Batteries!

A heads up for all ye who, like me, have been throwing their batteries in the trash can all these years:

DON'T DO IT!



According to recyclenow.com, the average household uses about 21 batteries a year - all of which should be recycled. From the California Integrated Waste Management Board, "All batteries are considered hazardous waste in California when they are discarded. This includes all batteries of sizes AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9 Volt, and all other batteries, both rechargeable and single use. Batteries are considered hazardous because of the metals and/or other toxic or corrosive materials contain within. Batteries are potentially a valuable source of recyclable metal."

So collect 'em from your friends and take 'em over to the recycling center. Visit "Where Can I Recycle My...?" and put in your California zip code to find out where this is.

English Retreads

When I pay off all my college loans, I'm going to celebrate by buying myself some trashion from English Retreads.

Yes, California consumerism meets green in this Boulder, CO creation: bags made from old tires.

And maybe they smell like rubber, but they still look cool!

The Environmental Working Group

The Environmental Working Group developed ratings for cosmetics and shampoos (mostly over the counter stuff - not salon stuff). 0-2 products are low hazard, 3-6 products are moderate hazard, and 7-10 products are high hazard.


Aveda products are largely low or moderate hazard, minus a sunscreen or conditioner here or there. That's only slightly less hazardous than the TreSemme giant bottle I'm using, but I guess every little bit of toxicity counts.

Aveda adopted a "Green Ingredient Policy" in 2006, including "soil to bottle" and "cradle to cradle" clauses. Check out more on their website.

Green Blogging

Looking for a daily source of delightful and/or strange information? Try TreeHugger! "Partial to a modern aesthetic, it shares sustainable design, green news and solutions."



You, too, can sign up for updates in your mailbox.

Green Face!

Did you know that the average daily makeup wearer absorbs 5 lbs. of cosmetic chemicals into their body each year?


Yikes!


A June article from the Daily Telegraph details the study. "Among chemicals under scrutiny are parabens (para-hydroxybenzoic acids) which are preservatives used in products including soap, shampoo, deodorant and baby lotion. Traces of parabens have been found in breast tumour samples, although its link to the development of the cancer is disputed."

So what do I do with my fresh Wednesday paycheck? I roll on over to Whole Foods, carriers of Dr. Hauschka Cosmetics, and replace my 4 year old stash with something with fewer chemicals. Greenwashing? Maybe, but it's nice to know I'm not using mascara that's a "hothouse for bacteria." I also like the way they separately refer to makeup as "Decorative Cosmetics." That's a much healthier distinction, I think. The colors look better and the cosmetics actually smell good - and I know what things on the ingredient list are! It still weirds me out that I'm putting beeswax on my eyes, but better than cytl-benzoic-laureth-lauryl-sulfatoxin I suppose.

I think Whole Foods is having an October sale on Dr. Hauschka stuff, too.

Putting Pearl to Pasture

As someone famous for dealing with the Minnesota cold by driving the three blocks to school, I figured it was about time I evened out my carbon footprint and started walking to work.



Rather like these svelte looking power walkers. No, really!

Here is why I like walking to work:
1. It wakes me up in the morning
2. I get 40 extra minutes of free exercise in every day
3. I avoid unpredictable traffic (meaning I'm on time every day) and the crazy junior college kids just waiting to bash up my car
I also have a roommate I happen to work with, so it's a nice chance to catch up. Even when I walk alone, it's a good time to call people - no hands free bluetooth whatever required.

Mind you, it's still a struggle, and a bit of a rush getting out by 7:40 every morning. Soon I will need to buy galoshes or something for the rainy season.

Live too far to commute on foot? Check out the places you can walk to at Walkscore!