Like the nutrition label on the side of my cereal box, I love the idea of a required “eco label” on the products I buy, which is one of the reasons I adore Ecosystem journals – each one comes with an ID that when punched in online, lists the ingredients used, facilities manufactured in and even number of employees in each. It might seem like overkill to some, but in a consumer environment where buzz words like “all natural” and “made in the USA” often mean the exact opposite, it’s a safeguard.
A while back, we posted on Marcal Small Steps paper products – one of the leading grocery brands to sell 100 percent recycled paper towels, toilet paper, facial tissue and napkins. And today, we’re revisiting the lineup of eco-friendly goods, having unveiled a cool, new Environmental Facts panel (above) on the front of each package that calls out recycled paper content (100%), chlorine bleach content (0%) and added fragrances/dyes (0%). Sure, it’s easy for a company to slap on a sticker when it only touts the product’s green perks… so we want to know, what factoids would make up your ideal “eco label?”
Commercial carpet maker Shaw has pioneered an impressive attempt, in my opinion, outlining pre- and post-consumer recycled content, full ingredients used, and more. They even feature a Cradle to Cradle promo video on the Web site, (above). But what about the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process? The company’s overall social responsibility? Or their fair-trade practices? Which would make your list of must-tell mandates?
This is one of those health and beauty indulgences that may appear a little pricey at first, but once you try it, you understand the value. Living clean just makes sense.
EO, Essential Oils, makes organic and natural bath, skin and hair care products based on plant essences. This morning, my sister turned me on to EO’s Organic Orange Oil and Organic Lavender essential oil hand spray sanitizer, and it’s amazing. A quick hit of spray on each hand, followed by a gentle rub together. Hands feel clean and heart feels light. Not one “sticky” after-spray feeling in sight. Just fingers and palms that feel clean, soft and smooth. Really amazing.
It’s a perfect little size to stash in your handbag, beach bag, lunch bag or any kind of bag. Sis puts them in each of her boy’s lunch packs (they actually use them before eating lunch at school and day camp), and she also uses hers all day long (as a Physical Therapist she’s conscientious about keeping her hands clean).
So I can see one of these sprays in my immediate future – going from handbag to beach bag. I couldn’t find the exact fragrance I tried on their site, but I’m sure I’ll find it eventually. In addition to finding other flavors on their Web site, EO is available at many retailers and etailers. Price will vary, ($4.99 for 2 oz size and $2.99 for a tiny .33 oz). The best prices I found were @ amazon.com
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Post-script – via EOproducts.com — for the month of June, you can receive 15% off their shower gel and shave products – which I haven’t tried, but probably will sometime soon. With summer comes a lot more frequent, quick showers – both indoors and out.
Sharing is caring! Public bike systems are becoming hugely popular around the world and as an on-campus commuter concerned about climate change, this is a trend I can get behind.
These systems basically allow people to rent bikes at stations around the neighborhood or city for a small deposit or a membership. Unlike your typical bike rental, these systems are usually free community bicycle programs started by nonprofit community groups or public-private agencies. Bike sharing programs have been established in Europe since the turn of the century (those Europeans are always ahead of us…) and they’re steadily spreading across the United States.
Denver’s B-Cycle program or New York’s Buffalo Blue Bicycle are just a couple of programs implemented into our big cities. Generally, all that’s required is either a small membership fee or volunteering your time in order to take these bikes out for a spin. Not only do these bike sharing programs encourage public transportation, but they also provide a sense of community.
At first it may seem a bit risky to leave a bunch of bikes out for the public to use. Will the bikes be returned? Will they get stolen? What about the possibility of graffiti or bicycle abuse? Many of the neighborhoods that have implemented the bike sharing program are pleasantly surprised. Not only is participation and membership in these programs rising, but there are only a few incidents of stolen or broken bikes. It gives us hope for the betterment of our neighborhoods – fewer cars clogging up our city streets and a reduction of our carbon footprint. Let’s give bikes a chance, and encourage alternative transportation one pedal at a time.
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