Approximately one-third of a pound of chemicals are used to grow the cotton in one t-shirt. There are an array of harsh chemicals that are used throughout the garment manufacturing process, most of which are toxic to humans. These include chlorine, sodium hydroxide, heavy metal salts and formaldehyde. Residuals of these toxins stay in the fabric. They also find their way into wastewater systems, particularly in developing countries.
Many dyes that are excluded from the Organic Standards contain toxic components, said Martin Ledvina, co-founder of Earth Creations, Inc. Most conventional dyes don’t comply with EPA regulations so they’re sent overseas. The products that use these dyes, often made in sweatshops, make [...]
Earth Creations offers eco–friendly fashion
Dart makes recycling styrofoam easy
Everyone tosses that foam packaging that comes with our favorite electronics, right?
Not any more.
Since the 1990’s, Dart Container Corp.– a leader in the polystyrene foodservice product industry – has been collecting polystyrene (generally called StyrofoamTM, a product developed by the Dow Chemical Company) at their drop-off centers, keeping it out of landfills.
They began at their corporate headquarters in Michigan, says Michael Westerfield, Dart’s Corporate Director of Recycling Programs.
Since then, the drop-off program has grown.
In 2007, Dart collected and recycled 106 tons of foam at the Michigan location. In 2008, doing nothing different, they recycled 200 tons of foam. In 2009, they recycled 250 tons, again altering nothing.
Since the 1990’s, the [...]
EPA to designate BPA as “chemical of concern”
With an apparent backtrack, the Environmental Protection Agency has announced it will intensify its investigation into how BPA affects our nation’s wildlife and water supply and will now designate the compound as a “chemical of concern.”
This is a turnaround since their announcement last December of their list of “chemicals of concern” which didn’t include BPA, even after the EPA’s top administrator Lisa Jackson had said that her agency would take a more aggressive approach to regulating chemicals of concern, specifically mentioning BPA as one of these.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates the chemical’s effects in food contact items, reversed its position on BPA, declaring it had some concern [...]
Auric Blends Natural Perfumes
Since the late 19th century, perfumes have enticed our senses. Yet even the most expensive perfumes are loaded with petrochemicals, many toxic to humans. A 1991 EPA study found many perfumes include potentially hazardous chemicals like acetone (used as a cleaning solvent), benzyl acetate (a solvent used in plastics), ethanol (grain alcohol), ethyl acetate (a solvent) and methylene chloride (a solvent).
The FDA says fragrances are responsible for 30 percent of all allergic reactions. Yet this hasn’t stopped the growth of this multi-billion dollar industry.
There’s a small but growing trend within the perfume industry – quality perfumes made with natural ingredients. Auric Blends, a Sonoma County company, has created four unique, [...]
Kohl’s recognied as 2010 Energy Star® Partner of the Year
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have named Kohl’s Department Stores the 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Energy Management for the company’s commitment to energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Selected from more than 17,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program, Kohl’s will receive the award March 18th at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Kohl’s has implemented a wide range of sustainable business practices. This commitment led Kohl’s in December 2009 announce their plan to reach net zero carbon emissions by the end of 2010. Last year the Environmental Protection Agency recognzied this family-focused Wisconsin-based company as a 2009 Green Power Partner of the Year.
Expect to hear more about Kohl’s [...]
17,000 chemicals kept hidden to protect profits
As a growing number of consumers seek to eliminate harmful chemicals from their daily routines, news today from The Washington Post strikes a heavy blow to this goal. At least for now.
From flame retardants to household cleaners, facial creams or hand soaps:
“Under the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act, manufacturers must report to the federal government new chemicals they intend to market. But the law exempts from public disclosure any information that could harm their bottom line.”
According to Richard Wiles, senior vice president of the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization that documented the extent of the secret chemicals through public-records requests from the EPA: “It’s impossible to run an effective [...]
No wonder the environment is losing
There’s been much lamenting across the media about the apparent failure of the Copenhagen Summit last month. Yet in reading today’s headlines, it really couldn’t have ended any other way.
Take for instance the following:
“European Manufacturers Rally Against 30% Reduction in GHG Emissions”
“FirstEnergy Asks to Exceed Mercury Limits in Wastewater Discharges”
And then there’s yesterday’s headline:
“Alaska senator moves to bar EPA rules on greenhouse gas emissions“
With so much pressure and financial backing coming from so many directions, how could the Summit’s outcome been otherwise?
Balance this against continued evidence that climate change is indeed speeding along, with the Arctic northwest passage now being tussled over for a variety of development projects – from laying underwater telecommunications cable to prospective oil [...]
A proven, eco-friendly way to kill the H1N1 virus
Use water to kill the H1N1 virus?
Sounds ludicrous, but recent lab tests confirm that the new ionator EXP™ and ionator HOM™ by Activeion Cleaning Solutions LLC does the job.
These simple hand-held devices ionize plain tap water, activating and convert it into a powerful dirt-removing and bacteria-killing product. Tests show that these devices kill the H1N1 influenza A virus in six seconds. They also effectively sanitize non-porous hard-surfaces.
I tested an earlier version of this amazing device and wrote about it last year.
Former EPA Administrator Dr. Stephen L. Johnson, who’s now an advisor to Activeion, says “testing concludes the ionator EXP™ and the ionator HOM™ provide for complete inactivation of the Pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus, when used as directed.”
Forbes Magazine [...]
Environmentalists outraged at prospect of mining in Bristol Bay, Alaska
The proposed Pebble Open Pit Mine - which would be the largest North American copper and gold mine – has outraged environmentalists who see Bristol Bay, Alaska as a “vital ecosystem” for salmon and other species.
The threat puts the headwaters of the two most famous salmon producing river drainages in Alaska –the Mulchatna/ Nushagak River drainage and the Newhalen / Kvichak River drainage, both of which feed into the renowned Bristol Bay - at risk. Anticipated to be the first of many, the mine would also include the largest dam in the world - larger than Three Gorges Dam in China - and would be made of earth, not concrete, to hold back the toxic waste created in the mining process.
Bristol Bay [...]
Water Contamination Prevention
Water Contamination Prevention
In recent history, major industrial areas of the United States were the primary causes for water contamination. Huge factories would dump countless tons of waste water and other pollutants into the water, with no regulation or environmental concern.
This all changed in 1970 when the Environmental Protection Agency was formed under President Nixon. Now American industry is tightly regulated as to what they can dump as waste, and where.
Many heavy industries are also starting to police themselves due to political and sociological pressures. Many factories are recycling waste products, and finding creative alternatives to dumping waste water.
The Common Man’s Prevention
Water contamination is a serious problem in the world, and [...]