As a “dog mom” of three, I can vouch: It’s nice to be recognized for all the love and devotion we pour into our fur balls. But a bouquet of flowers isn’t the best gift for a pet mom. Instead, consider these must-haves for any dog or cat mama.

Chocolate, Of Course!

Pamper your favorite pet mom with a sweet treat that also gives back. Not only is Rescue Chocolate 100 percent vegan, the company also donates 100 percent of their net profits to animal rescues around the country. My personal favorite? Peanut Butter Pit Bull!

Organic Animal-Themed Apparel for a Cause

For a unique gift that will make her feel good, too, give a hand-painted T-shirt that gives back to animal welfare organizations and is made ethically and organically. JACA T-shirts are made from super soft 100 percent organic cotton and low-impact dyes. Each supports an animal-related organization.

Biodegradable Pet Waste Bags

No, it’s not the most heartwarming gift, but all dog moms go through a lot of pet waste bags. Get her a cute dispenser stuffed with biodegradable poop bags to brighten up the pick up. Try the Poochie Pick Up Biodegradable Bags or, for someone with large or multiple dogs, a box of 880 purple, biodegradable bags would be much appreciated.

Especially for Cat Moms

Cat moms love to spoil their pets, and there’s no better way than with organic catnip. Fat Cat Kitty Hoots Zoom Around the Room Organic Catnip is a healthy alternative to non-organic, which often contains fillers. For a more interactive catnip toy, KONG Naturals Natural Mice Cat Toy is made from renewable resources and will keep cats busy hunting and pouncing.

Picture This: Recycled, Eco-Friendly Picture Frame

We dog and cat moms love pictures of our pets! Pick up a recycled or eco-friendly picture frame like this Umbra Simple Wood frame, made from plantation grown, eco-friendly rubberwood. Include a picture of the pet mama snuggling with her animals for the perfect Mother’s Day gift.

Image credits: jlantzy, Rescue Chocolate, Jus Animalium, ShopWithEase.com, Amazon, Amazon

We need forward-thinkers who can look outside of the box, creative entrepreneurs with foresight and the ability to see the big picture, companies that are daring enough to challenge the disposable mindset with product life cycles that eliminate waste . . .  a company like TerraCycle, for example, which recycles consumer waste and donates money to charities at the same time.

TerraCycle

For one ingenious start-up, all it took was a little creative thinking and some help from Mother Nature. The idea for TerraCycle was born in 2001 when Tom Szaky, a 20-year-old Princeton University freshman, observed near-miraculous results when he nourished some indoor plants with a fertilizer he had produced by feeding table scraps to some red wiggler worms.

This young fertilizer producer began with empty pockets and long hours spent shoveling rotting food behind Princeton cafeterias. But with the help of a little cash and media attention, TerraCycle began to distribute its plant food packaged in recycled soda bottles through major retailers such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot. 

With a new factory in Trenton, NJ, TerraCycle wasted no time in addressing the company’s social responsibilities and quickly became a second-chance employer for ex-convicts, veterans and parolees. The company also offered up the building to local artists as a blank canvas for urban expression.

After seeing the success of their Bottle and Can Brigade to collect used soda bottles for the fertilizer packaging, Szaky saw a real opportunity. TerraCycle soon launched the Drink Pouch Brigade, followed by the Yogurt Container Brigade, the Energy Bar Wrapper Brigade and many other product-specific “Brigades” to find new uses for specific types of waste.

How It Works

Today TerraCycle works to eliminate our idea of “waste” through 40 Brigades that facilitate collection programs for hard-to-recycle materials. Many of these Brigades offer free collection as TerraCycle pays for the shipping. The company turns the waste that it collects into affordable green products.

For most items, TerraCycle will donate $0.02 per unit collected to a charity or school of your choice. Some of the products that TerraCycle collects include energy bar wrappers, used flip-flops, yogurt containers, Ziplock bags, ink cartridges, cell phones and Huggies diaper package wrappers.

To start a Brigade in your neighborhood or at your organization follow these simple steps:

1. Sign up at TerraCycle.net.

2. Choose a waste type to collect and join a Brigade.

3. Put out a collection box and promote it to your friends, neighbors and colleagues.

4. Download a free shipping label and send your waste to TerraCycle.

5. Waste is turned into products.

6. For most items, TerraCycle also donates $0.02 per unit to a charity of your choice.

These initiatives have spurred TerraCycle to become one of the fastest growing green companies in the world with over 1.9 billion waste units collected, 260 waste products produced and over $2.3 million raised for charity!

Image credits: TerraCycle.

An organic Easter basket can be a simple thing to put together. Here are some tips for pulling together green, recycled and organic components for the basket:

The Basket

The most important part of the Easter basket is, well, the basket. Handwoven is your best bet.

Ten Thousand Villages, an organization that sells fair trade handmade gifts from “thousands of disadvantaged artisans in 38 developing countries,” has a two-handled, oval date palm basket which could work nicely as an Easter basket. Ten Thousand Villages “encourages artisans partners to use environmentally friendly processes, sustainable natural resources and recycled materials to ensure each product has been crafted responsibly.”

The retailer Bellacor also offers a mini quilter’s basket, made by Eco Displayware, a company which produces “only eco-friendly products . . . made from sustainable materials (all are either biodegradable or recyclable.).”

The Grass

The plastic grasses sold in bulk in neon pinks, purples, greens and blues may add some color to your basket, but they will also permanently add color to the landfill they’ll end up in.

Instead, try stuffing your basket with the biodegradable “grass.” Century Novelty sells biodegradable Easter Basket grass by the bag.

Nashville Wraps also sells eco-friendly “Green Way” Recycled Color Tissue Shreds made from 100 percent recycled tissue shred by the bag in a wide variety of spring-like colors.

The Eggs

What would an Easter basket be without eggs? Start off with all natural, cage-free, hormone- and antibiotic-free white eggs like these from Nature’s Yoke. Organic white eggs are difficult to find, but look for cartons with labels like “Certified Humane,” ”Certified Organic” or “SlowFood USA.”

Egg dying is one of the best parts of the Easter season. Methods abound for naturally coloring your eggs with ingredients from your local produce shelf. If you want to color an egg pink, hardboil the eggs with some beets. Want yellow? Throw lemon peels into the boiling water with the eggs. Toss in spinach while hardboiling to get green. Mix in about one tablespoon of vinegar to make the color take. Let the eggs soak a while for richer colors.

You could even add all-natural patterns to your eggs. Pick some ferns or leaves with pretty patterns. Grab an old pair of nylons or cheesecloth, lay the decorations on the egg and wrap it all together tightly inside the nylon/cheesecloth. Boil with peels of a red onion and a tablespoon of vinegar for about 30 minutes. Let them dry, unwrap them and enjoy your beautiful, rustic Easter egg.

The Chocolate

Looking for the classic chocolate Easter bunny? Izzit found some organic options.

Burlington, Vermont-based Lake Champlain chocolatiers make a 5.5 inch organic chocolate bunny in either dark chocolate or milk chocolate. Both versions are USDA certified organic and wrapped in “compostable cellophane gift bags and tied with a festive ribbon woven from yarn made with recycled bottles,” the company says.  

A vegan option is offered by Vegan Essentials in the form of a 6.8 ounce, solid,  organic dark chocolate Easter bunny.

Organic Jelly Beans and Lollipops

Can’t forget about the jelly beans, now can we?

Illinois-based Surf Sweets makes USDA certified organic gummy candies and jelly beans from organic fruit juice and sweeteners that are free of corn syrup, GMOs and artificial colors. Their jelly beans come in cherry, grapefruit, grape, lemon, strawberry and orange flavors.

Looking for some lollipops? The Natural Candy Store sells USDA certified organic, high fructose-free lollipops — made by the Massachusetts-based Strawberry Hill Confectionery – which come in cute Easter shapes, like the orange flavored bunny, the lemon flavored duck and the green apple flavored Easter egg.

Vegan Peeps

What about the classic marshmallow Peeps? Well, a company named Chicago Soydairy makes a vegan version of them called, Dandies Tweets. Chicago Soydairy also has a number of eco-friendly initiatives at its manufacturing facility for which they buy green energy credits and recycle 80 percent of their waste, according to the company’s web site.

Their orange flavored bunnies and lemon  flavored chicks are sold via Vegan Essentials and come in packs of three.

Organic Stuffed Bunny

One last addition to your playful Easter basket could come in the form of one of Mary Meyer’s adorable Organic Little Sprouts bunnies.

Then, after all this green, eco-goodness, the only footsteps left this Easter will be those of the Bunny. 

By Stephanie M. McPherson

Image credits : ImagesfromBulgaria.com/Creative Commons, Ten Thousand Villages,  Nashville Wraps, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Surf Sweets, Chicago Soydairy/Vegan Essentials, Mary Meyer Toys.

An added bonus: The fertilizers, pest controls and weed killers Izzit has found are also safe for the kids too.

Fertilizers

Earth Smart’s organic lawn fertilizer — ESLF – is formulated to create healthy soil. With a combination of complex carbohydrates, macro and micro nutrients, amino acids, enzymes, proteins, vitamins and minerals, it also contains a variety of natural substances for soil and plant improvement. Because it doesn’t contain any synthetic chemicals, the formulation is safe for animals and the planet.

The company says that, because of their earth-safe ingredients, this product is also safe to use near sensitive environments like streams. Find it on the Earth Smart website.

Produced by the family-run FoxFarm Soil & Fertilizer Company, Happy Frog Organic Lawn Fertilizer contains bat guano, kelp meal, bone meal, feather meal and humic acid, a naturally occurring organic material formed when organic matter decomposes. This formulation is both pet-safe and eco-friendly. And the Happy Frog packaging is as functional as it is adorable. Find it on Amazon.

Pest Control

The most eco- and pet-safe way to eliminate pests is by maintaining high soil quality and creating a diverse ecosystem. For example, installing birdfeeders around your lawn and garden will help eliminate insects. However, if you are overrun with pests, or if you haven’t established healthy soil yet, there are a handful of pet-safe pest control options.

St. Gabriel Organics’ Milky Spore Grub Control kills the dreaded Japanese beetle grubs. The 100 percent natural and organic formula carries a “Pet Approved” seal. According to the company, if you can establish the milky spore in your garden or lawn, it will last 15 to 20 years. Find St. Gabriel Organics on Amazon or in Ace Hardware stores.

Another option for pet-safe pest control is insecticidal soap. Most of the commercial products contain additives that aren’t pet- or eco-friendly, so make your own with liquid castile soap by combining two tablespoons of the soap with a quart of water in a spray bottle. Because this kills insects on contact, spray liberally around your garden.

For a pet-safe soap that’s also easy on the environment, try Dr. Bronner’s Magic All-One, which is biodegradable and vegetable-based, made with Certified Fair Trade and Certified Organic oils, and available on Amazon.

Weed Killers

Few weed killers that truly are pet- and eco-friendly are commercially available. St. Gabriel Organics sells BurnOut Weed & Grass Killer, a product that kills both weeds and problem grasses. Made from food-grade ingredients, the organic weed killer is pet-safe but will probably require several applications to eliminate root systems.

For a DIY weed killer, utilize things you already have around your home. For instance, pouring boiling water will kill any plant it touches, but make sure kids and pets stay far away while you pour.

Salt and vinegar are eco-friendly and pet-safe options that work to kill unwanted plants. With vinegar, pour it around the base of the plant. Several applications might be required. Be careful with salt, though, because it will kill everything it touches and render that soil useless for future planting. Salt works best for driveways and sidewalk cracks where you want to eliminate growth almost permanently.

Lawn Care Services

No time for DIY? Consider hiring a lawn care service that takes environmental responsibility seriously. During your first meeting with a potential service provider, tell them about your pets and ask what types of pet-safe products they use. Warning: Many services claim to be pet- and kid-safe, however, what they often mean is that pets and kids can play in the lawn . . . 48 hours after application of chemicals, that is. Use the Lawn Care Directory to find an eco-friendly and pet-safe service provider near you.

Image credits: angeloangelo, Earth Smart, FoxFarm,  St. Gabriel Organics

One of these options is starch-based plastics that are developed from renewable, biomass sources such as corn or potatoes. However, biodegradable, starch-based plastics only break down into smaller pieces which means that they will never totally disappear. Plus, starch-based plastics are affected by light and heat making them somewhat less idea for sturdy consumer products.

In light of these drawbacks, an innovative water bottle company has decided to explore another option. After much research and testing, the California-based BioGreen Bottles settled on their ideal combination:

Their BioGreen Bottles are made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) along with a non-toxic, organic additive the company calls an ”EcoPure additive.” These components make BioGreen Bottles biodegradable, recyclable, BPA-free and FDA food safe. In addition, the bottles are not affected by heat or light and are, in fact, made of recycled materials themselves.

EcoPure

The EcoPure additive in the BioGreen bottles is organic, non-starch, non-toxic and eco-friendly. It functions by accelerating the biodegradation cycle that occurs in a typical landfill environment. This means that BioGreen bottles will not begin degrading until they are in an active microbial environment such as a landfill or compost. Once in one of these environments the process takes about one to five years.

After the decaying process, all that is left behind by EcoPure is biomass and biogas. Plus, the biomass can even then be used to enrich the soil to grow new plants, a win-win.

EcoPure supports the best of both worlds. Consumers can continue to enjoy the safety and convenience of plastic without leaving a mess behind for their grandchildren. While manufacturers can maintain their current manufacturing process by simply mixing EcoPure in with their primary resin much like a color.

BioGreen offers several eco-friendly water bottle options at great prices, all of which enjoy the benefits of this new greener plastic as well as being top-shelf dishwasher safe and made domestically in the United States.

Sport Bottles

These bike-ready BioGreen sport bottles offer a convenient duo-flow cap that is completely leak-proof. The wide-mouth opening makes these bottles easy to fill with liquids and ice.

These bottles are available in both a 20 ounce size and a 26 ounce size.

Hollywood Bottles

This stylish, 30 ounce Hollywood bottle sports a unique and beautiful shape, that is easy to hold while running or hiking. It comes in five colors and four designs.

Mini 14

Don’t underestimate this sidekick. The 14 ounce bottle is perfect for your kid’s lunch bag and backpack, with great eco-art designs to make learning about the environment fun.

Make sure that your bike or gym bag is properly equipped with some eco-hydration as you pump up your active lifestyle. If you find it lacking, an easy to squeeze BioGreen bottle might be just what you need.

Image credits: BioGreen Bottles.

Izzit has rounded up 10 picks for green NCAA gear and goods to help see you through the month in style.

1. Fair Trade Sports Eco-Basketball

The Fair Trade Sports Eco-Basketball is just like the one the pros use but this ball is certified Fair Trade, vegan and eco-certified to bring your equipment to the next level.

2. Nike Sideline Performance Polo

For ultimate, “dri-FIT” comfort, the Nike Sideline Performance Polo offers quality embroidery and a modern look to help you support your favorite school in 100 percent recycled polyester style.

3. NCAA Reusable Tote Bag

Make sure that you have everything that you need to bring to the party with a NCAA reusable tote, with a high quality weave logo showcase your loyalties.

4. Nike Vintage Organic T-Shirt

Get nostalgic with a 100 percent certified organic tee from Nike, sporting a vintage wash and the only team that matters to you.

5. Nike Organic Team Hoody

One for the ladies wanting to stand out in the crowd, a slim cut team hoody made with 100 percent organic cotton should do the trick.

6. Team Logo Bamboo Cutting Board

This year serve your pigs-in-a-blanket and Colby Jack on an eco-friendly bamboo cutting board that reveals your team’s logo as treats are snatched off of it.

7. Recycled Paper Team Journal

Keep your Final Four dreams alive in this recycled paper team journal. This note book uses soy-based inks and elegantly displays your team on an aluminum logo plate.

8. Chip & Dip Team Plate

Ditch the wasteful paper serving dishes at your party and check out this 2-in-1 chip and dip plate that you can reuse year after year.

9. Team Logo Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Bring your own beverage and keep it cold with a team logo stainless steel water bottle, complete with removable carabiner clip.

10. Bio-degradable Team Coasters

Protect the Earth and your furniture with bio-degradable team coasters made from recycled wood pulp.

So get your bracket filled out and who knows, maybe all of your eco-karma will help your team end up in Houston this year.

Image credits: NCAA, Amazon, Football Fanatics.

This year, Izzit wanted to get in on the fun and help green up St. Patrick’s Day — and every other day of the year as well! — by bringing to your attention three very cool recycled glass beer mugs for everyone to enjoy their green beers in this year.

The Green Glass Company’s Copenhagen Tumblers

All right, Izzit knows that Copenhagen is not in Ireland, but these tumblers are just so cool that we had to lead off with  them. They also happen to be green in every sense of the word, from the way they are made to their actual color.

The Green Glass Company, which makes these tumblers, traces its start back to 1992 in South Africa, and from humble origins they’ve grown into the largest maker of reclaimed glassware on the planet. They have been able to achieve this spectacular growth because they remain true to their recycling heritage and their core business principals “to push beyond the average, strive to make a difference, thrive on creativity.”

While these recycled beer glasses may be green, it is quite clear that the Green Glass Company is thriving and making a big environmental difference. A set of four tumblers prices out at $32.50.

But what to put into those tumblers? The Izzit team thinks that a light ale or refreshing golden, pilsner style beer like the Kenzinger from the Philadelphia Brewing Company would make a great match for these green beauties. (Read our full post on organic beers here.)

BottleHood Tumblers

What a concept, making beer glasses out of used beer bottles! The folks at BottleHood have taken this concept to a new artistic level, producing what Izzit thinks are some of the coolest and funkiest beer drinking motifs he has yet to come across.

Based in San Diego, BottleHood was founded as a way to create jobs in their “hood” and to help the environment. What they have created is glassware products that are unique and that have the quality of something brought to life by a local artisan.

BottleHood’s recycled glassware is crafted from bottles — primarily wine, beer, liquor and soda — that come from restaurants, bars, homes and events in the community. These are then re-purposed into the type of truly innovative tumblers you see here. BottleHood also makes other great products from recycled material such as juice glasses, vases, pendant beads and some Murano-like light fixtures.

Izzit’s favorite glasses are the ones bearing the Dead Guy Ale image (great glass, great ale!), the Left Coast Asylum (great name, great graphics!), and, because Izzit is a little righteous when it comes to his pint, the Stone Sublimely Self Righteous glasses. BottleHood tumblers are available on their own cool site or through Amazon.com. They run from $15 to $30.

For a twist on a classic Irish stout beer to fill those tumblers, Izzit would recommend you try Full Sail Brewing Company’s Black Gold Imperial Stout.

Turning Discarded Windshields Into Pilsner Glasses

Windshields and beer should never be spoken in the same sentence unless we are talking about this unusual product. In this case, Uncommon Goods has found a company in Columbia that is turning unwanted glass from automobile windshields into some of the best looking Pilsner Glasses Izzit has come across.

Sold as a set of two for the price of $24, these glasses are heavy, sturdy and strong. Each recycled glass is handcrafted and because of that, each one will differ slightly in texture (the definition of unique!). The slightly greenish-blue hue goes well with St. Patrick’s Day. (It happens to be a leftover from the tint originally added to lesson the glare of the sun while driving.)

For these Pilsner Glasses, Izzit recommends the Simcoe Spring Ale from our friends at Peak Organic Ale in Portsmouth, Maine. The piny, fruity hops of this cold-conditioned ale really pop in this type of glass.

So there you have Izzit’s take on some hip companies that are doing some wonderful things with recycled glassware. Have a responsible pint and impress your friends with these one-of-a-kind products. Now Izzit, about that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow . . .

Image credits: BottleHood, Green Glass Company, Uncommon Goods.

Organic Irish Sweaters

What’s more Irish than an Irish wool sweater?

Even though they’re not a bright shade of green, the web site Irish Inspiration sells several different cozy Organic Wool Irish sweaters made from undyed, organic, pure, new wool from the Kerry Woollen Mills in Ireland.

“These gorgeous sweaters are made using undyed wool from certified organic farms where the sheep have not been dipped in substances hazardous to health and graze on land which is not artificially fertilized,” the web site says.

These sweaters will keep you warm at a chilly St. Patty’s Day parade.

‘Live Green’ T-shirt

This “Live Green” Tee allows you to display and celebrate your Irish and eco-friendly pride at the same time.

This shirt is made from 100 percent organic cotton and features a shamrock with the “Live Green” slogan.

Four Leaf Clover and Celtic Knot Suncatchers

The translucent green of the glass in these recycled glass suncatchers evoke thoughts of the Emerald Isle. Made from recycled glass, the suncatchers make a lovely gift for an Irish lass or the hostess of a St. Patty’s Day party. They come in Four Leaf Clover design and Celtic Knot versions.

The web site for the Oregon-based Aurora Glass Foundry which makes these suncatchers says the company’s origins are green: ”When a visionary from St. Vincent de Paul saw a mountain of glass growing off the freeway, he decided to recycle it instead of see it go to a landfill . . . Since then Aurora Glass has become a powerful resource for the community, recycling old windows and other waste glass that previously landed in the dump.”

Recycled Greeting Cards

Wish the leprechauns in your life a happy St. Patrick’s Day with greeting cards from Red Stamp printed on 30 percent, post-consumer recycled paper with soy-based ink. The planet-friendly cards have five whimsical designs from which to choose.

Organic Irish Soda Bread

For a real Irish tradition, make a loaf of soda bread. Soda bread is a rustic, heavy loaf, traditionally made with soft wheat which grows well in Ireland’s climate.

Garvey’s Organic Irish Soda Bread Mix contains certified organically-grown unbleached wheat flower, and no transfats or preservatives. Serve with corned beef and cabbage for a traditional Irish feast.

‘Green’ Beer

It’s not easy to find organic Irish beer in the United States, but there are eco-friendly beer options to celebrate the holiday.

The Ohio-based Great Lakes Brewing Company prides itself on being “an environmentally and socially conscious brewer of award-winning natural beer,” its web site says. The company is committed to sustainability and uses energy efficient practices, recycles and works with the Burning River Foundation which promotes ecological conservation and environmental protection.

Where does the Irish come in? With their Conway’s Irish Ale described as a “malty Irish ale with a notable toasty flavor derived from lightly roasted malt.” The Great Lakes Brewing Company says its Irish Ale goes well with corned beef, shepherd’s pie and stews. Their beer is sold in 12 states and in the District of Columbia.

Looking for a heavier beer? Try Bison Brewing’s Organic Chocolate Stout, the “richly textured, roasty dry stout . . . [with a] boost of bitter and charismatic flavor from the addition of cocoa powder in the mash.” Bison’s beers are all certified organic and the company promotes sustainable and “ecologically sound food production.”

By Maggie Marton

Image credits: Aminus, Irish Inspiration, Isabella Catalog, Red Stamp, Garvey’s and Great Lakes Brewing.  

But are the reusable bags hazardous to your health? In 2010, reports of bacteria in reusable bags surfaced in the media. Much of the reported bacteria was said not to be harmful to humans, but the reports from the American Chemistry Council did find non-harmful strains of Escherichia coli, more commonly known as E. coli. What does this mean for users of reusable bags? It means it’s time the bags’ owners start washing them more often to eliminate the bacteria.

Last month, the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) found lead “in a number of major retailers’ reusable shopping bags.” The organization collected and tested bags made of non-woven polypropylene — but not cloth bags — and found “excessive amounts” of lead in them. Reusable bags from Walgreens and CVS were found by the CCF to have had some of the higher levels of lead.

Plastic Bag Bans

The detection of lead in some bags does not mean that all reusable bags are dangerous, but it means that reusable bag manufacturers need to re-think their strategies quickly because a number of communities in the United States have either outlawed or begun the process to outlaw one-time use plastic bags and consumers are looking for safe alternatives.

Italy recently outlawed any and all non-reusable or biodegradable plastic bags and Oregon could be the first U.S. state to ban them from checkouts in all stores starting in 2012. San Francisco already outlawed plastic bags and Los Angeles County followed their lead in 2010. Westport, Conn.; Bethel, Alaska and Edmonds, Wash. all have similar bans on plastic bags. Recently, Washington, D.C. started requiring shoppers to pay a five-cent fee for each disposable grocery bag.

Eco-Friendly Cloth Bags

One safe, green, reusable bag alternative is the cloth bag. Not only are cloth bags strong and durable, but they can also be made at home out of old T-shirts and other linens someone may be looking to get rid of.  A cloth bag can be easily washed and mended quickly by someone with a sewing needle.

If you’re looking to buy the perfect canvas bag to express yourself, EcoGreenBags has something for you. EcoGreenBags’ wide range of designs and selections will help eco-conscious shoppers find the perfect bag which promotes a cause or message they support.

For example, they offer a Bag of the Month selection where 10 percent of proceeds from the sale of that bag will be donated to a single charity or cause. This month’s bag is the “Save the Gulf” bag where 10 percent of the purchase price goes to the Gulf Restoration Project. Their bags are made from 100 percent cotton canvas and carry “roughly 3-4 times the amount of a standard plastic bag,” EcoGreenBags’ web site says.

Another manufacturer of green tote bags is ECOBAGS whose motto is, “Cleaning up the planet one bag at a time.”

With a wide selection of reusable bags, ECOBAGS has you covered for any type of bag you may be looking for, including bags made from recycled materials, including 100 percent cotton. The company promotes buying in bulk to save on shipping and the energy needed to move the products. ECOBAGS also says it practices corporate social responsibility with its manufacturing processes and labor practices.

One thing is for certain, reusable bags contribute far less waste and litter to society because they get used repeatedly.

By Kevin Koczwara

Image credits: ECOBAGS andEcoGreenBags.

The burning of candle wax and wicks is a chemical reaction, just like the burning of anything else. And when something burns, it gives off gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor. Both of these products are considered “greenhouse gases,” but the amounts given off by candles are negligible, not nearly enough to affect the environment.

Aside from these gases, burning candles may give off certain types of compounds and soot that could, in a worst-case scenario, affect our lungs. But, if your candle is well made and you light it correctly (i.e. — you don’t see a slick of black rise up with your flame), these types of emissions will burn up before they get into your system.

“There are some reports that burning soy-based or beeswax candles reduces soot, due to the efficiency of the burn,” said Dave Deegan, from the EPA, though the agency hasn’t done an official study to examine the validity of those assertions.

One oft-voiced safety concern — materials used to make wicks — is really a non-issue. Candle wicks used to be held upright thanks to support from lead, which is toxic when inhaled. The members of the National Candle Association, which includes most major candle makers in the United States, mutually agreed to discontinue the use of the material in their wicks 35 years ago. Some of the lead core wicks used to be imported, but any sale of the stuff in the United States was banned in 2003. Today, they use zinc or tin, which harmlessly keep the wick from drooping into its own hot wax.

Soy vs Paraffin vs Beeswax

Soy, paraffin, bees and palm wax candles all essentially burn the same way, so as far as types of candles go, it really depends on your own personal definition of “green.” “I think that might be up to the philosophical and political outlook of the purchaser,” said Barbara Miller of the National Candle Association.

Do you want something made from a renewable resource? Then you should probably stay away from paraffin candles as they are made from petroleum. Are you looking to buy local? Maybe soy candles are more for you as Miller said most of the soy candles are made in America. “In terms of what is most obvious, I would say that it’s that paraffin is a non-renewable resource,” she said. “After that point, it’s just starting to split hairs.”

Soy Candles

One brand of eco-friendly soy candles — made from organic herbs, 100 percent essential oils, is chemical-free and vegan — is the Plantlife aromatherapy candles.

Plantlife says its cotton wick candles are made with a combination of candelilla, carnauba, bayberry and soy waxes which provide ” a cleaner burning candle.” They’re available in a number of different scents including cinnamon and lavender, to grapefruit.

Beeswax Candles

As for beeswax candles, the Telluride, Colorado-based Bluecorn Naturals offers a range of 100 percent beeswax candles that are non-toxic, lead free and hypoallergenic.

Bluecorn calls the beeswax a “sweet, simple, renewable fuel that burns long and bright.”

LED Candles

Looking to cut out candles altogether but still want the ambiance? “Another ‘green candle’ option is LED-battery candles,” said Deegan. “I’ve observed that a lot of restaurants now use them, and they can look quite realistic and emit no [particulate matter] pollution at all — which is a good thing!”

Among the many LED candle options are the Orange Tree flameless candles which don’t require you to burn anything or emit any fumes.

To keep your home smelling fresh without the flame, GreenerChoices by Consumer Reports, suggests simmering water with a cinnamon stick, cloves and/or orange peels, keeping a windowsill herb garden or filling a bowl with some pine needles.

Keeping Safe from Candle Air Pollution

To keep your home safe from candle air pollution, Deegan suggests these tips:

• Keep burning candles away from drafts
• Trim the wick
• Keep an eye on wax spill-overs
• Instead of blowing it out, use a snuffer or wet cloth

“Overall, using common sense and following instructions for proper use of candles can reduce the emissions people might expose themselves,” he said.

By Stephanie M. McPherson

Image credits: Bluecorn Naturals, Amazon.com.