New Soap in Old Bottles

Great idea. Read about how New Soap, a company which takes old plastic and glass bottles, cleans and sanitizes them and loads them up with soap. And not just any old soap — this is the good stuff, bought in bulk from the very suppliers who push the crap that helps us keep the landfills topped-up.

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/04/old-soap-new-bo.html

Green Building Has Benefits Financially

Great article about green office buildings and the financial benefits:

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/04/01/study-green-office-buildings-yield-financial-benefits/

CFL Light Bulbs Explained

Want an nice and easy explanation about CFL Light Bulbs? Check out CommonCraft's explanation:

The Green Way To Sell Products

Selling online is eco-friendly and keeps your costs down by not having to pay for a store front rent, utilities, staff, etc. 

I just came across a nifty new Web app called E-junkie.com. E-Junkie is a simple copy and paste solution for selling anything on the Web. That means you don't need a complicated e-commerce site to sell from your Web site, blog, Myspace, E-bay and more. Just simply insert the HTML and you can sell anything and collect payments with ease.

Get E-Junkie.com now!

Greener Electronics

Greenpeace is asking electronics companies to clean up their act! They are asking the companies to substitute harmful chemicals that are used in production of electronics.  Not only are the chemicals unsafe for workers but it is causing many electronics to become non-recyclable.  Check the Greenpeace Guide To Greener Electronics to see what they propose and how your favorite brands rate. 

Greenpeace's Guide To Greener Electronics

Deadly Plastic

Today CNN announced a new study shows that BPA is linked to heart disease and diabetes. While further tests are still to be run this is just another reason for consumers to be concerned about the health risks associated with the use of plastics. 

From some animal tests, exposure to BPA in the womb raises the risk of certian cancers, hampers fertility and could contribute to childhood behavioral problems like hyperactivity. According to researchers, BPA mimics naturally occurring estrogen, a hormone that is part of the endocrine system. The hormone controls the development of the brain, the reproductive system and many other systems in the developing fetus. 

Plastic water and baby bottles, food and beverage can linings and dental sealants are the most commonly encountered uses of this chemical. BPA has been found to leach from the plastic into the food or beverage into the mouths of consumers. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) 95% of Americans were found to have the chemical in their urine in a 2004 study. 

To make matters worse, BPA is not the only dangerous chemical found in plastics. PVC , AKA vinyl, is one of the most hazardous consumer products ever created. PVC can cause cancer and harm the immune and reproductive systems. PVC contains toxic additives which make is harmful. These chemicals can evaporate or leach out of the PVC and into our bodies. One of the most common additives is DEHP,  a carcinogen and reproductive toxicant found in PVC products. Children can be exposed to phthalates by chewing on vinyl toys. Adults can be exposed to the smell of a new shower curtain or new car - yep, that "new car smell" is PVC leaching into your environment. One EPA study found that vinyl shower curtains can cause elevated levels of dangerous air toxins (also known as VOCS - Volatile Organic Compounds) which can persist in your home for more than one month. 

What's worse, is that PVC cannot be recycled. Most consumers don't know that a #3 on the recycle symbol indicates that the item is made of PVC and therefore renders it as non-recyclable. So when you mistakingly toss that #3 PVC container in with the rest of you recyclables it can render thousands of potentially recyclable containers useless.

PVC is found in hundreds of household and workplace items. If you want to avoid PVC look for the #3 or the letter "V" inside or underneath the universal recycling symbol. This means the items is made from PVC. Most soft, flexible plastic products that are made from PVC have a distinct, strong odor. For a list of items that contain PVC click here.

Our troubles with plastic goes far beyond the plastic bottles we use. When food is wrapped in plastic wrap or placed in a plastic container and microwaved, substances used in the manufacturing process leak into the food. In particular, fatty foods such as meats and cheeses cause a chemical called Diethylhexyl Adipate to leach out into the plastic. Most takeout containers, water bottles, plastic tubs that hold margarine, yogurt, whipped topping, cream cheese, mayo and mustard are not microwave safe. Microwaving plastic storage bags is also dangerous. Many of us microwave our food in Tupperware which is also dangerous. Tupperware contains BPA. If you are interested in Tupperware's statements on using BPA you can visit their site to read more.  

The bottom line is that the FDA does not feel that BPA's or PVC's are necessarily harmful. Here's the problem: We cannot trust the FDA to protect us from the dangers of toxins, chemicals and other dangerous substances. The FDA is funded by user fees submitted with "New Drug Applications."  This means that when a company applies for FDA approval before going to market they pay a fee. The FDA wouldn't survive without funding. The FDA is known for approving harmful drugs without proper research and then after the drug has been on the market and consumers start to develop health problems or die only then does the FDA pull the item. We cannot trust the FDA to protect us. Like other government agencies, they are influenced by lobbyists and powerful corporations that give them money. 

I digress, the issue here is not so much the FDA as it is that consumers must educate themselves to protect themselves and their children from harmful chemicals in our lives. So what do you do about the hazards of plastics? Start using stainless steel water bottles, chemical free baby bottles, ceramic or microwave safe cookware and dishes. Educate yourself further on the harmful chemicals found in plastic children's toys and what the alternatives are. 

A Greener Computer

Now your computer can be green too! Check out "CO₂ Saver"a lightweight program that manages your computer's power usage when it's idle, saving energy and decreasing the demand on your power utility. The less electricity produced, the fewer harmful emissions and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) are released into the atmosphere. Download CO₂ Saver.com today.