Buying Green for Families

As the owner of an eco-friendly e-boutique, I’m often asked how individuals can buy ‘greener’ for themselves and their families. It’s tricky to answer that because there are several different and important issues to consider, notably the quality of the food we eat, the safety of the products we use on our bodies every day, the ingredients contained within the products in our immediate environment, as well as where products originate from and the manufacturing and distribution processes of goods. There are so many different ways we can buy ‘greener ‘. This article reveals some of them.

It is well known that the food we eat plays an immense role on our general health and the fewer chemical substances (preservatives, flavour enhancers, dyes, fertilizers, pesticides, etc) that are added to it, the better. Though organic food is more costly, I always recommend buying as much of it as one’s budget will allow. It’s also important to eat as many meals as possible from fresh food as opposed to processed food.

Unfortunately, most personal care products are laden with harmful chemicals. It’s really important to be aware of the ingredients that can have major adverse effects on our health. Parabens, phthalates, and sodium lauryl sulphate are

just a few of the more common chemicals found in everything from baby shampoo to deodorant that should be avoided. What is really frightening is that it is believed that thousands of new chemicals are entering the marketplace each year and for the most part, they go untested. There is good news, however.  It’s really easy to find lists of chemicals that should be avoided on the Internet and nowadays there are many companies that produce natural and organic care products. It’s also important to note though that there is a lot of mislabeling out there when it comes to using words like ‘natural’ and ‘organic.’ Buyers beware.

We also need to pay attention to the chemicals in the things that are everywhere in our environment. For example, in our furniture, carpet, paint, kids’ toys, mattresses, laundry detergents, etc.  A number of chemicals in general use should be avoided. These days, the ones we hear of the most are BPA, PVC, lead, parabens, sulfates and phthalates. When I’m shopping for my family and for my shop, I ensure the best I can that the items I buy are void of them.

Imported products from Asian countries are often cheaper than products made in Canada and the US, where incomes are considerably higher and where there are more environmental protection laws and regulations. However, the cost of imported goods does not reflect its actual cost. The toll on the environment during the mass manufacturing and distribution processes is great. Consider the tremendous amount of energy that is expended to produce goods in huge factories, to truck them to ports, to ship them overseas and then distribute those products to retailers everywhere. When items produced locally are purchased, a small fraction of that energy is used getting a product to the final consumer.  Are you able/willing to buy more items that are made locally?

To shop ‘greener’ the production of goods is also very important to consider. Here’s a list of questions you can ask yourself: Are recycled materials being reused? Can an item be recycled? Are natural dyes/inks used?  Is proper forest stewardship being adhered to? Is the material organic and/or sustainable? What are the alternatives to unsustainable materials? Some may not know that bamboo thrives without any need for pesticides or fertilizers and is the fastest growing plant in the world while conventionally grown cotton requires the use of more pesticides than any other crop.

With research and attention, parents and caregivers can make healthy choices for themselves and their families. I wish our world were less toxic but it’s extremely gratifying to know that more and more consumers are making eco-conscious choices. Doing so will benefit future generations.

by Guest Blogger, Lili Meier

Owner of My Little Green Shop

Vancouver, BC