Beth Fiteni

Skip the Disposable Plastic Produce Baggies!

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Grocery stores provide thin film plastic bags as a convenience for transporting fresh vegetables from store to home. These bags are usually made from LPDE (Low Density Polyethylene) plastic #4, and like large grocery bags, end up in landfills or get incinerated. Like many of us, though I’ve been pretty good about remembering to bring reusable shopping bags (even if they sometimes get forgotten in the car), I had never even thought about a reusable alternative to produce bags. So when I received this one from Environmental Working Group (EWG.org), made by Chico Bag, it was really encouraging. Though it seems to be made from virgin (nonrecycled) nylon, Chico Bag offers to recycle it for you. It’s mesh on one side and lightweight, and I’m hoping it becomes the next big trend! See these links for others like it too!

Chicobag.com

washableproducebags.com

reusablebags.com

Organic Ketchup Packets?

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If you are in charge of a restaurant kitchen, or school or business cafeteria, you probably offer ketchup packets. If so, consider these, which I was pleasantly surprised to find at a local eatery in Syosset, New York called Energy Kitchen: organic ketchup packets! The difference is that the tomatoes used to create this ketchup were grown organically, meaning no synthetic pesticides, no irradiation, and no genetic modification of the plants. Common ketchup packets typically also contain high fructose corn syrup.

How to Have a Green Halloween

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According to the Sept./Oct issue of Green American (GreenAmerica.org), Halloween is a $6 billion/yr industry in the U.S., so by making green choices you support green businesses, a healthy environment, and social justice for workers. How?

  • One way is by supporting organic candy companies that support fair trade. Did you know that Hershey, Cadbury and Nestle all have ties to child labor in the production of their cocoa? This is a sad side of chocolate that can be avoided by purchasing chocolate from companies such as Divine Chocolate, Green & Blacks, or Equal exchange instead. Or give out small “treasures” other than candy.
  • Also, in terms of protecting your own kids, make sure to use nontoxic face paint such as Terra Firma. A 2009 Campaign for Safe Cosmetics study found that 10 out of 10 children’s face paints tested contained at least trace levels of lead. (safecosmetics.org)
  • Consider getting rid of those plastic trick or treat baskets—the plastic will be around long after your child wants to use it anymore, so cloth sacks are better.
  • Finally, another way to be green on Halloween is to swap costumes; Sat. October 13, 2012 is National Costume Swap Day!

For more green Halloween ideas and info on costume swaps in your area, see GreenHalloween.org.

Look what I found at the Dollar Store!

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It’s not always easy being green, especially when some eco-friendly products cost more. But thanks to increasing consumer awareness, you don’t need to be rich to do your part. For example, while recently at Dollar King in Farmingdale NY, I discovered these drawstring garbage bags, made from 60% recycled plastic (10% of which is post consumer)! They come in 3 sizes, look and feel like similar garbage bags, and are certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS)- and cost $2. I was duly impressed…

Your iPhone Case – Cradle to Grave

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If you have an iphone, we all want a cool case that reflects who we are. The types of cases are endless, from Hello Kitty, to sports teams, to rhinestone bling. Most of these, however, are made from plastic (which will be in landfills for hundreds of years) and it’s pretty hard to find one that isn’t. However, I did find this Incipio ECO Case through AT&T (http://www.amazon.com/Incipio-ECO-case-iPhone-3GS/dp/B001AV35RS) which is made of a sturdy canvas, and I also found several made from bamboo wood.  The more we demand products that are eco-friendly the more available they will become. And always be sure to recycle your cell phone itself which may contain heavy metals—some Whole Foods have recycling containers for used phones, and your local town may also have e-waste pickup.

Look what I Found at Staples!

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Last time, I was excited to report about some earth-friendly products I found at Target. Now I have an equally exciting find in Staples, the office megastore: Scotch tape made from recycled plastic! This is so cool, and makes perfect sense- why use brand new plastic for something that most likely will just be thrown out or stick behind a picture? (Cost= $3).

Also found scissors by Westcott with handles made from 70% recycled plastic (Cost=$7), AND “Ecolutions” white out, by Bic, that is water based as opposed to solvent based. This means lower VOCs- volatile organic compounds, and therefore lower odor than regular correction fluid. (Cost = $4 for 2; See biecolutions.com).

Pretty exciting to see these products available at all, but especially in such a large office supply chain! Though it may cost a bit more, if we can afford it, it is worth paying slightly extra to support efforts companies are making to reduce our overall impact on the planet.