quickly take my shot, hitting him in the back. His back muscles grow and become more defined before a thick layer of fat covered them and creates thick rolls down his back. His stomach grows into a sizable belly with a thick belly button. His chest expands, first to juicy pecs, but then they slowly soften into a pair of moobs. His traps grow as his shoulders broaden, I also notice that he's getting taller, like a lot taller. He was shorter than me, but now his head is well above the shower head. His arms grow to match the rest of his hulking body.

Next his ass widened and started to sag slightly under its own weight. His thighs thickened until they rubbed together and his feet grew from a size 11 to a monstrous size 20. I also noticed his dick grow to at least 10 inches, if not more. All the while he was still getting taller, by now his shoulders were above the shower head. Finally his facial features became softer and fatter as the hair on his head fell out, although his stubble grew into a thick black beard.

As the transformation ends, Mr. Brown reaches behind him and grabs the dart out of his back. He's the only one to have noticed it. He looks at the dart for a moment, then turns toward me. I try to duck behind the wall, but I think he saw me. I hide in one of the bathroom stalls until I hear him leave, with the size of that man, it's not hard to tell where he's walking.

Once I can't hear him anymore, I rush out of the stall and grab my bag. But just as I reach the door, I bump into Mr. Brown. He's waiting at the doorway with a small green towel wrapped around his waist.

"What's this?" He says holding up one of my darts. Interestingly enough, it's a full one. The one I shot him with should be empty, so that means. Oh no. I look through my bag, the last dart is gone. Before waiting for a response, Mr. Brown just grabs my arm and jabs the dart into it.

I feel frozen in place. My clothes feel tighter and tighter until I hear them rip. I feel the warmth of the locker room air touch my bare skin. I start to feel itchy all over my body as my perspective shifts higher and higher. I feel so strong. I feel like I've grown a foot in height, but I'm still at eye level with Mr. Browns chest.

I finally gain control of my body and look down at the damage. I have thick pecs and a little bit of a belly, all covered in hair. Thick arms and legs, also covered in hair, actually my entire body is now covered in hair. And the bulge in my underwear is massive.

I turn my attention back to Me. Brown.

"Where did you get these?" He asks in his deep intimating voice. I stutter for a moment. "I'm not gonna snitch, I just got a few people I want to use it on." Mr. Brown asks. My fear turns to excitement as I realize the damage Mr. Brown and I are gonna do together.

[fatehbaz]

Planting trees does not necessarily mean a forest is being restored.

---

But efforts to increase global tree cover to limit climate change have skewed towards erecting plantations of fast-growing trees. The reasons are obvious: planting trees can demonstrate results a lot quicker than natural forest restoration. This is helpful if the objective is generating a lot of timber quickly or certifying carbon credits which people and firms buy to supposedly offset their emissions. [...] [I]ll-advised tree planting can unleash invasive species [...]. For more than 200 years India has experimented with tree plantations, offering important lessons about the consequences different approaches to restoring forests have on local communities and the wider environment. This rare long-term perspective should be heeded [...].

Britain extended its influence over India and controlled much of its affairs [...] from the mid-18th century onwards. Between 1857 and 1947, the Crown ruled the country directly and turned its attention to the country’s forests. Britain needed great quantities of timber to lay railway sleepers and build ships in order to transport the cotton, rubber and tea it took from India.

Through the Indian Forest Act of 1865, forests with high-yielding timber trees such as teak, sal and deodar became state property. To maximise how much timber these forests yielded, British colonial authorities restricted the rights of local people to harvest much beyond grass and bamboo. [...] Meanwhile plantations of teak (Tectona grandis), a species well adapted to India’s hot and humid climate and a source of durable and attractive timber, spread aggressively. [...]

---

[G]rasslands and open scrub forest gave way to teak monocultures.

Eucalyptus and other exotic trees which hadn’t evolved in India were introduced from around 1790. British foresters planted pines from Europe and North America in extensive plantations in the Himalayan region as a source of resin and introduced acacia trees from Australia for timber, fodder and fuel.

One of these species, wattle (Acacia mearnsii), first introduced in 1861 with a few hundred thousand saplings, was planted in the Nilgiris district of the Western Ghats. This area is what scientists all a biodiversity hotspot – a globally rare ecosystem replete with species. Wattle has since become invasive and taken over much of the region’s mountainous grasslands.

Similarly, pine has spread over much of the Himalayas and displaced native oak trees while teak has replaced sal, a native hardwood, in central India. Both oak and sal are valued for fuel, fodder, fertiliser, medicine and oil. Their loss [...] impoverished many.

---

India’s national forest policy [...] aims for trees on 33% of the country’s area. Schemes under this policy include plantations consisting of a single species such as eucalyptus or bamboo which grow fast and can increase tree cover quickly, demonstrating success according to this dubious measure. Sometimes these trees are planted in grasslands and other ecosystems where tree cover is naturally low. The result is that afforestation harms rural and indigenous people who depend on these ecosystems [...].

In the Kachchh grasslands of western India communities were able to restore grasslands by removing the invasive gando bawal (meaning “mad tree”) first introduced by British foresters in the late 19th century. [...]

The success of forest restoration efforts cannot be measured by tree cover alone. The Indian government’s definition of “forest” still encompasses plantations of a single tree species, orchards and even bamboo, which actually belongs to the grass family. This means that biennial forest surveys cannot quantify how much natural forest has been restored, or convey the consequences of displacing native trees with competitive plantation species or identify if these exotic trees have invaded natural grasslands which have then been falsely recorded as restored forests. [...]

Planting trees does not necessarily mean a forest is being restored. And reviving ecosystems in which trees are scarce is important too.

---

Text by: Dhanapal Govindarajulu. "India was a tree planting laboratory for 200 years - here are the results." The Conversation. 10 August 2023. [Bold emphasis, some paragraph breaks/contractions, and italicized first line in this post added by me.]

[positivexcellence]

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@kevin.murphy got curls? this gentle shampoo is enriched with organic oat milk, soybean + castor seed oil to enhance texture, reduce breakage & lock in moisture.

[kfkr1ze]

Vividly Colored Imagination - Chapter 5

Characters — ✈︎ Akuta, Kiroku, Nanaki, Muneuji, Ushio, Sakujiro

Location: Crafts Teahouse in Kanazawa

Sakujiro: Well then everyone, this afternoon we will be painting our very own Hachiman okiagari dolls. It will be an exciting experience.

Akuta: An okiagari doll? Are you talking about those things that look like daruma dolls?

Kaede: Yes. It’s a pretty famous activity to do in Kanazawa. It’s used to pray for the growth and overall happiness of children.

The Yasue Hachiman Shrine near the station is said to be the origin of the “Kaga Hachiman Okiagari” ritual. There are a lot of Hachiman okiagari dolls lined up there. Fun fact, it’s said that this shrine was entrusted to the Maeda clan, who would come here to pray for the removal of black ships!

Sakujiro: We sincerely hope that this experience of learning about Kanazawa’s traditions and culture will help you deepen your learning for the tour.

Nanaki: That’s fine and all, but…

Ushio: Just what the hell are you wearing, Sensei?

Sakujiro: As for me, I am supposed to be a substitute animal feeding instructor for today. For that purpose, I am wearing this apron.

Akuta: You can do something like that Kari-sen!?

Sakujiro: Indeed I can. I am also a certified ceramics manufacturing technician

Kaede: (What an incredible certification…)

Sakujiro: Traditionally, one would paint pine, bamboo, and plum flowers on the body of a Hachiman okiagari doll, but please feel free to decorate it however you like.

Akuta: Then I’ll get started right awa… Uh, there’s something called a “designation tag” on it,

Muneuji: It’s something akin to what Nanamegi did with Kinugawa earlier.

Nanaki: So we do the same with the Hachiman okiagari doll?

Kiroku: There’s a… boom… like that…

Akuta: We can draw a pic of the person we’re making them for then! Or you can just draw something inspired by them!

Kaede: Designated tags huh. Sounds interesting. I’ll join in with you guys so there’ll be 6 people. We’d have enough to pair everyone together, so let’s do that.

Ushio: In that case, I won’t pair with anyone who isn’t Muu-chan.

Muneuji: Then that’s decided.

Kaede: Then let’s pair the two tour hosts, Kiroku-kun and Nanaki-kun, if possible…

Kiroku: O…kay…

Nanaki: ‘Kay, I’ll be in your care then Kiroku.

Kaede: That leaves me and Akuta-kun as the last pair. You could also do it by yourself if you don’t wanna be paired with an adult.

Akuta: What are you talking about? I wanna be Sensei’s partner whether you're an adult or not! I’d be happy to be together with you.

Kaede: Uuu…

Akuta: Eh, why’re you suddenly crying? What’s wrong? 

Kaede: (At one point, it felt like the age difference between us was as deep as the Mariana Trench, but for Akuta-kun, it doesn’t matter now… I’m so glad to be a teacher… Well I’m a chief, not a teacher, but…)

Some dust just got in my eye is all! Then I’ll be in your care, Akuta-kun!

Akuta: Yup!

Nanaki: (I’m a little… No, a LOT, jealous…)

Ushio: Gh… Ghggh…

Muneuji: Uu-chan, what’s wrong?

Ushio: I don’t have enough artistic talent to draw Muu-chan’s face well enough…

Sakujiro: What… long and winged eyelashes, paired with that sharp face shape…! This is a very excellent expression, Kurama-kun.

Ushio: Wh– Don’t peek at my drawing…!

Muneuji: You drew a celestial body on the drawing as well. I feel as if this is a very joyous occasion.

Sakujiro: As for Kaguya’s artwork, Kurama-kun is depicted with a radiant smile.

Muneuji: Indeed. I painted him while imagining his face when he is reading one of his “godly” books.

Ushio: I-I don’t remember making a face like that at all, though.

Akuta: Staaaaaare…

Akuta: Staaaare… Stare staaaaaaare……

Kaede: (It’s almost refreshing to be stared at this much…)

Akuta-kun. How’s my designated piece going? 

Akuta: Like this!

Kaede: Waah. Thank you for making it look so nice!

(Ah, he wrote “Sensei” on the tag… hehe)

Akuta: Sensei, y’know…

Kaede: Yeah?

Akuta: When I’m looking closely, your face is really pretty.

Kaede: Eh!

Nanaki: Ehh!?

Akuta: Ah, my bad for staring so hard?

Nanaki: (Of course it’s “your bad,” that’s extremely rude…!)

Kaede: No, it’s not that. Thank you.

Nanaki: ( ……Gh…… )

Kaede: Akuta, your eyes are big, and you’re really expressive, so you’re pretty charming.

Akuta: Right〜? You also have a lovely charming face like mine, Sensei. I wanna keep staring.

Kaede: Then, I can move a bit closer. I’ll just move my chair and… there.

Akuta: Uh!

Kaede: What is it?

Akuta: My nose isn’t bleeding, is it?

Kaede: It’s okay, it’s not bleeding at all.

Akuta: Hehe, then there’s not a problem! Kurushuumai[1], you can come a bit closer!

Nanaki: (What kinda nickname is Kurushuumai!? Uuu～～ That kinda closeness is SO unfair…!)

Kiroku: I’m… finished……

Nanaki: Ah, sorry. I’m almost done too.

Kiroku: It’s okay… I’ll wait.

Nanaki: Kiroku, could I see your okiagari doll?

Kiroku: !! Uh.

Nanaki: (He hid it behind his back…)

Kiroku: ………

(I was just concentrating on painting, but…)

Dewawa: And that time, the lanterns just so happened to be called “creepily cute” …

This time, it might not even be cute anymore.

Pinfu: So in other words… Cr・ee・py! Gyaha!

Kiroku: (This… Will Nanamegi hate it…? I’m not sure if… this was what I was supposed to be drawing when… drawing someone else…)

Uh… Umm……

Akuta: WOAAAAHH! That’s Kiroku’s okiagari doll!?

Kiroku: Huh!?

(I forgot Isotake was behind me… He saw it…!?)

Kaede: You’re already done? So fast!

Ushio: Huh? Who is?

Muneuji: I also want to see.

Kiroku: (I’m being… backed into a corner…!)

Sakujiro: Kinugawa-kun, please make your way to this table so you can display it to everyone.

Kiroku: (I can’t… get away… from this……)

Previous — ✈︎ Masterlist — ✈︎ Next

Notes — ✈︎

Kurushuumai is combining the word “苦しい (Kurushii)”meaning painful or distressing with Shuumai who is. Shuumai.

[feliciadraws]

Okay so I recently realised that I've known the absolute certified legend that is the amazing @bamboorocket for a whole freaking YEAR so this marks our friend anniversary (our friendiversary if you will hehe), so Happy Friendiversary Bamboo!

I've been meaning to do a proper thing of her OC Eneko for ages so...here he is! I hope you like it!

[accio-victuuri]

clowning: xzs xi’an food vlog edition 🌶️

you all know the drill. for cpn-loving turtles only. don’t take it too seriously.

i honestly didn’t expect another food vlog from xz. his past adlad cities had them but it slipped my mind that he did go to a xi’an this time and spent quite a bit of time there — so we’re due another episode. i’m really thankful to xz and his team for the effort they put to share with us!

a few clowning points here ⤵️⤵️⤵️

The first one is how XZ can’t seem to handle spice well anymore, like a chongqing native should. Then you have WYB whose tolerance for spicy food increased. It could be that XZ has been living in BJ for so long that his taste has changed or maybe, he is thinking of the other person in his home who does not like spicy food. This is a long running cpn in cpf circles, that their preferences changed after spending time together. You can interpret this as a sign of a romantic relationship or not — but they definitely spent a lot of time together for their tastes to change and then be the same. except for garlic cause xz can’t really deal with that lol.

case in point, both wearing clothes that are for sun protection ( bobo’s is an ad, but he wears one in his personal time too ) and eating cold skinned noodles ( liangpi ). lol. i swear they have the same aesthetic sometimes.

we always joke that xz is the art student and wyb is the sport student — but they actually have a lot of things in common if you observe them more. Another one ZZ enjoyed was a meat bun (Roujiamo) which is a popular street food, but the cpn here is back in 2021 valentines day day they ( allegedly ) spent time together in Henan. Someone even saw Lele buying a lot of the same food and people were clowning that it’s for the two to eat as well. let me live in the fantasy that when they are together, they do this food tasting thing minus the camera recording.

and what is that? some people are pointing it out but i’m pretty sure it’s not a necklace. so funny how we panic when we see some vague clue of a personal necklace with XZ. but this is NOT it. Tho i’m still curious…. what could it be? 👀 popular guess is the string of an amulet. we know how superstitious he is so it could be.

My favorite would have to be the meme/emoticon they used, because it reminded me of what CPFs usually post. I am not sure how popular this is, and i’m positive it’s not exclusive to bxgs, but thinking about xz or his team going to CPF part of the internet and becoming fond of this meme/ emoticon makes me happy. ☺️

and well, same energy as this “incident”:

The loudest CPN being talked about tho is ZZ’s wechat video account that just opened. It’s under his studio and was opened 5/17, the day their certification was completed. What a nice coincidence that this day in the lunar calendar is 3/28. ZHAN AI BO. Also 5/17 is the international day against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia ( remember ZZ shared the song somewhere over the rainbow back in 2016. and it’s one of those 🌈 clues that cpfs

with all of ZZ’s “superstitions”, I feel like the day to open this new account was chosen. and it’s under his company Beijing Bamboo News Culture Media.

So if they already got certified that day, why wait for 5/18 to post. 18= Yibo. Not only that, on Wechat Video they posted at 20:05 which is 8:05. It’s not like weibo where the time stamp stays, users say it’s like IG that says “13 minutes ago..” but does not retain the specific time. So the screenshot below is the time was 20:10 and then XZS caption for the actual post was made 5 minutes ago, the time it was posted. 20:05. I’m not a wild kadian believer but this speaks to me. 😌😌😌

I’m excited for the next couple of days, cause hopefully we will get WDB 5/21. Which is still a rumor and who knows — will be a surprise drop. WYB allegedly going to an awards show 5/23 Huabiao Awards. Please make it happen. I’m looking forward to Movie Actor Yibo attending these kinds of awards show! 5/27 Chunzhen fanmeet with WYB @ Qingdao!!!! It’s been a while since he did something live! So this is a treat. && it’s the same month GG did his Molsion live/fan-meet too.

but wait wasn’t there rumors that xz will go to qingdao on the 27th too for condor heroes prep/training. lol. nothing is confirmed of course but it will be fun is they can be in the same city again for one day and not just in beijing.

-END.

[lordzannis]

There are several sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to Skechers that prioritize ethical manufacturing and use of responsibly-sourced materials:

Vessi Cityscape Sneakers

Vessi Cityscape sneakers are a great waterproof and vegan alternative to Skechers walking shoes. They are lightweight, breathable, and suitable for city walks and light hiking[2]. Key features:

100% waterproof knit upper

Cushioned insole for comfort

Minimalist and stylish design

Vegan and Blue Sign certified

Allbirds Tree Runners

Allbirds Tree Runners are made from renewable eucalyptus tree fiber and are a sustainable alternative to Skechers casual sneakers[5]. Highlights:

Lightweight and breathable eucalyptus fiber upper

Carbon-negative green EVA soles

Machine washable

Certified B-Corp meeting high environmental standards

Cariuma OCA Low Sneakers

Cariuma's OCA Low sneakers use premium natural materials like bamboo, organic cotton, and natural rubber[5]. Key points:

Bamboo knit upper with organic cotton lining

Sugarcane-based insoles and natural rubber outsoles

Carbon-neutral manufacturing

Ethical factory conditions certified by GOTS and Fairtrade

Other brands like Veja, Tropicfeel, and Saola offer stylish, eco-friendly sneaker alternatives using recycled plastics, natural rubber, and other sustainable materials[3][5]. Checking ethical brand directories can help find the right sustainable Skechers alternative[4].

Citations: [1] https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/fashion-clothing/shopping-guide/ethical-trainers [2] https://vessi.com/blogs/the-forecast/best-alternative-to-skechers-walking-shoes [3] https://goodonyou.eco/alternatives-skechers/ [4] https://directory.goodonyou.eco/brand/skechers [5] https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/sustainable-sneakers/

There are several sustainable and ethical alternatives to Adidas that prioritize environmental responsibility and fair labor practices. Here are some of the best options:

Veja

Veja is a French brand that makes stylish and sustainable sneakers using materials like organic cotton, wild rubber from the Amazon, and recycled plastic bottles[1]. Their V-10 and Esplar models are great alternatives to Adidas classics like Stan Smiths.

Etiko

Etiko is a certified B-Corp that makes vegan sneakers using organic cotton and natural rubber. Their low and high-top sneaker styles have a classic look comparable to Adidas sneakers[1].

Good Guys

Good Guys is a French vegan brand that uses recycled and plant-based materials like pineapple leaf fiber. Their SAMO sneakers have a sleek design reminiscent of Adidas Sambas[2].

Other ethical brands like Loci, Noah, and Flamingos' Life also offer stylish and sustainable sneaker alternatives to Adidas using recycled plastics, natural rubber, and other eco-friendly materials[2][4]. Checking ethical brand directories can help find the right fit for your style and values.

Citations: [1] https://goodonyou.eco/sustainable-alternatives-adidas/ [2] https://goodonyou.eco/alternatives-to-adidas-samba-sneakers/ [3] https://hypebae.com/2023/4/sustainable-sneakers-earth-day-nike-adidas-new-balance-stella-mccartney [4] https://www.opumo.com/magazine/best-alternatives-to-adidas-samba/ [5] https://karmawallet.io/blog/2024/05/adidas-sustainability-the-good-the-bad/

Based on the information provided in the search results, here are some recommended sustainable alternatives for work shoes and footwear aimed at the working class:

Recycled and Plant-Based Materials

Snibbs Work Shoes[1] - These slip-resistant work shoes utilize recycled cotton, recycled plastic, plant-based polyurethane, and corn starch for a sustainable and durable design suitable for long shifts.

Rothy's[3] - While not specifically work shoes, Rothy's makes stylish flats and sneakers from recycled plastic bottles and other renewable materials that could work for some workplaces.

Sauvs[5] - This brand blends recycled polyester with natural materials like rubber and cotton to create fashionable yet sustainable sneakers and shoes.

Secondhand and Repairable Options

Thrifting at places like Goodwill[5] - Buying secondhand shoes reduces waste and is a very affordable option for working class budgets.

Shoes with replaceable soles[5] - Opting for quality shoes where you can replace just the worn soles extends the lifespan and reduces the need to buy new shoes frequently.

Repairing existing shoes[2] - Having shoes resoled or repaired by a cobbler is a sustainable way to get more wear out of your current work footwear.

The key factors are looking for durable materials like recycled plastics and plant-based components, as well as prioritizing longevity through secondhand purchases, replaceable soles, and repairing shoes when possible[1][2][3][5]. This allows working class individuals to have sustainable footwear options that are affordable and designed to withstand tough workplace conditions over many years of use.

Citations: [1] https://snibbs.co/blogs/foot-safety/most-sustainable-materials-for-shoes [2] https://sustainability.stackexchange.com/questions/12777/are-there-sustainable-footwear-alternatives-to-leather-boots-shoes [3] https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/fashion/best-sustainable-shoes [4] https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/fashion-clothing/shopping-guide/ethical-shoes [5] https://www.reddit.com/r/sustainability/comments/18bl1fp/what_is_the_most_sustainable_vegan_and_nonplastic/

[infinitelytheheartexpands]

people you want to get to know better!

tagged by @malusienki—thank you, friend!

last song: at time of writing this, the act iii finale from verdi’s i vespri siciliani, which is a certified banger

favorite color: royal blue

currently watching: well this is the last thing i saved to my youtube watch later

last movie: genuinely no idea off the top of my head sorry

sweet, spicy, or savory: all of them. not really at the same time though

relationship status: single pringle

current obsessions: …whatever i’m posting about

last thing you googled: this almost certainly isn’t it but i did google this earlier today—best kind of cutting board to get (i did end up slightly splurging and getting a bamboo cutting board)

tagging @rendnotmyheart, @rayatii, @theresa-of-liechtenstein, @monstrousgourmandizingcats, @mstanyawinslow, @alostchord, @wayfindingheart, @ladymacbethshusbandsboyfriend, @hamletkin, @mariposagal, and anyone else who wants to play!

[fibre2fashion]

Sustainable Yarns for Eco-Friendly Fashion

Discover sustainable yarns for eco-friendly fashion, including organic, recycled, and renewable options. Learn how to make environmentally responsible choices.

Introduction:

In recent years, the fashion industry has seen a significant shift towards sustainability. As consumers become more conscious of environmental issues, the demand for eco-friendly fashion has grown. One crucial aspect of sustainable fashion is the use of sustainable yarns. These yarns are produced with minimal environmental impact and are often made from renewable or recycled materials. In this guide, we will explore the various types of sustainable yarns and their benefits, helping you make informed choices for eco-friendly fashion.

1. Organic Cotton Yarns:

Organic cotton is one of the most popular sustainable yarns in the fashion industry. Grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, organic cotton farming promotes soil health and biodiversity. Organic cotton yarns are soft, breathable, and biodegradable, making them ideal for a wide range of clothing items, from everyday wear to luxury garments. Additionally, organic cotton is often certified by organizations such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), ensuring high environmental and social standards.

2. Recycled Yarns:

Recycled yarns are made from post-consumer or post-industrial waste, such as discarded textiles, plastic bottles, and other materials. By repurposing waste materials, recycled yarns reduce the need for virgin resources and help minimize landfill waste. Common recycled yarns include recycled polyester, recycled nylon, and recycled cotton. These yarns offer comparable quality and durability to their non-recycled counterparts while significantly reducing environmental impact.

3. Hemp Yarns:

Hemp is a highly sustainable and versatile plant that has been used in textile production for centuries. Hemp yarns are strong, durable, and naturally resistant to pests, which means they require minimal chemical inputs during cultivation. Hemp also grows quickly and uses less water compared to cotton, making it an eco-friendly choice for sustainable fashion. Hemp yarns can be used for a variety of garments, including casual wear, activewear, and accessories.

4. Bamboo Yarns:

Bamboo is another sustainable material gaining popularity in the fashion industry. Bamboo plants grow rapidly without the need for pesticides or fertilizers, making them an environmentally friendly option. Bamboo yarns are soft, lightweight, and have natural moisture-wicking and antibacterial properties. However, it's important to choose bamboo yarns that are produced using environmentally responsible processes, as some methods of bamboo fiber extraction can be chemically intensive.

5. Tencel (Lyocell) Yarns:

Tencel, also known as Lyocell, is a type of yarn made from sustainably sourced wood pulp, typically from eucalyptus, beech, or spruce trees. The production process for Tencel is closed-loop, meaning that almost all solvents and water used in the process are recycled and reused. Tencel yarns are known for their softness, breathability, and biodegradability. They are an excellent choice for eco-friendly fashion, suitable for everything from casual wear to high-end garments.

6. Wool and Alpaca Yarns:

Natural animal fibers such as wool and alpaca are inherently sustainable when sourced responsibly. These fibers are renewable, biodegradable, and have excellent thermal properties. Sustainable wool and alpaca yarns come from farms that prioritize animal welfare, land stewardship, and ethical practices. Certifications such as the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) ensure that the wool is produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

7. Linen Yarns:

Linen, made from the flax plant, is one of the oldest and most sustainable fibers used in textiles. Flax requires minimal water and pesticides to grow and can thrive in poor soil conditions. Linen yarns are strong, durable, and breathable, making them perfect for warm-weather clothing. Linen production has a relatively low environmental impact, and the resulting fabric is fully biodegradable.

8. Sustainable Dyeing and Finishing:

In addition to choosing sustainable yarns, it's important to consider the dyeing and finishing processes. Eco-friendly dyeing methods, such as using natural dyes or low-impact synthetic dyes, reduce the release of harmful chemicals into the environment. Furthermore, water-saving techniques and energy-efficient practices in the finishing process contribute to the overall sustainability of the final product.

Conclusion:

Sustainable yarns are a cornerstone of eco-friendly fashion, offering a range of options for creating garments that are both stylish and environmentally responsible. By choosing yarns made from organic, recycled, or renewable materials, and ensuring responsible production processes, designers and manufacturers can significantly reduce their environmental footprint. As the demand for sustainable fashion continues to grow, embracing sustainable yarns will play a crucial role in shaping a greener, more ethical fashion industry.

[stupidr3dpanda]

ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀ ᴍɪɴᴏʀ ɪ ᴀsᴋ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴀᴄᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴇ, ғᴏʀ ᴍʏ ʙʟᴏɢ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴs ᴍᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛ. ɪ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛ ᴛᴏ sᴇᴇ ᴀɴ ᴀɢᴇ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʙɪᴏ! ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇ ʜᴇʟᴅ ʀᴇsᴘᴏɴsɪʙʟᴇ ғᴏʀ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴇᴄɪᴅᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏɴsᴜᴍᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɪɴᴛᴇʀɴᴇᴛ!

So many men in this world and my dumb ass decided to fall for the fictional ones...

Some rules before we get started!

Here I have set some rules and boundaries for my little corner. Failure to follow them will result in a block from me.

I expect an age in your bio! NO AGELESS BLOGS!! If you are a minor I ask for you to please refrain from interacting with this blog! It contains mature content and I don't want you sniffing around content not meant for you or be blamed for your inability to follow a simple order!!

My blog DOES NOT welcome RACISTS, HOMOPHOBIC, TRANSPHOBIC OR ANYONE WHO DECIDED TO WOKE UP AND BE A COMPLETE ASSHOLE!!

I'm not comfortable with discussing or writing topics containing; Necrophilia, please no, get away!

Now that that's out of the way let me introduce myself!!

Hi! Hello! You can call me Ottie!

I'm your favorite bear and fictional man [mostly CoD MW] enthusiast!

Don't believe me? Hah! Well here's some little facts for ya!

Did you know that there are a total of eight species of bears? Yup! There's the brown bears, black, polar, moon, sun, sloth, spectacled, and pandas!

Unfortunately as much as I would love for it to be true red pandas are not related to the bear family Ursidae, they are related to the taxonomic family, Ailuridae!

Talking about pandas did you know that they have an extra bone to help them eat bamboo?? Uh huh it's known as "sesamoid" it's a bit like a thumb, it helps them maneuver bamboo stalks. It's not a true thumb tho, they can't use it to grasp things, but the evolutionary adaptation gives them more stability when eating bamboo!

Did you also know that polar bears are considered marine mammals?? That's because they depend on the ocean to find their food and a place to live! That's why they fall under the Marine Mammal Protection Act!

If that doesn't prove that I am a certified bear enthusiast I don't know what will. >:[

This is my little corner okay? I come here to dump anything that pops on my mind at that moment, so don't expect it to be very organized!

Please be mindful that English is not my first language and I may make grammar mistakes while communicating

My ask box is always open for anything! Please feel free to talk with me!! Wanna chat? I wanna chat too! Wanna info dump? I'm here for it!! Just passing by to say hi? Go ahead! Wanna recommend me something or share something? I'm all ears!!

And now. To help you navigate this unorganized corner you can use my tags! Here!

For reblogs you can use these tags!

For my fluffy reblogs you can use; #🍀Fluffyreblog

For my spicy aka smutty reblogs you can use; #🌶️Spicyreblog

For my angst reblogs you can use; #☄️Angstreblog

For my fanart reblogs you can use; #🖌️Fanartreblog

For any other reblog just use; #🐻Ottiereblogs

For my own writing you can use these tags!

For my own fluffy writing you can use; #☁️ Fluffy

For my own spicy aka smutty writing you can use; #🔥smut

For my own angst writing you can use; #🍂 Angst

And if you just wanna hear me talk nonsense you can use; #🐻Ottiesays

If you want my answer to a question just use; #🐻Ottieanswers

And in general just to find me use #🐻Ottie

I hope we get to be good friends! Enjoy your life as much as you can! And try to stay safe okay? Bye! 👋🐻✨

[thinkpink212]

I'm a massage therapist as well, and I was curious if you think going to college or picking up something else is important just in case your body gives out overtime? I was never one for college (my ADHD could never!) but now idk lol

I hear you! I perosnally don’t have any other degrees, but did think about possibly studying nutrition, esthetician or any other body related fields to either combine it or fall back on.

depending on what interests you, But I’ve see people do just fine for decades in the massage world, so it’s doable long term. Some find tools to use (cups, bamboo, Japanese lifting) to elevate their hands/arms wear.

Where I live, you can get a job without a degree but sometimes the pay and access is better with one. Ex. Hospitality degree (gives access to reseptionist/front desk, hostess, manager etc with better pay)

Otherwise, I suggest maybe dipping your toes into something you find interesting like

- sports instructor (sports like tennis, ballet/dance, swimming, life guard, can grant access to privet lessons for young kids/teens etc)

- tutor (pick 2-3 subjects you’re good at, become part of an agency or do it freelance, teaching to both kids and adults depending on your skills/certifications)

- yoga (great for you’re own health and you can offer online/in person classes if certified. Working alone or with a company)

- translation, scriber/subtitle writer (often doesn’t require a degree, depending on level/skills. And if you go through agencies you can usually find tones of jobs)

Again, depending on you’re interests, you could do virtually anything between house sitting, baby sitting/daycare, coding/tech, artist, tour guide, travel massage therapist on cruises or work as an assistent at care facilities.

I personally do astrology, tarot and art on the side (I’m quite selective with it brings in some nice extra income for when I need it or to cushion my savings)

But I’d not suggest getting a costly degree unless it’s starting to feel necessary and you want it (and know you could get thru it even if it meant getting tutors etc)

Hope that helps 🥰

[gensokyogarden]

"Well look at that, seems Kiki is the winner. Pretty close tie with a character who literally has not appeared or been given a name though. Real shame for Hikari, she was the first character created for this whole project and she didn't even get a single vote."

"Guess some folks don't get enough love and care from their creators huh?"

"Well you asked for the file so I'll get out of your hair now. Gotta get to the moon anyways, so that's all folks. ... Oh actually, one last thing. This ain't a real file. It doesn't actually exist. So it may contain some information that the real employee file doesn't."

Akimoto (秋吉) Kiki (祇姫)

("On the clock" Faceclaim: Kikyou from Inuyasha)

("Out of Uniform" Faceclaim: Morgan/Marc from FE:A)

The Postergirl of Kiryuu's aka The Willow Shrine. Outside of work Kiki is a twenty-one year old university student studying biology with dreams of being a biologist. Maybe a marine biologist, she's not really sure she's been wavering on settling. She's been working at Kiryuu's since she began university three years ago.

Her job at the "Shrine-cafe" sees her dressing up like a shrine maiden. Beyond the costume and the occasional performances she's really just a standard waitress. She takes customers orders, delivers them, strikes up conversations. There are additional spaces within the cafe to read, play card games, and do karaoke but that was all more Toki's thing. What Kiki was called upon to do is entertain customers with her Shakuhachi (a Japanese bamboo flute) which she learned to play for the job but has come to enjoy.

Most of her hobbies beyond the flute are fairly standard things. Well, except, for archery. Something that she began in high school and still continues to do to this day. She's not exactly a dead-eye or anything but she's a fairly good shot. A few customers have tried to convince her to show them her skill but she's never done so.

Kiki was born and raised in Sapporo (the capital of the northern Hokkaido prefecture) and, prior to coming to Gensokyo, had never left this region. She is certifiably 100% human. She is also not a real shrine maiden. Although, you know, shrine maidens do get their power from belief so maybe she could be?

[positivexcellence]

towwn: got your eye on new sunnies for summer? 😎 consider one of these shades made with style and sustainability in mind. beyond avoiding virgin plastics, the best eco-friendly sunglasses are durable, offer high-quality uv protection, are crafted with recycled or sustainable materials. keep swiping to find a few of our fav “green-tinted” glasses brands.

@paradigmeyewear these iscc-certified recycled sunglasses boast glam, unisex ‘70s-influenced designs. made via 3-d printing + smart tech, the bold retro pairs also commit to fighting the climate crisis by donating to @coolearthaction.

@ballo.sun made in south africa, this eco-friendly + ethical co. uses recycled/upcycled wood, paper + fabric offcuts, plus bio-resin and cork. the b-corp brand supports gender equality, job initiatives + plants a tree for every sale.

@gemmastyleseyewear the factory where these cool shades are made is powered by 80% solar energy, plus they minimize waste through low-quantity production runs + recyclable shipping materials. travel cases repurpose two recycled plastic bottles.

sunski the brand’s famed “superlight” polymer frame designs include round, aviator + wayfarer frames to ensure comfy eye protection. in addition to using recycled materials, they partner with @earthguardians to support indigenous youth.

@banbeeyewear these aussie-made sunnies are crafted with sustainable materials like copper or biodegradable acetate at an accessible price.

@lespecs the “le sustain” collection commits to reducing eco-impact with carefully vetted materials, including recycled jersey pouches + cardboard box packaging. they also partner with @take3forthesea to protect all oceans, land + wildlife from plastic pollution.

@soloeyewear with eye health activism as part of its core mission, solo seeks to end blindness + restore vision for those in need. through ethically sourced recycled + repurposed materials, including bamboo, they reduce their carbon footprint & prevent hundreds of lbs. of virgin plastic yearly.

@proofeyewear this idaho eyewear co. got started on shark tank with sunnies handcrafted using sustainably-sourced wood, biodegradable cotton acetate + recycled aluminum.

[xtruss]

A shrouded mannequin demonstrates the "laying in" ceremony at Recompose, a human composting facility in Seattle. Human composting, water cremation, and green burials are gaining traction as people seek to minimize their environmental impact in death. Photograph By Mat Hayward, Getty Images For Recompose

Rest In … Compost? These ‘Green Funerals’ Offer An Eco-Friendly Afterlife.

Traditional burial and cremation pollute the ground and emit carbon dioxide. People are looking for new options.

— By Allie Yang | February 24, 2023

You may have seen the headlines: Earlier this year, New York State became the sixth in the nation to legalize something called human composting. In 2022, Archbishop Desmond Tutu chose to be cremated not by flame, but by water, in a process called alkaline hydrolysis. In 2019, actor Luke Perry was buried in a “mushroom suit” made of cotton and seeded with mushroom spores. All were part of a push to make the afterlife more eco-friendly.

Death care has remained largely unchanged in the United States ever since embalming and burial became the de facto method as far back as the Civil War, says Caitlin Doughty, mortician and founder of death care advocacy nonprofit Order of the Good Death. Most people don’t even have access to other options: burials and cremation are the only methods that are legal in all 50 states.

Traditional burial methods harm the planet in various ways. Embalming slows the decay of a person’s body so that it’s presentable at a funeral—but after burial, the chemicals used for embalming leach into the ground. Caskets require enormous amounts of wood and metal, and cemeteries often build concrete vaults in the ground to protect them. Even cremation requires a lot of fuel, and generates millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year.

Now, however, a variety of theoretically more sustainable death care alternatives are increasingly being offered around the country. Here’s what you need to know.

Green or Natural Burial

Green burials have been used as long as humans have been burying bodies. Both Native American and Jewish communities traditionally use green burials. But in recent generations, they have fallen out of fashion as people opted for more elaborate burials. Green or “simple” burials became more commonly used for the poor and wards of the state.

These are generally defined as burials using materials that are both nontoxic and biodegradable. In a typical green burial, the deceased is dressed in a 100 percent cotton shroud and buried in a plain pine box.

In some cases people choose to “become” a tree in death by having a tree planted over their plot. (However, the tree burial pods that kicked off this trend—in which bodies are wrapped in an egg-shaped pod that supposedly feeds the roots of a young tree—are not available for commercial use and it’s unclear if they are even viable.)

Almost every cemetery in the U.S. has an area reserved for green, or “simple” burials, according to Ed Bixby, president of the Green Burial Council (GBC), which helps educate and certify burial grounds meeting sustainability standards. On some burial properties, plots are marked via GPS and a natural stone marker—otherwise, the area is left to grow wild, becoming less like a cemetery and more like a nature preserve full of life.

Most families who choose natural burial also forgo embalming, often seeing the process as overly invasive, when refrigeration alone adequately preserves the body. Others opt for gentler embalming fluids made without formaldehyde, which are becoming increasingly available.

Adeline O'Keefe from The Natural Death Centre poses for photographs with a bamboo coffin in Clissold Park, London. The organization is one of many around the world working to help bring death care closer to families and arrange for environmentally-friendly funerals. Photograph By Abbie Trayler-Smith, The Guardian/Eyevine/Redux

But could these simple burials contribute to the spread of disease or pollution of the land? The data from existing research on traditional cemeteries “doesn't indicate that bodies are dangerous in and of themselves,” says Lee Webster, director of New Hampshire Funeral Resources and Education and former director of GBC, adding that vaults, chemicals, and non-organic containers used in traditional burial do contribute to pollution.

Further, the WHO has found “no evidence that corpses pose a risk of epidemic disease—most agents do not survive long in the human body after death.”

Still, it’s unclear if some of the newer variations of green burials are effective. For example, the brand responsible for Luke Perry’s mushroom suit claimed it would neutralize toxins and give nutrients back to the earth. Years earlier, however, the suit’s maker had hired mortician Melissa Unfred to study the suit—Unfred found there was no evidence the suit had any real effect.

Water Cremation

One cremation creates an average of 534 pounds of carbon dioxide, one scientist told Nat Geo in 2016. Toxins from embalming fluid and nonorganic implants like pacemakers or tooth fillings also go up in smoke. Water cremation—also known as aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis—produces the same result with significantly less environmental impact and for some, a spiritual benefit.

Native Hawaiians practiced a form of water cremation for thousands of years. They would use heated volcanic water to break down the bodies of their loved ones, says Dean Fisher, water cremation consultant and former director of Mayo Clinic’s donated body program. Then they would bury the remaining bones, where they believed the soul’s spiritual essence was stored.

The tradition has fallen out of practice in recent years—but in July 2022 Hawaii legalized water cremation, putting the tradition back within reach.

Water cremation machines work by pumping a heated alkaline fluid around a body for four to six hours, exponentially accelerating the natural decomposition process. Bodies can be embalmed or unembalmed and dressed in any material that is 100 percent natural. After the body breaks down, only bones and non-organic implants remain. The bones are dried, crushed, and returned to the family.

The only byproduct of water cremation is nontoxic, sterile water that can be recycled into the local water supply—270 gallons of it, or slightly less than what the average American household uses in a day. There are no emissions into the ground or air.

But water cremation does have its drawbacks. For one, traditional cremations are more readily available, faster, and usually less expensive. Water cremation also requires energy to heat the water and run the pump, although a Dutch study from 2011 showed that’s only 10 percent of the energy used in flame cremation.

Further, some critics of water cremation argue it is immoral or disrespectful to the deceased, akin to flushing your loved one down the drain. However, advocates counter that water cremation simply accelerates the natural decomposition process and is no different from the blood from routine embalming that also goes through water treatment to be neutralized.

Either way, water cremation appears to be gaining steam in the U.S. It is currently legal in 28 states—and 15 of them approved it within the last decade.

Human Composting

Human composting turns bodily remains to soil through a highly controlled process—very different from food composting that can be done in your backyard. In a sealed container, a body is cocooned in a mix of natural materials like wood chips and straw. Over a month or more, the vessel heats up from active microbes that start to break the body down. Fans blow oxygen into the container, which is regularly rotated to reactivate the microbes.

After 30 to 50 days, bone and any non-organic matter are taken out. The bones are then ground down and returned to the material. It takes another few weeks to “cure,” as microbes finish their work and the soil dries out. The end result is a cubic yard of compost that families can use or donate to environmental causes.

There are environmental costs to human composting, also called natural organic reduction (NOR). Fuel is needed to transport elements like wood chips, and electricity is used to power air pumps, fans, and the vessel rotation.

“We’re just getting started as a company tightening [those elements] up,” says Katrina Spade, founder of Recompose, the first NOR facility in the country located in Seattle, Washington. Still, she says the company’s own assessment of the process showed just over a metric ton of carbon savings per person over traditional cremation or burial.

Human composting is rare. It’s only legal in six states—most recently in New York in January. But a Massachusetts lawmaker has also proposed a bill to allow human composting, and advocates like Spade believe that a number of states will legalize it in 2023.

But even if you’re not interested in an eco-friendly afterlife, advocates say that these burial alternatives come with another advantage: Families can be more involved in the death care of their loved ones, from bathing and dressing them at home to lowering their body into the grave if they choose a green burial.

“It's not required. But it's always encouraged to do what you can, if you wish,” Bixby says, adding that most families embrace being part of the process. “You'll watch them go through the gamut of emotions… then when they're done, they'll have this genuinely serene smile on their face. They found a greater sense of acceptance of that passing through the process.”

[twilightteamm]

📲 | #nikkireed: Meanwhile back at the farm, belly is growing, plum + guava blossoms are in bloom, non-toxic bed frames and mattresses from @livebirch are making my heart flutter, the hummingbirds are nesting nearby and the bathroom reno is nearly complete. I wanted to share a bit about why I chose certain materials, including @hallmarkfloors for their sustainable options and bamboo selection, and of course my favorite Birch bed frames + mattresses because they don’t use any polyurethane based foams (which means no off-gassing and air contamination from your mattress.) Their materials come from nature which I love - whether it's organic GOTS certified cashmere from free-range goats, Wool Integrity NZ certified organic wool, Fair Trade organic cotton, or natural latex tapped from Forest Stewardship Council and Rainforest Alliance certified trees. All of these feel safe for my body on top of being sustainable, and it is truly the best mattress I have ever slept on which is why I keep sharing! (They’re also doing a 25% off sale until 2/26 for anyone interested!) Stay tuned for more as this chapter unfolds. I have been dreaming of ways to share all the land has to offer, and loved your ideas from yesterday’s Q/A!

🌸🌱🌾