Creating a cozy eco friendly home

For centuries, soaps made from natural substances were used to cleanse our skin and clothes. Synthetic detergents were developed in the early 20th century to create products that cleaned our laundry better and more conveniently. These days we may buy them based on a nice smell or how bright our clothes look, and take for granted that they are safe for us and for the environment.

 

Sadly, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Consumer Reports recently looked for potentially dangerous chemicals in several laundry detergents and found quite the selection of “nasties.” One of the worst is 1,4-dioxane, an industrial solvent that’s readily absorbed through the skin, lungs and gastrointestinal tract and is considered a probable human carcinogen. In 2022, New York State banned laundry detergents containing unsafe levels of 1,4-dioxane. Arm & Hammer Clean Burst, Tide Original and Gain Original + Aroma Boost are among those detergents no longer available in New York as a result.

 

Other common yet dangerous detergent ingredients to watch out for include: neurotoxin heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium and lead; phthalates that make fragrances last longer but disrupt the body’s hormonal systems; phosphorus that helps separate dirt from fabric but has links to negative human health effects including the aggravation of cardiovascular problems and osteoporosis; and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureate sulfate (SLES), scrubbing agents that can irritate the skin, eyes and lungs. Many common detergents contain synthetic dyes, fragrances and so-called “synthetic optical brighteners” that don’t actually clean but can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation and harm downstream wildlife.

 

Beyond the immediate health and environmental threats many of these synthetic chemicals pose, they also are not easily broken down over time and as such accumulate in the environment over decades. They can accumulate in water to toxic levels, affecting wildlife that is exposed, be carried by waterways or by water extraction for irrigation and can then get into food crops and animals. Like the pesticide DDT, the chemicals may accumulate in the body tissues of organisms living in polluted areas, but more crucially for us, in the body tissues of the top predators in food chains, which are in many cases...us.

 

New York's decision to ban these hazardous detergents is a significant step toward establishing a safer and healthier environment, and emphasizes the importance of selecting eco-friendly products. Cheri Peele of Toxic-Free Future, a nonprofit that aims to reduce the use of dangerous ingredients in consumer products, urges consumers to “choose detergents with the U.S. EPA Safer Choice label.” 

 

Boosting consumer awareness of this problem has become more mainstream recently. The Good Housekeeping Institute trialed some of the more eco-friendly brands. Its researchers gave high marks to Ecover, Smol, Splosh, Method and Bio D. Ecology Works produces a 100 percent biodegradable anti-allergen laundry detergent. Seventh Generation is also highly regarded as eco-friendly. Happy washing!

CONTACTS: How to Find an Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent, https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/laundry-detergents/how-to-find-an-eco-friendly-laundry-detergent-a8349611828/; Toxic-Free Future, https://toxicfreefuture.org; EPA Safer Choice, https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice.

 

EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit https://earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.

Most of us spend upwards of three hours on our smartphones every day. Much of our phone time is spent messaging friends and family, scrolling through social media feeds, watching video shorts and playing mindless games—but what if we could use it more productively to help save the planet? Not surprisingly, there are dozens of apps out there designed to solve environmental issues. Whether you want to cut your carbon footprint, reduce food waste, or save water, there’s an app (or two) out there for it.

 

One of the hottest sustainability-oriented apps out there these days is Too Good to Go, which

connects customers to restaurants and stores that have surplus unsold food that can be procured for significantly discounted prices. The Olio app works along similar lines—connecting neighbors with each other and with local businesses to share surplus food. Olio can be used to find new owners for your old non-food items as well, keeping more stuff in use and out of landfills.

 

Eco-conscious fashionistas can rejoice over how the Good On You app allows them to check on the sustainability records and ethical stances of more than 3,000 different fashion brands. The app is a great companion on clothes shopping excursions; you can look up different brands as you browse and make purchasing decisions accordingly. Over a million users worldwide also use the app to discover alternative ethical and sustainable fashion brands that they might not have ever heard about otherwise. Another app focused on the intersection of sustainability and fashion, ThreadUp, offers users the ability to quickly list used clothing items for sale so others can appreciate them. Who knew thrifting was actually eco-friendly?

 

If you’re worried about pollutants and irritants in your personal care and beauty products, Think Dirty might just be the app for you. Scan the barcode from any health and beauty product on the store shelf through the app and find out what ingredients are in it so you can determine whether or not to buy/use it.

 

Of course, there are lots of apps out there to help you reduce your carbon footprint. One of the most engaging is Oroeco. Use this app to track your life activities, such as what you eat, how you get around, etc. and see how much climate impact you have. You can also compete with other users—and earn badges—in friendly competitions to “gamify” your impact reduction efforts. Another favorite is Giki Zero, which provides users with a free and personalized guide—based on answers you provide about your lifestyle—on how to reduce your carbon footprint. 

 

Saving water is becoming increasingly important in this warming-fueled drought-stricken age we are in now. The Waterprint app allows users to conveniently track their water usage and compete with friends. Users list the products they buy, and the water footprint of each product is then used to calculate their water usage. Competing with friends provides a strong incentive to reduce unnecessary water usage, which helps to improve water sustainability around the world.

 

Who knew that our smartphones could be such important tools for saving the planet? 

CONTACTS: Olio, https://olioapp.com/; Good On You, https://goodonyou.eco; Think Dirty, https://www.thinkdirtyapp.com; Too Good to Go, https://www.toogoodtogo.com/; Waterprint, https://devpost.com/software/waterprint; Oreco, https://www.oroeco.org/.

 

EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit https://earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.

As coffee lovers, we understand the daily ritual of enjoying a hot cup of coffee. That aromatic morning brew, the comforting midday espresso, and even the occasional iced coffee on a warm afternoon. However, as our love for coffee deepens, so does our awareness of the environmental and ethical concerns associated with this beloved beverage. From the carbon footprint of production and transportation to the ethics of fair trade and supporting sustainable farming, there are critical factors to consider when making your coffee choices. In this article, we'll explore some of the questions worth asking as we strive for a more sustainable coffee culture.

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The Carbon Footprint of Coffee:

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The journey of a coffee bean from its birth as a cherry on a tree to your cup is a long and often resource-intensive one. The carbon footprint of coffee production is a major concern, as it involves the energy required to grow, harvest, process, package, and transport beans worldwide. The energy-intensive nature of coffee farming and the long-distance transportation can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

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One way to mitigate this impact is by supporting local and responsibly sourced coffee. Buying beans from local or sustainable sources helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Moreover, choosing coffee that is certified as organic or shade-grown can also be an eco-friendly choice, as these practices often involve more sustainable farming methods.

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The Ethics of Fair Trade:

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In addition to environmental concerns, the ethical aspects of coffee production are equally important. The fair trade movement has gained momentum in recent years, with consumers and companies alike recognizing the importance of ensuring fair wages and working conditions for coffee farmers. Fair trade coffee ensures that farmers receive a fair price for their products, which can help improve their living standards and support their communities.

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Should You Pay Extra for Plant Milk?

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Plant-based milk alternatives like almond, soy, or oat milk have gained popularity as people seek dairy-free options. While these alternatives can be more expensive than traditional cow's milk, they often have a lower environmental impact. The production of plant-based milk typically generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions and requires less water compared to dairy milk. Choosing plant-based milk can be a sustainable choice, especially if you opt for brands that prioritize environmentally friendly practices.

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Breaking the Coffee Habit: A Sustainable Challenge:

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The UK, like many other nations, has a strong coffee culture. From independent cafes to international coffee shop chains, the demand for coffee remains high. However, it's worth considering whether our coffee habits need re-evaluation. Reducing our coffee consumption, particularly in disposable cups, can have a positive impact on both our carbon footprint and our wallets.

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Additionally, investing in a reusable coffee cup and adopting a habit of making coffee at home can significantly reduce single-use plastic waste. To further promote sustainability, some coffee shops offer discounts to customers who bring their own reusable cups. It's a small step that can lead to a big impact.

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Conclusion:

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As coffee lovers, we can enjoy our daily caffeine fix while also being mindful of the climate impact and ethical considerations associated with our choices. Reducing our carbon footprint by supporting local, sustainable, and fair trade coffee, choosing eco-friendly plant-based milk, and minimizing single-use cups are all steps we can take to contribute to a more sustainable coffee culture. While breaking our coffee habit may be a challenge, it's a challenge worth taking on for a greener and more ethically conscious future. Let's savour our coffee, but with a side of responsibility and sustainability.

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Angela Nubbert, Iceni Ecotherapy Living