Green Products

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.

The Green side of the Golden Gate City

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Clary Sage Organics
Earthsake
Muir Woods

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my recent trip to San Francisco, I visited some shining examples of the area’s trademark eco-friendliness. At Earthsake (www.earthsake.com) in Berkeley, I was able to order a great quality organic cotton mattress, that does not contain toxic fire retardants. They offer natural latex mattresses, bedroom furniture, and organic cotton linens for both adult bedrooms and kids’ rooms.

After dining at the vegan restaurant Greens in Fort Mason (www.greensrestaurant.com), with a lovely view of the famed red bridge, I headed to Clary Sage Organics (www.clarysageorganics.com). There I encountered a full array of unique organic cotton and sustainably made clothing, some bearing the store’s own label. The owner, Patti, has been highly committed to promoting sustainable clothing for years, and the store also features wellness formulas and body care products, for natural beauty inside and out.

San Fran city has also made efforts to help dry cleaners to switch to less toxic cleaning methods, and has committed to providing 100% of the city’s energy needs with renewables by 2020. Of course not forgetting the magnificent Muir Woods nearby with its stand of gigantic sequoia trees, the City by the Bay is a treehugger’s dream.

Look What I Found at Target!

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Even Target (sometimes pronounced Tar-zjay) is going green! I was pleasantly surprised to find several eco-friendly products available at Target which is known to carry decent products for an affordable price.

  • First, for the off-to-college crowd, there were twin size organic cotton sheet sets, with several designs and colors!
  • In the kitchenware aisle, I found this “OrGreenic” ceramic, non-stick frying pan which is free from PTFE and PFOA, both of which are a concern in normal nonstick cookware, due to the offgassing of vapors from the plastic coating.
  • Finally, I found a line of cosmetics that is made with organic ingredients. Surrounded by numerous cosmetic lines that contain parabens and phthalates, here was a full half-aisle of a British cosmetic line called Botanics – Organic. It is made with 70-100% certified organic ingredients, and – most importantly- is affordable.