{"id":428,"date":"2019-09-26T23:30:25","date_gmt":"2019-09-26T23:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sandybrown-koala-804212.hostingersite.com\/?p=428"},"modified":"2020-08-11T18:37:22","modified_gmt":"2020-08-11T18:37:22","slug":"how-to-choose-eco-friendly-household-and-personal-care-products","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lacsam.info\/?p=428&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose Eco-friendly Household and Personal Care Products"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>We know more today than at any other time in history about the impact humanity has had and continues to have on the environment. This knowledge must motivate us to take action to do what we can to minimize our impact today and tomorrow, and mitigate the impact of our actions of the past, ensuring we are passing on to our descendants a healthy planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What actions can\nwe take to safeguard and minimize our impact on the environment at Lac Sam and benefit\nour own health? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>We can use eco-friendly and biodegradable products for\nhousehold and personal care &nbsp;products\nthat are eco-certified and made using naturally derived, safe, non-toxic,\nbio-degradable ingredients and sustainable manufacturing practices that don\u2019t\nimpact the environment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That sounds easy\nenough, but sorting through the vast amount of available information to enable\nus to make the right choices is not. What do some of these buzzwords mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>\n  ECO-FRIENDLY\n  <\/td><td>\n  Products not\n  harmful to environment\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  BIODEGRADABILITY\n  <\/td><td>\n  Ability of\n  product to break down or decompose under natural conditions by living\n  microorganism such as bacteria, funghi and yeasts\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  COMPOSTABLE\n  <\/td><td>\n  Ability for\n  products to breakdown under specific environmental conditions.&nbsp; Relates to solid materials not liquids.\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  ECO\n  CERTIFICATION\/ECO LABELLING\n  <\/td><td>\n  Products that\n  have been verified by a third party that the environmental claims made by a\n  company about their products are credible\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  GREEN WASHING\n  <\/td><td>\n  Refers to\n  misinformation and misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a\n  product. There are no standards that regulate the meaning or usage of words\n  like green or natural. \n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  OECD 301 or 306 biodegradability\n  designation\n  <\/td><td>\n  &nbsp;Product will biodegrade in 28 days.&nbsp; When possible use products with this\n  certification.\n  <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For a more\ndetailed definition of biodegradable and composting see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.greengood.com\/terms_to_know\/biodegradable_and_compostable_definitions.htm\">http:\/\/www.greengood.com\/terms_to_know\/biodegradable_and_compostable_definitions.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The following link\nwill take you to the Gov\u2019t of Canada Office of Consumer Affairs web site which\nshows eco labels found on Canadian products that meet the appropriate criteria\nand other labels with related environmental considerations:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ic.gc.ca\/eic\/site\/oca-bc.nsf\/eng\/ca02742.html\">http:\/\/www.ic.gc.ca\/eic\/site\/oca-bc.nsf\/eng\/ca02742.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Home Cleaning Products<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Contain ammonia or chlorine, phosphorous, and\nother toxic solvents<\/li><li>Enter the environment when rinsed down\ndrains and flushed down toilets as we clean<\/li><li>Hazardous to health and safety \u2013 to breath\nor touch, deadly if ingested <\/li><li>Affect eco systems, fish, birds, and other\nwildlife<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Switching to eco-friendly\ncleaning products lessens water and air pollution, climate change and ozone\ndepletion, and is better for your health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When choosing home\ncleaning products review the product label and look for products that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>have\neco certification<\/li><li>have\ninformation related to how quickly the product biodegrades<\/li><li>clearly\nlist all product ingredients &#8211; &nbsp;look for\nthese words<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Plant\nBased<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Chemical free:&nbsp;&nbsp; Chlorine Free<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ammonia\nfree<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Solvent\nfree<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Phosphate\nfree<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; No synthetic fragrances or dyes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>OR <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Make your own eco-friendly cleaning products\nwith ingredients you likely already have such as vinegar, baking soda, and\nlemon juice to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The internet has many websites with various recipes for green alternatives to household cleansers.\u00a0\u00a0 The following link is to one such website &#8211; The Queen of Green &#8211; where you will find recipes for homemade all-purpose cleanser, laundry soap, \u00a0and more:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/davidsuzuki.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/queen-of-green-green-cleaning-recipes.pdf\">https:\/\/davidsuzuki.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/queen-of-green-green-cleaning-recipes.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The following link\nis to a list of worldwide eco labels on cleaning products:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ecolabelindex.com\/ecolabels\/?st=category,cleaning\">http:\/\/www.ecolabelindex.com\/ecolabels\/?st=category,cleaning<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Personal Care Products<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Contain\nchemicals &#8211; some that are known carcinogens- harmful to the environment including\naquatic life, waterfowl, and&nbsp; you<\/li><li>Enter the environment when flushed down\ndrains<\/li><li>Or directly by washing off our bodies when\nwe swim<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The dirty dozen is\na term coined by the David Suzuki Foundation as shorthand for 12 ingredients of\nconcern that are found in personal care products.&nbsp; Some of these are the same chemicals found in\nhousehold cleansers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 INGREDIENTS OF CONCERN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 USES IN PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>\n  BHA AND BHT\n  <\/td><td>\n  Preserve skin\n  care and cosmetic products\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  COAL TAR DYES\n  <\/td><td>\n  Hair Dye\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  DEA\/COCAMIDE DEA\n  <\/td><td>\n  Foaming agent or\n  thickener\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  PHTHALATE\n  <\/td><td>\n  Nail products,\n  soap, shampoo, hair spray\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  FORMALDEHYDE-RELEASING\n  PRESERVATIVES\n  <\/td><td>\n  Nail polish\/hardeners,\n  makeup, eyelash glue, hair gel, soap, lotion, shampoo, deodorant\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td><font style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><font style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> PARABENS  <\/font><\/font><\/td><td>\n  Preservative\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  PARFUM (greater\n  than 3000 chemicals used)\n  <\/td><td>\n  As Fragrance, in\n  almost every type of personal care product (as well as household products)\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL\n  (PEGS)\n  <\/td><td>\n  Emulsifier,\n  cleansing agent, skin conditioner\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  PETROCHEMICAL \u2013\n  Includes Petrolatum, paraffin, petroleum, or mineral oil\n  <\/td><td>\n  Lip glosses and\n  balms\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  SILOXANES-known\n  as MICROBEADS\n  <\/td><td>\n  Moisturizer and\n  facial treatment\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  SODIUM LAURETH\n  SULPHATE\n  <\/td><td>\n  Makes soap and\n  shampoo foam\n  <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n  TRICLOSAN \u2013 considered\n  to be a pesticide\n  <\/td><td>\n  Soap and\n  deodorant\n  <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When choosing\npersonal care products review the product label and look for products that: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>have\neco certification or contain 100 per cent all-natural ingredients that come\nfrom plants, flowers and mineral origins*<\/li><li>have\ninformation related to how quickly the product biodegrades<\/li><li>contain\nno chemical ingredients as listed above<\/li><li>were\nnever tested on animals<\/li><li>manufacturing\nprocess retains the integrity of the natural ingredients<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>*Depending\non the product, ingredients such as<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; algaes, aloe vera, argan oil, bees wax, coconut oil, flower and\nessential oils,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ginger,\nglycerin, jojoba oil, shea butter, witch hazel and zinc oxide will be listed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>OR <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Make your own eco-friendly personal care\nproducts.&nbsp; Follow these links to recipes\non how to make shampoo, deodorant and skin care products:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wellnessmama.com\/4992\/natural-skin-care-options\/\">https:\/\/wellnessmama.com\/4992\/natural-skin-care-options\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wellnessmama.com\/5801\/diy-beauty-recipes\/\">https:\/\/wellnessmama.com\/5801\/diy-beauty-recipes\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The following link is to a list of worldwide eco\nlabels on personal care products:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ecolabelindex.com\/ecolabels\/?st=category,cosmetics_personal_care\">http:\/\/www.ecolabelindex.com\/ecolabels\/?st=category,cosmetics_personal_care<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sunscreen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Ingredients in sunscreen, such as\nOctinoxate and Oxybenzone are known to harm coral reefs<\/li><li>&nbsp;Sunscreens\nwash off our bodies in the lake when we swim&nbsp;\n&nbsp;<\/li><li>Chemical sunscreen ingredients are hormone\ndisrupters and accumulate in fish, amphibians, the environment and you &nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When choosing sunscreen,\nreview the product label and look for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Mineral\nbased products that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (nano particle free) and\/or\nsunscreen that is coral reef friendly or reef friendly as these are less\nharmful to ecosystems. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Wait\n30 minutes after applying before you go in the water.&nbsp; <\/li><li>Reduce\nthe amount of sunscreen you need, by wearing hats, shirts and other clothing\nthat have UV protection. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Summary<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When choosing products for household cleaning or\npersonal care it may sometimes not be possible to choose a product that meets\nall the criteria needed to be completely eco-friendly, in those circumstances\nchoose products that do the least harm to the environment.&nbsp; Think about the health and beauty of the lake\nwe love and make choices that will protect Lac Sam<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>David Suzuki\nFoundation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marine Safe\/Sun screen\npollution<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Environmental\nWorking Group (EWG)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ewg.org\/\">https:\/\/www.ewg.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ecoholic (Now Magazine)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enviro Citizen <a href=\"https:\/\/www.envirocitizen.org\/\">https:\/\/www.envirocitizen.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Groom and Style&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href=\"https:\/\/groomandstyle.com\/eco-friendly-skin-care-20-companies-leading-change\/\">https:\/\/groomandstyle.com\/eco-friendly-skin-care-20-companies-leading-change\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Organic Consumers\nAssociation <a href=\"https:\/\/www.organicconsumers.org\/news\/how-toxic-are-your-household-cleaning-supplies\">https:\/\/www.organicconsumers.org\/news\/how-toxic-are-your-household-cleaning-supplies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What&#8217;s Your Favorite Eco\nProduct\/Brand?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a favorite\neco product\/brand to recommend please share the names of brands of products that you\nuse and like or your recipes for eco-friendly home made products, with the\nenvironmental committee.&nbsp; We will post\nthem on our website as a resource for fellow cottagers to access. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>EH<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We know more today than at any other time in history about the impact humanity has had and continues to have on the environment. This knowledge must motivate us to take action to do what we can to minimize our<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":431,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environment-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lacsam.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/428","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lacsam.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lacsam.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lacsam.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lacsam.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=428"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lacsam.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/428\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":593,"href":"https:\/\/lacsam.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/428\/revisions\/593"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lacsam.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/431"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lacsam.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lacsam.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lacsam.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}