This week's Sustainable Works lesson has really hit me hard. Before starting these workshops, I already considered myself fairly earth friendly and health conscious. I wanted to take the workshops to learn how I can improve upon what I was already doing. Little did I know that when it came to reducing chemicals in my home, I was taken by "greenwashing" with some of the products I've been using.
Greenwashing is defined as "the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service".
Seeing as I prefer that a human test subject get paid or volunteer to get perfume sprayed in its eye, rather than do that, or worse, to an unsuspecting animal, I tend to seek out cruelty free products. I've also purchased a number of these products because they claim to be "natural" and "organic", which would lead me to believe that they are also good for my health and good for the environment.
As of last night's workshop, however, I've learned that some of the "natural" and "organic" products I've been using rate higher on the hazard scale than some of the more commercial, less eco and animal friendly brands (according to Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database).
This blew my mind. I couldn't believe to find that I've been spending more money on products that are supposed to be healthier for me and the environment are worse in some cases. These are just the personal care products. I've yet to look into the "eco-friendly" house cleaning products I usually purchase. However, I think I'm done with paying extra for household cleaning supplies that are not necessarily as eco-safe as they claim. From now on, it's good old baking soda and white vinegar for me!
Check out http://www.ewg.org/skindeep to see how the personal care products you're using rate.
For more information on Sustainable Works, visit www.sustainableworks.org.
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