What better time than “the season of giving” to give some real thought to creating a festive, meaningful holiday that also nurtures our planet? Taking some healthy action—however small—will make your feel great and also sets an important example for your children. And in these challenging economic times, if you can save money too, why not? For example:
Buy a Real Tree
A live tree creates a special energy in your home, and planting it after the holiday can be a new tradition. Artificial trees are best avoided, not only because they’re difficult to recycle, but also because they off-gas potentially carcinogenic chemicals. And they certainly lack that luscious evergreen scent. If you must cut down a tree, seek out eco-friendly tree farmers near you. Visit LocalHarvest or GreenPromise. The Coalition of Environmentally Conscious Growers (CECG) ensures that growers are utilizing sustainable farming practices in the production of Christmas trees. After the holiday, please don’t throw it on the street! Visit Earth911.com for a tree-recycling center near you.
Skip the Mall Frenzy
A new way to look at the “season of giving” is that less really is more. Many families simply pick a name, so each person has just one primary gift to buy. Setting a cost limit is a great idea too. Other families focus on the children, minimizing items adults may not even want or need. Gifts from the heart are much appreciated, especially anything handmade. If you can knit, assemble gift baskets, crochet, sew, scrapbook, arrange photo albums, draw or paint, sculpt, quilt, cook or bake, can or preserve foods, work with wood, or have a way with plants and flowers, the options for unique, inexpensive gifts abound. Plan ahead for 100% hand crafted gifts next year!
Buy Fair Trade gifts
If you do buy gifts, selecting Fair Trade Certified items guarantees a high quality, environmentally friendly product, produced with an emphasis on sustainable planet-saving methods. Everyone wins! And there are countless Fair Trade gift options—coffee, tea, chocolate and other foods, jewelry, crafts, clothing and more. Easy on-line resources to get you started include:
http://www.thehungersite.com/ https://shop.therainforestsite.com/storehttp://www.globalexchangestore.orghttp://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/shop/OurCoffees/FairTradeOrganic
http://www.divinechocolateusa.com
Nix the Wrapping Paper
Did you know that every week between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Americans produce an additional 2 billion pounds of garbage? Much of it is accumulated gift paper, bags, and boxes, holiday cards and catalogs. A green approach to gift wrap is eco-chic and cost cutting. Brown bags are an easy solution for small to medium sized gifts. After wrapping, tie boxes with raffia (available at craft stores) and insert a sprig of lavender or a fern leaf. Or decorate packages with children’s art, snippets of poetry or quotes, or images cut from holiday cards. Let kids help!
Other wrapping paper ideas include newspaper, colorful used clothing swatches, old blueprints or maps, packing paper, or magazine pages. These creative options make an interesting presentation and fun conversation topic. Offering gifts in re-usable bags is a lovely touch—especially when you choose snazzy ones. For fun, gorgeous eco-bags at a very down to earth price go to www.envbags.com
Celebrate by Candlelight
Conserve electricity and add elegance with candles. Just be sure you’re “burning green.” Old candles may have lead wicks—banned in this country in 2003—and typically consist of paraffin wax, which releases harmful chemicals in your home. Natural, renewable, biodegradable options include soy, beeswax and vegetable wax based candles. For outstanding quality at refreshingly low prices, go to: http://www.candlebay.com/ Look for Therepe Soy Jar Candles for $3.99, Reed Diffusers 4.0 oz for $4.29, Asian Tealights 4-Pc Gift Set for $12.50 or the luxurious Therepe Spa Candle Gift Set for $19.99. Unscented tapers for the table are only $1 each, so try different colors. Create gift baskets by pairing them with cloth napkins, interesting napkin rings, and a bottle of wine.
Give Kids Learning Gifts
There are many fun, educational gifts for kids of all ages. Not only will your children find them more interesting in the long run than yet another plastic toy, the earth will applaud you. In fact, if every child under the age of 6 received an alternative gift, up to 17 million tons of plastic landfill would be avoided for every year the toy was used! Think games, puzzles, school supplies, or cooking, knitting, sewing, craft or ceramics supplies with “lessons” included.
Children with their naturally creative spirits can almost never have too many art supplies: paper, paints, markers, stickers, scissors, crayons, paste, etc. Create a mini “art studio” for them—even a corner of a room is fine—and engage them in creative projects instead of TV. Adults can benefit from learning gifts too, like a 1-yr. gift subscription to Yes! Magazine—all about sustainable living, social justice and creating a peaceful world—for just $20 that includes a great tote bag and the book “Making Peace.” Would we not all benefit from a gift like this? www.yesmagazine.org
Plan for Next Year
There are so many other ways to have a more eco-friendly holiday; I’ve touched on just a few. You may not be able to incorporate everything you want this year, and it may take time to modify long held beliefs and traditions “for the greener.” The key is to start thinking in these terms and planning ahead for a more sustainable way of enjoying the winter holidays ongoing. Buy fewer gifts, decorate with nature, savor slightly smaller meals, consume and discard less in general. The smallest reductions make a vast difference when we all participate. The result? A healthier planet, healthier people, and a healthier bottom line for all. Happy Holidays!
Green Vibrance
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Are You Green with Your Personal Care?
You may not think too much about your bath soap, or even your face cream or hair gel, but the realm of personal care products is an important area to think green—for your health as much as for the planet. Did you know that under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act, personal care products are not required to undergo approval before they are sold to the public? And while the European Union has made a list of 1,100 ingredients determined to be too hazardous for use in these kinds of products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned only 11 ingredients! The trick is knowing what to watch out for:
Avoid Synthetic Fragrances
The National Academy of Sciences reports that 95% of the chemicals used in fragrances today are petroleum-based synthetic compounds, including known toxins capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. Avoid the soaps with the word “fragrance” listed, period.
Lose the Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Another compound to avoid is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which is used in many soaps, shampoos, and even toothpaste. SLS, a known skin irritant, is also regulated as a pesticide, and may also cause reproductive problems, according to the National Toxicology Program.
Avoid Antibacterial Soaps
The main ingredient used in antibacterial soaps is triclosan—a chlorophenol compound suspected of causing cancer in humans. Triclosan has a similar structure to poisonous chemicals like dioxins and PCBs, and may depress the central nervous system. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency claims that triclosan—also registered as a pesticide—poses a risk to both human health and the environment. The World Health Organization advises against antibacterial soaps as well, since their overuse can lead to the development of stronger strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The good news is your local health food store has many natural soaps, shampoos, and other personal care products available. Better yet, buy 30% below retail at www.vitaminlife.com for thousands of natural products and reasonable shipping. You can also visit the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics for a list of companies that have signed a compact pledging not to use hazardous chemicals in their products or test on animals. Be an alert consumer, you and your health deserve it.
Avoid Synthetic Fragrances
The National Academy of Sciences reports that 95% of the chemicals used in fragrances today are petroleum-based synthetic compounds, including known toxins capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. Avoid the soaps with the word “fragrance” listed, period.
Lose the Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Another compound to avoid is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which is used in many soaps, shampoos, and even toothpaste. SLS, a known skin irritant, is also regulated as a pesticide, and may also cause reproductive problems, according to the National Toxicology Program.
Avoid Antibacterial Soaps
The main ingredient used in antibacterial soaps is triclosan—a chlorophenol compound suspected of causing cancer in humans. Triclosan has a similar structure to poisonous chemicals like dioxins and PCBs, and may depress the central nervous system. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency claims that triclosan—also registered as a pesticide—poses a risk to both human health and the environment. The World Health Organization advises against antibacterial soaps as well, since their overuse can lead to the development of stronger strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The good news is your local health food store has many natural soaps, shampoos, and other personal care products available. Better yet, buy 30% below retail at www.vitaminlife.com for thousands of natural products and reasonable shipping. You can also visit the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics for a list of companies that have signed a compact pledging not to use hazardous chemicals in their products or test on animals. Be an alert consumer, you and your health deserve it.
5 Reasons to Buy Fair Trade
It’s Fair
Fair trade is defined as a market-based approach to reducing global poverty and promoting sustainability across the globe. How does this work? For one, there is an emphasis on equal employment opportunities, with a chance for buyers and producers to trade directly and build long term relationships. It also allows producers, many of whom may have little start-up capital, to access financial and technical assistance. Another benefit is that all aspects of trade and production are open to public accountability.
It’s Good for the Planet—and You Too
Buying an item that is Fair Trade Certified guarantees a high quality, environmentally friendly product, produced with an emphasis on sustainable planet-saving methods. Buying Fair Trade allows you to enjoy things you would be purchasing anyway—coffee, tea, chocolate, fruit, nuts, other foods, crafts, gifts and clothing—while also helping to support the standard of living of people in less developed countries. Start with your daily cup of coffee, making sure your dollar speaks in support of fair trade.
It’s Humane
Fair Trade offers a very humane system, especially compared with many working conditions around the globe. Perhaps most importantly if you are a parent, neither forced labor and exploitative child labor are allowed, and labor conditions for all must be healthy and safe. Fair Trade gives ‘the little guy’ in many countries a fair shake at last, ensuring a fair price for producers, and for commodities, farmers receive a stable, minimum price. In fact, according to the Global Exchange, the Fair Trade system benefits over 800,000 farmers organized into cooperatives and unions in 48 countries.
It’s Easy to Support
Buying Fair Trade is easy, especially if you like on-line shopping. And although costs may be slightly higher on some items, the high quality you can expect will more than make up for it. Here are just a few resources to start:
A great site for conscious consumers, with a marketplace link to purchase in many categories: http://www.newdream.org
Full of Fair Trade gifts, food, clothing and crafts and every purchase helps a cause: rainforests, children’s health, animal rescue, breast cancer, etc. You pick! http://www.thehungersite.com/
Great coffee array at reasonable prices: http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/shop/OurCoffees/FairTradeOrganic\
Supreme chocolates:
http://www.divinechocolateusa.com
/
Organic body care goes Fair Trade:
http://www.drbronner.com/usda_organic_body_care.html
Fair Trade Gifts and Crafts:
https://shop.therainforestsite.com/store
http://www.globalexchangestore.org
http://eco-friendly.novica.com/cellid
http://www.fairtradequilts.com/child.htm
It’s the Future
The future of Fair Trade is bright, given yet another gift from this election, a net increase in Congress of at least 30 seats by "fair trade" supporters. Lori Wallach—director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch division—called the 2008 election “a veritable tipping point for fair-trade issues” reinforcing what polls have increasingly shown: The public is concerned about the current race-to-the-bottom trade and globalization model, heavily voting against those who support it and for those who say they will replace it.
Fair trade is defined as a market-based approach to reducing global poverty and promoting sustainability across the globe. How does this work? For one, there is an emphasis on equal employment opportunities, with a chance for buyers and producers to trade directly and build long term relationships. It also allows producers, many of whom may have little start-up capital, to access financial and technical assistance. Another benefit is that all aspects of trade and production are open to public accountability.
It’s Good for the Planet—and You Too
Buying an item that is Fair Trade Certified guarantees a high quality, environmentally friendly product, produced with an emphasis on sustainable planet-saving methods. Buying Fair Trade allows you to enjoy things you would be purchasing anyway—coffee, tea, chocolate, fruit, nuts, other foods, crafts, gifts and clothing—while also helping to support the standard of living of people in less developed countries. Start with your daily cup of coffee, making sure your dollar speaks in support of fair trade.
It’s Humane
Fair Trade offers a very humane system, especially compared with many working conditions around the globe. Perhaps most importantly if you are a parent, neither forced labor and exploitative child labor are allowed, and labor conditions for all must be healthy and safe. Fair Trade gives ‘the little guy’ in many countries a fair shake at last, ensuring a fair price for producers, and for commodities, farmers receive a stable, minimum price. In fact, according to the Global Exchange, the Fair Trade system benefits over 800,000 farmers organized into cooperatives and unions in 48 countries.
It’s Easy to Support
Buying Fair Trade is easy, especially if you like on-line shopping. And although costs may be slightly higher on some items, the high quality you can expect will more than make up for it. Here are just a few resources to start:
A great site for conscious consumers, with a marketplace link to purchase in many categories: http://www.newdream.org
Full of Fair Trade gifts, food, clothing and crafts and every purchase helps a cause: rainforests, children’s health, animal rescue, breast cancer, etc. You pick! http://www.thehungersite.com/
Great coffee array at reasonable prices: http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/shop/OurCoffees/FairTradeOrganic\
Supreme chocolates:
http://www.divinechocolateusa.com
/
Organic body care goes Fair Trade:
http://www.drbronner.com/usda_organic_body_care.html
Fair Trade Gifts and Crafts:
https://shop.therainforestsite.com/store
http://www.globalexchangestore.org
http://eco-friendly.novica.com/cellid
http://www.fairtradequilts.com/child.htm
It’s the Future
The future of Fair Trade is bright, given yet another gift from this election, a net increase in Congress of at least 30 seats by "fair trade" supporters. Lori Wallach—director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch division—called the 2008 election “a veritable tipping point for fair-trade issues” reinforcing what polls have increasingly shown: The public is concerned about the current race-to-the-bottom trade and globalization model, heavily voting against those who support it and for those who say they will replace it.
Your Personal Green Initiative
You may feel like you have to much on your plate right now for anything else, but setting your personal green initiative can flow right into your normal activities, because it is as much a decision as an activity.
In other words, if you decide that you truly want to be part of the solution, rather than continuing to add to the problem, you're half way there. The small changes you can make in your daily life that support a sustainable life for all living things are far less difficult once you make living green one of your core values.
What we value, we make a priority with a full heart, and a healthy planet for your future generations could not be a more important reason. Live simply, so others may simply live.
In other words, if you decide that you truly want to be part of the solution, rather than continuing to add to the problem, you're half way there. The small changes you can make in your daily life that support a sustainable life for all living things are far less difficult once you make living green one of your core values.
What we value, we make a priority with a full heart, and a healthy planet for your future generations could not be a more important reason. Live simply, so others may simply live.
5 Easy Green Steps for Life by Kiki Powers, M.S., C.N.C.
1) Be a Local
Buying locally helps the planet and you too. Locally produced food requires less packaging and creates far less waste. And locally produced foods are healthier for you. They tend to be most fresh, are usually grown on smaller farms with more natural methods than factory farms, and are more likely to be organically grown. Since you are buying directly from local growers, you can always ask about their methods. Track down your local Farmer’s Market and enjoy.
2) Actively Reuse
Reusing items helps the environment while saving you cash. For example, donate old books to libraries rather than throwing them out, then pick up some used “new” reads yourself. Or bring books to used bookstores and browse the shelves. In the kitchen, use sponges and dish towels in place of paper towels, and cloth napkins instead of paper. Also, try rechargeable batteries. Before you throw something away, remember, it may be valuable to someone else. Start a Goodwill bin or have a garage sale, ensuring your goods continue to be reused.
3) Buy Fair Trade Where Possible
Fair trade is defined as a market-based approach to reducing global poverty and promoting sustainability across the globe. Buying an item that is Fair Trade Certified guarantees a high quality, more environmentally friendly product, while you are also helping to support the standard of living of people in less developed countries that produce items like coffee, tea, cocoa, fruits, nuts, other foods, crafts and clothing. Start with your daily cup of coffee, making sure your dollar speaks in support of fair trade.
4) Don’t Just Recycle, Precycle
Most earth-friendly households are recycling their glass, paper and plastic in special garbage bins. If you have more than one child of the same gender, you probably also recycle clothing. If not, do share clothes in good condition that your child has outgrown, either with people you know, or by donating them. Along with recycling, learn to precycle, which means planning ahead so there is less to recycle later, like using washable picnicware rather than disposables, buying in bulk, and taking your own cloth bags when grocery shopping.
5) Think Green for Gifts
Between the holidays, birthdays, other occasions, you may give gifts often. This is a great time to think green. Firstly, be sure someone actually needs the gift you’re buying; practical items are appreciated. Share your green spirit with others by treating them to fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate, hemp or bamboo dish or hand towels, or a gift certificate to an organic produce delivery. When wrapping, swap the decorative paper for canvas bags that can be used again for a bonus gift, or use the funny paper section of the news for a fun, whimsical wrap.
Buying locally helps the planet and you too. Locally produced food requires less packaging and creates far less waste. And locally produced foods are healthier for you. They tend to be most fresh, are usually grown on smaller farms with more natural methods than factory farms, and are more likely to be organically grown. Since you are buying directly from local growers, you can always ask about their methods. Track down your local Farmer’s Market and enjoy.
2) Actively Reuse
Reusing items helps the environment while saving you cash. For example, donate old books to libraries rather than throwing them out, then pick up some used “new” reads yourself. Or bring books to used bookstores and browse the shelves. In the kitchen, use sponges and dish towels in place of paper towels, and cloth napkins instead of paper. Also, try rechargeable batteries. Before you throw something away, remember, it may be valuable to someone else. Start a Goodwill bin or have a garage sale, ensuring your goods continue to be reused.
3) Buy Fair Trade Where Possible
Fair trade is defined as a market-based approach to reducing global poverty and promoting sustainability across the globe. Buying an item that is Fair Trade Certified guarantees a high quality, more environmentally friendly product, while you are also helping to support the standard of living of people in less developed countries that produce items like coffee, tea, cocoa, fruits, nuts, other foods, crafts and clothing. Start with your daily cup of coffee, making sure your dollar speaks in support of fair trade.
4) Don’t Just Recycle, Precycle
Most earth-friendly households are recycling their glass, paper and plastic in special garbage bins. If you have more than one child of the same gender, you probably also recycle clothing. If not, do share clothes in good condition that your child has outgrown, either with people you know, or by donating them. Along with recycling, learn to precycle, which means planning ahead so there is less to recycle later, like using washable picnicware rather than disposables, buying in bulk, and taking your own cloth bags when grocery shopping.
5) Think Green for Gifts
Between the holidays, birthdays, other occasions, you may give gifts often. This is a great time to think green. Firstly, be sure someone actually needs the gift you’re buying; practical items are appreciated. Share your green spirit with others by treating them to fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate, hemp or bamboo dish or hand towels, or a gift certificate to an organic produce delivery. When wrapping, swap the decorative paper for canvas bags that can be used again for a bonus gift, or use the funny paper section of the news for a fun, whimsical wrap.
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