Embedded Files
A victory for consumers over greenwashing!
Tyson Foods agrees to stop making ‘net-zero’ and ‘climate-smart beef’ claims
EWG lawsuit alleged Tyson’s claims not backed by credible actions
This story comes from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), but was also featured by Earthjustice.
Do you buy holiday gifts for your pets or grandpets? I know I do! Why not, it's so much fun! Here is an article from Sierra Club about doing that more sustainably:
"A Circular Economy for Pets
How to mindfully feed and care for your dogs and cats, and help green up the pet industry while you're at it"
By Katie O'Reilly, Illustrations by Laura Liedo
September 28, 2025https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2025-3-fall/material-world/how-make-pet-industry-go-circular
How about a nice sustainable wine to go with your Thanksgiving dinner? Here One5C explains the differences between Sustainable, Regenerative, Biodynamic and Organic:
"What ‘sustainable’ labels on wine actually mean
From organic to biodynamic, how can you know what wine is ‘green’?"
ByLiza Schoenfein November 10, 2025
Sustainable Jungle has an article about how some cleaning products can affect our lungs as well as a new brand rating system that could come in handy as the holiday shopping season closes in. I especially like the way they included "socks and underwear", everyone's favorites!
Lungs, Labels & the Lure of Sales
From cleaning chemicals to Black Friday: what matters this week
Sustainable Jungle Oct 23, 2025
https://sustainablejungle.substack.com/p/lungs-labels-and-the-lure-of-sales
Sustainable Jungle has published a review of the Nest Bedding Company, and it's just in time for their Labor Day sale. They have a pretty good rating system, so you can read about that, and if you're in the market for a new mattress or other bedding, you can learn what to look for in those products.
What’s New This Week:
Nest Bedding’s Rating + Mattress, Comforter & Bedding Guides:
From mattresses to toppers, our latest updates now feature Nest Bedding.
https://sustainablejungle.substack.com/p/nest-bedding-article-updates
It's getting kinda buggy out there, and with West Nile Virus on the rise, you might need to get out the bug spray. Here is One5C with info on insect repellent:
Which bug spray is right for you—and the environment?
Here’s how to choose the repellent that protects you, your gear, and the planet
ByMatt Berical August 19, 2025
The ocean's coral reefs are extremely vital to the environment, so it's upsetting to hear that the sunscreen we choose with good intentions might not be all it claims to be. This post from One5C explains, and gives better recommendations as well:
A major sunscreen company’s ‘reef-friendly’ claims may be bogus
I like to find new ways of living more sustainably.
Here's a topic I hadn't seen before: Low-Waste Hobbies!
The Low-Waste Hobby Guide
Here is the link to the Sustainable Jungle article: https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/1343109/157822652483896986
Did you ever wish there was just a directory of sustainable products?
Well, here is one from Sustainable Jungle! This could come in handy!
Let me know if you find a brand or product you like;
I would love to share your info!
Sustainable Brand Directory
& Ratings
https://www.sustainablejungle.com/brand-ratings/category/all/
The Environmental Working and their annual sunscreen report made the National Network news this week!
2025's Top Sunscreens,
Rated by EWG's Experts
Here is a link to EWG's guide and a link to the report that was broadcast on NBC:
https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/
Today's weather was cold and windy, but I know that Spring is here, because the calendar tells me so. Therefore, it must be time to share some "Spring Cleaning Hints." Last year, I share a long list of cleaning solutions you could make at home. If you don't have time to make those, or prefer not to, here is an article from EWG with some good choices you can buy.
Safe Sprayers: Options
for Spring Cleaning
https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2024/03/safer-sprayers-options-spring-cleaning
With all the bad news about tariffs, the stock market, and prices going up, I was able to think of one (sort of) bright spot, at least for the environment. People won't be able to afford to buy as much, especially clothes, and there is a lot of $ spent on "fast fashion", which is very bad for the environment. But we aren't allowed to run around naked either, so what to do?
Join the Resale Revolution!
https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/1343109/150849930505750134
Is it safe to use a plastic cutting board? Here's some info from the EWG:
Making meals without microplastics: Tips for safer cutting boards
Coca-Cola says Trump tariffs could force it to increase use of plastic in US
Introduction of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports could push up canned food and drink prices
In case you still drink this stuff, or if you wonder about the effect of tariffs on aluminum, or how a multi billion dollar corporation justifies their decisions, you might find this of interest.
Shopping for Sustainable Makeup
I usually only use foundation makeup (also known as liquid makeup and pancake makeup) when the temperature goes below 40 degrees. But since it's February, and northern Illinois, I have gone through a lot lately, and I'm running low. So I went looking for the brand I had bought before, and couldn't find the same product. That's when I realized it was not a very responsible brand anyway, and maybe it was time to look for a new one. So I decided to do some research through 2 websites I have used before: EWG and Sustainable Jungle.
EWG has a very scientific rating system, which focuses on safety and presence of toxic chemicals. The brands that earned their Verified rating were: Maia's Mineral Galaxy, Rejuva, Well People, Beautycounter, Crunch!, Attitude, Isoi, and Stream2Sea.
https://www.ewg.org/ewgverified/products.php
Sustainable Jungle has a different approach. They recommend organic products, and start with a list of chemicals to avoid, and the list is very long!
https://www.sustainablejungle.com/ingredients-to-avoid-in-skincare/
They also have a new brand rating system: "It includes a set of eco-related criteria that go far beyond just the ingredients we’re using to hide those pimples, like climate impact, circularity, and transparency."
https://www.sustainablejungle.com/ethical-sustainable-beauty/
This may take a while. But they have a list of 7 brands they recommend, which are these: Antonym, 100% Pure, Inika, Elate, Dab Herb, Bee You Organics, and Plant Makeup.
There are so many good ideas that need to be shared! Here is another one from Sustainable Jungle:
9 Sustainable Shopping Tips
To Maximize Your Eco-Efforts
https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-shopping-tips/
Another sustainable fashion article? I promise it's the last (for now)! This is another one from Sustainable Jungle, and it's about the best brands to buy. If you have read the information about fabrics and fibers, this will make more sense to you.
The Best Sustainable Fashion Brands
(The Ultimate Guide!)
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQZSjjqqrFkQpmnVvPSmdzhtzDt
Here is their website section on fashion:
https://www.sustainablejungle.com/what-is-sustainable-fashion/
Here is another really thorough look at the clothing industry and what fabrics are the most sustainable. This one is from Sustainable Jungle:
Welcome to the World of (More) Sustainable Fabrics
(And what to watch out for)
https://preview.mailerlite.com/r7z5i0t9f2/2657818260606556073/t0m0/
Is your skin especially dry this winter? This article from EWG explains why winter is so drying and what you can do about it:
Soothe dry skin this winter with safer balms and salves
https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2024/01/soothe-dry-skin-winter-safer-balms-and-salves
I love my down coat, and it keeps me pretty warm, except for these recent bitter cold Chicago wind chill days. I got it 13 years ago though, and I'm starting to wonder about replacing it. Is synthetic more sustainable? Is down cruelty-free? I was happy to see this article from One5C that answers a lot of questions! Sorry for the huge link!
WHAT'S THE MOST SUSTAINABLE PUFFER JACKET?
By Kate Bratskeir
Here is an interesting and informative article from Organic Consumers about natural fibers. If you have any holiday gift cards left, you might want to read this before shopping!
Why Natural Hollow Fibers Outperform Traditional Materials
January 01, 2024 | Source: Mercola.com | by Dr. Joseph Mercola
When you slip into a silk shirt or wrap yourself in a wool blanket, you’re experiencing the remarkable benefits of hollow fiber technology that nature perfected millions of years ago. Unlike the solid, cylindrical structures of cotton and linen, hollow fibers contain microscopic air channels that create extraordinary properties for comfort, temperature regulation, and moisture management.
You can find the rest of the article in the link below:
https://organicconsumers.org/why-natural-hollow-fibers-outperform-traditional-materials/
The Best Ethical Beauty & Personal Care Brands
Now that you are done buying for others (for a while), you may find you need a few personal care things for yourself. If you have resolve to try to shop more sustainably, you may be interested in these tips from Sustainable Jungle.
https://preview.mailerlite.com/j4u0u6o4j3/2643322691892811457/r3e2/
Here's an article from Sierra that I found in the "archives" from August, 2023. Many people give perfume as Holiday gifts, so maybe something to look into?
The Sweet Smell of Nontoxic, Sustainable Perfumes and Who Is Making Them
Here’s what you need to know about synthetic fragrances and green alternatives
By Rachel Kester August 1, 2023
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/sweet-smell-nontoxic-sustainable-perfumes-and-who-making-them
Make sure your personal finances don't fund the fossil fuel industry and its dirty plans to extract and burn more oil, gas, coal. Consider transferring to a bank that does not invest in the fossil fuel industry. If you’re the customer of a pension fund, send them a letter to make sure they don’t fund the climate crisis. If that’s not possible for you, talk to your family and friends to help raise their awareness. “Every purchase is a moral act.” (Pope Francis). Become informed on the impact of your money on the ecological crisis.
Are you still looking for costumes for your kids? Or for yourself? Here is a great article from One5C about finding sustainable costumes!
THE TRICKS OF SUSTAINABLE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES
By Sara Kiley Watson
It was hard to figure out where to put this, because it is about finding quality sustainable Hallowe'en gear to buy, and also to repurpose from what you already have!
If anyone is redecorating or shopping for new carpeting, you might be interested in this article:
What Are the Least Toxic and
Greenest Carpets and Rugs?
Get floored by these ethically made, tree-free, and sheep-free options
By Jessian Choy July 31, 2023
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/ask-ms-green/what-are-least-toxic-and-greenest-carpets-and-rugs?
7 ways to detox your home (and keep it clean) year ‘round-
Here is some good info from The EWG: Environmental Working Group. They investigate all types of products for harmful chemicals to protect our health, and also protect our environment. I'm almost done with my spring cleaning, but these are good to add to the list!
Avoiding PFAS, reducing plastic, replacing your mattress & more!
https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2024/01/7-ways-detox-your-home-and-keep-it-clean-year-round
ROOF REPLACEMENT ALTERNATIVE THAT WILL SAVE YOU THOUSANDS
ROOF REPLACEMENT ALTERNATIVE THAT WILL SAVE YOU THOUSANDS
"Our revolutionary roof rejuvenation treatment restores the protective oils in your shingles, adding five years of life to your roof per treatment and saving you thousands of dollars over a roof replacement. Our 100% natural, plant-based formula is quick to apply, safe for you and your household, good for the environment and an outstanding price. "
"Our revolutionary roof rejuvenation treatment restores the protective oils in your shingles, adding five years of life to your roof per treatment and saving you thousands of dollars over a roof replacement. Our 100% natural, plant-based formula is quick to apply, safe for you and your household, good for the environment and an outstanding price. "
So, yesterday I said I would share some recipes for eco-friendly cleaning products that I got at the Earth Day Festival.
Here are 2 for general household cleaners:
1. Household Cleaner Cost: $0.94 per gallon
1 tsp. liquid castle soap
1 tsp. borax
one squeeze of lemon
1 qt. warm water
2. Household Cleaner Cost: $1.05 per gallon
¼ cup baking soda
½ cup borax
½ cup vinegar
1 gal. water
Commercial equivalent: Formula 409®: $14.72 per gallon
Window Cleaners:
2 tsp. vinegar+ 1 qt. warm water
or
2 Tbsp. borax + 3 cups water
Commercial equivalent: Windex®: $14.23 per gallon
Cleaning Tips:
For surfaces that need scouring, try a moist scouring pad with salt or baking soda.
After cleaning your windows wipe them dry with newspaper to avoid streaking.
Air Freshener- Gently simmer cinnamon sticks, orange peel, and cloves in hot water.
Garbage Disposal Freshener- Grind ice and lemon juice and/or orange peel in the disposal.
Odor Absorbing Tip- Pour ½cup baking soda in the bottom of trash cans and in the cat's litter box.
Bathroom Cleaners:
Basin, Tub and Tile Cleaner:
½ cup baking soda
1 tbsp. liquid soap (castile)
Toilet Bowl Cleaner:
Pour ¼ cup baking soda into bowl and drizzle with vinegar. Let sit for ½ hour. Scrub and flush. Add borax for stains.
Cost: $5.07 per gallon. Commercial equivalent: Lysol®: $10.51 per gallon.
Wood Furniture Polish:
2 tsp. lemon oil
1 pint mineral oil
Mix together in spray bottle, rub in and wipe clean.
Wood Furniture Polish:
1 cup olive oil
½ cup lemon juice
After rubbing the mixture in, let stand for several hours and polish with a soft, dry cloth.
Cost: $0.15 per ounce
Commercial equivalent: Pledge®: $0.54 per gallon
Polishing Tip:
Rub toothpaste on wood furniture to remove water marks.
Laundry Soap
Add ½ cup washing soda to water before placing clothes in machine and substitute soap flakes or powder for detergent.
Add ½ cup borax for additional cleaning power.
Stain Removers
Here are alternatives to enzyme pre-soaks and bleach for tough stains. Test each of the following remedies on a corner of your fabric first. Wash after application.
Soils: Rub with solution of 2 tbsp. washing soda ain 1 cup warm water.
Wine: Immediately pour salt or hot water on the stain and soak in milk before washing.
Ink: Soak in milk or remove with hydrogen peroxide.
Coffee: Mix egg yolk with lukewarm water and rub on stain.
Mildew: Pour strong soap and salt on the spots and place in sunlight, Keep the spots moist, and repeat as often as necessary.
Grease: Pour boiling water on stains and follow with dry baking soda. Also try ammonia and water.
Blood: Soak in cold water or remove with hydrogen peroxide. For a more stubborn stain, mix cornstarch, talcum powder or cornmeal with water and apply to stain. Allow to dry and brush away.
Gum: Rub with ice. Gum will flake off.
Rust: Saturate with sour milk (or lemon juice) and rub with salt. Place in direct sunlight until dry, then wash.
Is cleaning the oven one of your spring cleaning chores? Before I had a self cleaning oven, it was probably my least favorite things to do! Partly because of the horrible chemical smell and fumes. Here are 2 recipes for eco-friendly oven cleaners, and if you try them, please let me know how they work!
Oven Cleaner 1
¼c. baking soda
2 Tbsp. salt & hot water to make a paste
Apply and let paste sit for 5 minutes, then wipe clean. Keep it off heating elements. Cost: $1.98 per gallon. Commercial equivalent: Easy-Off®: $31.92 per gallon
Oven Cleaner 2
2 Tbsp. liquid soap (castile)
2 tsp. borax
1 qt. warm water
Spray on oven, wait 20 minutes, then wipe clean.
Cost $0.92 per gallon
Drain Cleaners
½ cup borax
2 cups boiling water
Pour borax in the drain followed by the boiling water
or
¼ cup baking soda
½ cup vinegar
Pour both in the drain.
Cover and let sit for 15 minutes.
Follow with 2 quarts boiling water
Cost: $3.03 per gallon
Commercial equivalent: Drano®: $11.18 per gallon
I will have to try this on my shower curtain:
Mildew Remover
½ cup vinegar
½ cup borax in warm water
Apply with sponge or spray bottle.
Cost: $9.39 per gallon
Commercial equivalent: Tilex®$15.96 per gallon
Carpet Cleaning Foam
¼ cup vegetable oil-based liquid soap
3 Tbsp. (or more) water
Whip ingredients in bowl with egg beater. Rub the foam into problem areas of the rug. Rinse well with water.
Cost: $7.71 per gallon
Commercial equivalent: Resolve®: $23.21 per gallon
Hardwood Floors Cleaner:
½ cup white vinegar
1 gal. warm water
Polishing with skim milk after floor is dry will make the floor glow!
Cost: $0.94 per gallon
Silver Polish
1 qt. warm water
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
Apply solution with a small piece of aluminum foil.
Brass polish
Equal parts salt and flour, with a little vinegar.
Chrome Polish
Use rubbing alcohol or ammonia with hot water.
I was catching up on some reading, when I saw this in the AARP magazine:
"New Rules of Laundry: hints from Consumer Reports laundry expert Keith Flamer
Get Comfy with Cold- Hot water doesn't have supercleaning power, and it can cause stains to set in. Consumer Reports tested stain removal at various temperatures and found that cooler water was more effective.
and...Skip the Softener- Flamer says liquid fabric softeners or dryer sheets can do more harm than good. 'Most people like soft clothes, but they can leave a layer of residue,'he says. Instead use dryer balls; they are typically made of wool and prevent laundry from clumping together -Jodie Helmer"
Wow, better for the environment and saves us time and $! Gotta love it!
Skin Care
Skin Care
It's important to take care of our skin, especially if we have dry skin, it's winter and the heat is on where we work or live, or if we live in windy place like me! I suspected that 2 of the products I used were not made by sustainable or ethical companies, so I did some digging. My suspicions were confirmed. I found out through EWG that they contained some dangerous chemicals, and from another website that I will share below, that they are neither ethical nor sustainable. Luckily there are many that are, so I will try some of those. There is a great chart and rating system:
here's the link to the Good Shopping Guide:
https://thegoodshoppingguide.com/top-200-ethical-businesses/
and their chart:
https://thegoodshoppingguide.com/sub.../ethical-skincare/...
When you're tired and need to figure out something for today's post, how great is it to have a friend send you something? Pretty great!! Thanks again Cindi! Also to Paulette Krakowski, Barnetty Kushner and Kim Miller. Sharing knowledge makes us all smarter & the world a better place!
DON’T CHUCK THOSE MARKERS.
15 pounds of dead markers that will NOT end up in landfills or our oceans. Did you know that Crayola has a program called ColorCycle? Crayola ColorCycle will accept all brands of plastic markers, not just Crayola markers. That includes dry erase markers & highlighters. If you collect the dead markers, they’ll send you a free shipping label & you can ship them back to Crayola to be recycled! Link to get started with this program: http://www.crayola.com/colorcycle.aspx
This program is currently in the US & parts of Canada, check website & www.crayola.com/colorcycle/frequently-asked-questions.aspx - FAQ's. Kids get so excited to set up boxes at their schools...know any teachers? These markers were collected in just 3 months at a preschool! Imagine what we could divert from landfills during the whole school year at every school!
This one is for all of my artist friends, or parents of budding artists, who work with acrylic paints! I knew that oil paint (my favorite!) was bad for the environment- using turpentine or mineral spirits for clean up. I thought that water soluble acrylics were ok. They are NOT! My friend Cindi, who is an incredible artist, sent me this video so I could share with you the best way to dispose of your acrylic paint waste water.
Update! A while ago, my friend Cindi sent me an informative video about how artists can safely dispose of acrylic paint wastewater without harming their drains or our waterways. Here is an update from the company that provided the original info. They now have designed a kit that has all the things you need, so you don't have to buy it separately! Thanks again, Cindi!
Here is how Golden Paint’s Crash kit separates acrylic waste water and makes it safe for disposal. After adding the two solutions and letting it sit for an hour, the mix could be poured through the filter, separating into clear water and solid sludge to put in the trash. It works! Available on Amazon!
Safer, Greener Textiles and How to Vet Ecolabel Certifications
Safer, Greener Textiles and How to Vet Ecolabel Certifications
A search for less-toxic fashion, linens, and furnishings
By Jessian Choy July 5, 2023
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/safer-greener-textiles-and-how-vet-ecolabel-certifications
An update on the above article:
How to Find the Greenest, Least Toxic Textiles
Here's what you need to know about "compostable" textiles, ecolabels, and more
By Jessian Choy March 24, 2024
Hair Care- Shampoo and Conditioner
I have been looking for a while for good shampoo and conditioner bars, after learning about and trying Lush brand. I like the idea of not using those plastic bottles, especially now that we know there is far too much plastic to ever be recycled. I liked the Lush shampoo bars, but the conditioner bar didn't do much for my dry hair. I went back to my favorite sources, some new ones, and EWG to see how they stood up to their safety based ratings. There are a lot out there! Some can be found in stores and some ordered through Walmart or Target, too! I bought a shampoo bar in Trader Joe's (their brand), which I didn't find on the EWG guide, so after I try it, I will let you know how it worked for me, but shampoo and conditioner are different for different hair types, so it's trial and error for most of us, but lots to choose from!
https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-beauty/organic-natural-shampoo/
https://www.leafscore.com/eco-friendly-bath-products/best-eco-friendly-organic-shampoo/
https://www.grove.co/catalog/?category=haircare
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/search/?page=3&search=shampoo+bars&sort=score
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/search/?page=4&search=conditioners&sort=score
https://www.mykitsch.com/collections/shampoo-conditioner-bars
My sister-in-law asked me to check this hair care product out a few days ago, and after watching their video, and going on their website, I think it looks great! Specifically made for mature hair issues, it also ticks all the boxes for environmental friendliness: 100% natural, vegan, made in USA, no animal testing, and 1 tree planted. The products are bars, so no plastic bottles, which I love! I have been looking for a better shampoo bar, and have not yet found a conditioner bar, so I would like to try these! Blueberry Fields by Humby Organics!
https://www.facebook.com/thehumbyorganics/videos/1063372194954657
https://humbyorganics.com/pages/blueberry-fields-for-mature-hair
Besides haircare products, you can find all kinds of personal care products and info on the websites of these companies and organizations. Here are some related links:
https://www.mykitsch.com/collections/
https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-beauty/
https://www.leafscore.com/eco-friendly-bath-products/
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/search/?page=3&search=
https://act.ewg.org/jBecMkODKEi_Fh2EBlev0w2...
or like I did on my Lists and Links page! By the way, after looking at all the brands, I think that the most affordable were from Under the Canopy and West Elm. It's also helpful to read up on the criteria these websites used to make their recommendations, that way you can look on your own if you would rather, and make an educated choice. Also what to do with the old, raggedy towels? I usually bring them to an animal shelter, because the dogs and cats need towels and don't mind how they look. It's best to check first to see if they want any-sometimes they have enough already!
Bath Towels
Bath Towels
Well. some of our towels are looking pretty shabby, so I guess it's time to look into eco-friendly towels. Luckily, I have several websites that have done much of the work for me. and you can find them right here: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-living/best-organic-towels/#1
https://www.sustainablejungle.com/certifications/what-is-oeko-tex/
https://www.leafscore.com/eco-friendly-bath-products/best-eco-friendly-towels/
Washing the Dishes
While looking up laundry products, I noticed that most of those makers also made dish or dishwasher soaps and detergents. I love my Dawn detergent and my husband loves the squeeze bottle (I cook and he's the clean up crew-unless he cooks!), and they clean oil spills from ducks, but are they eco-friendly? I went back to Sustainable Jungle, and they have a great review of dish soaps. Most are in bar or cake form, but one is a powder that has it's own refillable bottle. They even tell you how to make your own dish soap! https://www.sustainablejungle.com/zero-waste/zero-waste-dish-soap/
It's kind of funny how both my preferred dish soap and dishwasher detergent were discussed by Sustainable Jungle! Here is their review of dishwasher detergents:
https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-living/eco-friendly-dishwasher-detergent/
I also checked out EWG to see how my favorite brands did on their rating system. While Dawn didn't get their best, verified rating, Dawn's Antibacterial, Orange got an A, and some other fragrances got a B rating. Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Pacs, lemon scent received a B, while another Cascade got a D rating! Seventh Generation received mostly A ratings, which was better than their laundry detergents did. Their dish soap only got Cs, however. AspenClean and Blueland got the only verified ratings for dish soap. Blueland and Defunkify received their verified ratings for dishwasher detergents. Here is their link: https://www.ewg.org/guides/categories/5-Dishwashing/
My friend Sharon told me about The Grove Collaborative, from whom she orders many sustainable products, including laundry and dish detergents, paper and hair products. What's nice about it, is that they carry a variety of sustainable brands and products, so you can order more of the items you need and save on shipping. Here's their link: https://www.grove.co/. I also checked out my local grocery store, and found that some of the sustainable brands are carried there, including Seventh Generation, Method, Mrs. Meyers, and Earth's Breeze, which was also recommended by my sister-in-law, Maria.
Update! I got a lot of positive feedback on this subject-thanks Facebook friends! Cindi, Beth and Sharon use and like the wool dryer balls. Maria has been using Earth's Breeze detergent sheets for years, Sharon likes detergent sheets from Grove Collaborative and 7th Generation and said they even worked on her smoky historical reenactment clothes. I'm going to look into these companies for more products and keep you informed!
Laundry Products and Dryer Balls
Laundry Products and Dryer Balls
Well, it's about time for a new product review! I just spent a lot of time (about an hour this afternoon and 2 hours this evening) researching laundry detergents, and I'm bleary-eyed, confused, and not sure if any wiser. I have been getting ads for detergent sheets for more than a year, and was put off by the price, but as the cost of the liquid in plastic jugs went up, I was ready to order some. I looked up the leading brands on the EWG's rating page: https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/. They didn't do very well. Some had chemicals that were bad for our health, and some had palm oil kernals. I looked into other products, such as pods and powders, and liquids in non-plastic or refillable containers. Sustainable Jungle: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/zero-waste/zero-waste-laundry-detergent/#7 has a list with reviews of 13 products that are zero waste, so I cross checked them with EWG, and they didn't all do well either. Some weren't reviewed by them, and I ended up ordering a package of Symbiotic Products LLC Plant Based Eco Clean Sheets: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/SymbioticProductsLLC for 21.95 for 100 loads, through Etsy, and bought some wool dryer balls, too. I'm not sure if these were the best, but I'm sure it's better than the plastic jugs full of chemicals. I'll let you know how they work.
How to Lounge in PFAS-Free Bras While Your Partner Puts Kids in Less-Toxic Clothes, Car Seats, Strollers
How to Lounge in PFAS-Free Bras While Your Partner Puts Kids in Less-Toxic Clothes, Car Seats, Strollers
Yes, you really can have it all and change companies and laws
Yes, you really can have it all and change companies and laws
Natural Wine
Have you heard of Natural Wine? I hadn't, but then I'm not much of a wine connoisseur. In an article from National Geographic Traveller, by Fiona Beckett, the "term essentially refers to wines that are made without the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides, with minimal sulfites and using wild yeasts found in vineyards rather than those manufactured in a lab." I like the sound of that! For the whole article, you can click the link below:
What is natural wine, and which ones should you be drinking?
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/food/article/what-is-natural-wine
Here's an important article from the Environmental Working Group:
Here's an important article from the Environmental Working Group:
EWG study: Humans serve as sentinels for ‘forever chemicals’ harm to wildlife health
EWG study: Humans serve as sentinels for ‘forever chemicals’ harm to wildlife health
A global problem
A global problem
“The PFAS crisis is global,” said Alexis Temkin, Ph.D., a toxicologist at EWG. “Like humans, wildlife are exposed to multiple PFAS at a time, through the diet, air, water and soil, highlighting the need to tackle these persistent and toxic chemicals as a class.”
PFAS are used in a wide range of consumer products, including personal care products, food packaging, textiles like waterproof clothing, and many other products. They have also been widely used in firefighting foams and gear, a major source of contamination in the environment.
Please click the link below for the entire article and links to info about products:
Here's a quick link to the Personal Care database:
Summer is here and with the sun being so strong we definitely need some sunscreen! But which ones are best for you? Here is a link to the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Sunscreen Guide: https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/
Personal Care Products
Skin care, hair care, fragrances, baby products, they're all here! The EWG is here to help us find products that don't harm us or the world we live in.
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/?utm_campaign=2022Confirmation&utm_medium=email
Does spring make you feel like cleaning your whole house? Yeah, me neither. But we do need to do a little cleaning now and then, so here are some sustainable products that won the Better Homes & Gardens Clean House Awards:
Scotch-Brite has a Greener Clean line of scrubbers, wipes and sponges that are dye-free and either plant based or made from recycled materials even the packaging! 2 for $7! https://www.scotch-brite.com/3M/en_US/scotch-brite/greenerclean
Seventh Generation Dishwasher Packs are powered by plants and minerals and are USDA Certified Biobased https://www.biopreferred.gov/BioPreferred/faces/Welcome.xhtml
EC30 Toilet Cleaner
Plastic free, no harsh odors, septic safe, just drop in the bowl
April's issue of Better Homes and Gardens is celebrating Earth Day with
"A dozen easy ways to show the planet a little love- on April 22 and year round." What a great idea!
Here are a few of those and their links:
For composting -Bokashi compost: https://www.teraganix.com/
Vermicompost: https://eartheasy.com/
Smart Compost: https://www.litterless.com/
Natural floral arranging material- Agra Wool: https://www.newagefloral.com/
Chemical free lawn care- Sunday Lawn Care: https://www.getsunday.com/
Reusables- handkerchiefs and pads; lastobject.com, Unpaper Towels: https://www.marleysmonsters.com/
And my personal favorite idea ( I really want to try this!) Great Wrap- a green alternative to plastic wrap made from potato skins: https://greatwrap.co/
Here are some of the brands that earned the highest rating:
ECOS Paints $86 per gallon
AFM Safecoat from $72 per gallon
Clare Paint $64 per gallon
Sherwin-Williams Harmony $42 per gallon
Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint with Air Purifying Technology $75 per gallon
Behr Pro i300 $24 per gallon
Behr Premiun Plus $34 per gallon
BioShield $60 per gallon for clay, $42 for solvent-free
The Real Milk Paint Co. $70 per gallon
Backdrop $70 per gallon when you buy more than 4 or $75 ea.
Paint
Paint
According to Better Homes and Gardens:
https://www.bhg.com/decorating/paint/how-tos/zero-voc-paint/,
"some harsh ingredients in paint can also cause various adverse effects and contribute to air pollution. VOC is an acronym that stands for volatile organic compounds. The Environmental Protection Agency describes them as 'organic chemical compounds whose composition makes it possible for them to evaporate under normal indoor atmospheric conditions.' VOCs are the invisible chemicals we smell when bringing paint products, building supplies, and even new furniture into our homes. The evaporation process is called "off-gassing," It can last well after the new paint smell is gone—potentially several years.
What are these chemicals exactly? Formaldehyde, d-Limonene, toluene, acetone, and ethanol (and more) fall within this category. Consumers have experienced short and long-term health effects from exposure to VOCs. According to the EPA, VOCs can be up to two to five times higher indoors."
"But here's the good news: safer paint options exist.
One thing to pay attention to—if an eco-label certification is on a can, be sure it's an emissions test approved by the EPA.
The Greenguard label is a widely trusted label you might have already seen. Greenguard tests for VOC emission levels and offers a range of certifications. The Greenguard Gold Certification is the most rigorous and a good safety indicator. Consumers can also use Greenguard's website to search for other low-emitting, eco-friendly products. Spotting Greenguard's green badge on a product indicates that it's been tested and that it lands within its range of emissions standards.
Earth-friendly resources like Building Green or an online retailer such as Green Building Supply are also available to help with the shopping process. Lastly, you can research by checking a product's material safety data sheet, or MSDS, for a list of chemicals used."
American Clay
American Clay
About 15 years ago we needed to resurface our living room walls in our old house in Walden. I say resurface, because we had old, cracked, plaster walls that we had previously covered in spackling in a stucco effect. We found this eco-friendly solution and we loved it! Here is a link to their site and some photos of our project:
Here's a great link to all kinds of product reviews: https://www.leafscore.com
How about something for the fur babies?
How about something for the fur babies?
for kitties
Your cat deserves only the best, so here's The World's Best Cat Litter! Natural, plant based and:
"Unlike clay litter, World’s Best Cat Litter® uses a patented process to compress corn into super-absorbent granules that TRAP ODOR DEEP INSIDE and FORM TIGHT CLUMPS ON CONTACT – so you can do more with less litter."
And you can buy it through Chewy, or at Petsmart, Petco, Walmart or Target!
for the pups
for the pups
Molly Mutt Dog Bed Covers: Cotton-canvas covers that you stuff with your old pillows and clothes. It's an eco-friendly alternative to foam inserts and dogs like the familiar scent!
Lots of other sustainable products for dogs, too. Check out their website:
How to Feed Your Furry Best Friend Sustainably
How to Feed Your Furry Best Friend Sustainably
It’s a complicated yet feasible endeavor
It’s a complicated yet feasible endeavor
Sierra comes through again with the help we need trying to be as sustainable as we can be!
Furniture
Furniture
Online furniture company, Sabai Design, sells sustainable, affordable living room furniture and addresses fast-furniture waste with replacement parts and buy-back programs. Started by a former lawyer, Phantila Phataraprasit with cofounder Caitlin Ellen in 2019, they have expanded their Repair Don't Replace and Sabai Revive programs: "You can buy components, trade in your used Sabai furniture, or purchase a piece secondhand."
Here is a link to Phantila's company, and some others she likes:
https://sabai.design/ https://www.thegoodtrade.com/ https://lugg.com/
For just about everything else around your home:
For just about everything else around your home:
Clothing and Fabrics
Clothing and Fabrics
This is one of those "rabbit hole" links that you can keep on following and learning from! The Fashion Industry is one of the worst causers of pollution, climate change and human rights violations. If you look at my Our Throw Away Culture Page, you will find other ways to obtain clothing (and other goods) than buying new. Here are some links to learn about responsibly purchasing new clothes and fabrics. Good on You is a great reference that "millions of shoppers, major retailers, and tech platforms use...to compare how well brands address their impacts on people, the planet, and animals". To see why, and a search engine of brands and their ratings, check out their website:
https://goodonyou.eco/ultimate-clothing-material-guide/
https://www.edie.net/fashion-industry-sourced-record-amount-of-sustainable-cotton-in-2018/
According to Good on You, out of the top 12 best materials to wear, the top 4 are: Recycled Cotton, Recycled Wool, Organic Hemp, and Organic Linen. For the rest of the list go their website.
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