Top 10 Products to Avoid
I read quite a few blogs on various topics but a great one for those of you interested in environmental issues is One Change. They post lots of helpful tips on ‘going green’ as well as comments on the latest news. The latest post of interest is a list of things you should never buy again. Here’s the list with my comments added:
1. Styrofoam cups
Styrofoam is forever. It’s not biodegradable.
* I can’t remember the last time I used a styrofoam cup but for all those takeaway coffee drinkers, it’s worth finding an alternative.
2. Paper towels
Paper towels waste forest resources, landfill space, and your money.
* I couldn’t imagine going without paper towels. I do buy the eco friendly variety but I should probably use old clothes or towels to clean up.
3. Bleached coffee filters
Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer in humans and animals.
* I’m not a coffee drinker which looks to be a good thing if this is what is used to make coffee.
4. Overpackaged foods and other products
Excess packaging wastes resources and costs you much more. Around thirty three percent of trash in the average American household comes from packaging.
* A LOT of products seem to have too much packaging, with layers and layers of plastic. The main way to avoid this is simply to buy less packaged food and to go for fresh food instead. Also look out for products packaged in recycled or recyclable materials.
5. Teak and mahogany
Every year, 27 million acres of tropical rainforest (an area the size of Ohio) are destroyed. Rainforests cover 6% of Earth’s surface and are home to over half of the world’s wild plant, animal, and insect species. The Amazon rainforest produces 40 percent of the world’s oxygen.
* I vote for switching to bamboo products, the production of which causes less damage to the environment.
6.Chemical pesticides and herbicides
American households use 80 million pounds of pesticides each year. The EPA found at least one pesticide in almost every water and fish sample from streams and in more than one-half of shallow wells sampled in agricultural and urban areas. These chemicals pose threats to animals and people, especially children.
* You all know my view on this one - Buy Organic!
7. Conventional household cleaners
Household products can contain hazardous ingredients such as organic solvents and petroleum-based chemicals that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your indoor environment, positing a particular danger for children. The average American household has three to ten of hazardous matter in the home.
* Avoid nasty chemicals by buying eco friendly cleaning products or making your own.
8. Higher octane gas than you need
Only one car in ten manufactured since 1982 requires high-octane gasoline. High-octane gas releases more hazardous pollutants into the air, and may be bad for your car.
* I don’t know too much about cars but they recommend buying the lowest octane petrol your car requires. If you say so…
9. Toys made with PVC plastic
70% of PVC is used in construction, but it is also found in everyday plastics, including some children’s toys. Vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC, is a known human carcinogen. Also, additives, such as lead and cadmium, are sometimes added to PVC to keep it from breaking down; these additives can be particularly dangerous in children’s toys. PVC is also the least recycled plastic.
* I recommend you choose organic cotton toys.
10. Plastic forks and spoons
Disposable plastic utensils are not biodegradeable and not recyclable in most areas.
* These are pretty convenient for when travelling but I think you can get recyclable utensils now or just forget about the convenience and take some regular cutlery with you and wash them afterwards.
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Great list. I’m going to put bamboo flooring in my new home as I think it’s a fantastic sustainable material which looks great too!
As for the other things on the list, well, I’ve got a bit of work to do.
Thanks!
I am complying as quick as I can!!! It is difficult for me to live w/o papertowels, but grandma did so can I! Already don’t use chemicals in garden, never have. Trying to figure out how to get companies to STOP using so much plastic wrapping…decided to write them letters. Take care and thank you!
You don’t have to comply! Of course every bit helps.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
great list…if an office building had water boilers and porcelain mugs where office workers did not need to go downstairs for coffee, think of all the waste that is not going out there…
I’ve worked in many offices over the years and there have always been coffee making facilities with porcelain mugs provided for the staff.
Is that not the case where you are?
Nice list! Forgot over-processed foods. They require more energy, are less nutricious, more expensive, and use the most packaging. Eat fresh yummy vegetables. The vegetarianer the better.
Why can’t we have tea ladies in offices again? Porcelain cups, real t ea in tea pots and giving employment to older ladies who need the company, money, a reason to get up as well as feeling needed. Tea and coffee machines always seem so “germy” to me and when they need cleaning or re-filling, nobody wants to do it. A bit like fixing the photocopier!
Are disposable nappies a no no?
I think disposable anything should be avoided if possible. However, I understand it’s not always practical to use reusable nappies. All I suggest is we all do our best to use less of these kinds of products.
One Change is awesome!
Well, can we expand even more on this list? I went with GDiapers, 2 hybrids, organic (everything we can find), and yet have been able to locate an organic liquid vitamin or similar. Know of any? We started our own garden (very cheap) and wow, growing your own veggies is easy. I think its weird that I need to go to a organic site and a “green” site for energy conservation and waste control. We should make a complete site! Anyone interested ?
yes, I would be interested in a site for energy conservation and waste control. Go for it.
Im new to all this. My husband and i are expecting a new baby in August. We are really triing to make the efforts in changing how we live, in order to create a better and safer place for our kids. Thank you so much for this information, I just wish there was a way to let more people out there know how important it is to take care of our world for future generations to come. We will be using bamboo nappies.