Toxic Cookware: Looking at green non-stick pan alternatives

Green Irene Adds All-Natural Septic Treatment

Proper septic tank or field maintenance is crucial. If a septic system is not regularly maintained, it could back up and overflow. This leads to a costly, unpleasant clean-up process.

Unfortunately, many conventional septic tank maintenance systems use harsh chemicals that can be harmful to you and the environment. These chemicals destroy the beneficial, naturally occurring bacteria that help to breakdown waste in your septic system, and they can also enter the groundwater around your home.

We’re happy to announce the addition of an all-natural treatment for your septic system!

Meadow Springs All-Natural Septic System Treatment Meadow Springs Septic treatment uses all-natural yeast and enzymes to “feed” the bacteria that break down solid waste in your septic system. The result is a system that requires less pumping without any supplementary bacteria like Rid-X or harsh chemical additives. Think of it as green fuel for an efficient septic system!

If you have a septic tank or septic field, share your comments below on how you maintain your system!

Rosamaria Caballero
The Original Green Irene Eco-Consultant

New Green Irene Pet Products

We’re happy to announce the addition of new products for your furry friends! These new items are in-stock and ready to ship.

Dog Shampoo This all natural gentle dog shampoo provides calm, soothing bath time experience.  Our blend of pure essential oils nourishes your dogs coat leaving it clean, shiny and invigorated without the harsh chemicals. The mild cleansing agents are gentle and do not contain any detergents.

Biodegradable Dog Waste Bags Our Dog Waste Bags hold the distinction of being the first biodegradable and compostable “plastic” pooper bags in the world.  The waste and the bag can be thrown in your backyard compost, where both items can decompose naturally; the waste and bag can be buried, where micro-organisms will quickly eat both; the waste and bag can be set at curbside with other yard waste where communities collect biodegradable waste for composting.

Rosamaria Caballero
The Original Green Irene Eco-Consultant

Enter To Win One of 25 Green Home Makeovers

Meadow Springs’ all-natural septic tank maintenance system offers the perfect solution for homeowners seeking an alternative to conventional septic tank maintenance. This product can break down nearly 70% of solid waste with active yeast, natural enzymes and yeast nutrients, rather than the harsh chemicals found in the leading septic maintenance products. You’ll soon be able to buy a 6 month supply of Meadow Springs from your local eco-consultant.  And, Meadow Springs is also partnering with Green Irene to present the “Win A Green Home Makeover” Sweepstakes.

ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN 1 OF 25 GREEN HOME MAKEOVERS!

There is no purchase necessary to enter. On the contest entry form, please specify that you are visiting from greenirene.com. Check out Green Irene’s website to learn more about our $99 Green Home Makeover. Also have a look at our recent blog post featuring tips for septic tank maintenance.

All-Natural Septic Maintenance

I’m a city girl, but I stayed at a B&B in Maine this summer and saw the septic field gurgling out back. Anything that breaks down more quickly, and doesnt release chemicals into the ground well is a good green choice. That’s why Green Irene is going to be offering an all-natural septic maintenance system from Meadow Springs. Talk to your eco-consultant about purchasing a six month supply of this effective, nontoxic product. Meadow Springs and Green Irene are also offering “Win A Green Home Makeover” Sweepstakes! Enter today for a chance to be one of the 25 lucky winners to receive a Green Home Makeover with your local Green Irene Eco-Consultant. 

Proper septic tank or field maintenance is crucial. If a septic system is not regularly maintained, it could back up and overflow. This leads to a costly, unpleasant clean-up process. Unfortunately, many conventional septic tank maintenance systems use harsh chemicals that can be harmful to you and the environment. These chemicals also destroy the beneficial, naturally-occurring bacteria that help to breakdown waste in your septic system. The natural solution offered by Green Irene uses yeast to promote good septic health. Just 10 oz dose every month is enough to maintain your system. 

Beyond using a natural septic tank product, there are other ways to make sure your septic system works properly.

• Never flush coffee grounds or filters, paper towels, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, facial tissues, cat litter, or cigarette butts. These items can clog your septic tank in less time than you might imagine.
• Use aerators on faucets and flow-reducer nozzles on showers to help minimize water consumption. Your local eco-consultant can show you a wide range of low flow shower heads and other ways to drastically reduce your water consumption. That means less waste in your in septic system.
• A garbage disposal can double the amount of solids added to a septic tank. Choose a top-of-the-line disposal that grinds food into tiny particles that are easier for a septic system to digest.
• Avoid root damage by keeping trees at least 100 feet from the septic system.

Rosamaria Caballero
The Original Green Irene Eco-Consultant
rosamaria.caballero@greenirene.com

What Does “Organic” Mean?

Whenever I go grocery shopping, I’m overwhelmed by the number of labels appearing on food products. Is my “natural, sustainably-grown” apple better or worse than an apple with the USDA Organic seal? 

It’s not always clear, but you should know that claims like “natural,” “sustainably-grown,” and “environmentally-friendly” have no agreed upon legal definition. Companies that use these types of terms without providing supporting information are likely trying to greenwash their conventional products. Products that are independently certified are generally more trustworthy. Certified labels for food products include Fair Trade Certified, Marine Stewardship Council, Rainforest Alliance, Food Alliance, and more. But the most widely-used label is the USDA Organic label, pictured left. Despite the labels popularity, many people don’t know exactly what the label signifies. Here’s a summary:

• “Organic” means that the food was grown without the use of synthetic chemicals. Organic meat and dairy products come from cows that are hormone-free. Organic meat also comes from animals whose feed did not contain pesticides. 
• Products that display the seal are made with at least 95% organic ingredients by weight.
• The remaining 5% of ingredients can come from any substance on the USDA’s list of approved, non-organic substances. These include some food colorings, casings for sausages, and other ingredients.

The exact value of organic food remains a controversial subject. Some organic advocates argue that permitting non-organic substances in “organic” food undermines the value of the label. This movement often talks about the need to “go beyond organic.” Despite the flaws of organic agriculture, it is a reliable way to reduce the amount of pesticides on your food. A study by Consumer Reports found that more than 90% of conventionally-grown crops had noticeable pesticide residues, and many crops have multiple residues. Buying organic reduced pesticide exposure by around 75%. Other studies have found that children who eat an organic diet have considerably lower levels of pesticides in their bodies than children who eat a conventional diet. Buying organic also reduces the amount of pesticides in environment. Americans use about 1 billion pounds of synthetic pesticides a year. Pesticide exposure contributes to higher rates of cancer and other diseases in farm communities. Pesticide run-off can enter the watershed, harming aquatic life and impairing drinking water. For all these reasons, buying organic food whenever possible is a way of protecting the environment and your health.

- Green Irene

To find out more about this and other topics, contact your local eco-consultant.

Safest and Riskiest Fruits and Vegetables

For those of you who are concerned about food safety, yet cringe at the cost of organic produce, here is another piece of information for why buying local and organic is good for you. It’s research done by the Environmental Working Group on the chemical load carried by various fruits and vegetables.

Safest conventionally grown produce (lowest pesticide load)

– Onion - Avocado - Cabbage - Frozen sweet corn – Eggplant - Pineapple - Papaya - Mango - Watermelon

– Asparagus – Broccoli – Frozen sweet peas – Tomato – Kiwi – Sweet potato – Grapefruit - Honeydew melon

Note: Onions were lowest with a score of 1, the melon the highest with a score of 30 on a scale of 1-100.

Least safe conventionally grown produce (highest pesticide load)

– Peach - Apple - Sweet bell pepper - Celery –  Nectarine - Strawberries

– Kale –  Lettuce –  Imported grapes –  Carrots –  Pears – Cherries

Note: Peaches were the worst with a score of 100; pears the lowest with a score of 63. For all of these fruits and vegetables, tests were conducted after they were washed and peeled.

Anita Doyle, Green Irene Eco-consultant
earthlygoods.minneapolis@greenirene.com

http://greenirene.com/EarthlyGoodsMinneapolis

5 Ways To Reuse Plastic Bottles

Ever wonder whether there’s an alternative to recycling those used plastic bottles? Well, you know that the best alternative to that is using a reusable water bottle, such as Green Irene’s Stainless Steel Bottles. But in case you don’t have a Stainless Steel Bottle (and yous hould plan to get one soon if you don’t have one yet), there are ways you can reuse plastic bottles instead of sending them to the recycling facility. By doing so, not only will you save energy and other resources, but you’ll also get a bigger bang for the buck as the bottle will not serve a good purpose.

Below are 5 ways you can reuse plastic bottles:

1. Create a Juicer. Cut the bottom off of some plastic bottles to get a nice juicer. You can use the cone that bulges up from the bottom to squeeze orange and lemon juice. This will save you significantly on having to purchase a plastic or electric juicer.

2. Create Workout Weights. Fill different sized bottles with water (2.2 pounds) or sand (2.6 pounds) to use as impact resistant workout weights on land or in the pool. This will save you significantly on having to purchase weights or paying gym membership.

3. Make a Funnel. Cut the top off a plastic bottle and use it as a funnel in the kitchen or garage. For more detailed instructions, click here. This will help you save from spending on unnecessary items.

4. Dripless Ice Cubes. Fill the water bottles with water and freeze them up. Then use them in your ice chest during the summer instead of loose ice. This will not only save money, but it will also avoid the mess that melting ice creates.

5. Toilet Tank Trick. Instead of using a brick in your toilet tank (which can deteriorate the plumbing), drop one or two plastic bottles filled with water. You’ll displace enough water to displace half a gallon to a gallon. Your toilet will flush just fine and you’ll save a lot of water.

8 Body Care Toxins to Avoid

There are 8 body care toxins you should avoid! When you shop for your body and hair care products, take a few minutes to read the label on the product. Avoid the following problematic ingredients:

1. Mercury. Liquid mercury is slightly toxic, while its vapor, compounds and salts are highly toxic and have been implicated as causing brain and liver damage when ingested, inhaled as well as contacted. Also avoid the mercury preservative “thimerosal.”

2. Lead. Listed as “lead acetate,” lead is a neurotoxin. That means it attacks the nerves, causing high blood pressure in adults and learning problems in children.

3. Nanoparticles. Tiny nanoparticles, which may penetrate the skin and damage brain cells, are appearing in an increasing number of cosmetics and sunscreens. Most problematic are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, used in sunscreens to make them transparent. When possible, look for sunscreens containing particles of these ingredients larger than 100 nanometers. You’ll most likely need to call companies to confirm sizes, but a few manufacturers have started advertising their lack of nanoparticle-sized ingredients on labels. 

4. Placenta. Placenta is very rich in hormones. It produces progesterone,  somatomammotropin (also known as placental lactogen), as well as estrogen, relaxin, and beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG). These can cause children to develop faster than necessary.

5. Hydroquinone skin lightener. Hydroquinone is neurotoxic and allergenic, and there’s limited evidence that it may cause cancer in lab animals. It may also appear as an impurity not listed on ingredients labels.

6. Phthalates. Phthalates, which act as endocrine disruptors and may cause obesity and reproductive and developmental harm.

7. Petroleum by-products. Possible human carcinogens, petroleum distillates are prohibited or restricted for use in cosmetics in the E.U. but are found in several U.S. brands of mascara, foot-odor powder and other products. Look out for the terms “petroleum” or “liquid paraffin.”

8. Fragrance. The catchall term “fragrance” may mask phthalates, which act as endocrine disruptors and may cause obesity and reproductive and developmental harm. Avoid phthalates by selecting essential-oil fragrances instead.

10 Things You Should Avoid

What you choose to buy or not buy has a tremendous impact on the world we share.  Every year, the average American household will spend $17,000 on basics including food, clothing, body care, housewares etc. Now imagine that every dollar spent went toward promoting healthy, organic food; ending sweatshops and promoting Fair Trade; and creating a national marketplace for green products.

That’s what buying green is all about.  It’s about making purchasing decisions that help create a better world to leave to our children and children everywhere. So, to make such green purchasing decisions, always try to avoid the following items:

1) Styrofoam. Styrofoam is forever. It’s not biodegradable. Instead, buy recyclable and compostable paper cups. The best option is to invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you.

2) Paper towels. Paper towels waste forest resources, landfill space, and your money. Instead, when you do buy paper towels, look for recycled, non-bleached products. The best option is to buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse.

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. Instead, look for unbleached paper filters. The best option is to use reusable filters such as washable cloth filters.

4) Overpackaged foods and other products. Excess packaging wastes resources and costs you much more. Around 33% of trash in the average American household comes from packaging. Instead, buy products with minimal or reusable packaging. The best option is to buy in bulk and use your own containers when shopping.

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% of the world’s oxygen. Instead, look for Forest Stewardship Council certified wood. The best option is to reuse wood, and buy furniture and other products made from used or salvaged wood.

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. Instead, buy organic pest controllers such as diatomaceous earth. The best option is to plant native plants and practice integrated pest management. Plant flowers and herbs that act as natural pesticides.

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 hazardous materials in the home. Instead, look for nontoxic, vegetable-based, biodegradeable cleaners. The best option is to try making your own green cleaner using vinegar, water, and castile soap. 

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. Instead, buy the lowest-octane gas your car requires as listed in your owner’s manual. The best option is to make your next car purchase a hybrid.  Or ditch the car and take public transportation, ride a bike, or walk.

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. Instead, avoid plastics that are labeled as “PVC” or “#3.” Look for #1 and #2 plastics, which are easier to recycle and don’t produce as many toxins. Use sustainable construction materials. The best toption is to take action to tell manufacturers to stop using PVC plastics, especially in children’s toys.

10) Plastic forks and spoons. Disposable plastic utensils are not biodegradeable and not recyclable in most areas. Instead, use compostable food service items. The best option is to carry your own utensils and food containers.

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