Jul 29, 2010
Posted in Environment | View Comments
Carrie asks, “What do you do about “necessary” disposables. Like toilet paper, cotton swabs and the like?”
This is one area where I think I am falling behind. I dislike using disposables. While TB was in cloth diapers, I would often times use a cloth on myself (as I did him) instead of toilet paper, because I was already doing the laundry. However, those days have past, and we have gone back to toilet paper, though we now use recycled unbleached toilet paper. It’s a little rougher, but it does its job. On the other hand, I could easily do a load of laundry a week of cloth wipes, and maybe that should be one of my future challenges?
As for cotton swabs, I don’t generally use them often, though I LOVE the way they feel. (Shh…don’t tell the doctor.) However, Rebecca pointed out a week or so ago that I should be using ear wax softener drops, so I will be checking that out in the near future. Ehow has some home made natural methods that I intend to try first though.
Other than those two, I cannot think of many disposable products that I still use. Those that continue to stick around include: wax paper, parchment paper, aluminum foil (I try to reuse it some), press and seal (again, I reuse it), and a few plastic bags for storing vegetables and the like (which I also wash and reuse). With all of the products, I try hard not to use them. I use reusable (cloth) bags to bring sandwiches and wraps to work, for example, but sometimes it is necessary.
How about you? What disposable items do you use? Have you found any alternatives I should try?
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Jul 21, 2010
Posted in Environment, Health | View Comments
Way back in May, I answered a question about “eco-friendly” beauty products and how I look at them. Admittedly, not everyone is going to go through the research and look at products the way I do, especially if someone is looking to start out in making changes. I have long advocated and admitted on this blog that change is gradual. Where I am now is not where I was last year or where I will be next year. One of my 2010 goals is to buy more fair trade products, which is why looking more deeply in to the background of companies is important to me. By sticking with it for a year, I hope to make this an ingrained habit!
That being said, if you are looking to make any change, it is important to do a little researching, as greenwashing is becoming a big money maker for seemingly, but not really, green brands. Here are a few tips for starting out:
- Always check the EWG’s Skin Deep Database. They now have a handy sunscreen buyers guide application for iphone too.
- Pick one or two changes to make at a time. Manageable bites will help you to stick with the change!
- Decide what is most important to you and evaluate products based on those priorities.
- Don’t be afraid to change your priorities as new information become available to you.
Here are a few examples of why checking out products and companies is important.
Let’s say you are looking to buy sunscreen at your local Target/Walgreens/etc for a child (or yourself!). You might look at Coppertone, Aveno, Burt’s Bees, California Baby and Johnson&Johnson. Johnson&Johnson and Aveeno are owned by the same parent company, so it is easy to make a direct comparison. You might think you are choosing the “greener” version by selecting Aveeno, but the truth is, Aveeno is rated at a 7 on the EWG database, where as J&J is a 2! In essence, Aveeno sunscreen is greenwashing. If the parent company makes a difference to you, California Baby (rated 1 by EWG) would rise to the top.
Another example: let’s say you are looking at lip balm and deciding between Chapstick brand (regular) and Burt’s Bees. Chapstick is rated a 3; Burt’s Bees a 2. Their rating is nearly the same, but I would say to pick the Burt’s Bees. On the other hand, Burt’s Bees hand cream (anti-aging) contains “fragrance,” which I would avoid as they are no better than their more main stream counterparts.
As you can see, it’s not easy to reduce the chemical burden in ones life, and making decisions about personal care products is hard. No product is perfect, but making informed decisions is important. Most importantly, keep trying! 
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May 20, 2010
Posted in Environment, Health | View Comments
Way back when I discussed my beauty routine last month, Carried asked, “what is your opinion on the more eco-friendly beauty products, e.g. the aveenos, avedas, burts bees and origins (et al) of the world?”
Like most things, the answer is not straight forward, and it is becoming increasingly complex instead of simpler. Each product and brand needs to be evaluated individually. Here is my breakdown.
The General
Generally speaking, I do not like to use many “big named” brands. Once companies go big and become publicly traded, they lose focus in stewardship (not all companies, but most) and the bottom line becomes most important. At one time, it was much easier to keep the environment and health friendly products small. However, they are becoming increasingly popular, so big companies begin buying up these successful brands. A few companies own most of the brands with which we are familiar.
One of the most important things to do is to research the brands and products. My favorite place to begin is the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, which is maintained by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). EWG also updates annually a Sunscreen Guide, which is very informative.
The second most important thing is to be aware of green washing. As defined by numerous websites and online dictionaries, as well as most environmentally conscious consumers, green washing is the practice of companies disingenuously spinning their products and policies as environmentally friendly, such as by presenting cost cuts as reductions in use of resources. It is a deceptive use of green PR or green marketing. You can read more about green washing on wiki and numerous other websites (see below).
In the end, the decision to buy a product belongs to each consumer. Being informed is important!
The Brands
I will only touch a few of the brands, primarily those requested by Carrie and an old favorite of mine, but I think you will see the pattern.
Burt’s Bees– Sad, but true, Burt’s Bees is now owned by Clorox. In spite of Clorox’s new “green” cleaning products, which are green-washing in and of themselves, the company is anything but environmentally or health friendly as a whole. As such, I have stopped purchasing Burt’s Bees products.
Aveeno– Owned by Johnson&Johnson. Yes, the same company that uses carcinogens in its baby bath product line.
Aveda– Owned by Estee Lauder. Surprised?
Origins– Also owned by Estee Lauder.
Tom’s of Maine– Tom’s of Maine is now owned by Colgate-Palmolive. Yet another less than friendly to the environment and health company. This is one of the main reasons I gave up deodorant! I had been using Tom’s during the hotter part of the year, but I had given it up completely. I recently discovered two local deodorant producers at our Farmer’s market (they have other wonderful products as well), and my intent is, absent rain on Saturday, to purchase a stick of theirs to try.
So what do I do?
All of this brings up the question, “If all of these brands are owned by less than sustainable and responsible companies, what is a consumer to do?” Or on a more personal level, “what do I do?” Again, this is not an easy question to answer. There are a lot of things to consider. This is basically how I go about doing that, in no particular order.
- Investigate the parent company and weigh the benefits of the product to the entire cost (environment, health, etc).
- Look at the stewardship of the brand, including ingredients and practices.
- In general, I avoid big brands, especially those found in most mainstream stores.
- In general, I evaluate whether a product is really needed. Because I do not wear makeup, save for the occasional lip-gloss or moisturizer and mascara (for interviews only), I do not desire many of these products.
- BUY LOCAL! One thing I do consider very important is finding local suppliers of products that I do want to buy. Finding a local company that uses ingredients that are friendly to health and the environment is not as hard as it once was!
- Make your own! You might be laughing, but it is possible to make your own products.
The hardest brands for me to abandon have been Burt’s Bees and Tom’s of Maine. I will have more on my separation with Tom’s of Maine in the future, as I think I may have found a wonderful toothpaste alternative that does not require me to make it!
A couple of additional resources
Futerra Greenwashing Guide
University of Oregon’s Greenwashing Index
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Apr 24, 2010
Posted in Contest, Earth Day 2010 | View Comments
Earth Day has come and gone, so it is time to hold the drawing for the three prizes: A cleaning kit, skoy cloths, and produce/bulk food bags. I must admit, earlier in the week, I was worried about whether anyone would participate! I think this each time I have a give away, but generally, my readers never disappoint! I think each person really took the time to think about the environment, and that is really the point of requiring a post or comment.
Please take the time to read the posts! There is some great information presented and new ideas for everyone! Here is each person’s number based on the order of comments:
- Erin
- Kearstin
- Carrie
- Jackie
- Carrie
- Carrie
And the winner of the cleaning kit is:
Erin!
The winner of the skoy cloths is:
Kearstin!
The winner of the produce bags is:
Carrie!
And here is the fun part, as I sometimes do when there is one more person than prizes, Jackie wins too! Jackie will receive a set of produce bags as well!
Please email me (if you don’t have my email, use the contact me form) the address you would like your prizes sent!
Once again, I thank everyone for reading and writing! I really appreciate it!
Happy Earth Day EVERYDAY!
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Apr 22, 2010
Posted in Earth Day 2010 | View Comments
If you have read my posts the past couple of days, you might be wondering what my personal care has to do with Earth Day, but it all fits together. Here are a few of the “hows.”
- The fewer chemicals I use on my body, the more it takes care of itself, and the fewer chemicals that need to be produced. (check your products on the skindeep database!)
- Reduction in my body toxin burden. (check out more here)
- Less plastic used. (fewer product bottles, deodorant containers, etc)
- Fewer chemicals leaching in to the environment through product, disposal or even from my body (urine, etc).
- Less trash in the landfills.
I did not make any of these changes in my life without doing research and taking it one step at a time! I really think that tackling one item at a time is the way to go unless you are superwoman (or superman)! Below are a few more ideas.
As you can see, there are a lot of ways to change a little at a time. You can find many ways on this blog, and if there is something you want to hear my thoughts on, please feel free to ask at any time!
Today is the last day to enter the Earth Day 2010 Giveaway! I hope you will take the time to write a post or a comment!
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