REDUCE
One of the biggest impacts you can make on the Earth is to reduce the number of items you consume on a daily basis. This practice can also help you save money which, in today's economy, is really important!
First, drive less. It is quite fashionable today to drive less, given the $3+ cost-per-gallon of gas. To support this economical and Earth-friendly practice, look for easy ways to cut back on your gas bills by taking public transportation if it’s available. Carpooling is a great idea, but even if it doesn’t work every day, try to share a ride with friends or family once per week when you’re out and about. Also try to minimize your shopping trips. For example, if you currently visit the grocery store four times per week, commit to creating a shopping list, and you can cut that down to just two times per week quite easily.
Second, buy less. With the holidays right around the corner, it might be hard to imagine buying less, but a truly Green consumer weighs each purchase based on how it impacts the Earth. For example, you must consider the environmental costs involved in growing, harvesting, producing, packaging and transporting all items. From a green perspective, you need to take all of these issues into account when making a purchase, but from a budgeting perspective, you should also consider the very first question a true environmentalist should ask: do I really need to buy this item? Many things that we buy for ourselves and others end up cluttering our personal space, and then ultimately are discarded to clutter a landfill Instead of adding to this problem, double- and triple- think every purchase before making it.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Great Green Baby Gift Ideas
A new baby is a great opportunity to introduce your friends and family members to the many changes, big and small, that we can make to be “Greener” consumers. Baby gifts are a wonderful way to introduce new parents to Green products, and, who knows – they might stick with them!
Giving green gifts is increasingly popular, as it provides an opportunity for your gift to stand out from the crowd and make a positive impact on the Earth.
Green gifts are constructed of organic or recycled materials, or at least have a minimum impact on the Earth. The packaging of the product should be minimal to reduce waste. Seek zero packaging when possible, but if necessary look for recycled paper packaging. The least desirable packaging is plastic, which takes significant energy to produce and is difficult to recycle. If the only option is plastic packaging, seek minimal amounts of plastic, or purchase carbon offset credits to make up for it.
Gifts for Getting Dressed
Your options in buying green baby clothes are many and increase almost daily. Today you can find organically-grown cotton clothing fairly easy. Even some of the large chain stores like Target carry certain items made of this fabric. Organic cotton is grown with natural fertilizers and is free from toxic chemicals. A field must be pesticide-free for at least three years to qualify as organic, and the cotton must be processed based on International organic standards.
Bamboo is also an excellent choice for baby clothes, as it is both eco-friendly and softer than even the softest cotton on the market. Bamboo fabrics have a natural sheen and are frequently compared to silk and cashmere. Another great benefit of using bamboo fabric for baby clothing is its naturally-occurring antibacterial properties.
Gifts for Bath Time
Avoid the commonly-available plastic bath toys and focus instead on healthy, safe and eco-friendly options for the bath. For example, if you are looking for cute towels, you can find many options in both organically-grown cotton and bamboo. Although it may sound strange, bamboo fibers make amazingly soft, silky fabrics. In fact, many people choose bamboo towels based on touch alone, without even realizing they are choosing a sustainable fabric. Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that grows without pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals. It does not destroy natural forests or take an undue toll on the Earth, thus making it an excellent option for eco-conscious consumers.
As for baby-washes and lotions, all those petroleum-based products can be skipped for more eco- and body-friendly options. The chemicals used in most cosmetics and toiletries range from toxic to dangerous, and everything in between. Some major things to look out for include shampoos and conditioners containing petroleum products, hair dyes with carcinogenic coal tar, deodorants containing aluminum, hairsprays and hair gels containing petroleum derivatives, formaldehyde, phthalates and synthetic fragrance.
Also look out for cosmetic and toiletry products that were not tested on animals. Not only does this mean that you are not testing your ethics, but often products with the Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS) label also happen to meet the above criteria and are therefore better choices overall.
Gifts for Playtime
Most toy aisles are filled with plastics, which are energy-intensive to create and slow to decompose in our landfills. Instead of adding to the waste, seek green alternatives to baby toys. For example, there are many super-soft and amazingly beautiful stuffed toys made from organic fabrics and stuffing. These items are often checked more thoroughly for safety than typical toys, since they are catering to a high-end market.
Also available are wooden toys created with green-certified hardwoods and fast-growing woods. They have all-natural finishes, paint and stains, making them safe for baby, and also safer for the world.
Giving green gifts is increasingly popular, as it provides an opportunity for your gift to stand out from the crowd and make a positive impact on the Earth.
Green gifts are constructed of organic or recycled materials, or at least have a minimum impact on the Earth. The packaging of the product should be minimal to reduce waste. Seek zero packaging when possible, but if necessary look for recycled paper packaging. The least desirable packaging is plastic, which takes significant energy to produce and is difficult to recycle. If the only option is plastic packaging, seek minimal amounts of plastic, or purchase carbon offset credits to make up for it.
Gifts for Getting Dressed
Your options in buying green baby clothes are many and increase almost daily. Today you can find organically-grown cotton clothing fairly easy. Even some of the large chain stores like Target carry certain items made of this fabric. Organic cotton is grown with natural fertilizers and is free from toxic chemicals. A field must be pesticide-free for at least three years to qualify as organic, and the cotton must be processed based on International organic standards.
Bamboo is also an excellent choice for baby clothes, as it is both eco-friendly and softer than even the softest cotton on the market. Bamboo fabrics have a natural sheen and are frequently compared to silk and cashmere. Another great benefit of using bamboo fabric for baby clothing is its naturally-occurring antibacterial properties.
Gifts for Bath Time
Avoid the commonly-available plastic bath toys and focus instead on healthy, safe and eco-friendly options for the bath. For example, if you are looking for cute towels, you can find many options in both organically-grown cotton and bamboo. Although it may sound strange, bamboo fibers make amazingly soft, silky fabrics. In fact, many people choose bamboo towels based on touch alone, without even realizing they are choosing a sustainable fabric. Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that grows without pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals. It does not destroy natural forests or take an undue toll on the Earth, thus making it an excellent option for eco-conscious consumers.
As for baby-washes and lotions, all those petroleum-based products can be skipped for more eco- and body-friendly options. The chemicals used in most cosmetics and toiletries range from toxic to dangerous, and everything in between. Some major things to look out for include shampoos and conditioners containing petroleum products, hair dyes with carcinogenic coal tar, deodorants containing aluminum, hairsprays and hair gels containing petroleum derivatives, formaldehyde, phthalates and synthetic fragrance.
Also look out for cosmetic and toiletry products that were not tested on animals. Not only does this mean that you are not testing your ethics, but often products with the Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS) label also happen to meet the above criteria and are therefore better choices overall.
Gifts for Playtime
Most toy aisles are filled with plastics, which are energy-intensive to create and slow to decompose in our landfills. Instead of adding to the waste, seek green alternatives to baby toys. For example, there are many super-soft and amazingly beautiful stuffed toys made from organic fabrics and stuffing. These items are often checked more thoroughly for safety than typical toys, since they are catering to a high-end market.
Also available are wooden toys created with green-certified hardwoods and fast-growing woods. They have all-natural finishes, paint and stains, making them safe for baby, and also safer for the world.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Dreaming of a Green Christmas
With the holidays approaching, I thought it would be a good time to start thinking about Green gifts for everyone on your list:
1. Intangible Gifts
Some of the most eco-conscious gifts are those that don’t involve any wrapping paper. These gifts provide resources that last long after the holidays are over and are an excellent way to give someone something that does good for the world. Ideas include: donating time or money to a charity that means something to the recipient; buying carbon offsets on behalf of the recipient; planting a forest in the recipient’s name; or sponsoring an endangered animal.
2. Educational Gifts
If you have people on your list who have expressed interest in being more green, but simply don’t know where to begin, you can give them something that helps them become more aware of the Green movement. A search at any bookstore for green topics will provide you with many choices, including the DVD “An Inconvenient Truth,” and books like “Green Goes with Everything: Simple Steps to a Healthier Life and a Cleaner Planet.” If the recipient enjoys cooking, you could try one of many organic food cook books, like “The Organic Cook’s Bible,” and if he enjoys gardening, “Organic Gardening for Dummies” might be a nice choice.
3. Traditional Gifts
You don’t have to look far to get wonderful traditional gifts like toys, linens and clothing that don’t negatively impact the environment. For example, you can find clothing made of organic cotton in many major retailers today. Bamboo towels, socks and bathrobes are amazingly silky-soft, and have antibacterial properties in addition to being environmentally sound. Wooden toys built from sustainable trees are also an excellent choice for children.
1. Intangible Gifts
Some of the most eco-conscious gifts are those that don’t involve any wrapping paper. These gifts provide resources that last long after the holidays are over and are an excellent way to give someone something that does good for the world. Ideas include: donating time or money to a charity that means something to the recipient; buying carbon offsets on behalf of the recipient; planting a forest in the recipient’s name; or sponsoring an endangered animal.
2. Educational Gifts
If you have people on your list who have expressed interest in being more green, but simply don’t know where to begin, you can give them something that helps them become more aware of the Green movement. A search at any bookstore for green topics will provide you with many choices, including the DVD “An Inconvenient Truth,” and books like “Green Goes with Everything: Simple Steps to a Healthier Life and a Cleaner Planet.” If the recipient enjoys cooking, you could try one of many organic food cook books, like “The Organic Cook’s Bible,” and if he enjoys gardening, “Organic Gardening for Dummies” might be a nice choice.
3. Traditional Gifts
You don’t have to look far to get wonderful traditional gifts like toys, linens and clothing that don’t negatively impact the environment. For example, you can find clothing made of organic cotton in many major retailers today. Bamboo towels, socks and bathrobes are amazingly silky-soft, and have antibacterial properties in addition to being environmentally sound. Wooden toys built from sustainable trees are also an excellent choice for children.
Monday, September 15, 2008
What you need to know about wood furniture
Next time you are in the market for wood furniture, consider the following guidelines:
1. Where does the wood come from?
You want to look for wood that has been legally harvested from responsibly-managed forests. Whenever possible, look for reclaimed or recycled woods. Also available are a number of fast-growing woods, including bamboo, which are neither threatened nor threaten other species in production.
2. Is the wood certified by a third party?
In addition to the Sustainable Furnishings Council, you can look for certification from other third-parties including the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
3. Is the manufacturer working to reduce energy use?
In addition to the actual manufacturing energy cost, consider the distance that your wood has traveled. Cargo ships have become one of the nation’s leading sources of air pollution, threatening the health of millions of people.
4. Where was the furniture made?
Look for products that were made close to your home and sourced from raw materials from within 500 miles. This will reduce the distance traveled and also support grassroots initiatives that are working to improve the sustainable furniture industry as a whole.
5. Were any high Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) finishes used to create the product?
Varnishes and lacquers are the most common offenders, but many paints also contain high levels of VOCs. Look for water-based finishes that have low or no VOCs.
1. Where does the wood come from?
You want to look for wood that has been legally harvested from responsibly-managed forests. Whenever possible, look for reclaimed or recycled woods. Also available are a number of fast-growing woods, including bamboo, which are neither threatened nor threaten other species in production.
2. Is the wood certified by a third party?
In addition to the Sustainable Furnishings Council, you can look for certification from other third-parties including the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
3. Is the manufacturer working to reduce energy use?
In addition to the actual manufacturing energy cost, consider the distance that your wood has traveled. Cargo ships have become one of the nation’s leading sources of air pollution, threatening the health of millions of people.
4. Where was the furniture made?
Look for products that were made close to your home and sourced from raw materials from within 500 miles. This will reduce the distance traveled and also support grassroots initiatives that are working to improve the sustainable furniture industry as a whole.
5. Were any high Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) finishes used to create the product?
Varnishes and lacquers are the most common offenders, but many paints also contain high levels of VOCs. Look for water-based finishes that have low or no VOCs.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Green Pets
Here are some key labels to look for when you are seeking green alternatives for your pets:
- USDA Certified Organic: this is the only official certification for organic products, assuring that the food has undergone a third-party certification process. Compared to products market “natural” or “holistic,” this process validates that at least 95% of the ingredients are organic.
- Free-Range Meat: look for foods made from animals that are raised out-of-doors, without cages, and are fed grass and other natural diets.
- Cruelty-Free: look for items that feature no animal testing and can prove the animals raised for meat are treated in a humane manner.
- AAFCO Certification: this certification, provided by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) ensures the food is formulated to meet balanced nutritional levels and contain the micro- and macro-nutrients needed to keep your pets healthy.
There are many healthy, green options available on the market for dogs and cats, but as with any green product, it is important that you check the label and investigate the company to ensure that you fully understand the claims and certifications.
- USDA Certified Organic: this is the only official certification for organic products, assuring that the food has undergone a third-party certification process. Compared to products market “natural” or “holistic,” this process validates that at least 95% of the ingredients are organic.
- Free-Range Meat: look for foods made from animals that are raised out-of-doors, without cages, and are fed grass and other natural diets.
- Cruelty-Free: look for items that feature no animal testing and can prove the animals raised for meat are treated in a humane manner.
- AAFCO Certification: this certification, provided by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) ensures the food is formulated to meet balanced nutritional levels and contain the micro- and macro-nutrients needed to keep your pets healthy.
There are many healthy, green options available on the market for dogs and cats, but as with any green product, it is important that you check the label and investigate the company to ensure that you fully understand the claims and certifications.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Eight Easy Options For Green Gift Giving
1. Gift Certificates – require almost no transportation resources or packaging, and ensure the recipient will get exactly what he or she wants. Choose local, environmentally-conscious companies from which to secure the certificates.
2. Organic Products – are often sourced from environmentally-conscious companies that minimize their impact on the world. Consider clothing, accessories and beauty items.
3. Charity Donation - requires no transportation resources or packaging, and directly make a positive impact on the world. Check out organizations that benefit global resource initiatives, focusing on something meaningful to the recipient like water or air quality, or wildlife protection.
4. Local Home-Made Products – buying locally-made products supports the local economy and minimizes transportation impact. Look for hand-made gift items like bags, decorative boxes and children’s toys.
5. Massage – a hands-on gift requires almost no waste, and the only products required are a little bit of massage oil.
6. Eco Spa Day – while many spas use treatments that are tested on animals and contain ingredients that don’t meet the green standard, eco spas specialize in treating guests to luxury without negatively impacting the Earth.
7. Home-Made Food – if you like to cook, select the best organic and locally-grown products available and prepare a home-made meal that you can either share or drop off. Don’t live nearby? Bake organic cookies and send them in the mail.
8. Groceries for a Week – do their shopping for a week at the local farmer’s market or a responsible grocery store. Don’t forget to include a list of what you purchased and some recipes for using the food!
1. Gift Certificates – require almost no transportation resources or packaging, and ensure the recipient will get exactly what he or she wants. Choose local, environmentally-conscious companies from which to secure the certificates.
2. Organic Products – are often sourced from environmentally-conscious companies that minimize their impact on the world. Consider clothing, accessories and beauty items.
3. Charity Donation - requires no transportation resources or packaging, and directly make a positive impact on the world. Check out organizations that benefit global resource initiatives, focusing on something meaningful to the recipient like water or air quality, or wildlife protection.
4. Local Home-Made Products – buying locally-made products supports the local economy and minimizes transportation impact. Look for hand-made gift items like bags, decorative boxes and children’s toys.
5. Massage – a hands-on gift requires almost no waste, and the only products required are a little bit of massage oil.
6. Eco Spa Day – while many spas use treatments that are tested on animals and contain ingredients that don’t meet the green standard, eco spas specialize in treating guests to luxury without negatively impacting the Earth.
7. Home-Made Food – if you like to cook, select the best organic and locally-grown products available and prepare a home-made meal that you can either share or drop off. Don’t live nearby? Bake organic cookies and send them in the mail.
8. Groceries for a Week – do their shopping for a week at the local farmer’s market or a responsible grocery store. Don’t forget to include a list of what you purchased and some recipes for using the food!
Monday, July 28, 2008
10 Simple Steps to Being Green
Here are some simple steps that every Greenie can take to make a greater impact on the green movement:
1. Buy direct from farmers, co-ops and free-trade distributors
2. Eat minimally-processed food
3. Stick with organic and/or sustainably-grown foods and textiles whenever possible
4. Reuse any materials that you can before you buy new ones
5. Recycle paper, glass and plastics
6. Do not dispose of toxic waste (e.g. batteries, cell phones, computer electronics, light bulbs, paint, etc.) in the trash can
7. Take public transportation, carpool, walk, or ride your bike instead of driving alone in a car
8. Lower the heat in winter and raise the temperature in the summer; install fans to help better circulate the air rather than using energy to heat/cool it
9. Lower the temperature on your water heater
10. Buy only Energy Star appliances
No matter how hard-core you are, we still all make an impact on the Earth just by living in it. This is called our “Ecological Footprint.” If you’re interested in learning how big yours is, take the Ecological Footprint Quiz and compare yourself to others in the U.S. and worldwide. http://www.earthday.net/footprint/index.asp
1. Buy direct from farmers, co-ops and free-trade distributors
2. Eat minimally-processed food
3. Stick with organic and/or sustainably-grown foods and textiles whenever possible
4. Reuse any materials that you can before you buy new ones
5. Recycle paper, glass and plastics
6. Do not dispose of toxic waste (e.g. batteries, cell phones, computer electronics, light bulbs, paint, etc.) in the trash can
7. Take public transportation, carpool, walk, or ride your bike instead of driving alone in a car
8. Lower the heat in winter and raise the temperature in the summer; install fans to help better circulate the air rather than using energy to heat/cool it
9. Lower the temperature on your water heater
10. Buy only Energy Star appliances
No matter how hard-core you are, we still all make an impact on the Earth just by living in it. This is called our “Ecological Footprint.” If you’re interested in learning how big yours is, take the Ecological Footprint Quiz and compare yourself to others in the U.S. and worldwide. http://www.earthday.net/footprint/index.asp
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