Yahoo! Green: BUYING

This Friday, don’t just buy nothing — use nothing!

Umbra Fisk, Grist.org — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:53:51 PST

For 20 years, the people behind Buy Nothing Day have been pleading with consumers to avoid the frenzy inherent in “Black Friday,” the no-holds-barred shop-o-rama that comes the day after Thanksgiving.

This year, they’re ramping things up and calling for an all-out wildcat strike against the “capitalist consumption machine.” Socialists, you say? No, just worried people who want to take a stand in the face of “crises of ecology, psychology, and faith.”

Dearest readers, I’ll let them say it themselves — give this a look, and visit the Buy Nothing Day site to learn more:

This year we’re calling for a wildcat general strike. On November 27/28 we’re asking tens of millions of people around the world to bring the capitalist consumption machine to a grinding — if only momentary — halt.

We want you to shut off your lights, your televisions, and other nonessential appliances. We want you to park your car, turn off your phones, and log off your computer for the day. We’re calling for a Ramadan-like fast. From sunrise to sunset, we abstain en masse. Not only from shopping but from all the temptations of our five-planet lifestyles.

Instead we’ll feed our spirits and minds with a feast of subversive activities: pranks, shenanigans, credit card cut-ups, bicycle swarms, mall invasions, and all manner of culture jams and creative détournements … and some of us will take things even further with sit-ins, demonstrations, passive resistance, and acts of nonviolent defiance, anarchy and civil disobedience.

If we can create a big enough ruckus on November 27/28, then we may be able to catalyze what the Situationists tried to set in motion half a century ago: a chain reaction of refusal against consumer capitalism … a sudden, unexpected moment of truth … the first ever global revolution.

So think about it — and at the very least, I encourage you to rein in your shopping this holiday season. Here’s an interesting look at the role of products and packaging in our current climate crisis; when all is said and done, they can be tied to 44 percent of our greenhouse-gas emissions. In the words of Santa’s seamstress, “Yikes.”

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The best holiday shipping deals

Lori Bongiorno — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:53:02 PST

(Photo: Getty Images)

Consider shopping online instead of making a trip to the mall this holiday season.

You'll save time (on driving, parking, and waiting in line) and money (it's easier to comparison shop online).

It's a lot less stressful since you don't have to deal with crowded stores.

Purchasing something on the Internet is more efficient than a dedicated car ride to the store, so shopping online is good for the environment too.

One downside to online shopping is that shipping costs can add up quickly. Luckily, several mainstream retailers, such as Apple, Kmart, and Nike, are offering sweet shipping deals this year.

Most of the free shipping offers are based on ground shipping, a plus for the planet as well as your wallet since sending a package by plane emits eight times more carbon dioxide than sending by truck.

These deals will get you started:

Adidas: Offers $5 flat-rate shipping on every order. You'll get free shipping when you spend $49 or more through December 16.

Amazon: Free super-saver shipping on orders $25 and over.

Apple: Free shipping on all orders over $50.

Blue Fly: $7.95 flat-rate shipping for all orders.

Crocs: Free shipping through December 31. Use this coupon code at checkout, CHOOSESHIP.

Gap Inc. stores: Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap, and Old Navy all offer $7 flat-rate shipping on every order. You'll get free shipping when you spend $50 or more through December 15.

Gaiam: $0.99 shipping on any size order through December 8. Use this code to redeem, WSSH99.

Flip Video: Free shipping on all orders.

Home Depot: Offers free shipping on most orders over $49 through December 2.

Kate Spade: Free shipping on all orders.

Kiehl's: Free shipping on orders of $50 or more. Enter this code at checkout, KIEHL.

Kmart: Free shipping on toy orders of $49 or more through December 17.

Nike: Free shipping on all orders through December 22.  Enter promo code, GIFT, at checkout

Steve Madden: Offers free shipping when you enter this code, SMFREESHIP.

Zales: Offers free FedEx shipping when you spend $149 or more.

Looking for more deals? The offers above are just the tip of the iceberg.

Check out FreeShipping.org, FreeShippingDeals.com, and CouponClock to find additional deals and coupons. Keep in mind that many retailers offer one day only or limited time deals so it's worth checking back.

Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green's users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.

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Fighting "fast fashion" and toxic clothes: Greening our wardrobes from the inside

Editors of E / The Environmental Magazine — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:46:00 PST

Eco-friendly sweater knit dress by
Ivana Helsinki. (Photo: Ivana Helsinki)

EarthTalk is a Q&A column from E/The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: Can you enlighten on the environmental impact of the fashion industry? As I understand it, the industry overall is no friend to the environment. -- Tan Cheng Li, Malaysia

According to the non-profit Earth Pledge, today some 8,000 synthetic chemicals are used throughout the world to turn raw materials into textiles. Domestically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that one-quarter of all pesticides used nationwide go toward growing cotton, primarily for the clothing industry.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers many domestic textile manufacturing facilities to be hazardous waste generators; and lax standards and enforcement in developing countries, where the majority of textiles are produced, means that untold amounts of pollution are likely being deposited into local soils and waterways in regions that can hardly stand further environmental insult.

Luz Claudio, writing in Environmental Health Perspectives, considers the way Americans and Europeans shop for clothes as "waste couture": Fashion is low-quality and sold at "prices that make the purchase tempting and the disposal painless." Yet this sort of so-called "fast fashion" leaves a pollution footprint, with each step of the clothing life cycle generating potential environmental and occupational hazards.

According to Technical Textile Markets, a quarterly trade publication, demand for man-made fibers such as petroleum-derived polyester has nearly doubled in the last 15 years. "The manufacture of polyester and other synthetic fabrics is an energy-intensive process requiring large amounts of crude oil," reports Claudio. In addition, she says, the processes emit volatile organic compounds and solvents, particulate matter, acid gases such as hydrogen chloride, and other production by-products into the air and water.

"Issues of environmental health and safety do not apply only to the production of man-made fabrics," says Claudio, citing subsidies to the pesticide-laden cotton industry that keep prices low and production high.

In an effort to green up the industry, Earth Pledge launched its FutureFashion initiative in 2005 to promote the use of renewable, reusable and non-polluting materials and production methods. Besides putting on its own FutureFashion showcases, the group organized the January 2008 New York Fashion Week, encouraging designers to create and showcase greener clothing on their runway models.

Green-leaning designers can also pick through Earth Pledge's library of 600 sustainably produced textiles, including organic cotton as well as exotic materials such as sasawashi, pina, bamboo, milk protein and sea leather.

Another effort underway to speed the fashion industry into a carbon-constrained future is the Ethical Fashion Forum, which provides a variety of tools and resources and runs training sessions and networking events to help facilitate moving the industry towards more sustainable practices.

One stumbling block to the greening of fashion is that only a small number of consumers -- some analysts say less than one percent -- will pay more for a greener shirt. But if the industry itself can improve its footprint from the inside and drive the costs of more eco-friendly materials and processes down, the benefits will trickle down to consumers, whether they are bargain-conscious or fashion-conscious.

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E / The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it here or via email. Read past columns here and check out the recent book Earthtalk: Expert Answers to Everyday Questions about the Environment

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Soy candles’ double purpose

Heather O'Neill — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:27:53 PST

Jimmyjane is a company that makes many sexy products, but when I planned a romantic getaway recently I knew that there was one that would really put a fire under my man.

The company’s Ember massage candles are hot in every sense of the word. Made of 100 percent soy, as the candle burns the room is bathed in candlelight and the melting soy turns to a liquid that doubles as scented massage oil.

Sound dangerous? It is, but not in the way you might think. Soy melts at a much lower temperature than wax; once the candle is snuffed out, the soy remains a warm -- not burning hot -- liquid that can be poured directly onto the skin.

I can’t promise you won’t get burned, but it won’t be by this candle.

The clean burning candles are paraffin-free, lead-free, and use natural cotton wicks. Each candle comes housed in a beautiful porcelain container with a pour spout, which can be reused when the candle has been blown out for the last time.

The Ember candle comes in six scents. While they normally retail for $55, the candles are currently on sale for $25. Pick one up. Your love life will thank you.

Click here to learn more about the Fair Trade system and products.

Heather O’Neill is the founder of Eco to the People, a green living blog. Email her at: heather@ecotothepeople.com.

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Bringing eco sexy back

Heather O'Neill — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:58:00 PST

While the virtues of organic cotton have been well documented from a farming standpoint, the virtues of wearing organic cotton have been slightly less touted. In my quest for a less chemically-laden life, purchasing organic cotton whenever possible is a priority.

Why waste my time with natural cosmetics and household cleaners and then cover myself in cotton that's coated in chemicals, right?

One area where I insist on organic materials is in those garments that come closest to my skin: my lingerie. Back in the day, organic cotton bras and panties were almost exclusively in the granny-panty category: beige, utilitarian, and totally unflattering.

Thankfully, today even the sexiest environmentalista can find beautiful organic lingerie.

Here are some of my favorites:

Charme No-Wire Bra and Panty
Appropriately named, this charming French bra is everything a girl could want in an undergarment: sexy, cute, and comfortable.

The bra is adorable, but even better, it is as comfy as it is pretty, with adjustable straps and a double-hook back closure. The bra’s cups feature double fabric for opacity and support without padding.

Pair this with the Charme Bikini Panty, and you have a matching set that is about as far from frumpy as you can get.

Both pieces are made of 100-percent, Turkish-grown, organic cotton made under certified Fair Trade labor standards. Imported from France, the bra and panty retail for $40 and $20 respectively, and are available at FaeriesDance.com.

Cottonfield Bra Top and Jersey Bikini
This sports-style bra with flattering princess seams and a double-layer front is super comfortable and offers support for smaller busted ladies. Both pieces come in natural and black (the bra top is also available in cranberry) and are made of extra-soft, 100-percent organic combed cotton. The bikini is lower cut with full back coverage.

The bra top and panty, which retail for $26 and $25 respectively, are available on the company’s website.

PACT Oceana Boyshort
One of my new favorite panties, this design has done swimmingly well for PACT since day one. Inspired by a Japanese woodcut print, the artwork has been modified for textile printing.

With this design, PACT has partnered with Oceana, a global organization that protects oceans and marine life. With the purchase of panties in this print, 10 percent of your purchase is donated to the cause.

PACT’s Oceana boy short retails for $22.

Blue Canoe Crossover Bra and Matching Lace-Top Panty
When you want to feel braless (but not be) try the flattering Crossover Bra by Blue Canoe. The wireless bralette and matching panty both have a feminine touch of lace. With minimal support, the bra is best for A-C cups.

The pieces, which retail $32.50 and $19.50 respectively, are 90-percent organic Peruvian-grown cotton and 10-percent Lycra. Both pieces, which are available at FaeriesDance.com, are  made in the USA and are machine washable.

Couture Cottons Bikini
These organic bamboo panties have a cute little peekaboo back, which adds a sexy twist to a classic style. In addition to being a sustainable resource grown without pesticides, bamboo makes for a fabric that is soft and breathable.

The panties, which are available on the company’s website, retail for $27.

Blue Canoe - Jill Bra Top
With thick straps and a wide soft band, this is one of the most comfortable sports bras I’ve worn. The thick organic cotton is absorbent during rigorous exercise, and the center front gathers prevent the pancake look that other sports bras often create.

The bra top, which comes in three colors, is available on the Blue Canoe website. It retails for $35.

Find out the top 5 reasons to buy organic cotton.

Learn more about the fair trade system and products.

Heather O’Neill is the founder of Eco to the People, a green living blog. Email her at: heather@ecotothepeople.com.

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Keeping baby clean … and healthy

Heather O'Neill — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:21:00 PST

What is more precious than your baby? Knowing that your baby is completely chemical-free.

We brought some of our littlest road testers on board for the Nascar of bathing events to find the best phthalates- and paraben-free (and in most cases organic) products on the market.

So get ready to get all lathered up.

Best travel / gift set: Weleda Baby Calendula
My mommy tester loved this little travel/ gift set from Weleda, with everything you need for baby while traveling or running around town with the little one.

Each bottle of the line is full of organic calendula flower extract, which is a known homeopathic cure for diaper rash. The products, which also contain the essential fatty acids of sweet almond oil to moisturize and prevent chafing, are packaged in TSA-approved travel-sized bottles and zipped into a regulation clear carrying case so you can just toss the kit into your carry-on or diaper bag.

The set is available at beautorium and retails for $12.

Baby products you’ll most covet: Baby Hugo Naturals
Oh baby! Hugo Naturals eight new baby products have all the sophistication of the company’s adult products. All are free of artificial fragrances, colors, parabens, petroleum products, animal fats, and alcohols. Like all of Hugo’s goodies, these are gentle and specially crafted for babies of all ages.

I especially love the vanilla chamomile baby oil. It smells delish and comes packaged in a brilliant spray bottle, which makes it easier to use and significantly less messy than a flip top bottle.

The entire line is available on the Huge Naturals website.

Best all-around: Nature’s Baby Organics Shampoo and Body Wash
Made with organic aloe, comfrey, calendula and chamomile this two-in-one product is tricked out with a pump dispenser, which comes in handy when you are trying to wrangle a slippery baby.

Truth be told, the entire line is great: All are made with the highest quality botanicals, essential oils and yummy stuff like shea butter and kukui nut oil to pamper your baby. Or you.

All of Nature’s Baby Organics’ products are 100 percent vegan and are free of SLS, DEA, propylene glycol and synthetic fragrances.

Nature’s Baby Organics Shampoo and Body Wash retails for $9.95 and is available on the company’s website.

Best lotion and best powder: Miessence Baby Lotion and Powder
Certified organic and unscented, the lotion’s natural ingredients leave the skin with a super light coconutty scent, while the powder creates a hypoallergenic, talc-free layer between baby’s little buttocks.

Both products are available on ElyOrganics and retail for $33.95 and $12.95 respectively.

Click here to explore healthy, natural options for diapers, baby clothing, infant toys, soaps, lotions, and more.

Heather O’Neill is the founder of Eco to the People, a green living blog. Email her at: heather@ecotothepeople.com.

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Can you still trust Energy Star?

NRDC Switchboard — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:54:00 PDT

The media has been taking the Department of Energy (DOE) to task over a recently released audit by the Inspector General (IG) which highlighted some well-documented shortcomings in the Energy Star program. The conclusions were not surprising -- there needs to be more testing of products to ensure compliance with Energy Star requirements and the efficiency levels required may be too weak.

The new DOE has vowed to take on these problems, and in fact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and DOE, which jointly manage Energy Star, agreed to increased testing and quicker updates in a Memorandum of Understanding that was released a few weeks ago, actually before the IG report.

There isn't any real reason to lecture the agencies at this point, since they are addressing the major issues and are moving forward. When you have a program like Energy Star that has been saving energy and putting money in consumers' pockets for decades, it is better late than never. And the bottom line is still the same -- you are much better off buying an Energy Star product than anything else. The agencies are now going to make sure you will save even more.

As part of the agreement, EPA will be taking the lead on all Energy Star specifications, which is a significant change. There are over 60 product categories that can earn Energy Star, meaning over 60 different decisions have to be made about what level of energy performance to require. Now, with the new agreement, it also means that there are at least 60 different markets to monitor so that the requirements can be changed if the market share of Energy Star grows to over 35%. That is a lot of work.

EPA also recently released their market share report for 2008 (PDF), and it shows that some products are already well over the 35% threshold and perhaps in need of a revision. This data is great for an advocate, as it tells you how the market is transitioning to more efficient products. Market share over 35% does likely mean Energy Star has become too easy, but it also might mean that energy could be saved with a new federal minimum standard.

If Energy Star has 90% market share, then the maximum level of efficiency that is "technically feasible and economically justified" (where federal standards must be set by DOE) is at least this high. If the market share is low, then incentives or education might be needed to encourage folks to invest in more efficient equipment. Lots of food for thought here.

A few numbers that jumped out at me:

The Audio/DVD category sits right at 35% market share and thus is ripe for revision. DVD players dominate this category and 44% meet Energy Star. Time to reassess.
Energy Star residential boilers have market shares well over 50%. These boilers must be at least 85% efficient that implies the new standard level for boilers, which will be 82% and won't even take effect until 2015, is too low.
49% of laptops earn Energy Star. This is not surprising, since more efficient laptops run longer on battery power and consumers value this feature. The good news is that laptop sales dwarf desktop, which are generally less efficient.
Copiers and scanners have Energy Star market shares of around 90%, meaning it's time for a new Energy Star and probably a federal standard. The remaining 10% of machines are wasting energy and actually hurting manufacturers' profits because of the capacity they have to devote to inefficient equipment just to satisfy a tiny niche.
Residential gas furnaces are at 43%, meaning almost half that are sold are 90% efficient and use condensing technology. This is very good, since our agreement with the furnace manufacturers will make this the minimum standard in the chilly northern US and a new Energy Star will help push even more efficient units.
Almost 80% of televisions are Energy Star. TVs are the elephant in the room when it comes to potential energy savings (easily billions of dollars wasted every year). The Energy Star requirements have been increased, and we expect most manufacturers will meet them without upping prices, so market share will probably stay high. There is just so much energy to be saved here so cheaply that we must stop ignoring TVs. California is taking the lead with the first minimum standards, but a federal standard to lock in these savings for the rest of the country is likely to follow.

By Lane Burt, manager, NRDC Building Energy Policy. Originally posted in the NRDC's Switchboard blog.

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Think twice before trusting these 10 beauty marketing claims

Sammy Davis — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:54:46 PDT

Remember your mother telling you to never trust a stranger? The same theory applies to most beauty products: Don't trust a word they say.

Brands are capitalizing on consumer desire to go green by writing green-friendly catch phrases into product descriptions. What originated as an industry for the improvement of your health now possesses imitators just looking for some extra greenbacks — not the type of green you want companies to prioritize.

Be wary of this language:

Made with organic essential oils
Contains organic ingredients
Made with nontoxic ingredients
100 percent natural
Essentially nontoxic
Earth-friendly
Environmentally safer
Hypoallergenic/dermatologist tested/allergy tested/non-irritating
Vegan
Cruelty-free

Language like "100 percent natural" and "made with organic essential oils" seem legitimate. The reality is that the United States Food & Drug administration only regulates organic food products. That means that plant-derived ingredients are not certified organic by the USDA and may have been grown with chemical fertilizers, toxic pesticides, and other harsh chemicals. (See an explanation for what 'organic' means on beauty labels.)

Terms like "natural," "earth-friendly," and "nontoxic" are also not regulated, and companies are able to use these terms at will. It's up to the consumer to differentiate marketing from reality by refusing to buy products that use misleading claims.

Phrases that lead you believe the product is "allergy free" can be false. Pure, natural ingredients like avocado or honey can still irritate your skin, depending on the person. No matter the promise, be prudent and to do a simple patch test with a free sample before buying.

Same for cosmetics using "vegan" ingredients: Sure, you may be using a product free from ingredients derived from animals, like milk, honey, and animal fats, but this claim doesn't necessarily guarantee the product is free of harsh chemicals.

And while it seems reassuring that the product may be "cruelty-free," claims of no-animal testing don't necessarily translate to safe and gentle ingredients.

Always check the ingredients list. Chances are that product touting "contains organic ingredients" has only one certified organic ingredient. The "100 percent natural" product can still contain suspect preservatives and parabens. And who knows what "environmentally safer" or "earth-friendly" even really means. The government doesn't regulate the use of those terms, so there's no standard definition — leaving the claims open to misleading marketing claims.

Just think about the term "essentially nontoxic." Companies choose to focus on the few safe ingredients, neglecting to tell you about that other stuff. They might be taking your money in exchange for a supposedly "green" product that in contains a handful of safe ingredients mixed into some sort of cheap chemical cocktail.

One tricky thing about this list: Some very good products may include label claims using these terms. But they will also include reputable third-party certifications that back up vague marketing terms.

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Marketing facts and myths: Six beauty labels you can trust

Sammy Davis — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:31:41 PDT

Just because it says it's "green" doesn't mean it is. While there's a lot of greenwashing garbage to be found on your local drugstore shelf, some trusted government and independent certification programs exist to give consumers reassurance that they're buying a safe, trustworthy brand.

Green beauty labels and terms to look for

Paraben/phthalates/PCB-free
Contains no traces of these harsh chemicals. Parabens and phthalates are found in the ingredient list of a product, while PCBs can be found in the plastic of the product's container.

USDA Organic certified
Through the National Organic Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates food ingredients found in cosmetics, and the Certified USDA Organic symbol is one of the most trustworthy labels around, especially on foods. But because the USDA only has jurisdiction over farm-raised ingredients, not all beauty product ingredients are regulated under this program, and there are more than enough ways to get confused.

Here's a quick guide:

Not regulated: Plant-derived ingredients and essential oils.
Regulated: Ingredients like honey, cinnamon, avocado, and other foods.

The term "organic," as it appears on beauty labels, has four variations.

100% organic: The product must contain only organically produced food ingredients, and the label will display the USDA Organic seal.
Organic: The product must contain at least 95% organically produced food ingredients, and the label will display the USDA Organic seal.
Made with organic ingredients: The product must contain at least 70% organically produced food ingredients. While the front of the product can list up to three organic ingredients or one organic food group, the label will not have the USDA Organic seal. Individual ingredients on a product's ingredient list will be labeled as "organic."
Organic ingredients: Products which contain less than 70% organically produced food ingredients can only include organic ingredients on its ingredients list, but these products cannot display the USDA Organic seal.

IOS Natural & Organic Cosmetic Standard
In 2008, independent certification company Certech Registration Inc. introduced natural and organic certification for cosmetic products in North America.

The IOS Natural & Organic Cosmetic certification requires that all food ingredients be organic and that the company follow a strict set of eco-friendly guidelines, including use of recycled and fair trade materials and production methods with small environmental impact. The first IOS Natural & Organic certified company, Eaurganic, launched in 2008.

BDIH Certified Natural Cosmetics
The BDIH is an independent German certification association (Association of German Industries and Trading Firm) that regulates health care products, food supplements and personal hygiene products, including cosmetics.

To gain BDIH certification, brands must use natural -- not synthetic -- raw materials (plant oils, herbal extracts, essential oils, fats and waxes). The ecological impact of each product also plays an important role in certification. More than 2,000 natural cosmetics are certified BDIH in Europe and North America.

Biodynamic
The biodynamic movement is holistic in its approach to farming and food production. No artificial fertilizers or pesticides are used. Instead, farmers seek to achieve a natural harmony with the earth through an acute awareness of how weather and climate patterns and elements of nature (like the sun, earth, and air) work together to create a harmonious balance.

Brands Weleda, Primavera, and Dr. Hauschka use biodynamic ingredients and are certified by the Demeter International Association.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care Seal
Look for the premium Body Care seal on more than 1,200 products offered in the Whole Body section of your local Whole Foods store. Whole Foods regulates their own self-certification of cosmetic products that contain safe, gentle ingredients and are free from synthetic dyes and fragrances and harsh chemicals. Sunscreen is made with chemical-free alternatives zinc oxide and titanium oxide.

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How to get free makeup samples (and why you should be shameless about asking for them)

Sammy Davis — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:07:00 PDT

Trust me on this one: Every beauty counter, drugstore, or hole-in-the-wall store has samples available for you. The catch? You just have to ask.

While synthetic ingredients are the main perpetrator of allergic reactions, their natural counterparts can still cause allergic reactions. For example, you could be just fine ingesting honey, but topically, it could cause your skin to go haywire.

To avoid investing in a product that could potentially cause itchiness, dryness, or discoloration, request a sample so you can perform a patch test before making the full purchase.

As an added benefit, you'll have more time to research the product on sites like Environmental Working Group, where you can search for specific products to learn how it rates in their Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.

Can't find green beauty retailers in your area? Order from online organic beauty retailers, like Saffron Rouge, and get two free samples with every purchase. See more online natural beauty retailers.

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