While birth control methods are usually judged for their effectiveness in preventing pregnancy or STDs, their environmental impacts are often overlooked. Using any kind of birth control is an eco-friendly action since it helps reduce the earth’s carbon footprint; however, some methods are greener than others. Read my full article—which talks about the Pill, IUD, diaphragm, condoms and more—on ecoRI News. Image: pixabay.com
Summer is a carefree time of sunshine, vacations, picnics and outdoor living. For the eco-conscious person, that outdoor living can bring up questions from “How do I make my own tiki torches?” to “What natural product will keep bugs out of my garden?” Other times, the casualties of summer (sunburn, bug bites) leave us hunting last-minute for natural remedies. Be prepared for anything summer dishes out with these DIY solutions for your body, home and garden. DIY for Health and Body DIY Herbal First Aid Kit for Summer from Delicious Obsessions Easy Sunscreen Recipe from Scratch Mommy Homemade Sunscreen for SPF Allergies from Life Currents Bug Repellant with Coconut and Essential Oils from Delicious Obsessions Treating Bug Bites with Essential Oils from Mix Wellness Healing Garden Salve from Nourishing Simplicity Strawberry Lemonade Foot Scrub from Richly Rooted Medicinal Yarrow Salve for Cuts, Rashes and Stings from Montana Homesteader DIY Non-Toxic … Continue reading
This is a guest post by Frugal RJ As environmentally conscious parents, we try to be knowledgeable about the contents and history of the products we use, but it can be awfully time consuming to find out where every product comes from and how it was made. We might purchase clothes and supplies labeled “organic,” but how true is that label? And does being marketed as “organic” automatically mean that the product was made through ethical means? Thankfully, as the “green movement” becomes a regular way of life, many organizations and agencies have emerged to help make living eco-friendly lifestyles more manageable. One such group is Fairtrade International, an organization that has fought to secure international standards for the ethical production of goods. Recognizing that every product results from a partnership between producers, businesses and consumers, Fairtrade International has created a set of standards that allow a product to carry Fairtrade … Continue reading
Here’s proof that one person can make a difference! Last summer a mom from California started a petition on change.org asking Medela to uphold their motto of “Breastfeeding for Earth” and implement a breastpump recycling program. Over 2,000 people signed the petition, and Medela responded by launching a breastpump recycling program in January. The Medela Recycles program intends to keep 12,000 breast pumps out of landfills by making it easy for moms to be eco-conscious in disposing of their breastpumps. Also, in exchange for the breastpumps received through Medela Recycles, the company will donate hospital-grade Medela Symphony® Preemie+™ breastpumps and supplies to Ronald McDonald House Charities® for families with babies in NICU. Actress and mother of two, Jenna von Oy, kicked off the campaign last month by donating two hospital grade pumps to her hometown Ronald McDonald House Charities.® This is what Jenna had to say about the Medela Recycles program: “I … Continue reading
All this Fifty Shades of Grey hype inspired me to devise a list of 50 ways you can green your sex life. It was a challenge to reach 50, and I encountered information I’d never considered before — like which methods of birth control are greenest. From sustainable sex toys and stimulating foods to organic lingerie and energy-efficient erotica, these 50 shades of greener sex might just give you some ideas. Get a green start by seeking out like-minded eco-conscious partners through dating sites such as Green Singles or Planet Earth Singles. Have sex during the day when there’s no need for lights and less need for heating. At night, keep the lights off and the thermostat down. Make your own heat under the covers. In summer, open windows or use an ENERGY STAR ceiling fan instead of running the air conditioner. Prefer keeping the lights on? Use LED bulbs, … Continue reading
The other week we received a notice from National Grid, our energy company, reporting that we are in the top 20% of energy efficiency among our neighbors. Woohoo! Even though I’m eco-minded, I was surprised by the report. It was quite validating to know that the energy updates we’ve made in our home are actually working! It inspired me to write this post, offering an acrostic of 10 ways to save electricity. Switch all light bulbs to CFLs or LEDs. Always cook using the smallest pot necessary and keep a lid on it. Ventilate sparingly in the bathroom — open a window if possible; otherwise run the fan for no more than 20 minutes after a shower. Energy-Star appliances are the way to go! Embrace natural light by opening shades. Not using it? Turn it off or unplug it. Employ timers and motion detectors for light fixtures. Reduce your … Continue reading
Buzzwords like “natural,” “eco-friendly” and “sustainable” frequently show up on packaging, but what do they mean? If a product says “organic,” is it really? Labeling can get downright confusing, and U.S. marketers take advantage of the fact that many consumers make purchases based on a certain word or “green-looking” graphics. That’s why third-party testing and certification processes were developed — to create sustainable standards that consumers can trust. This Ecolabel Index defines 449 labels (wow!) that speak to a variety of eco-conscious products or company. Below, I’ve selected 10 pretty common ones to seek out in your everyday consumer lives. Certified Green Restaurant® Make greener choices when you dine out. Restaurants with this seal meet standards of sustainability in resource efficiency, waste reduction and sourcing local foods. Certified Humane Raised and Handled This label ensures that the farm animals raised for your eggs or meat were treated humanely (clean, safe … Continue reading
Okay, so you’ve decided to make your life a little greener. Where do you begin? The amount of options out there can seem overwhelming, so start with ones that feel good to you. From A to Z, here are 26 eco-friendly actions to choose from on the road to green living. Begin with one or two changes, then add on at your leisure. Aside from saving the planet, many of these actions will also save you money and improve your health. Air-dry your laundry on an outdoor clothesline or indoor drying racks. Bring reusable containers for taking home restaurant leftovers. Compost food scraps and more. Drive a hybrid or fuel flex vehicle. Eat organic produce for the Dirty Dozen. Find a new purpose for items instead of throwing them away. Go paperless wherever possible, from electronic bills to cloth napkins and rags. Hook up a rain barrel to collect gray water for use … Continue reading
