Green Home Labels August 17, 2009

By: Sally Deneen

When you see a product touted as “green,” turn on your B.S. meter to gauge whether it’s true. Here’s why: There is no standard definition for the term”green.” That’s where certification programs come in. Even then, standards among them vary. Ideally, you’ll buy products – or a home – whose green standards match yours. Here’s the skinny on some green labels:

LUMBER Look for wood labeled “FSC certified,” meaning it’s certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Unlike other certification systems, it prevents the conversion of natural forest to plantations, prohibits genetically modified trees and takes caution in wooded areas with high conservation value, according to one analysis (see: www.fscus.org/news/index.php?article=506). A campaign by several environmental groups – Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Network, among others — discourages consumers from buying wood bearing a competing Sustainable Forestry Initiative label (“SFI”); see their reasons at www.dontbuysfi.com.

APPLIANCES Look for appliances with the worthwhile Energy Star label (overseen by the US Department of Energy and US Environmental Protection Agency), and remember this: Be sure to go a step further and check how much energy your desired fridge, stove or other appliance will use compared to other Energy Star-rated options – there can be a wide range of energy use, even though they all meet Energy Star standards. See anticipated energy costs listed on the yellow label stuck on the appliance. A home fully equipped with Energy Star products will operate on about 30 percent less energy than a house equipped with standard products. Read more at http://www.thedailygreen.com/2007/04/18/energy-star/892/. Find products and rebates at EnergyStar.gov.

SINKS, TOILETS, SHOWERHEADS There’s a new label in town – WaterSense — and it addresses the need to be water-smart as well as dollar smart. Example: A WaterSense-labeled toilet uses at least 20 percent less water than standard toilets. According to the EPA, the average American home uses more water for flushing the toilet than running the shower. A family of four could save 16,000 gallons of water yearly by replacing a traditional toilet. Get info at www.epa.gov/watersense/index.htm.

NEW HOMES Whatever you do, don’t accept a builder’s claim that a building is “green” without asking questions. What exactly does the green claim mean? What environmentally sound features and building techniques were used? Some homes are far more sustainably built than others; at times, builders simply follow community codes yet market their homes as green. To help you judge the validity of claims, some builders seek to meet the standards of national or local rating systems. A quick look at the three national programs: * LEED. What’s evolving into the 800-pound gorilla among rating systems is a high-end program known as LEED (officially, it’s the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program). It sets standards for buildings that achieve a set number of benchmarks, from using locally derived building materials to the insulating ability of the windows. Chances are a new skyscraper near you is LEED-certified. The program is now expanding to offer standards for homes. Among them, homes will be rated not only based on the materials used, but also their location and orientation. If they reap passive solar benefits from their position relative to the sun, or are situated on a village block close to stores, schools and work, they will be rated more highly than those built to otherwise high standards in suburbia. See standards here: www.usgbc.org/leed/homes/. * The National Association of Home Builders plans to roll out its own green building standards in early 2008. See guidelines here: www.nahbrc.org/greenguidelines/. *The federal government’s Energy Star program has already rated 200,000 homes. These standards rate homes strictly on energy efficiency – a key part, but only one part of the LEED standards. For many people, the energy efficiency – as measured in electricity demand, pollution output and perhaps most importantly, dollars – is the most important facet of the environmental performance of their homes. For those who want to aim for a darker shade of green, watch for the specifics on the LEED and National Association of Home Builders standards. See Energy Star info here: www.energystar.gov/ Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/definitions/green-home-labels#ixzz0OTfoIrKz

Tips for having a Greener BBQ and Summer Celebration July 6, 2009

Going Organic is becoming more and more popular and with peak garden season upon us this is the season above all others where “greening” up your party and celebrations is easier and the most affordable.

One of the ways to stay cooler and reduce your electric and gas costs is to grill out. We grill out year round. Using charcoal sustainable briskets makes your BBQ even greener and avoid using lighter fluid…its unbelievably toxic.

As for food check out your local farmer’s markets and buy local organic whenever possible. Summer is the perfect season for changing your buying habits from toxin covered to natural healthy produce…Summer harvests are plentiful and the prices are fantastic and the taste is unbelievable. You’ll be amazed at the dramatic difference in taste from super market tomatoes to fresh homegrown ones…You’ll never want to settle for less than the “real” thing. And that goes for all home grown garden produce and fruits. You just can’t beat the taste of fresh from the garden corn, asparagus, squashes, cucumbers, zuchini’s, lettuces, peppers and carrots (and more).

Grill organic grassfed beef patties, BBQ grass fed free range chicken or go meatless with grilled veggies. Don’t forget to serve (or make your own) organic condiments. See my post here for a recipe for homemade organic ketchup…make it even better with tomatoes harvested from your own garden.  Dessert: We have several fruit farms in our area…a strawberry, blueberry and blackberry farms where we can pick our own fruit and purchase by the gallon. Instead of picking up a pricey unhealthy desert at the supermarket, support your local growers and farmers by buying locally raised fruit and serve alongside a simple homemade sponge or cupcake.

Celebrate: Because my son’s birthday is in June and  my youngest daughter and I share a birthday in July we have a tradition of serving 1/2 a watermelon in place of the traditional birthday cake. Just chill, cut in half , place your candles and enjoy. Saves from purchasing a high priced unhealthy cake at the market, or heating up your kitchen to make your own and you, your friends and family get to enjoy a special, refreshing and healthy treat in the midst of high Summer temps. For non toxic eco friendly candles purchase soy or beeswax birthday candles.

Decorating: When planning birthday celebrations opt for cloth table covers rather than plastic. You can wash and reuse reducing your waste. Using candles, lanterns and solar lights in the place of electricity provides a wonderful ambience and reduces your fuel and energy costs at the same time.

We’ve recently added a recycling center in our backyard. I purchased 3 large trashcans made of post recyclable materials (of course) and we use one for Paper, one for Plastic and one for cardboard. Being a large family we produce a lot of waste. I know that it isn’t alwasy feasible to host a birthday party for children and serve washable plates and flatware so opt for paper rather than styrofoam. Or go one step further by serving compostable tableware. You can purchase biodegradable and compostable plates, cups and bowls from Branch Home.com. I’ve even heard of special events like for a school or church fundraiser taking $1.00 off the meal fee if the family would provide their own serving dish and utensils. What a fantastic eco friendly and waste reducing idea!

No one expects you to go all out and become the greenest “greeneck” on the block. But if you are concerned about the amount of waste you are producing baby steps do make a difference. I hope there have been a few tips here that will give you an idea of how economical, healthy and easy it is to become a “greenneck”.

Happy Summer!

4 Things That Make You Fat (Not Gluttony, Not Sloth) June 23, 2009

Reasons to get serious about pesticides in and on your food, Dioxins, Bisphenol A, Phthalates,  PFOAand PFOS…

Whatever fad diet books tell you, the single most important factor affecting weight gain is the ratio of calories consumed to calories burned. Eat more than you work off, and you’ll gain weight.

But in recent years we’ve witnessed a flurry of research showing that there’s more at work than this simple formula. We all know (and loathe) them: Those people who seem to eat and eat and eat, but never gain weight. Why do some people pack on pounds, while others subject themselves to rigorous diets and workout regimens only to struggle with stubborn belly fat?

The answer has a lot to do with that mystery of mysteries, the metabolism, which like everything is influenced both by one’s genetics and one’s environment. The environment, in this case, includes more than just nutrition and exercise; it includes sleep habits, stress and chemical exposures. Here’s a look at some of the factors scientists believe may be affecting whether or not we put on weight. (Oh, and while this may sound like an article ripped from a women’s health magazine, don’t be fooled: You won’t find miracle pills or quick-fix workouts as solutions to these causes of weight-gain. As with eating well and getting enough exercise, there is neither a great mystery, nor an easy solution to finding good health.)

1. Stress

While research hasn’t yet determined all the factors in the stress-weight gain feedback loop, there appears to be evidence that stress leads to weight gain — just as putting on a few pounds can lead to stress.

One recent study found that more than 56% of stressed-out adolescents were obese, versus 47% of the less-stressed. Previous research has identified a biological switch in mice that makes the body accumulate fat. Significantly, mice that were eating a healthy diet did not put on weight, even when stressed; those eating high-fat, high-sugar diets, however, were much more likely to gain weight when stressed. Another study showed that there’s a biochemical trigger in the brain that prompts mice (and possibly humans, too) to seek out comfort foods when under the kind of long-term chronic stress we all experience; not only that, but the same hormone primes the body to pack on belly fat.

What you can do:
Eat well, of course — and chill out. We can’t control every form of stress — remember the 40-hour work week? Turns out, that was good for us — we can reduce our stress levels.

Read a book. Take the afternoon to cook a (healthy, low-fat) family meal. Work in the garden. Take a walk. Watch the birds. Exercise. Get outside and play with the kids. … Do whatever you do to get perspective. It may help you slim down, too.

2. Lack of Sleep

Cutting-edge sleep researchers are learning that our round-the-clock schedules may impact our health in surprising ways. While scientists don’t yet know why, studies continue to show that those who don’t get enough deep restful sleep tend to gain weight.

Whether or not losing sleep makes you feel hungrier and eat more food (some do, some don’t) something about losing sleep changes the metabolism. Faced with a sleep deficit, we metabolize more lean muscle and less fat. Even if we burn calories during exercise, we struggle to lose weight.

The result? According to one study, people put on three pounds in less than two weeks just by having their sleep interrupted. The results of sleep deprivation show up in as few as a couple nights without deep restful sleep. And BMI, the official measure of weight, increases steadily as the sleep deficit increases.

What you can do:
We all know what makes us lose sleep — too much to do, too much coffee (or alcohol), too much late-night television or video gaming, a little too much “quality” time with our Blackberries. We can’t control everything that wakes us up or takes away our sleep — the crying baby can’t be ignored — but we can control many of them.

How much sleep do you need? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 7-9 hours for adults, while some experts have said 6.5-7.5 may be closer to the ideal.

3. Baby Formula

What could be wrong with baby formula? The point here has more to do with the benefits of breast-feeding during the first months of life than the demerits of any particular brand of baby formula.

A number of studies have shown that children who breast-feed are less likely to be overweight or obese in their early years, which is good — because an overweight child is more likely to grow into an overweight adult. According to one study, the risk of a child becoming overweight declines the longer a child is breast-fed. By age 14, those who were breast-fed at least seven months were 20% less likely to be overweight than those breast-fed for three months.

Why? That’s a mystery, though it may well have something to do with how the different nutrients and hormones alter a baby’s metabolism.

What you can do:
If you are able, give your child a good start by breastfeeding, in consultation (of course!) with your doctor. A German study found the prevalence of obesity in children aged 5-6 decreased significantly based on the length of time their mothers breast-fed them:

Obesity rate – Duration of Breast-feeding
4.5% – Never
3.8% – 2 months
2.3% – 3-5 mos
1.7% – 6-12 mos
0.8% – 12+ mos

4. Obesogens

Never heard of “obesogens”? That’s because it’s a scientific term for chemicals that mess with the hormones that regulate our metabolism, and cause us to gain weight. In recent years, scientists have studied all sorts of substances– they call them “endocrine-disrupting chemicals” — that our bodies mistake for hormones. The endocrine system regulates the body’s reproduction, development and metabolism, and most research to date has focused on the reproductive and developmental effects of these chemicals. Just like hormones, they may change our bodies in ways both subtle and profound, even at minute concentrations. The timing of exposure is key, and most chemicals seem to cause the most changes when pregnant women or very young children are exposed. Several studies point to links between manmade chemicals and weight gain. Here are a few:

Bisphenol A
This common chemical, which is used in a variety of plastics and in the lining of food and drink cans, can leach into foods (or directly into the bodies of babies chewing on teethers or toys) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found it in about 9 of 10 Americans tested. The Food and Drug Administration and the chemical industry stand by its safety, but a growing body of evidence by independent scientists has persuaded several governments (Minnesota, Chicago, Suffolk County, N.Y., and Canada) that it should not be used in children’s products. Some of that research suggests that Bisphenol A — a synthetic estrogen — makes lab rats pack on extra weight, regardless of their diet. In humans, it has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and other symptoms of metabolic syndrome in humans, possibly by interfering with a beneficial hormone. To avoid Bisphenol A, avoid No. 7 plastics, use a stainless steel reusable water bottle, limit your consumption of canned foods and drinks, don’t microwave foods in plastic and look for products explicitly marked “BPA free”.

PFOA and PFOS
Perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate are the chemicals that makes non-stick pans, grease-resistant paper and stain-resistant clothing, carpets and furniture withstand oils. We’re exposed our entire lives, and the exposure in the womb may be the most important, according to one study. Several studies have shown that the chemicals lead to lowered birth weight, but one showed that the initial drop in birth weight is followed by a rapid gaining of weight that is associated with obesity throughout life. To avoid these chemicals, think twice before buying stain-resistant and non-stick products (cast iron is one good alternative in the kitchen) and limit your intake of fast foods, microwave popcorn and other foods that may be wrapped in grease-proof paper.

Phthalates
Another common chemical, phthalates are found in soft plastics, fragrances and many other consumer products. The U.S. recently banned the use of several phthalates in children’s products, because of evidence that early exposure affects the normal development of boys by reducing testosterone levels. One study showed that adult men with the most evidence of exposure to phthalates had fatter bellies. To avoid phthalates, avoid No. 3 plastics, and scrutinize the ingredients of products for “fragrances” or the acronyms DBP, DEP, DMP, DEHP, BxBP or DMP — all of which signal the presence of phthalates.

Dioxins
Formed as a byproduct of burning, dioxins are common and known to be harmful at minute levels. (Whereas the Environmental Protection Agency measures most pollutants in pounds, it measures dioxins in grams.) Dioxin rains down after being emitted by smokestacks, tailpipes and fires, and it contaminates farms, leaving us to be exposed when we eat meat, dairy and fish products. One study showed that those who had been exposed to the highest levels of dioxins were five times more likely to have metabolic syndrome, a collection of metabolic conditions that includes obesity, glucose intolerance and hypertension. To avoid exposure to dioxins, moderate your intake of beef, pork and dairy products, and choose lean cuts of meat to avoid dioxin stored in fats.

Pesticides
Several pesticides are known or suspected to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Among the suspects is tributyltin, which was used in anti-fungal boat paints and to kill pests on some food crops, and which may trigger obesity. On golf courses, workers who handled the pesticide tricholorfon had an 85%-250% greater risk of developing diabetes, depending on how frequently they handled the chemical. Children born to mothers with higher levels of the pesticide hexachlorobenzene in cord blood were “significantly more likely to be overweight and obese” by the age of 6. In a recent study, rats fed water laced with atrazine, a weed killer commonly used on U.S. corn crops (but banned in much of the world) gained 5-10% more weight than rats that weren’t exposed to the chemical. Those fed weed killer and a high-fat diet gained the most weight, but even rats that ate a healthy diet ended up about 5% fatter if they drank the tainted water. To avoid these and other pesticides, avoid using insect and weed killers around the home, and avoid foods with the most pesticide residue.

Find this article at: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/why-am-i-fat-47062204

It’s not so easy being green when all they want is your $$$. June 8, 2009

We took our family vacation this year and I decided that in the name of convenience (and my sanity), I would use disposable diapers instead of my cloth ones. The biggest reason for choosing it was the 10 hour drive to Kissimmee, FL.  and staying in a place we’d never stayed before and not knowing what laundering facilities would be available…if any.

So as I was passing through Wal-Mart while doing some last minute shopping for the trip…sunglasses, earbuds, batteries etc.  A diaper display on the end cap caught my eye. Huggies “pure and natural”.  Knowing that Wal-Mart is offering more organic and natural products everyday. I grabbed a package, threw it in the cart and off I went.

Thankfully I had to make a stop at my favorite market where I purchase a lot of my organic foods and they happened to be having a sale on 7th generation diapers and I just happened to have a coupon in my wallet so I grabbed a package and added that to my cart.

I want to tell you without doing any research and just from a performance standpoint, the 7th generation diapers out did the Huggies hands down. Even though I bought the size that my 10 month old is in (and according to the weight chart on the Huggies package) they were unbelieveably too small. Her cheeks kept hanging out on one side or the other and they leaked like a sieve. I also paid about $11.00 (before tax) for 26 diapers.  For the 7th generation diapers I paid $10.49 (before tax) for 35 diapers. The 7th gen. out performed the Huggies in every area as far as fit (and I have an agressive crawler/pre-walker), didn’t leak…even when I forgot to change her at one of our gas stops and she was way over due by the next one (I was sure we’d end up cleaning a carseat with that one) and was easy to use…the tabs kept sticking on the Huggies and the 7th gen. were easy to use while trying to diaper a very wiggly child on one of those plastic changing stations in the rest stop (the safety straps were broken).

I have to say, I am impressed with 7th generation yet again. I’ve used their household products for several years before making my own and I’ve loved their company for its environmentally responsible practices, for producing products that are safe, non toxic and perform (and in many cases out perform their unsafe counterparts), but I’d never used their diapering products before. If I have another trip to take, I’ll definitely use them again.

Back to the research….after getting home and taking a closer look at the Huggies brand…they aren’t much different from the typical Huggies disposable diapers. They have a partially organic cotton cover (not the part that is next to baby’s skin, which is where I’m most interested in), the OUTER layer contains aloe and vitamin E…(and exactly who is that of benefit to ?) and the liner “includes” renewable materials…but is not made of renewable materials…so basically I just bought a VERY high priced environmentally green “poser” diaper.

While 7th Generation stands behind the fact that their diapers are chlorine free, latex free, environmentally sound…and they disclose ALL their ingredients…which Huggies doesn’t. hmmmmm I think I’ve been taken.

So learn from my mistake and don’t let yourself be taken in…you want to feel good about making the right choice for your baby, family and being a good steward of the environment ?  Check out the company that you are buying from.  In the meantime, I’m back at home and using my G-diapers with prefold inserts, using the disposable/compostable liners when we’re out and about…and will definitely use the 7th Generation disposables the next trip we’re taking.

Large Family Living: Logistics; Sleeping May 22, 2009

Having a large family and a small house can make for great excitement when determining where to put everyone.
In a large family of course the children don’t have rooms to themselves. I know of a family during WWII that had 12 children and 5 bedrooms. They slept 3 children to a room all in a full size bed.
In a large family its natural to have a roommate or two and the children really aren’t being deprived. If anything, they are getting a leg up on their single room dwelling peers.
My oldest daughter used to constantly complain about having her own room. Her younger sisters were cramping her style.
Occasionally one of the others will pipe up expressing the same wishes. And here is what I tell them.
1) You are part of a large family. Something bigger than yourself. A roommate comes with the territory.
2) Everyone has moments of getting on each others nerves. Learning to work through those issues provides a wealth of maturity and personal growth opportunities that many don’t have until adulthood and some never navigate successfully until they seek counseling during a failing marriage.
3) You are going to have to learn to live with a roommate at some point in your life….when you go to college you’ll have a roommate. When you get your first apartment, you might have a roommate, when you get married…guess what ? You get a roommate.
So you might as well learn how to do it now with family rather than strangers who have no investment in your best interest.

Bunk beds are a great way to provide each child a “space” of their own. One of the things I’ve learned having a large family with multiple ages under one roof, is to put those with the most interests together. Our teen girls are very different but similar in that they are more into electronic entertainment and not so much toys. I’ve also learned that allowing the children to have control over (within reason) the decorating of their rooms, gives them a sense of ownership. Girls especially love taking a space and making it their “own”. I gave each room a decorating budget and it has been interesting to see how the girls have chosen colors, fabrics, designs to personalize their rooms. Even if they weren’t what I would personally have picked I have learned to relax in this area as 1) I’m not living in that room and 2) when they grow up and move out I can repaint, redecorate etc. accordingly
So there really isn’t a need for me to impose my own tastes on my children. I can make suggestions but in the end if I take my hands off of the project then their creativity isn’t stifled and its a great learning process for them to come up with creative ways to decorate on a budget. It also gives me some insight into their interests that I might not have been aware of. It has also provided an opportunity for the girls to work together as a team to decorate their rooms. My older girls currently have a kind of Asian theme going on in their room and my younger girls have more of a garden/outdoor theme with flowers, birds and butterflies. They could have chosen to go in different directions and divide the rooms in half but they chose a theme that they both liked and worked together to shop and choose items that would give the room a uniform feel throughout. It has also been interesting to see the younger girls consulting with the older girls on decorating ideas and has given the older teens an opportunity to mentor and encourage the younger ones while still allowing the younger ones room for individual expression and control over the choice of their room colors, theme etc.

My son doesn’t really have a theme he’s more into function than colors. I think that can be fairly typical of most boys. Joshua likes clean lines and lots of drawers, shelves and containers for all his little collections. Legos, cars, screws, rocks and pebbles, marbles etc. A place for everything so to speak.

Having a large family and providing a place for everyone and their “stuff” can be tricky. However with a little creativity, grace and a lot of organization, it can be done.

Aluminum Water Bottles…Friend or Foe May 1, 2009

You want to go green, you want to reduce your carbon foot print and you are making small changes to make a difference. So you’ve decided to stop purchasing bottled water and get one of those aluminum ones.
BUT did you know that aluminum will leach..well…aluminum into your body ?

Why should you be concerned ?
Everyone is exposed to some level of Aluminum toxicity. It’s in the food and water supply, we cook with it but in high amounts it can cause:
Muscle Aches, Premature Osteoporosis, Weakness, Impaired Immune System, Bone Pain, Impaired Kidney Function, Speech Problems, Impaired Iron Absorption, Anemia, and Digestive Problems

Aluminum is very dangerous to the nervous system. We discovered this when we found out our son has Asperger’s Syndrome (a form of autism). High amounts of aluminum in his body contributed to his

Mental Confusion, Emotional Instability, Headaches, Disturbed Sleep,
Memory Loss, Impaired Intellect, Nervousness, Loss of Coordination, Heartburn, and Flatulence.

Those with higher levels of aluminum toxicity in their bodies will experience irritability and insomnia characterized by going to sleep but awakening frequently, muscle spasms at night. A person who tosses and turns all night, even though he may be unaware of it could be suffering from high level of aluminum in their body (and/or could also be a magnesium deficiency). Persons may also experience increased noise sensitivity as well as anxiety.

One of the things we did when we realized that the high amounts of aluminum in our son’s body were contributing to his AS symptoms, was to remove all the cookware, bake ware and tableware in our home that contained aluminum. I didn’t realize that cooking with Teflon was leaching aluminum into our food and aggravating our son’s condition. We replaced our cookware and tableware with stainless steel and cast iron. We replaced our bake ware with stone and glass.

Back to water bottles:
Even though the aluminum water bottles are pretty and “greener” than the plastic. They aren’t necessarily safer for you. I recommend the stainless steel water bottles. My favorites are made by the Klean Kanteen company. Mostly because they are the only ones that I’ve found that offer a toddler sippy top/lid for theirs. They can be pricey as an initial investment but worth it in that they are BPA free, stainless steel and healthy for you. Isn’t your health (and that of your family) worth the extra $5.00 – $7.00 over the cheap aluminum bottles being sold in stores ?

There is a store down the street from where I live that sells stainless steel water bottles manufactured by another company that are really great for biker riders, hikers and athletes. They have a little clip to hang onto your belt loop, back pack etc. I’ll check with Kathy and find out the company and post back.

I encourage you to go green, but do it healthily.

Be safe!

Update to this article (May 25, 2009):

I asked Kathy what kind of water bottles they sell at the Tayon’s Homestead Store. They sell the Ecousable stainles steel bottles.

Right now Tanyon’s sells a water bottle with their name on it for $9.95 each or if you purchase 2 you can get them for $5.00 each. These are like the Ecousable bottles. They have a slim design that will fit nicely in your car cup holders, the neck is large enough to get ice into and also wide enough to get a bottle brush down inside for cleaning (for those of us who drink more than just water in our bottles).  They also come with a handy clip to secure to your belt loop, backpack, diaper bag etc. I bought 4 of the Tanyon’s bottles and 2 of the kid sized Ecousable bottles for our upcoming vacation and road trip. I’ll let you know how they wear. : )

Also, my sister recently told me about another stainless steel sippy cup alternative called the Foogo made by Thermos. I found it on Wal-Mart.com and have ordered it using their site to store option and saved about $5.00 in S&H charges. I’ll let you know how it wears as well.  You can order one with or without the handles but it only comes in 2 colors so far.

What do the recycling symbols mean ? April 22, 2009

Copied from the daily green:http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321

Number 1 Plastics
PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)
Found in: Soft drink, water and beer bottles; mouthwash bottles; peanut butter containers; salad dressing and vegetable oil containers; ovenable food trays.
Recycling: Picked up through most curbside recycling programs.
Recycled into: Polar fleece, fiber, tote bags, furniture, carpet, paneling, straps, (occasionally) new containers

PET plastic is the most common for single-use bottled beverages, because it is inexpensive, lightweight and easy to recycle. It poses low risk of leaching breakdown products. Recycling rates remain relatively low (around 20%), though the material is in high demand by remanufacturers.

Number 2 Plastics
HDPE (high density polyethylene)
Found in: Milk jugs, juice bottles; bleach, detergent and household cleaner bottles; shampoo bottles; some trash and shopping bags; motor oil bottles; butter and yogurt tubs; cereal box liners
Recycling: Picked up through most curbside recycling programs, although some allow only those containers with necks.
Recycled into: Laundry detergent bottles, oil bottles, pens, recycling containers, floor tile, drainage pipe, lumber, benches, doghouses, picnic tables, fencing

HDPE is a versatile plastic with many uses, especially for packaging. It carries low risk of leaching and is readily recyclable into many goods.

Number 3 Plastics
V (Vinyl) or PVC
Found in: Window cleaner and detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, cooking oil bottles, clear food packaging, wire jacketing, medical equipment, siding, windows, piping
Recycling: Rarely recycled; accepted by some plastic lumber makers.
Recycled into: Decks, paneling, mudflaps, roadway gutters, flooring, cables, speed bumps, mats

PVC is tough and weathers well, so it is commonly used for piping, siding and similar applications. PVC contains chlorine, so its manufacture can release highly dangerous dioxins. If you must cook with PVC, don’t let the plastic touch food. Also never burn PVC, because it releases toxins.

Number 4 Plastics
LDPE (low density polyethylene)
Found in: Squeezable bottles; bread, frozen food, dry cleaning and shopping bags; tote bags; clothing; furniture; carpet
Recycling: LDPE is not often recycled through curbside programs, but some communities will accept it. Plastic shopping bags can be returned to many stores for recycling.
Recycled into: Trash can liners and cans, compost bins, shipping envelopes, paneling, lumber, landscaping ties, floor tile

LDPE is a flexible plastic with many applications. Historically it has not been accepted through most American curbside recycling programs, but more and more communities are starting to accept it.

Number 5 Plastics
PP (polypropylene)
Found in: Some yogurt containers, syrup bottles, ketchup bottles, caps, straws, medicine bottles
Recycling: Number 5 plastics can be recycled through some curbside programs.
Recycled into: Signal lights, battery cables, brooms, brushes, auto battery cases, ice scrapers, landscape borders, bicycle racks, rakes, bins, pallets, trays

Polypropylene has a high melting point, and so is often chosen for containers that must accept hot liquid. It is gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers.

Number 6 Plastics
PS (polystyrene)
Found in: Disposable plates and cups, meat trays, egg cartons, carry-out containers, aspirin bottles, compact disc cases
Recycling: Number 6 plastics can be recycled through some curbside programs.
Recycled into: Insulation, light switch plates, egg cartons, vents, rulers, foam packing, carry-out containers

Polystyrene can be made into rigid or foam products — in the latter case it is popularly known as the trademark Styrofoam. Evidence suggests polystyrene can leach potential toxins into foods. The material was long on environmentalists’ hit lists for dispersing widely across the landscape, and for being notoriously difficult to recycle. Most places still don’t accept it, though it is gradually gaining traction.

Number 7 Plastics
Miscellaneous
Found in: Three- and five-gallon water bottles, ‘bullet-proof’ materials, sunglasses, DVDs, iPod and computer cases, signs and displays, certain food containers, nylon
Recycling: Number 7 plastics have traditionally not been recycled, though some curbside programs now take them.
Recycled into: Plastic lumber, custom-made products

A wide variety of plastic resins that don’t fit into the previous categories are lumped into number 7. A few are even made from plants (polyactide) and are compostable. Polycarbonate is number 7, and is the hard plastic that has parents worried these days, after studies have shown it can leach potential hormone disruptors.

Which Plastics should I stay away from ? April 21, 2009

With all the baby bottles, water bottles and toddler cups that are made out of plastic coming under fire for containing BPA and Phylates.
What plastics do you avoid ?

Having 8 kids and tons of their friends over at any given time, I like the stress free idea of using plastic for Summer serving plates and bowls, dinner plates, cups etc. This time of year the picnic isle of any grocery store is full of beautiful, colorful and inviting plastic ware.
So which do you choose ?
I for one, have been checking the recycling symbols underneath all those wonderfully convenient picnic and party supplies that are shatter proof.
Three that you DON’T want to buy are Plastics #3, #6, and #7.
#3 is the PVC category.
#6 is the PS (polystyrene) category
#7 is Other category

Why ?
Number 3 plastics may release toxic breakdown products (including pthalates) into food and drinks.
Leaching risks are the greatest when the plastics are starting to wear out, have been run through the dishwasher or are heated in the microwave
Number 6 plastics
aka styrofoam can release potentially toxic breakdown products (including styrene). Especially when heated! So that Styrofoam coffee cup that you are drinking out of at the breakroom, or that insulated coffee mug you are using not so great is it ?
Number 7 plastics
Studies have shown polycarbonate can leach bisphenol A, a potential hormone disruptor, into liquids. Some believe that ingestion causes neural, hormonal, and behavioral problems in children.

So which plastics are safer to use ?
#1, #2, and #5 are considered “safe” as long as they are used for their intended use. For instance many milk jugs are made out of #2 as are yogurt containers. But any of these can “leach” toxins if used over and over (for instance, we used to rinse out our milk jugs and keep water in them for “Emergencies”, some folks hang onto their empty yogurt containers, plastic butter or cottage cheese containers and use them in the place of Tupperware)
Check on the bottom of your plastic picnic ware for the recycling symbol (a number inside a triangle of chasing arrows) if it doesn’t have one, don’t buy it. Check for 1, 2 and 5…avoid 3, 6 and 7.

Some other tips for how to choose green (from the Daily Green)
* Avoid products that list “parabens” as an ingredient on shampoos, conditioners and other personal care products. Some studies suggest these chemicals affect the reproductive and hormonal systems in animal tests.
* Avoid products that list “sodium laurel/laureth sulfate” as an ingredient, because it contains a carcinogenic compound.
* Avoid anything with a “danger” or “warning” label, since it has stronger chemicals.
* Be wary of the term “fragrance,” which is used to denote a combination of compounds, possibly including phthatates, which are a subject of recent concern because of studies showing they can mimic certain hormones.
* Choose sunscreens made with zinc or titanium.
* Choose plastics with the recycling code 1, 2 or 5. Recycling codes 3 and 7 are more likely to contain bisphenol A or phthalates, both suspected of disrupting the hormonal system.

Affordable Cloth Diapering April 7, 2009

I was at a community yard sale this past weekend, when I ran into a friend who used cloth diapers with 5 of her 6 children.
Since I am looking into switching to cloth diapers for Anna, I took the opportunity to pick her brain.
I had started to use cloth diapers with our 2nd daughter, Abby, but my husband had visions of folded diapers, pins, and plastic pants that he had used with his older sons and so refused to help change the girls should we go the cloth diaper route.
I wish I had stood my ground then, but better late than never. Cloth diapering has really evolved in the last 14 years since Abigail was a baby. I’m having to relearn a bit.
There are so many diapers to choose from these days that its easy to get overwhelmed at the sheer volume of information and the different products available. So much so that its hard to determine what to use.
My friend told me that the best diapers that she had ever used were from a diaper service that someone had gotten for her as a shower present. She said that they were the most absorbent ever and that the service was wonderful.
That got me thinking. We have 6 children and I don’t have $400.00-600.00 to invest all at once into a cloth diaper set up. Plus there are so many options and I know that I want the most absorbent, leak resistant (you know given a the right circumstances, they all leak..the disposables do so why not the cloth as well ?) but which ones are prone to leak and which ones aren’t under normal wear? Hard to know without trying them…and who has the $$$ to put into buying several covers for $15.00-$20.00 a piece. WOW! Cloth diapering is big business.
So, I started thinking…..
Now I have a close friend who is a fabulous seamstress and we found some cloth diaper patterns online and she is currently making me a batch of fitted cloth diapers. I gave her all the old receiving blankets I had and burps cloths and flannel I could find in the house. And I’ve been trolling the flea markets and yard sales looking for cloth diapers to line the middle of the diapers with. (recycling at its heart…you’d be so proud)
I started looking at diapering services online and found only one in the state of TN. They are based in Nashville and do not service our area (about 2 hours away) BUT they do have used inventory that they sell for $1.00 a piece. The Chinese pre-folded diapers, 4×8x4…for only $1.00. Not bad if I do say so myself.
There are so many covers to choose from: bumGenius, Hemp Babies, Happy Heiny’s, Imse Vimse, Swaddlebees, Kissaluvs, Thirsties, Diaperaps, Bummis , Litewrap, Cot’n Wrap, Aristocrats
You can spend as much as you want on a diaper cover, but what my research shows for those who are interested in making their own is that there is a special material that is recommended for cloth diaper covers…I’ll do another post on PUL fabric. This is the option that I’m looking into.
In the meantime, check out your local (or as local as you can get) Diaper service and see if they will sell you their old pre-folds, or stained ones…they still have plenty of use and washings left in them and you can buy them up at very affordable prices.
Happy diapering!

Spring Cleaning March 18, 2009

I love this weather. It’s not quite mid 70’s and its not too hot and not to cold…its just right. So we’ve been taking advantage of the weather to do some much needed cleaning out of closets and storage.

We live in a modest house but with 8 people living in it, we desperately need all the storage space we can find.  So as we clean out closets, cabinets and storage containers…I  have 4 sort boxes they go into.

1. Give Away
2. Donate
3. Sell
4. Throw Away

The keepgoes back into said cabinets, closet or storage container.

I’ll be posting some more Spring Cleaning ideas and recipes as we’re working on ours. Happy Cleaning and here’s to a toxic free home!