A CALL TO ACTION
Welcome to our EARTH SAVERS webpage. AADC is committed to supporting environmental awareness. Each month author Jody Brady gives us information and tips on how to be more friendly to the environment. Your comments and tips are welcome. Scroll down if you would like to comment. Comments are curated and may not appear immediately.
January 2023
New Year’s Resolutions
A bright and shiny, brand-new year. A new start. Let’s all pledge to be more Earth-friendly. We have a few suggestions. Add some of your own.
- BUY LESS – Ask yourself, “Do I really need this?”
- READ MORE – Donate books to the Library sale.
- MOVE IT – Reduce single-car use. Carpool. Walk. Use public transportation.
- LIST IT – Resist buying the “same old, same old.” Make a list of Earth Friendly products you vow to start using.
- CLEAN IT UP – Ditch “single-use” cleaning products such as paper towels, sponges, and mop heads. All of these are discarded and then accumulate in landfills. Instead use microfiber cloths, biodegradable sponges, and mops and dusters with washable heads.
Two brands worth checking out are Cleancult at www.cleancult.com and Blueland at www.blueland.com. Both companies supply Earth-friendly products that are refillable, so you don’t have to purchase a new bottle each time. This is truly an eco-friendly delivery system.
Buyer Be Aware. Many products use terms that make them appear to be environmentally safe, but in fact they aren’t. Experts recommend looking for the “ECOLABEL.” This label indicates certification by the Environmental Protection Agency. Cleaning Products have two ECOLABLE programs:
- SAFER CHOICE for all purpose cleaners such as dish and laundry soaps.
- DESIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT for toilet and tub disinfectants.
Both programs evaluate the ingredients and performance of products. The EPA regularly audits brands to verify that standards are upheld. All ingredients must be listed, and products must be packaged sustainably, i.e. recycled plastic etc.
Another good source is the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that evaluates and rates products. Their staff scientists compare a product’s ingredients to the dangerous ingredients in the toxicity databases that are maintained by the government, industry, and academia. Environmental Working Group uses that information to highlight healthy cleaning products for people and for the environment.
Earth-friendly products may cost more initially, but they pay off for you and for the Earth. Send us the name of worthy products you have found. Remember, the Earth needs our help.
REDUCE – REUSE – RECYCLE
Previous Earth Saver Pages
December 2022 – An Earth-friendly Holiday Season
November 2022 – Buy Used to Help the Earth
October 2022 – Use Less Energy
September 2022 – Use Less Plastic
August 2022-Ten Ways to Help Our Earth