Organic Clothes for Your Babies and You
January 13th, 2010
Our children are among the most precious things to us, and it makes sense for us to want to look after them. Yet is there really any benefit to be had from ensuring that their clothing is organically produced? Well, absolutely!
The Problems of Non-Organic Cotton
Your baby’s skin is the most sensitive it will ever be, so it makes sense not to bring it into contact with anything remotely harmful. You’ll probably have chosen cotton rather than man made fibres for precisely that reason. Even so, it’s hard to avoid all unhealthy substances with non-organically produced cotton, given that growing it uses somewhere in the region of 25% of the world’s pesticides, many of which are carcinogenic. Even processing it involves a number of chemical processes, and while most companies will take every care to ensure that nothing gets through to the end product, can you really be certain that it won’t, when allergies and related complaints have risen steadily in industrialized nations?
It’s Good for Your Baby, and the Environment
Using organic baby clothes clothes made from cotton that has never been subjected to pesticides or insecticides isn’t just good for his health but it is also better for the environment. These days, we’re all trying to reduce our carbon footprint, but what about damage to the environment done in other ways? Pollution to water sources and the destruction of biodiversity by industrial farming are both issues with potentially serious consequences. Choosing organic options for your baby’s clothes is a way to protect not just them, but also the world that they are going to grow up in.
It’s Good for Farm Workers
If you’re worried about the possible effects of the substances used in non-organic farming on your child, imagine how much worse any effects are for people who work with those substances every day. By purchasing baby clothes that are not produced with extensive use of chemicals, we can increase the chances of these workers being able to operate in an environment that won’t kill them later on.
It’s Not More Expensive
Inevitably, talk of organic products turns to how much more expensive they are, but that isn’t true of clothing to the same extent. Stuff for daily use such as baby hats and gloves are not significantly more expensive than non-organic ones, and might actually be cheaper in the long run, since organically produced cotton tends to be more robust and harder wearing. Not having to buy an extra set of clothes for your child can quickly repay your initial outlay.
So there you have it. Organic baby clothes are better for the environment, better for the people who produce them, and better for your wallet. Most importantly, they might well be better for your child, and that has to be the deciding factor.
Corporate Green Responsibility (CGR)
November 20th, 2009
Gone are the days when Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives began and ended with the aim of giving back to the community. CSR programs of large companies have now grown to include environmental concerns, largely as a result of growing consumer awareness and to some extent, governmental regulation. Of course, the fact that green CSR initiatives usually save the company a lot of money, while generating immense public goodwill is not overlooked by companies. Consequently, more and more industries are making environmental activism a part of their CSR programs.
Most companies, large or small, choose to focus green initiatives in CSR on four major areas – reviewing environmental impact, reduction of environmental impact, promote energy efficiency and conservation of water. The process invariably starts with an assessment of the environmental impact of the company’s overall operations including raw material sourcing, manufacturing, distribution and administration. Once the impact has been assessed either in terms of carbon footprint or greenhouse gas emissions, the next step is to formulate methods to reduce this by a measurable quantity within a certain period. Promoting energy efficiency has the two-fold advantage of conserving non-renewable sources of energy and cutting operating costs. Many companies undertake retrofitting efforts or installing sources of renewable energy as a part of this conservation effort. Water conservation by promoting efficient use of water and recycling waste in an effort to prevent contamination of groundwater is another major component of green CSR initiatives.
In addition to this, companies may also go in for implementing new environmentally friendly policies on a company-wide basis and this may include all the major factors mentioned in addition to ethical labor policies and environmental disclosure. Companies have embraced green CSR by promoting green restaurants (McDonald’s), hiring executives to formulate green CSR policies (Microsoft) and integration of green CSR into business strategy (IBM). Many businesses now recognize that it is important to get into green CSR at an early stage because in addition to stabilizing the environment, it makes sound business sense. Boeing, for example, was one of the first companies to invest in fuel efficient jet engines at times when oil was cheap, and is now poised to supply fuel-efficient engines to the aeronautical industry.
Natural Matresses for a healthier You!
October 31st, 2009
Are mattresses healthy? We never ask ourselves this but maybe it’s about time we do.
After receiving delivery of my new Tempurpedic mattress I quickly noticed a horrible smell emitting from it. It’s was offgassing a terrible odor. I quickly decided there was no way I was going to spend a night sleeping on that chemical memory foam mattress. After just 30 minutes in the same room I began experiencing a headache. Even my dog was avoiding the room and I trust is shnoz.
Discovering how many chemicals were found in mattresses blew my mind! Especially memory foam mattresses. Mattresses have chemical glues, fire retardants and their foams are made from petrochemicals. Foams, glues, fire retardant chemicals all off gass, some for years.
I was sold on the comfort of memory foam beds but wanted something that wouldn’t slowly kill me while I slept.
There aren’t too many options when it comes to natural mattresses. Natural latex mattresses and organic cotton mattresses are pretty much the only way to go. Check out latex mattress reviews for more information. Only 1 company makes natural memory foam. Check out their natural mattresses.
Natural mattresses should be a staple in any home. Natural beds should also be kept in mind. Buying a natural mattress and placing it on a bed that’s been varnished with toxic varnish is definitely not the way to go.
Natural latex mattresses and organic mattresses need to be covered in organic fabrics. Bamboo is not good enough. Choose organic only . Make sure it’s certified organic as many organic fabrics. Organic certifications for mattress covers will assure a quality organic mattress cover.
Organic mattresses will help preserve your health for years to come. Next time you’re shopping for a mattress make sure you choose and natural mattress.
Oxygenics Low-Flow Showerhead
August 23rd, 2008
Price: $59.95
Manufacturer: Oxygenics
Seventy percent of the earth is covered by water, but only one percent is available for human consumption. By replacing the hardware on your shower with a low-flow showerhead, you can save over 20,000 gallons of water a year.
Oxygenics’ Five Star Resort Spa showerhead injects oxygen into the water to increase pressure, and uses only 2.5 gallons of water per minute. In comparison, a standard shower uses 4.5. Since the water is aerated into a strong mist, the resulting shower has the added benefit of improving circulation and stimulating cell activity. While you’ll spend around $44 on your new showerhead, you could save as much as $145 a year on your utility bill.
Caroma Dual Flush Toilet
August 23rd, 2008
If you purchased your toilet before 1994, you might want to begin your quest for sustainable living with a greener latrine. Thirteen years ago, before 1.6 gallon-flush toilets became mandatory, toilets used between three and seven gallons per flush (GPF). Today there are innovations in the toilet industry which put the 1.6 models to shame.
Australian-based Caroma sells an inventive dual flush toilet, which offers two different flushes for liquid or solid waste. (Flush number one takes only 0.8 gallons, while flush number two uses 1.6.) According to the EPA, the average family uses 280 gallons of water a day, and toilets account for about 27 percent of that. Even if you already have a 1.6 GPF toilet, switching to a dual flush will save you 28 gallons a day, adding up to 10,000 gallons a year! Caroma’s Dual Flush costs slightly more than a standard toilet, but you’ll make your money back over a few years in reduced water bills.
