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| via GreenWerks |
- Chapstick
- Kleenex
- Contact Lenses
- Hair Ties
- Internet
Chapstick: Eco-friendly chapstick is not all that hard to come by since the basic ingredients in good chapstick (beeswax, vitamin E, aloe leaf extract) are already organic and natural. For some great tutorials, check out not martha, a sanoma garden,and Passionate Homemaking. Conclusion: EASY!
Homemade Lip Balm Recipe (via a sonoma garden)Kleenex: Facial tissue originally was manufactured to remove theatrical makeup in Hollywood and not about personal disposable handkerchiefs. It was not until relatively recently, in 1926, that the original makers of tissues, the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, began manufacturing the disposable squares for large-scale personal consumption. Like chapstick, finding eco-friendly alternatives to Kleenex is not that difficult: I just need to begin using handkerchiefs. True, I'll be doing a tiny bit more washing, but at least they won't just pile up like a snowman in the trash can each week! Conclusion: EASY!
1 1/2 tsp. Beeswax
1 7/8 tsp. Coconut Oil (or in other words just shy of two teaspoons)
1 1/8 tsp. Cocoa Butter
3 tsp. olive oil
3 capsules Vitamin E
7 empty chapstick tubes
Contact Lenses: Finding eco-friendly versions of this necessity (more literally than the others since I'm basically blind) was harder than the others. While some contact lenses, such as monthly wear, are more environmentally conscious than other types, such as daily disposables, at its core, contact lenses are made of plastic. And since most plastic is made from petroleum products, there are no perfect solutions, although some contact lens solution bottles have gone green. Research is currently being conducted on soy-based contact lenses, but it will be a number of years before this option reaches the market. Lastly, even wearing glasses over disposable contact lenses is not necessarily more eco-friendly. Conclusion: DIFFICULT
Hair Ties: As with contact lenses and bottles for lens solution, most hair ties are currently manufactured with some kind of plastic (and therefore petroleum). While some companies like the UK-based People Tree (which also has adorable eco-friendly dresses) are now advertising organic hair ties, mainstream retailers and drug stores have yet to catch on. In the meantime, I will opt to buy less until other alternatives are readily available. Conclusion: ON HOLD
Internet: The internet itself is environmentally netural; however, when factoring in technology devices (computers, iThings, smart phones, e-readers, etc.) and electricity, using the internet is a drain on the environment. A single first step would be to reduce consumption of both tech devices and power: while asleep, why not unplug the internet and computer? A follow-up would be to investigate your energy provider: is it eco-friendly? Does it offer alternative or renewable energy sources? Does it have a green energy policy? You may also be interested in this video on internet usage and energy consumption. Conclusion: EASY!
Questions for you:
- What "necessities" can't you live without?
- Have you found green alternatives to them?
