Which "environmentally friendly" products are worth the money and which ones are just hype?

Question

I have become more environmentally aware over the past few years and recently I have given more thought to products (such as cleaning, garbage bags, etc) which are more evironmentally friendly in their ingredients than others. Unfortunately, I am sure some companies are just jumping on the "green bandwagon", so I was wondering if any of you out there had any brands that you stick by as the "real thing" and not just a company performing "greenwashing". Also, I noticed that most environmentally friendly products are more expensive than their regular counterparts, so...how much is too much to spend?

All advice is greatly appreciated!!!

Answer 1

here is the stuff I use!!

I stay away from most ccommercial cleaning products. I went and purchased:

baking soda. It's the only abrasive cleaner you will ever need! It even works great as a laundry "soap" when you are in a pinch (like when you run out of detergent like I ALWAYS do!)... put in half a cup with your wash, and it brightens whites, and seems to really clean your laundry well, with no smell or residue... wash on cold water, to conserve energy!! Use to wash pots/pans, tubs, sinks...

Recycled plastic spray bottles. I use them to mix up your own cleaning supplies (straight vinegar works wonders on glass, countertops, faucets and taps, etc). The acidity in it kills a lot of bacteria, and it can help get rid of mould.

I also buy recycled plastic toothbrushes and razorblades:

www.recycline.com --- really reasonably priced, recycled, and come with a prepaid envelope to mail them back to the company when they wear out so they can be recycled AGAIN!!

I noticed CLOROX company bought out "BURTS BEES". Burts has been a favourite lotion/creams/ chap stick company of mine for years- organic ingredients and recycled or recyclable packaging. I'm a little concerned about Clorox buying them out. Clorox has also released a line of "Green" cleaning products. I don't know much about Clorox, but I am worried about them "jumping on the green bandwagon" too. I guess time will tell.

WalMart carries a brand called "Attitude"--- cleaning supplies. Comes in recyclable packaging, and uses essential oils as scents. I have used it before, but I tend to stick to vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, etc for cleaning.

Swiffer dry cloths can be composted, so I don't feel so bad about using "convenience" products from them However, STAY AWAY from Swiffer WetJets. The solution contains tons of harmful chemicals- I bought one a few years back and my dog got sick from l*****g up the sweet smelling solution- turns out it has anti freeze in it-- yuck!! You will save $ in the long run making your own cleaning stuff-- buy baking soda and vinegar in bulk and save even more. Most (99%) "green" cleaning products are definately just on the shelves because the company realizes consumers will likely go for it as oppsed to the bottle of bleach, because their product says "green" or "natural"- thus making them more money. Scams!! lol

I try to buy antique or vintage furniture and linens. SO many of these products, when new, off-gas chemicals from their manufacturing process, and glues, preservatives, etc. Try to buy quality used items for your home as opposed to new- it also helps save the energy (and burning of fossil fuels) needed to make the item new.

WalMart has become North Americas largest organic cotton purchaser. They have also converted several of their flagship stores to use solar and wind power. which is AWESOME!! About the cotton, tho- it is super worth spending a bit of extra $ to buy organic cotton items (towels, clothes, bedding, etc). Cotton is the worlds most pesticide/insecticide intensive product- in fact, 25% of the worlds pesticides and insecticides are used on cotton crops. But organic cotton whenever possible! I only clothe my kids in organic cotton. TIP: organic cotton isnt treated with stain repellants, so it stains easier. I boil heavily soiled organic cotton in a pot of water with some lemon slices in it to remove stains and dinginess. I also only wear organic undergarments. They feel better, last longer, and are better for the planet. :)

Organic foods--- TRY to eat organic whenever possible. Did you know bananas are one of the worlds most heavily sprayed crops?! I ONLY buy organic bananas. Even tho you peel the skin, this time its not about what passes your lips, it's about what gets sprayed into the environment. DEFINATELY stick to organic produce when it is something you DONT peel-- and make sure to wash them well (use some warm water and a pinch of baking soda to "scrub" off any dirt before you eat it, organic or not). Organic food, in my opinion, is DEFINATELY worth more money.

To make a long story short- I am not sure per se any BRANDS are worth sticking by-- except Mrs Meyers cleaning products- I love love love them! I just make my own cleaning stuff, purchase recycled items when available, and all of that. I think overall rather than sticking to a brand, sticking to a homemade sustainable life makes more of a long term difference, to both the planet and to your wallet.

-Use reuseable shopping bags. That's all I use. I made a rule for myself that if I forget the reuseable bags, I have to carry whatever I buy without bags. Even paper bags are no good- they are usually made from "virgin" paper pulp- which comes from freshly harvested trees, not recycled ones (virgin paper is stronger than recycled paper).

-organic foods are worth the extra $$!!

-organic cotton is worth the extra $$

-Natural/organic/sustainable housewares (bedding, furniture, etc) may NOT be worth it- buy used and save the burning of electricity usually used to make that "green. nautral organic" sofa or chair.

-Cosmetics are worth the extra $- but make sure it does NOT say "petroleum/petro/" anywhere on the ingredient list!! MOST chapstick, for example, is made with some kind of petroleum in there somewhere. Rule of thumb-- only buy products where you can READ and PRONOUNCE the ingredient list easily!!

Also. Check out what types of plastics your locality recycles- that product you spend more for reycled packaging may not be such a good deal for the planet if your locality won't recycle said packaging!!

Any more ideas needed, feel free to message me... I hope I helped you out some!!

Answer 2

petroleum,plutonium

Answer 3

Any Energy Star rated product would be a good choice.

To receive the Energy Star rating the product must meet high standards and be at lest 30% more efficent then the norm.