Buying GreenerBuying greener is another way of showing your commitment to an environmentally and socially responsible way of living. By purchasing green products for your everyday consumer needs, such as home products, food and personal items, you'll be making a contribution to the environment. Environmental_benifits_of_buying_green_or_eco-friendly_products Are_green_products_comparable_in_quality_to_regular_products? How_can_I_be_sure_that_a_product_is_really__green? Does_fair_trade_equal_eco-friendly_or_green? Is_the_premium_for_green_products_worth_it?
What is a green product?A green product is one that is both environmentally and socially responsible. Green products are made with their environmental impacts in mind, for example organic produce grown without toxic chemicals or furniture made from recycled wood. Producers and consumers of green products have a sense of accountability to places that provide them and people who inhabit those places.
Environmental benifits of buying green or eco-friendly productsThere are obvious positive impacts on the environment when you buy green. Through daily purchases, you can significantly decrease your environmental footprint. An ecological footprint is a management tool for measuring how much impact human consumption has on the Earth’s natural resources and ecosystems. Methods of measuring the ecological footprint vary, and the concept is closely connected to the field of sustainable development. Take our Common green productsGreen products are divided into several broad categories based on similarities in certification standards:
Pesticide ReplacementsPests, such as ants, roaches and termites can be a problem. There are natural repellents for these pests that can be used without concern of the lasting health effects of their use. For termites, some companies use natural orange oil to destroy the pests. For ants a solution of water (50%), alcohol (25%) and dishwashing soap (25%) seems to do the trick. Just combine the ingredients into a spray bottle on the trail. For roaches the same spray for ants will work on them. Also bay leaf, cucumber and catnip are deterents to roaches. To kill them back in ther nests, sprinkle boric acid where they're known to roam. Be sure to avoid contamination with food utensils and keep away from pets and children. How to BuyConsider these suggestions for each product category. For fabric products, such as clothes, find items made out of organic, natural and recycled materials. Buy jewelry made by companies with high ethical standards. Look for certification and do your research, although it is more challenging with jewelry, due to the lack of established certification systems. However, there are a number of jewelry retailers who promote sustainable mining, such as Brilliant Earth and others. Look for cosmetics without aluminum and other similar elements, and without animal testing. For home appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines, or refrigerators, look for Energy Star qualified models. When buying housekeeping items, such as all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, and laundry supplies, choose products made with biodegradable ingredients in a recyclable container. The number one concern with furniture is ensuring your new table is not made out of illegally logged trees. Find out where and how your furniture was made, and whether it is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international non-profit organization created to support sustainable forestry practices. Also look for “reclaimed” or “recycled” wood products to reduce the need for cutting more trees, and to support reusing trees from landfills and deconstruction projects. Computers contain a number of highly toxic elements, such as lead, cadmium, chromium and mercury. Known health effects of lead and mercury include permanent brain damage, reproductive and developmental problems, and possibly cancer. Based on high toxicity of computer parts and other hazards, proper recycling is a priority. Look for electronic companies with a responsible recycling program. Also, look for Energy Star models or other labels, such as Blue Angel label in Germany, or Eco-Mark in Japan. Flat screen monitors and laptops are a better choice because, unlike regular monitors, they don’t contain lead. Use rechargable batteries to reduce battery waste and dispose of all batteries properly. Because of serious problems associated with the meat production industry, look for meat and poultry products made from grass-fed animals, and that involve organic meat production, and safe animal waste composting. Avoid production that uses pesticides, genetic engineering, and added hormones. Organic label food products qualify as green because the term organic means crops were grown without conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or sewage sludge. It also ensures they are not genetically modified, and contain no chemical preservatives. According to the (EPA), pesticides used in conventional U.S. agriculture contaminate ground water in 38 states. Mono cropping, the practice of planting large plots of land with the same crop each year, strips the soil of natural minerals and nutrients, and replaces them with chemical fertilizers. Finally, buy local whenever possible. This saves energy to preserve and transfer produce to supermarket shelves. Buying local strengthens your community by investing food dollars close to home. For example, 10 percent of the energy consumed in the U.S. is used to grow food, which equals to about 100 billion gallons of oil per year. An additional 7 percent is used for trucking and flying food to their markets around the country, keeping them cold and processing.
Cleaning Supplies
Office cleaning offers an easy way to be green. Environmental cleaning supplies are readily available and relatively inexpensive. Despite their sanitizing qualities, traditional cleaners are rife with chemicals and toxic agents that work against the health of employees and the environment. While low level exposure to these products posts little direct risk, the continued and concentrated exposure for professional cleaners does result in chemical related injuries such as eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. As these cleaners dry, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) evaporate into the air, reduce indoor air quality, and contribute to smog. Furthermore, these chemicals get into the sewer water system, where they accumulate in the bodies of plants and animals, and disrupt their reproductive health. For occasional small cleaning, choose green household products, which populate home supplies shelves in natural stores, or create your own home-made mixtures. When buying, select more concentrated solutions, thus saving on the packaging. Reuse plastic containers. Common ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, borax, lemon juice, and oil can do virtually any cleaning job. Add natural fragrances for a refreshing scent. There are several green certification programs existing for cleaning products. One of them was developed by Green Seal, an independent non-profit organization and one of the largest ecolabeling organizations in the U.S. Green Seal has been promoting the use of environmentally responsible products since 1989. Additional benefits of green products include the following:
Hire cleaning services that use green cleaners, reusable rags and mops, and a high filtration vacuum cleaner. High filtration using a HEPA filter is an important way to clean the air of particulate matter including toxins and allergens. Frequently Asked QuestionsAre green products comparable in quality to conventional products? Are green products comparable in quality to regular products? How can I be sure that a product is really “green”? There is an extensive range of labels, but not all certifications are official. Most are not held to high standards, and it can be difficult to determine which are genuine. Before making a purchase, research the company and their green labeling system. Look for trusted retailers with established reputations who evaluate their own products. See “How to Buy” above or search for green products on this web site. Does fair trade equal eco-friendly or green? Is the premium for green products worth it? Personal paybacks are obvious in some cases, such as energy saving appliances, which significantly reduce utility bills. Green products are always safer than conventional products because they contain less or no harmful chemicals. Reducing exposure to unsafe products may avoid costly medical bills in the long run. Reducing pollutants in our water systems reduces the need for larger treatment plants. Reducing waste in our landfills reduces our need for trash services. These are cost reductions to society at large - a cost we all pay. Success StoriesZola is a furniture design company based in Bend, Oregon. Zola focuses on the production of environmentally friendly, non-petroleum based, chemical free home furnishings. What makes this company different from other similar businesses is their holistic approach in the business model, from wood to fabrics to even eco-friendly stains and finishes. In addition, Zola applies high standards for design and durability, and their furniture is hand-crafted.
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