With interest in composting on the rise, one question I get asked a lot is the difference between products that are compostable versus degradable. This issue relates to various products in the OnlyGreen catalogue.
Compostable products, such as OnlyGreen’s BioBags, hot cups, plates, cutlery, etc, are made from plant materials, including corn, potato, soy and sugar, which will all naturally break down in a compost environment. Under the right conditions (ie. warm and moist) these items will fully compost anywhere from 30-90 days. Using compostable products wherever possible will help to eliminate the need for landfill sites at all.
Degradable products, however, are made from traditional oil based plastics. Although these cannot be composted, they are designed to break down in a landfill setting, over a longer period of time. This gives all of the waste inside the bag a chance to decompose as well, which can reduce our landfill levels in the long run. Degradable garbage bags, such as OnlyGreen’s Bully Bags, offer a safer alternative than traditional black bags, but maintain a stronger durability.
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Friday, October 22, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Changing the Conversation
I had an epiphany last night as I was watching one of my favorite shows online. We need to stop using the phrase "Save the Planet". This big blue floating marble we call home is going to be here no matter what we do. No matter how much we pollute the water, the air and the soil; the earth will still be here floating silently in space. What won't be here is the plants, animals and us.
It's time we changed the conversation. We're not saving the earth, we're saving ourselves from extinction. I know this sounds dire, but that is the plain and simple truth of it. In talking with people I have always put forward the idea that going green was about creating a healthier environment, but I didn't follow the thinking all the way through to the end. This is what it's all about.
Think about this scenario; a deserted town, the inhabitants left 100 years ago, has been sitting undisturbed. Slowly the buildings have begun to crumble and surrounding wilderness has overtaken most of what is left. The earth will always survive. We won't. We can't keep dumping toxic chemicals into our water supply. We can't keep messing with the genetic makeup of our food supply. We can't keep releasing gases into the air that choke us.
Going green means you are saving yourself, your children and your community from becoming extinct.
You might feel overwhelmed with this revelation but there is a clear, easy way to make sure that the human race continues. Start making small changes in the products you buy each week. If the products on the label are ones you can't pronounce, are listed as "other" or are not recognizable, don't buy it. Look for products that are all-natural and biodegradable. Say no to plastic water bottles and use a re-usable bottle or cup. Take your re-usable shopping bags with you whenever you go shopping. These are easy, easy steps that everyone can take and they will make a huge difference. But don't stop there. Educate yourself on the products that you use, then educate those around you.
It's time we changed the conversation. We're not saving the earth, we're saving ourselves from extinction. I know this sounds dire, but that is the plain and simple truth of it. In talking with people I have always put forward the idea that going green was about creating a healthier environment, but I didn't follow the thinking all the way through to the end. This is what it's all about.
Think about this scenario; a deserted town, the inhabitants left 100 years ago, has been sitting undisturbed. Slowly the buildings have begun to crumble and surrounding wilderness has overtaken most of what is left. The earth will always survive. We won't. We can't keep dumping toxic chemicals into our water supply. We can't keep messing with the genetic makeup of our food supply. We can't keep releasing gases into the air that choke us.
Going green means you are saving yourself, your children and your community from becoming extinct.
You might feel overwhelmed with this revelation but there is a clear, easy way to make sure that the human race continues. Start making small changes in the products you buy each week. If the products on the label are ones you can't pronounce, are listed as "other" or are not recognizable, don't buy it. Look for products that are all-natural and biodegradable. Say no to plastic water bottles and use a re-usable bottle or cup. Take your re-usable shopping bags with you whenever you go shopping. These are easy, easy steps that everyone can take and they will make a huge difference. But don't stop there. Educate yourself on the products that you use, then educate those around you.
Monday, October 4, 2010
What's on your fruits and veggies?
With a focus on 5 servings each day, it’s no secret that we all have to love our fruits and veggies. They are extremely beneficial and packed full of essential fibers and vitamins. With this in mind, we all know that they are a must in our daily intake…but how do you ensure that you are just ingesting the benefits?
When you walk into your local grocery store, the variety of fresh produce that is available to you is astounding. However, it has to make you wonder, how do they get perfectly fresh looking strawberries in the dead of winter? What pesticides and insecticides did the producers use to grow them? What waxy, synthetic preservatives were used to keep them looking so great on their long journey to get here?
The Environmental Working Group published a list based on a five-year analysis, completed in 2005, that shows which foods consistently scored the highest in pesticide levels and toxicity and which scored the lowest. Below are the charts with their findings, commonly called ‘The Dirty Dozen’ and ‘The Consistently Clean’
So how do we take better care of exactly what is going into our bodies from our necessary fruits and veggies? A couple of easy ways are to try and buy organic and locally as often as you can. You can also add a safe and high quality fruits and vegetables wash to your meal preparations.
OnlyGreen offers a new all natural Fruits and Veggies Wash, specially formulated using some of the key gentle ingredients from our popular SoapBerry line. Learn more…
When you walk into your local grocery store, the variety of fresh produce that is available to you is astounding. However, it has to make you wonder, how do they get perfectly fresh looking strawberries in the dead of winter? What pesticides and insecticides did the producers use to grow them? What waxy, synthetic preservatives were used to keep them looking so great on their long journey to get here?
The Environmental Working Group published a list based on a five-year analysis, completed in 2005, that shows which foods consistently scored the highest in pesticide levels and toxicity and which scored the lowest. Below are the charts with their findings, commonly called ‘The Dirty Dozen’ and ‘The Consistently Clean’
OnlyGreen offers a new all natural Fruits and Veggies Wash, specially formulated using some of the key gentle ingredients from our popular SoapBerry line. Learn more…
Friday, September 17, 2010
The Story of Cosmetics - A Must See For Everyone!
From the geniuses that brought us the Story of Stuff comes The Story of Cosmetics; a detailed look at the hard truth of the cosmetic industry and what each consumer should be aware of when making a purchasing decision.
Similar to the style of the original Story of Stuff, this latest video explains the cosmetics industry from an educated perspective, but using language and examples that each viewer can associate with. Story of Stuff Project creator, Annie Leonard, walks us through the ingredients, laws and regulations and process that few consumes understand when buying and using health and beauty products. “I like that Annie says it isn't our fault that there are chemicals in our products. She is absolutely right. But, now that we are aware of this, it is our fault if we continue to support these companies that are greenwashing their lines or using chemicals despite the growing evidence against them.” says OnlyGreen EcoAdvisor Tanis Danyluk.
To lend even more clout to an already great film The Story of Stuff Project collaborated with safecosmetics.org to produce this latest video. Safecosmetics.org, creators of the safe cosmetic database, are leaders in bringing cosmetic product knowledge to everyday consumers.
Following suit with product lines VADA and Halsa, the new Opal line of cosmetics from OnlyGreen is formulated using the safest possible ingredients, giving consumers a healthy alternative while maintaining great quality. The Opal line comes packaged in 100% recycled, handmade and biodegradable boxes that contain wild flower seeds, allowing them to be planted and making this line a zero waste product. “I cringe when I think of all that goes into what we put on OUR FACE, of all places. Not only is the Opal line beautiful but you genuinely feel confident that you are doing the best for your face, your conscience and the environment when you are "beautifying" in the morning. The cute packaging that can be planted to grow flowers is an added bonus!” adds EcoAdvisor Ferrah Graham.
OnlyGreen is already a proud signer of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics and will have all of our health and beauty and baby care products uploaded to the Safe Cosmetic Database by October 1st, 2010. We are excited to take the proactive step of having our brands added to this great initiative.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Light A Candle, Ignite A Toxin
For most people, lighting a few candles is a great way to unwind and relax after a long, grueling day. Unfortunately, they don’t really know exactly what they’ve lit.
When looking over the list of pollutants and toxins that are emitted from the majority of candles, you quickly realize there is nothing relaxing about them. A standard paraffin wax candle can give off things such as benzene, formaldehyde, soot and lead, just to name a few. So what exactly is this paraffin that’s ruining your calming vibe? Paraffin is simply a waste product of the petroleum industry, used most commonly in candles for its white, waxy texture.
One of the biggest problems is that burning paraffin doesn’t last very long. In order to increase the burn time, many candles also contain a lead-soaked paper cotton wick. This means that on top of the chemical toxins you are already breathing in because of the wax, you also have to deal with the excessive level of lead filling the room.
So how does one enjoy the incandescent serenity of candle light without polluting their home? Many healthier choices are available in the candle industry. The two most common would be beeswax and vegetable based soy. Both of these substances provide a clean and long-lasting burn. Also, because they have a natural long burning time, they are commonly made with lead-free wicks. The one thing to watch for with these options is that the candles you are purchasing are in-fact 100% beeswax or soy and have not been diluted with paraffin or bleach.
OnlyGreen’s Soy Cup Candles are made with 100% vegetable based soy, pure essential oils and lead-free wicks. They are hand poured into beautiful glass jars that can be reused over and over again. Our candles are available in Amber & Sandalwood and Lavender scents. Plus, 50% of all profits made from the sale of our candles go towards OnlyGreen’s charitable efforts!
Contact your local OnlyGreen EcoAdvisor to learn how to get your hands on a cleaner burning solution today.
When looking over the list of pollutants and toxins that are emitted from the majority of candles, you quickly realize there is nothing relaxing about them. A standard paraffin wax candle can give off things such as benzene, formaldehyde, soot and lead, just to name a few. So what exactly is this paraffin that’s ruining your calming vibe? Paraffin is simply a waste product of the petroleum industry, used most commonly in candles for its white, waxy texture.
One of the biggest problems is that burning paraffin doesn’t last very long. In order to increase the burn time, many candles also contain a lead-soaked paper cotton wick. This means that on top of the chemical toxins you are already breathing in because of the wax, you also have to deal with the excessive level of lead filling the room.
So how does one enjoy the incandescent serenity of candle light without polluting their home? Many healthier choices are available in the candle industry. The two most common would be beeswax and vegetable based soy. Both of these substances provide a clean and long-lasting burn. Also, because they have a natural long burning time, they are commonly made with lead-free wicks. The one thing to watch for with these options is that the candles you are purchasing are in-fact 100% beeswax or soy and have not been diluted with paraffin or bleach.
OnlyGreen’s Soy Cup Candles are made with 100% vegetable based soy, pure essential oils and lead-free wicks. They are hand poured into beautiful glass jars that can be reused over and over again. Our candles are available in Amber & Sandalwood and Lavender scents. Plus, 50% of all profits made from the sale of our candles go towards OnlyGreen’s charitable efforts!
Contact your local OnlyGreen EcoAdvisor to learn how to get your hands on a cleaner burning solution today.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Oh so soft – and safe – for baby.
When selecting bath and body care products to use on a baby, it’s no secret that parents look for the safest items available. The problem with today’s marketplace, is how do you truly know what’s safe?
According to the results of a 2009 study by The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics two known carcinogens, 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde, were found in dozens of bath products for babies and kids, including major, well known brands. The study was done in order to follow up on test results released in February 2007, which found the chemical 1,4-dioxane in 18 popular baby soaps, bubble baths and shampoos. None of the products tested in either round listed 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde on the label.
"Our intention is not to alarm parents, but to inform parents that products that claim to be gentle and pure are contaminated with carcinogens, which is completely unnecessary," Campaign for Safe Cosmetics spokesperson Stacy Malkan said.
To steer clear of these contaminates, avoid using products containing sodium myreth sulfate, PEG compounds and chemicals that include the clauses "xynol," "ceteareth" and "oleth." Similarly, avoid products that contain formaldehye-releasing preservatives, including quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea.
OnlyGreen’s line of Baby Care products are made with 100% natural ingredients, preservatives and essential oils. Check out the Baby Care section of our catalogue, or view a complete list of ingredients for all our Baby Care products online.
To learn more about using safe and natural baby products you can feel confident it, contact your local EcoAdvisor.
According to the results of a 2009 study by The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics two known carcinogens, 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde, were found in dozens of bath products for babies and kids, including major, well known brands. The study was done in order to follow up on test results released in February 2007, which found the chemical 1,4-dioxane in 18 popular baby soaps, bubble baths and shampoos. None of the products tested in either round listed 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde on the label.
"Our intention is not to alarm parents, but to inform parents that products that claim to be gentle and pure are contaminated with carcinogens, which is completely unnecessary," Campaign for Safe Cosmetics spokesperson Stacy Malkan said.
To steer clear of these contaminates, avoid using products containing sodium myreth sulfate, PEG compounds and chemicals that include the clauses "xynol," "ceteareth" and "oleth." Similarly, avoid products that contain formaldehye-releasing preservatives, including quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea.
OnlyGreen’s line of Baby Care products are made with 100% natural ingredients, preservatives and essential oils. Check out the Baby Care section of our catalogue, or view a complete list of ingredients for all our Baby Care products online.
To learn more about using safe and natural baby products you can feel confident it, contact your local EcoAdvisor.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Cosmetics
Have you ever really looked at the ingredients in your cosmetics? It's not normally an area where we stop and investigate. However, we should definitely be aware of what we're putting on our body as our skin absorbs an amazing amount of all the cosmetics, lotions, perfumes/colognes, etc. There is a really great website that you can visit to find out exactly what is in your cosmetics and how healthy they are for you. This website is run by the Environmental Working Group. They are an independent research group that believe we should all be able to know exactly what is in the products we use on a daily basis and how those products can affect our health. The website address is: www.cosmeticdatabase.com
Did you know that over 60% of the lipstick being sold in the US today has chemicals known to cause cancer? Why would anyone continue to use them? We come back to the subjects of economics and information. Cosmetics manufacturers are not required to provide the ingredients of their products on their labels. Why not? By not having to list their ingredients, they can use chemicals that are inexpensive and normally wouldn't be allowed in other products. We're allowing our young daughters to start using make-up at an early age, but we're exposing them to a huge number of chemicals that are known to cause cancer and disrupt the natural hormone cycle.
But all is not lost. As with everything in life, if you have the knowledge, you can make informed purchasing decisions and decide for yourself which products you want to use. Here at OnlyGreen, we've tried very hard to provide you with cost-effective products that you can purchase from the comfort of your own home. So you're not having to drive around to many different stores to find the products you want.
Our Call to Action
This month we're proud offer our Opal line of cosmetics. Visit our online store to see our Opal September Special. Take a look at the Cosmetic Database and look up your cosmetics and see what the ingredients are. Having the knowledge to make an informed purchasing decision is the start to leading a healthier, greener lifestyle.
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