Elsa Wenzel
Verified
As seen in:
CNET,
Mashable,
Stanford University,
ZDNet,
Flipboard,
PCWorld,
San Francisco Business Times,
Civil Eats,
Before It's News,
NewsBreak
and
Unsustainable like the rest of us
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Elsa Wenzel
In Chicago, Historic Hull House Shares Lessons on Urban Farming
Young people tending plants on the rooftop garden at the Elizabeth McCormick open air school at Hull House in 1912. (Photo Credit: Library of Congress. LC-USZ62-34992.) An exhibit on the experimental space and its impact asks what it means to cultivate a city rooted in care. The rooftop of the nursery featured an herb garden, and the courtyard’s paved playground offered a glimpse of greenery in the tenement neighborhood.
In Chicago, Historic Hull House Shares Lessons on Urban Farming
Unlock the Full Story with a Civil Eats Membership Expand your understanding of food systems as a Civil Eats member. Enjoy unlimited access to our groundbreaking reporting, engage with experts, and connect with a community of changemakers.
In Chicago, Historic Hull House Shares Lessons on Urban Farming
Young people tending plants on the rooftop garden at the Elizabeth McCormick open air school at Hull House in 1912. (Photo Credit: Library of Congress. LC-USZ62-34992.) An exhibit on the experimental space and its impact asks what it means to cultivate a city rooted in care. By Elsa Wenzel Civil Eats October 20, 2026 Excerpt: The rooftop of the nursery featured an herb garden, and the courtyard’s paved playground offered a glimpse of greenery in the tenement neighborhood.
In the Right to Repair Revolt, Nebraska Leads With Farm-Data Ownership Law
Unlock the Full Story with a Civil Eats Membership Expand your understanding of food systems as a Civil Eats member. Enjoy unlimited access to our groundbreaking reporting, engage with experts, and connect with a community of changemakers. At his farm in central Nebraska, he collects data about soil types and pH levels, sometimes sending plant tissues to a lab to measure their nutrient uptake. Mills documents each season with hand-written notes and spreadsheets.
Want to Bolster Your Local Food System? Here’s a Handbook.
Two hours later, Richman was working at a farmers’ market that she had helped establish with the nonprofit Sustainable Food Center. As she watched families standing in line to buy fresh peaches and tomatoes, something clicked for Richman, an AmeriCorps volunteer and recent college graduate. “I thought, ‘This is the environmental piece, the public health piece, and the social piece, all wrapped up into one,’” she says.
How a Minneapolis Farm Turned Front Yards Into Mutual Aid
From left: volunteer Braden Schmitt, Black Radish Farm co-founders Carrie Thompson and Jade Townsend with daughter Opal, and volunteer Lilly Sevilla. (Photo credit: Sarah Carrol) They helped feed and connect their community during a series of ICE raids. Now, the founders of Black Radish Farm are looking to the future.
How a Minneapolis Farm Turned Front Yards Into Mutual Aid
How a Minneapolis Farm Turned Front Yards Into Mutual Aid They helped feed and connect their community during a series of ICE raids. Now, the founders of Black Radish Farm are looking to the future. From left: volunteer Braden Schmitt, Black Radish Farm co-founders Carrie Thompson and Jade Townsend with daughter Opal, and volunteer Lilly Sevilla.
A Hidden Crop for Corporate Tech: Farm Data
A Hidden Crop for Corporate Tech: Farm Data Precision agriculture tools promise to ‘empower’ farmers with AI-driven insights, but they may be signing away their rights to share the profits. (Photo credit: Jed Owen/Unsplash) Andrew Nelson is a self-described “tech-forward” farmer near Garfield, a tiny town in eastern Washington close to the Idaho border.
Urban mining enters the supply-chain risk conversation
The Circular Supply Chain Coalition (CSCC) is laying the foundation for a global network of regional recycling nerve centers that would “mine” critical minerals from e-waste. It is pitching the effort as industrial risk management that sidesteps extractive mining. Tariffs, geopolitical pressures and anxiety over access to valuable metals and rare earths have accelerated business’s interest in mainstreaming an infrastructure for urban mining.
Urban mining enters the supply-chain risk conversation
Welcome to EcoTopical Your daily eco-friendly green news aggregator. Leaf through planet Earths environmental headlines in one convenient place. Read, share and discover the latest on ecology, science and green living from the web's most popular sites.
Circularity meets consumer power in the tech repair fight
As the circular economy movement gathers steam, right-to-repair advocates have notched a series of recent wins, including a raft of right-to-repair laws moving forward in U.S. states. Tech device-makers have responded with designs and practices that keep materials in use longer and consumers happier. Among 25,000 new products at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, a throwaway musical lollipop and a “smart” fridge without handles stood out in the unofficial “Worst in Show” awards.
Circularity meets consumer power in the tech repair fight
As the circular economy movement gathers steam, right-to-repair advocates have notched a series of recent wins, including a raft of right-to-repair laws moving forward in U.S. states. Tech device-makers have responded with designs and practices that keep materials in use longer and consumers happier. Among 25,000 new products at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, a throwaway musical lollipop and a “smart” fridge without handles stood out in the unofficial “Worst in Show” awards.
Shein drops 'net zero' language in Germany after activist complaint
Ultra-fast fashion brand Shein will no longer use “net zero” in its consumer communications in Germany after a watchdog accused it of deception. NGO Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) filed a complaint against Shein’s European operator Infinite Styles Services, based in Dublin. It claimed that “net zero” language in the company’s marketing materials failed to be backed up by realistic steps taken toward that goal, given that Shein’s emissions rose by 23 percent in 2024.
Shein revises 'net zero' language in Germany after activist complaint
Ultra-fast fashion brand Shein is changing its use of “net zero” in its consumer communications in Germany after a watchdog accused it of deception. NGO Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) filed a complaint against Shein’s European operator Infinite Styles Services, based in Dublin. It claimed that “net zero” language in the company’s marketing materials failed to be backed up by realistic steps taken toward that goal, given that Shein’s emissions rose by 23 percent in 2024.
Cascale names Ying McGuire as new CEO
Cascale, the global nonprofit behind the Higg Index measuring supply chain sustainability, has chosen Ying McGuire as CEO. She brings more than two decades of global nonprofit and corporate leadership, including at Dell Technologies. When McGuire starts June 1, Cascale’s interim CEO Harsh Saini will step down after nearly a year. McGuire has described running a nonprofit organization like a business.
Cascale names Ying McGuire as new CEO
Cascale, the global nonprofit behind the Higg Index measuring supply chain sustainability, has chosen Ying McGuire as CEO. She brings more than two decades of global nonprofit and corporate leadership, including at Dell Technologies. When McGuire starts June 1, Cascale’s interim CEO Harsh Saini will step down after nearly a year. McGuire has described running a nonprofit organization like a business.
Fragrance startup Osmo hires execs, raises $70M
“Digital nose” startup Osmo hired three executives and raised $70 million on Feb. 4. The New York company seeks to disrupt the secretive $57 billion fragrance industry by shrinking product development from months to days. With plans to build a plant in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the company aims to “democratize” fragrance-making for modest-size personal care and household-product brands, and even individuals.
Fragrance startup Osmo hires execs, raises $70M
“Digital nose” startup Osmo hired three executives and raised $70 million on Feb. 4. The New York company seeks to disrupt the secretive $57 billion fragrance industry by shrinking product development from months to days. With plans to build a plant in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the company aims to “democratize” fragrance-making for modest-size personal care and household-product brands, and even individuals.
Fragrance startup Osmo hires execs, raises $70M
Welcome to EcoTopical Your daily eco-friendly green news aggregator. Leaf through planet Earths environmental headlines in one convenient place. Read, share and discover the latest on ecology, science and green living from the web's most popular sites.
Fashion's real carbon hotspots aren’t where brands look first
The sewing room may be the most visible symbol of manufacturing in fashion. The work of assembling finished products, known as Tier 1 in the supply chain, is also increasingly accounted for in sustainability reporting. But it’s the Tier 2 facilities — the ones that produce, dye and finish fabrics and trims — that actually create more emissions. Renewable energy only makes up 2 percent of energy use across both Tier 1 and Tier 2.
Fashion's real carbon hotspots aren’t where brands look first
The sewing room may be the most visible symbol of manufacturing in fashion. The work of assembling finished products, known as Tier 1 in the supply chain, is also increasingly accounted for in sustainability reporting. But it’s the Tier 2 facilities — the ones that produce, dye and finish fabrics and trims — that actually create more emissions. Renewable energy only makes up 2 percent of energy use across both Tier 1 and Tier 2.
Rolls-Royce Holdings nabs its first chief sustainability officer
After spending nearly five years as BP’s first chief sustainability officer, Ivanka Mamic is becoming the first CSO and global head of government relations at Rolls-Royce Holdings. “As someone with a strong interest in enduring, mission-driven companies, I am proud to join this iconic British organization and be part of a team focused on excellence and innovation to drive real-world solutions to complex challenges,” Mamic posted on LinkedIn in early January.
Rolls-Royce Holdings nabs its first chief sustainability officer
After spending nearly five years as BP’s first chief sustainability officer, Ivanka Mamic is becoming the first CSO and global head of government relations at Rolls-Royce Holdings. “As someone with a strong interest in enduring, mission-driven companies, I am proud to join this iconic British organization and be part of a team focused on excellence and innovation to drive real-world solutions to complex challenges,” Mamic posted on LinkedIn in early January.
Ollie's Mia Davis joins "climate-curated" skincare label Atmosphera
Mia Davis built a reputation leading the “clean beauty” movement at Beautycounter and Credo Beauty. After a two-year detour as chief impact officer at dog food brand Ollie, she’s returning to the beauty industry at the small “climate-curated” skincare label Atmosphera. As it plans to expand to the U.S., the Alberta-based brand has brought on Davis alongside three new executive leaders from her Rolodex.
How Natural Fiber Welding will use its second chance
Welcome to EcoTopical Your daily eco-friendly green news aggregator. Leaf through planet Earths environmental headlines in one convenient place. Read, share and discover the latest on ecology, science and green living from the web's most popular sites.
How Natural Fiber Welding will use its second chance
On Jan. 14, investors rescued Natural Fiber Welding from the edge of bankruptcy. The startup’s narrowed focus — from a stable of offerings to a single product that’s ready to sell — reflects both the promise and tough economics of building sustainable materials. Natural Fiber Welding had grown since 2015 to become a darling in the congested space of next-generation materials innovators. The company raised $224 million from Peoria, Illinois, far from the venture capital in-crowd.
Polyester recycler Reju picks Eastman Kodak site for first U.S. plant
The former locus for Kodak film production is Reju’s choice for its first U.S. textile recycling plant. The startup has selected Rochester, New York, as the first site for a $390 million facility that would advance a North American circular economy for polyester. Reju has set a 2029 deadline to open a 450,000-square-foot facility that would handle 300 million pieces of clothing a year.
Canopy calls for $2 billion to push low-carbon packaging, textiles
Making materials for fashion and packaging from crop and textile waste instead of trees from at-risk forests will require $78 billion globally by 2033, according to Canopy. To step in that direction, the Vancouver nonprofit announced a $2 billion blended-finance model to advance next-gen materials in India. That nation needs up to $15 billion to shift industries toward adopting waste-based cellulosic materials, according to the initiative.
Why Coach, Kate Spade's parent is investing in community solar
What is a New York City handbag giant doing in central Illinois, where it lacks boutiques, offices and factories? Tapestry, which runs the Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman brands, together with Pivot Energy, completed three community solar projects on Jan. 8. They total 13.5 megawatts, enough to power about 2,500 homes. Two more installations will follow those just established in Peoria, Ottawa and tiny Dover, Illinois, in a 15-year partnership, announced in 2023.
Why Levi’s is teaching high schoolers how to mend jeans
Welcome to EcoTopical Your daily eco-friendly green news aggregator. Leaf through planet Earths environmental headlines in one convenient place. Read, share and discover the latest on ecology, science and green living from the web's most popular sites.
Why Levi's is teaching high schoolers how to mend jeans
Levi Strauss and Discovery Education are picking up where home economics classes left off. Which is to say, they are teaching high schoolers basic sewing skills. The “Levi’s Wear Longer Project,” launched Jan. 14, starts in San Francisco with workshops at Levi’s Eureka R&D center. A global campaign will follow to share virtual and in-person lessons for tasks like adding buttons, patching jeans and altering hems.
Toxic chemicals risks that companies need to address now
As scientists better understand the harms of industrial chemicals to nature and people’s health, lawsuits multiply and policies advance, while businesses face escalating, long-tail risks to bottom lines and reputations. “We are seeing a lot more discussion of the need for better transparency on what chemicals are in products and the need for public data on their potential harms,” said Richard Wielechowski, a senior analyst at Planet Tracker in London.
Health | Trellis
The long-tail impacts of PFAS and other chemicals leave companies managing decades-long liability. Read More
Vestiaire pushes out Co-founder and President Fanny Moizant
Fanny Moizant has been at the forefront of the circular fashion movement, co-launching Vestiaire Collective from her Paris apartment 16 years ago. On Jan. 5, she shared on LinkedIn that the company is forcing her out as president. Moizant cited “organizational changes” at the business, which sells “pre-loved” authenticated luxury items from the likes of Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel.
7 trends shaping polyester's future
The world’s polyester spree over the past half century has nudged cotton to the margins. The synthetic wonder makes up 59 percent of textiles, but its origins are problematic. Its long name, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), reflects its connection to crude oil and gas refining. That is a big reason why fashion’s greenhouse gas emissions rose 7.5 percent in 2023, the last year for which data is available.
In these sectors, second-life sales are growing beyond fashion
When soccer parents in Evanston, Illinois, need new cleats or shin guards, many frequent Play It Again Sports for a secondhand bargain. The store is part of Winmark Corporation, which operates five brick-and-mortar resale brands, including clothing (Plato’s Closet, Style Encore) and children’s gear (Once Upon a Child). The Minneapolis-based company reported $31.7 million in net income for the first nine months of 2025, a 4 percent increase from 2024.
No laughing matter: Viral videos skewer corporate greenwashing
It’s not exactly breaking news that companies are increasingly resorting to greenhushing for fear of political retaliation in an increasingly anti-climate U.S. The petrochemical industry, in particular, has perfected downplaying its role in the climate crisis, most recently by blocking global action on a plastics treaty, frustrating corporate leaders in other sectors. But sustainability professionals also risk being laughed at by left-leaning influencers and activists.
How businesses can turn plastics risks into opportunity
Concerns have never been more acute about pollution and toxicity from plastics. Plastic production and waste could nearly triple by 2060, yet hopes are weak for a global plastics treaty after the last attempt flamed out in August. But regardless of its outcome, this moment marks a turning point for business risks and opportunities around plastics.
How businesses can turn plastics risks into opportunity
Welcome to EcoTopical Your daily eco-friendly green news aggregator. Leaf through planet Earths environmental headlines in one convenient place. Read, share and discover the latest on ecology, science and green living from the web's most popular sites.
Hiking boot brand Keen enlists climate scientist Ann Radil
Hiking boot maker Keen has snagged a former NASA climate scientist to head up sustainability, philanthropy and advocacy. Ann Radil is the new senior director of the Keen Effect, the company’s impact program, where she is leading climate action, circular economy programs and attempts to ramp up green chemistry. The Portland, Oregon-based footwear company was an early mover in phasing out “forever chemicals” such as poly- and per-fluoroalkyls (PFAS), used in water- and stain-resistance.
Schneider, Marks & Spencer target supply chain decarbonization
Schneider Electric has been on a roll, entering into partnerships to help corporations rid supply chains of oil and natural gas. The latest is with Marks & Spencer, the 141-year-old London retailer. The RE:Spark program, announced November 19, involves aggregated clean-energy purchases paired with advisory services, regional support and tracking software. Schneider teamed up with Levi’s on the similar LEAP program, announced September 23.
Schneider, Marks & Spencer target supply chain decarbonization
Schneider Electric has been on a roll, entering into partnerships to help corporations rid supply chains of oil and natural gas. The latest is with Marks & Spencer, the 141-year-old London retailer. The RE:Spark program, announced Nov. 19, involves aggregated clean-energy purchases paired with advisory services, regional support and tracking software. Schneider teamed up with Levi’s on the similar LEAP program, announced Sept. 23.
Samsara Eco partners with outdoor brands on circular nylon
Nylon is the second most popular synthetic fabric behind polyester, yet less than 2 percent of it is recycled, mostly from fishing nets and carpeting, according to Textile Exchange. Seven million metric tons of the stuff are manufactured each year, which results in a lot of windbreakers, backpacks and bathing suits eventually ending up in landfills.
Former Nike leader challenges activewear’s plastic playbook
Fears that activewear sheds plastics that penetrate the skin are giving people new reason to sweat over working out. Responsive entrepreneurs now advertise leggings, tanks and sports bras as “nontoxic,” “clean” and “safe.” They tout gym- and trail-ready garments made of merino wool, cotton, mulberry silk, bamboo and hemp. However, these materials alone can’t smooth curves or hug muscles through squats and sun salutations; only synthetics achieve that coveted stretch factor.
Samsara Eco partners with outdoor brands on circular nylon
Nylon is the second most popular synthetic fabric behind polyester, yet less than 2 percent of it is recycled, mostly from fishing nets and carpeting, according to Textile Exchange. Seven million metric tons of the stuff are manufactured each year, which results in a lot of windbreakers, backpacks and bathing suits eventually ending up in landfills.
Former Nike leader challenges activewear’s plastic playbook
Fears that activewear sheds plastics that penetrate the skin are giving people new reason to sweat over working out. Responsive entrepreneurs now advertise leggings, tanks and sports bras as “nontoxic,” “clean” and “safe.” They tout gym- and trail-ready garments made of merino wool, cotton, mulberry silk, bamboo and hemp. However, these materials alone can’t smooth curves or hug muscles through squats and sun salutations; only synthetics achieve that coveted stretch factor.
How Bugaboo is pushing low-emissions strollers forward
The lifespan of a stroller is as fleeting as a childhood. Even if used by more than one family, strollers ultimately land in a dump. Recycling infrastructure doesn’t exist. Bugaboo is an outlier in the industry for emphasizing durability, sustainable materials and circular business models. Such efforts support its net zero goal for 2035, which requires addressing the 91 percent of emissions that stem from materials.
How Bugaboo is pushing low-emissions strollers forward
Welcome to EcoTopical Your daily eco-friendly green news aggregator. Leaf through planet Earths environmental headlines in one convenient place. Read, share and discover the latest on ecology, science and green living from the web's most popular sites.
How Bugaboo is pushing low-emissions strollers forward
The lifespan of a stroller is as fleeting as a childhood. Even if used by more than one family, strollers ultimately land in a dump. Recycling infrastructure doesn’t exist. Bugaboo is an outlier in the industry for emphasizing durability, sustainable materials and circular business models. Such efforts support its net zero goal for 2035, which requires addressing the 91 percent of emissions that stem from materials.
Resale surges as new fashion sales slow
Old clothes are having a moment. Consider: • At Fashion Week this year, models paraded eBay’s Endless Runway in secondhand styles, featuring Moschino in Milan, LUAR in New York and Niccolò Pasqualetti in Paris. • H&M opened its second vintage Preloved store-within-a-store in Beverly Hills in November. • Buffalo Exchange reports more people trading in used garments this year toward credit on brands like Zara and Madewell.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Elsa
Contact Elsa, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack