Sustainable NYC

The Hazards of Showering in Chlorinated Water

2011-09-23T05:05:00.000-07:00

The Hazards of Showering in Chlorinated Water

Below are excerpts from some of the best documented information on the subject of chlorinated water in the shower. Just a friendly reminder that New Wave Enviro’s Premium Filter System
removes chlorine from your water, giving your shower a more natural, rainwater feel. With this filter, you will no longer have to worry about chlorine stripping away proteins from your skin and hair or the long-term health consequences of being exposed to the chemical in the shower.
”A long, hot shower can be dangerous. The toxic chemicals are inhaled in high concentrations.”
- Bottom Line – J Andelman, Ph. D.
”We conclude that skin absorption of contaminants in drinking water has been underestimated and that ingestion may not constitute the sole or even primary route of exposure.”
-American Journal of Public Health
”Ironically, even the Chlorine widely used to disinfect water produces Carcinogenic traces. Studies indicate the suspect chemicals can also be inhaled and absorbed through the skin during showering and bathing.”
- U. S. News & World Report – Is your Water Safe – The Dangerous State of Your Water
”Taking showers is a health risk, according to research presented last week in a meeting of the American Chemical Society. Showers – and to a lesser extent baths – lead to a greater exposure to toxic chemicals contained in water supplies than does drinking water. The chemicals evaporate out of the water and are inhaled. They can also spread through the house and be inhaled by others.”
- New Scientist -Ian Anderson
”The steamy air of a shower contains significant amounts of a least two cancer-causing chemicals that evaporate out of water.” – J Andelman, Professor of Water Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh

For more information check our line of products for a safest drinking water.

http://stores.sustainable-nyc.com/-strse-*-Home-cln-%26lt-scln--Waters-Savers-%26-Filters/Categories.bok

What is an Eco Nut?

2011-08-25T06:56:00.000-07:00

Eco Nuts™ are completely sustainable dried fruit shells that come from the Sapindus mukorossi tree (also called the Soap Berry or Soap Nut Tree) in Nepal, India and Indonesia. The ones we harvest come from high up in the Himalayas and are the highest quality "soap nut" on the market. These fruit shells have been used in India and China for centuries, and are now gaining popularity in America and Europe as a renewable, biodegradable and organic alternative to chemical detergents and expensive “Green” laundry soaps.

Eco Nuts™ \ contain saponin, a natural cleaner that works as a surfactant, breaking the surface tension of the water to penetrate the fibers of your clothing, lifting stains from the fabric and leaving dirt suspended in the water that is rinsed away.

Eco Nuts™ are gentle on both clothes and skin, making them ideal for those with sensitive skin, eczema, allergies and psoriasis. Because they are so mild, they are perfect for baby clothes and cloth diapers. All-Natural Eco Nuts™ are also great for septic and grey water systems. But don’t expect these shells to foam up like commercial soaps, which have artificial foaming agents. Foam simply does not represent cleaning power.

Eco Nuts™ are wild-harvested, meaning they are gathered from wild trees grown without any kind of chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides. The saponin actually tastes bad to insects so no pesticides are needed, and the trees naturally love poor uncultivated soil. They are organically grown by mother earth and certified USDA Organic by EcoCert at the source.

Eco Nut (left) Soap nut (right)

Nut Allergy Safe!

Eco Nuts™ are actually a berry fruit related to the lychee and are not nuts at all. They are completely nut allergy safe and have been used successfully with no reactions by people with nut allergies. They earned the name "nuts" because they dry into hard shells like nuts instead of squishy fruit.

Eco Nuts™ Are:

Biodegradable

Hypoallergenic

Perfect for Sensitive Skin, Allergies, Eczema, Psoriasis

Nut Allergy Safe!

100% Natural and Free From Manmade Chemicals

Beneficial For Septic and Gray Water Systems

Sustainable

Fragrance Free

Reusable

Vegan Friendly, Vegan Approved. Certified Organic By EcoCert and USDA at the Source

Take Care Of Your Skin - Your Body's Largest Organ

Say NO to Plastic Jugs

Protect Yourself and Your Children From Harsh Chemicals

Soap Nuts Are The Greenest Laundry Detergent on Earth

Plastic Albatross' Domestic Detox : This is Serious!

2011-02-25T12:16:00.000-08:00

Last night I attended a lecture about detoxing our homes. It was hosted by Professor Jenna Spevak of Plastic Albatross. Plastic Albatross is a community-based campaign to educate the public about toxins in plastics and other household products, and how these substances affect the health and fertility of humans. I was surprised to learn exactly how many undisclosed, untested, unregulated, and potentially harmful chemicals are in everyday products. Since World War II, 80,000 synthetic new chemicals were introduced to consumers and only 62,000 of them have been tested! Those that have been tested have been discovered to be carcinogens and neurotoxins. They have also been linked to learning disabilities, asthma, and obesity. Despite this alarming research, manufacturers continue to be allowed to develop and sell products containing these chemicals. Manufacturers police themselves and claim the amount of toxins in their products are too negligible to hurt us. This doesn't take into account what happens when those chemicals in one product interact with those chemicals in other products a consumer uses. Also these chemicals are considered ‘persistent bioaccumulative toxins‘ or PBTs. They don't just enter our bodies, hang out for a few minutes while we use the product, then bounce off to outer space. PBTs accumulate in our bodies, our food and our water.

Our plastics inside an albatross (seagull) chick's belly :-(

I consider myself pretty savvy about green living. I work at an eco-friendly shop and I recently started a small business offering green residential cleaning. I belong to the Park Slope Food Coop. I like to think of myself as educated enough to make informed "green" consumption decisions, but the lecture highlighted dangers even I wasn't aware of. (Did you know food wrapped in plastic, especially oily food, is bad for our health because the oil of the food absorbs the plastic oil of the packaging? I didn't!) Luckily, Spevak offered healthy alternatives and now I am able to make even smarter choices. Upon arriving home from the lecture, I felt like a veil was lifted. I was surprised to see so many plastic things in my fridge and throughout my home! I am now committed to make a real effort to reduce my plastic consumption beyond not drinking bottled water and accepting plastic bags at stores. The tub of whipped Earth Balance in my fridge will certainly be my last!

Still, I wonder and worry about folks who haven't yet accessed this information. I feel like they need protection. Today, at the suggestion of Plastic Albatross' policy page, I wrote to my government representatives and asked them to sponsor legislation that would create a program to replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives wherever a feasible, safer alternative exists. It felt good to participate in democracy, but I know government things like that take a long time to really create change (if they even get passed at all).

In the meanwhile, what about those chemicals used by my building's exterminator and cleaning person? Or those used in public spaces like laundromats, libraries, schools, movie theaters, shops, and restaurants? (I can't tell you how many times I've gagged in restaurants when they used Windex or Fantastic or something equally obnoxious to clean a recently vacated table. Grrr!) The next step is to spread the word about toxins and their alternatives to my neighbors, friends, and family. I plan to download and use Plastic Albatross' slide show to host a lecture here in Prospect Heights, in my old neighborhood Bed-Stuy, and anywhere that'll have me. I'm also going to actually speak to the manager next time I am somewhere where dangerous chemicals are being used right in front of me.

This is serious. The synthetic chemicals we humans are making and consuming will never go away. Ever! It's not even a matter of the fact that the lid on the disposable Starbucks coffee cup you're using right now is slowly killing you. As serious and terrible as that is, what's worse is the choices we make now will affect animals and people who won't be born until centuries from now. Yikes! Why not try to move in the right direction?

The End of the Line? Where to recycle, repurpose, or safely dispose

2010-08-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

As you’ve probably noticed, Sustainable NYC is chock-full of fair trade, recyclable, repurposed, and organic products that make green living not only possible, but full of more beauty, fun, and convenience. One of the most rewarding things about connecting conscientious consumers with these fantastic products is to see that you want to be involved beyond consumption. People are constantly coming into our shop asking where to recycle things or where they can send things to be repurposed.

Here’s a little list of where you can send your groovy green products to be recycled, repurposed, or disposed of properly.

Batteries
Alkaline batteries can be placed with your regular household trash, but they can also be sent to private companies for recycling or safe disposal. Check out this NYC WasteLess list of vendors, some of whom will provide pre-paid mailers.

Rechargeable batteries may contain mercury, cadmium, lead and other heavy metals which can be dangerous if not disposed of properly. It is illegal to discard rechargeable batteries in the trash (or residential recycling containers) in New York City. NY State law requires stores that sell rechargeable batteries (including cell phone batteries) accept them back during normal store hours, no purchase necessary.

More details on proper battery disposal can be found at NYCWasteLess.

CFL Bulbs
CFLs contain mercury and should never go in the trash! Fortunately, there are lots of convenient places to drop off the your CFL bulbs once they cease to shine. The GrowNYC website features a list of collection sites in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Food Scraps
If you don’t have your own wormy compost bin or electric composter, you can still be involved in the compost revolution. Save and store food scraps at home- I save mine in a bag in my freezer- and when you’re ready, drop off the scraps at a collection point. The Lower East Side Ecology Center has a community compost program. They collect food scraps at the Union Square Farmers Market and at their community garden. If that’s not convenient for you, visit your local community garden during open hours. Many community gardens accept donations for their compost pile.

Credit Cards and Gift Cards
The twin sisters at KellyBeth make funky one-of-a-kind earrings and bracelets out of canceled or devalued plastic credit and gift cards. Help a sister out, and help save the planet, by sending your old cards to them at:

Kelly Campbell

3701 W 35^th Ave

Denver, Co 80211

Crayons
Have a bunch of broken crayons? Collect and ship them to the folks at Crazy Crayons and they’ll make them into marvelous multi-colored marble crayons in fun shapes.

Preserve Recycling Program ( #5 plastics, yogurt cups, Brita filters)
Here at Sustainable NYC we sell Preserve brand toothbrush and razor handles which are made out of recycled plastic, but where do they get that plastic? From you! They collect your #5 plastics (take-out containers, yogurt cups, and Brita filters) at Whole Foods stores. You can also ship these things to them, but they haven’t yet worked out reimbursing folks for shipping costs. (Bummer.) Good news is you can ship back your toothbrush and razors to them for free.

Check out their website for more about their recycling program.

Electronics
Need to get rid of a VCR or television? The Lower East Side Ecology Center has an innovative electronic waste recycling program. Visit their website for details on their upcoming e-waste collection events hosted throughout the city.

Clothes and other textiles
GrowNYC hosts weekly collection events for the recycling of clothes, towels, blankets, and other fabric at Greenmarkets throughout the city. With help from concerned folks like you, they divert hundreds of thousands pounds of material from entering landfills each year.

Facts about Plastic Shopping Bags

2010-05-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

Single-use bags, both paper and plastic, represent a huge threat to the environment. This threat is not only related to the sheer volume of them ending up in landfill, but also to the resources needed to produce, transport and (occasionally) recycle them, and the emissions resulting from these processes. Single-use plastic bags are also well known for their interference in ecosystems and the part they play in flood events, where they clog pipes and drains.

Plastic Bag Facts

* Approx. 380 billion plastic bags are used in the United States every year. That’s more than 1,200 bags per US resident, per year.
* Approx. 100 billion of the 380 billion are plastic shopping bags.
* An estimated 12 million barrels of oil is required to make that many plastic bags.
* Only 1 to 2% of plastic bags in the USA end up getting recycled.
* Thousands of marine animals and more than 1 million birds die each year as a result of plastic pollution.
* The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that there are 46,000 pieces of plastic litter floating in every square mile of ocean.
* Plastic bags are often mistakenly ingested by animals, clogging their intestines which results in death by starvation. Other animals or birds become entangled in plastic bags and drown or can’t fly as a result.
* Even when they photo-degrade in landfill, the plastic from single-use bags never goes away, and toxic particles can enter the food chain when they are ingested by unsuspecting animals.
* Greenpeace says that at least 267 marine species are known to have suffered from getting entangled in or ingesting marine debris. Nearly 90% of that debris is plastic.
* Americans consume more than 10 billion paper bags per year. Approximately 14 million trees are cut down every year for paper bag production.
* Most of the pulp used for paper shopping bags is virgin pulp, as it is considered stronger.
* Paper production requires hundreds of thousands of gallons of water as well as toxic chemicals like sulphurous acid, which can lead to acid rain and water pollution.

So please make a move in the right direction and help to reduce the impact of plastic bag waste worldwide by buying a reusable bag today!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Communities across the country are supporting efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic bags as the tried-and-true approach to responsible handling. These simple, common-sense steps can help reduce waste, prevent litter and keep our environment clean. And they're working! Educating and encouraging consumers to make environmentally-conscious decisions about plastic bags is a practical alternative to imposing taxes during a recession, or banning plastic bags altogether.

What You Can Do:
There are simple steps we all can take to reduce waste and make sure plastic bags don't end up as litter.

Reduce: Shoppers can always decline a bag at checkout (is a bag really necessary for carrying that pack of gum?).
Reuse: More than 90 percent of consumers reuse their plastic grocery bags at home for purposes ranging from waste basket liners to lunch bags to pet clean up. What new ways can you think of to reuse your plastic bags? » Learn More
Recycle: Next time you head to your local grocer or retailer, remember to return those shopping bags, dry-cleaning bags, bread bags, wraps from paper towels, bathroom tissue, napkins, diapers even the plastic bag that delivered the newspaper! Across the country, many grocers and retailers accept plastic bags and wraps for recycling. » Learn More
Recycling plastic bags and wraps is important because this valuable material can be made into dozens of useful new products such as low-maintenance fencing and decking, building and construction products, shopping carts, and of course, new bags!

Here Are Some Tips to Help You Recycle More of Your Bags:

Many grocers and retailers now offer collection programs that allow shoppers to return their used plastic bags and product wraps to be recycled. In most stores, plastic bag recycling bins are located at the front entrance or near checkout areas. Check with your grocer and other area retailers to see where bags are recycled in your community or visit http://www.plasticbagrecycling.org/01.0/ for a list of participating stores in your state.

Recycle the Following Wherever Plastic Bags Are Collected:

All clean plastic bags labeled #2 (HDPE) or #4 (LLDPE)
Grocery bags
Retail bags (remove hard plastic or string handles)
Plastic newspaper bags
Dry cleaning bags (remove paper and hangers)
Bread bags (with crumbs shaken out)
Sealable food storage bags (with hard parts removed)
Bags from boxes of cereal and crackers (with crumbs shaken out)
Plastic wraps from products such as paper towels, bathroom paper, napkins, diapers, and cases of soft drinks

Make sure bags are clean and empty. Do not include used plastic food wrap, bags with food residue, or material that has been painted or glued, as other substances can contaminate the recycled material.

Healthy Home Tips

2010-03-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

Know the ingredients in your personal care products

Better products meet their claims and are free of ingredients that could harm our health or the environment. Labels might claim that a product is “gentle” or “natural,” but with no required safety testing, companies that make personal care products can use almost any chemical they want, regardless of risks. So, always read product labels – especially the ingredient list - before you buy.

How to read a label

Every personal care product on the market must list the ingredients on the label. Label reading can be confusing - here are some tips to help you wade through the chemical names. You can approach ingredient lists in 3 parts:

Start at the end where preservatives are listed. Try to avoid:

Words ending in “paraben”
DMDM hydantoin
Imidsazolidinyl urea
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Methylisothiazolinone
Triclosan
Triclocarban
Triethanolamine (or “TEA”)

Next, check the beginning of the ingredients list. Here you’ll find the soap, surfactant, or lubricant that has been added to make the product work. Try to avoid ingredients that start with “PEG” or have an “-eth” in the middle (e.g., sodium laureth sulfate).
Finally, read the middle ingredients. Here you’ll look for some common – but not essential - additives that may bring excess hazard: fragrance and dyes. On the label look for “FRAGRANCE,” “FD&C,” or “D&C.”

For the grown-ups in the house

While many parents pay more attention to their kids’ environmental health than their own, your body can be affected by toxic chemicals, too, especially if you’re breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning to be pregnant. EWG’s Safer Shopping List has 9 common-sense tips to reduce your own exposures, like buying fragrance-free, skipping the nail polish and using fewer products.

Use EWG’s Cosmetics Database to choose safer products. In addition to generating a hazard score for your product (on a 1 to 10 scale), it allows you to search by brand and for products without certain ingredients or health effects. You can enter products that aren’t included, and create personal shopping lists – among other tricks.

Just for kids

Extra caution is in order for kids because they receive greater exposures by weight than adults to contaminants in air, water, food, and everyday products. In addition, their immature metabolism and organ systems are typically less capable of fending off chemical assaults. Subtle damage to developing bodies that does not trigger immediate health effects may lead to disease later in life.

Follow EWG’s top 6 tips for kids:

Use fewer products and use them less often.
Don’t trust the claims. Check ingredients.
Buy fragrance-free products.
Avoid the use of baby powder on newborns and infants.
Do your homework at EWG's Cosmetics Database
Always avoid EWG’s top 7 chemicals of concern for kids:
- 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3 Diol
- BHA
- Boric acid and sodium borate
- Dibutyl phthalate & toluene
- DMDM Hydantoin
- Oxybenzone
- Triclosan
This information was brought by The Environmental Working Group " The Power of Information"

Healthy Home Tips. Green Cleaning this Spring

2010-03-28T08:40:00.000-07:00

Cleaning might be a chore, but it doesn't have to be toxic, too! Safer products and practices are available and easy. Why not go green when you clean? Your family's health is (naturally) worth it.

Why you should clean greener?

It's straightforward: There are health risks associated with many conventional cleaning products. These products can contain ingredients linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive toxicity, hormone disruption, neurotoxicity and other health effects. People who use or are around cleaning products at home or on the job may increase their risk of developing asthma or triggering asthma attacks.
Children accidentally exposed to harsh, corrosive cleaners can suffer burns to skin and eyes, and inhaling the fumes can cause lung damage. Exposure to low levels of these chemicals over a lifetime may increase the risk of developing serious health conditions, such as cancer or reproductive problems.

How to choose greener cleaning supplies

To pick a safer cleaner, you need to:

Find out what's in your cleaning supplies.
If you want to know what ingredients are in your cleaning products, you probably won't find them on the label (with a few exceptions).

Instead, you'll need to call the company or try looking on the product manufacturer's website, because manufacturers are not currently required to label their products with a full list of ingredients. Some companies will provide more information if you call or, increasingly, you can check the product's website. There is also new industry website to check called "Ingredient Central," where you can start your hunt for ingredients in a wide range of cleaning supplies.

It can be challenging to track cleaning ingredients down because the government doesn't require that cleaning products carry a list of ingredients, or even that products and ingredients are tested for health and safety. There are a few exceptions, like antibacterial cleaning products. These contain pesticides that have undergone testing overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency and the pesticide content must be on the label. In California, cleaning supplies that emit certain state-identified carcinogens and reproductive toxins at levels above health-based limits must have a warning label.

Once you know the ingredients, you should avoid these seven:
- 2-butoxyethanol (or ethylene glycol monobutyl ether) and other glycol ethers
- Alkylphenol ethoxylates (some common ones are: nonyl- and octylphenol ethoxylates, or non- and octoxynols)
- Dye (companies often hide chemical information behind this word; when it's unknown, it's safer to skip it)
- Ethanolamines (common ones to look out for are: mono-, di-, and tri-ethanolamine)
- Fragrance
- Pine or citrus oil (on smoggy or high ozone days, compounds in the oils can react with ozone in the air to form the carcinogenic chemical formaldehyde)
- Quaternary ammonium compounds (look out for these: alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC), benzalkonium chloride, and didecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride).
Tips for cleaning greener at home
Do them all today or take it step by step -- whatever works to get you cleaning greener!
Less is more: Dilute your cleaning supplies according to instructions and use only what's needed to get the job done.
Open the window: Clean with windows and doors open so you don't trap air pollution inside your home.
Use gloves and other precautions: Cleaning chemicals may harm or penetrate skin and eyes -- check warning labels.
Keep kids away: Children are more vulnerable to toxic chemicals. If they like to help, let them clean with soap and water, not toxic cleaners.
Avoid "antibacterial": If your family is generally healthy, there's no need to use potentially toxic "antibacterial" products, according to the American Medical Association. Wash your hands with plain soap and water.
Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar, or other acids: These combinations can produce deadly gases.
Don't be fooled by labels -- buy certified green products: Label claims aren't always true. Cleaning supplies certified by Green Seal or EcoLogo meet green standards.
Try natural alternatives: Experiment with non-toxic options like vinegar (great for windows when diluted with a little water -- wipe with old newspaper or rags) and baking soda (mix with water to form a paste for scrubbing). Of course mix with care; some ingredients are dangerous when combined.
Take care with pine and citrus oil cleaners: Avoid using these cleaners especially on smoggy days, when the ingredients can react with ozone to produce cancer-causing formaldehyde.
Skip the biggest hazards: Avoid air fresheners, use a baking soda and water paste to clean the oven and tackle toilet stains, and use a mechanical snake to unclog the drain.
Dispose of your old toxics safely: If you choose to toss your old cleaners instead of using them up, drop them off at your local hazardous waste facility. Don't pour cleaning supplies down the drain -- some of the ingredients can harm wildlife as well as people.

In the Kitchen:

Skip the biggest kitchen hazards, use safer alternatives: Replace oven cleaners with a baking soda and water paste and corrosive drain cleaners with baking soda and vinegar or a mechanical snake.
Fight germs without nasty chemicals: Microwave your sponge -- wet it and zap for two minutes to kill germs.
More non-toxic ways to fight germs: Wash your hands often with regular soap and water -- no need for "antibacterial" soap. Wash dishes and clean counters frequently so germs don't collect and avoid "antibacterial" dish soap. Take out the garbage regularly to avoid germs, pests, and bad odors.

In the Bathroom:

Skip the biggest bathroom hazards, use safer alternatives: Scrub toilets with baking soda and water instead of an acidic toilet-bowl cleaner. Use baking soda and vinegar or a mechanical snake instead of corrosive drain cleaners when you have a clogged drain (prevent clogs by using a drain cover).
Fight germs without nasty chemicals: Focus on the toilet -- keep germs isolated by tossing toilet cleaning rags into the wash right away and keeping the scrub brush in an out-of-the-way spot.
More non-toxic ways to fight germs: Wash your hands often with regular soap and water -- no need for "antibacterial" soap. Wipe down showers after each use to prevent mold and mildew.
Forgo air fresheners: Air fresheners are unnecessary and potentially harmful. They only disguise odors, while pumping a bunch of potentially toxic chemicals into the air. Open a window, run a fan, and try to identify and clean up the real source of the smell. A box of baking soda is another safe way to eliminate odor.
Sweep and vacuum frequently to remove dust, which often harbors household toxins.

Investigate alternatives to in-home pesticides

It's best to keep pesticides away from your home -- in and out. At-home exposures are one of the main ways people are exposed to pesticides, and since they're designed to kill, they can (not surprisingly) be dangerous to living beings (people, pets, wildlife).

Lawn and garden care. Organic gardening and lawn care is effective, and "how to" advice is readily available. Organic is healthier for your kids, pets and the environment than chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
Indoor pest control. Try preventive and non-toxic alternatives first, there are lots of effective options that don't contain pesticides. Pesticides should be a last resort. While pesticides must be listed on product labels, the other inert ingredients usually aren't and inert ingredients aren't necessarily safe.
Pet treatments. Ridding your pets of bothersome and harmful pests presents a unique challenge since pests (like ticks) can carry disease, but pesticides can harm the pet as well as human family members. Try some simple prevention steps, like frequent bathing and combing, and of course vacuuming to catch any bugs and their eggs. If you choose to apply pesticides to your pet, follow the product's instructions, wash hands immediately, and be sure young children are unlikely to have contact with the pet for 24 hours. The US EPA offers tips for pet owners who use pesticides to do so with caution to reduce adverse effects on treated pets.

This information was brought by The Environmental Working Group " The Power of Information"

Why Organic Cotton?

2010-01-22T09:20:00.000-08:00

Why Organic Cotton?
Because we care...about the environment, our children, our health.

Good Reasons To Go Organic:

Organic products meet stringent standards
Organic certification is the public’s assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict procedures without persistent toxic chemical inputs.
Organic food tastes great!
It’s common sense – well-balanced soils produce strong, healthy plants that become nourishing food for people and animals.
Organic production reduces health risks
Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Organic agriculture is one way to prevent any more of these chemicals from getting into the air, earth and water that sustain us.
Organic farms respect our water resources
The elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, done in combination with soil building, protects and conserves water resources.
Organic farmers build healthy soil
Soil is the foundation of the food chain. The primary focus of organic farming is to use practices that build healthy soils.
Organic farmers work in harmony with nature
Organic agricultural respects the balance demanded of a healthy ecosystem: wildlife is encouraged by including forage crops in rotation and by retaining fence rows, wetlands, and other natural areas.
Organic producers are leaders in innovative research
Organic farmers have led the way, largely at their own expense, with innovative on-farm research aimed at reducing pesticide use and minimizing agriculture’s impact on the environment.
Organic producers strive to preserve diversity
The loss of a large variety of species (biodiversity) is one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been collecting and preserving seeds, and growing unusual varieties for decades.
Organic farming helps keep rural communities healthy
USDA reported that in 1997, half of U.S. farm production came from only 2% of farms. Organic agriculture can be a lifeline for small farms because it offers an alternative market where sellers can command fair prices for crops.
Organic abundance – Foods and non-foods alike!
Now every food category has an organic alternative. And non-food agricultural products are being grown organically – even cotton, which most experts felt could not be grown this way.

Organic Trade Association www.ota.com

Organic Cotton Facts

Of all organic fibers, organic cotton is one of the most popular. Here are some facts about the growing organic cotton industry.

What is “organic cotton”?
Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production.

How much organic cotton is grown globally?
In 2000/2001, approximately 5,950 metric tons (slightly more than 13 million pounds) of organic cotton were grown in 11 countries, according to a November 2001 survey conducted by the Pesticide Action Network of the United Kingdom (PAN-UK). This represents about 0.03% of worldwide cotton production. Turkey and the United States are the leading producers of organic cotton, followed by India, Peru, Uganda, Egypt, Senegal and Tanzania.

Cotton and the Environment

Acreage estimates for the 2001 U.S. cotton crop show approximately 11,459 acres of certified organic and transitional cotton were planted in the United States. Internationally, Turkey and the United States are the largest organic cotton producers.

Demand is being driven by apparel and textile companies that are expanding their 100% organic cotton program and developing programs that blend small percentages of organic cotton with their conventional cotton products.

Here are some reasons why organic cotton production is important to the long-term health of the planet.

Cotton uses approximately 25% of the world’s insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, and defoliants.). (Allan Woodburn)

Approximately 10% of all pesticides sold for use in U. S. agriculture were applied to cotton in 1997, the most recent year for which such data is publicly available. (ACPA)

Eighty-four million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 14.4 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the U.S. in 2000 (5.85 pounds/ acre), ranking cotton second behind corn in total amount of pesticides sprayed. (USDA)

Over 2.03 billion pounds of synthetic fertilizers were applied to conventional cotton the same year (142 pounds/acre), making cotton the fourth most heavily fertilized crop behind corn, winter wheat, and soybeans. (USDA)

The Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in 2000 in the United States as “possible,” “likely,” “probable,” or “known” human carcinogens (acephate, dichloropropene, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos, and trifluralin). (EPA)

In 1999, a work crew re-entered a cotton field about five hours after it was treated with tribufos and sodium chlorate (re-entry should have been prohibited for 24 hours). Seven workers subsequently sought medical treatment and five have had ongoing health problems. (California DPR)

It takes roughly one-third of a pound of chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) to grow enough cotton for just one T-shirt. (SCP)

Sources
Allen Woodburn Associates Ltd./Managing Resources Ltd., “Cotton: The Crop and its Agrochemicals Market,” 1995.
American Crop Protection Association, “1997 Total U. S. Sales by Crop Protection Product Type and Market,” 1998 ACPA Industry Profile.
California Department of Pesticide Regulation, “DPR Releases Data on 1999 Pesticide Injuries,” 2001.
Sustainable Cotton Project, “Cleaner Cotton Campaign Tool Kit,” Oroville, CA.
U. S. Department of Agriculture, “Agricultural Chemical Usage: 2000 Field Crop Summary,” 2001.
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, “List of Chemicals Evaluated for Carcinogenic Potential,” 2001.

Information provided by the Organic Trade Association www.ota.com

Smart Plastics Guide. Healthier Food Uses of Plastics

2009-09-26T08:15:00.001-07:00

Plastics are widely used to store and package foods and beverages. Uses include disposable and reusable containers, plastic wraps, cutlery,water bottles and baby bottles. Plastic is convenient, lightweight, unbreakable and relatively inexpensive. However, there are both environmental and health risks from the widespread use of plastics.

Environmental problems: Most plastics are made from petroleum, a non-renewable and mostly imported resource. Plastic packaging also creates unnecessary waste. Although plastic is lightweight, it is bulky, so it takes up a large volume of landfill space.

Health risks: Use of plastics in cooking and food storage can carry health risks, especially when hormone-disrupting chemicals from some plastics leach into foods and beverages.Plastic manufacturing and incineration creates air and water pollution and exposes workers to toxic chemicals. Choose less polluting products to reduce exposure to chemicals from plastics.

What plastic labels mean?

Not all containers are labeled and a recycling symbol on a product doesn’t mean it’s recyclable. Commonly, only #1 and #2 with narrow necks are recyclable, but some communities recycle other plastics with narrow necks. Check with your local municipality or waste disposal company.

PVC: The toxic plastic Polyvinyl chloride, also known as vinyl or PVC, poses risks to both the environment and human health. PVC is also the least recyclable plastic.

PETE: Polyethylene terephthalate ethylene, used for soft drink, juice, water, detergent, cleaner and peanut butter containers.

HDPE: High density polyethylene, used in opaque plastic milk and water jugs, bleach, detergent and shampoo bottles and some plastic bags.

PVC or V: Polyvinyl chloride, used for cling wrap, some plastic squeeze bottles, cooking oil and peanut butter jars, detergent and window cleaner bottles.

LDPE: Low density polyethylene, used in grocery store bags, most plastic wraps and some bottles.

PP: Polypropylene, used in most Rubbermaid, deli soup, syrup and yogurt containers, straws and other clouded plastic containers, including baby bottles.

PS: Polystyrene, used in Styrofoam food trays, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, carry-out containers and opaque plastic cutlery.

Other: Usually polycarbonate, used in most plastic baby bottles, 5-gallon water bottles, “sport” water bottles, metal food can liners, clear plastic “sippy” cups and some clear plastic cutlery. New bio-based plastics may also be labeled #7.

Health concerns with food use of plastics

A myriad of petroleum-based chemicals go into the manufacture of plastics. Some can leach into food and drinks and possibly impact human health. Leaching increases when plastic comes in contact with oily or fatty foods, during heating and from old or scratched plastic. Types of plastics shown to leach toxic chemicals are polycarbonate, PVC and styrene. This does not imply that other plastics are entirely safe. These plastics have just been studied more.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that mimics the action of the human hormone estrogen, can leach from polycarbonate plastic. Human exposure to BPA is widespread. A Centers for Disease Control study detected.BPA in the urine of 95 percent of adults sampled. Scientists have measured BPA in the blood of pregnant women, in umbilical cord blood and in the placenta, all at levels demonstrated in animals to alter development. Hormones stimulate certain cancers.

Bisphenol A has been found to stimulate prostate cancer cells and causes breast tissue changes in mice that resemble early stages of breast cancer in both mice and humans. One study found an association between ovarian dysfunction and higher levels of BPA in urine.

Early-life exposure to BPA can also cause genetic damage. Researchers found that BPA causes chromosomal errors at low levels of exposure in mice, which can lead to spontaneous miscarriages and birth defects. As for human data, one study found that women with a history of recurrent miscarriages had over threefold higher levels of BPA in their blood compared to women without a miscarriage history.

Of 115 published animal studies, 81 percent found significant effects from even low-level exposure to BPA. While none of the 11 industry-funded studies found significant effects, over 90 percent of government-funded studies did so. Adverse effects include:

• Early onset of puberty, and stimulation of mammary gland development in females• Changes in gender-specific behavior• Changes in hormones, including decreased testosterone• Increased prostate size• Decreased sperm production• Altered immune function• Behavioral effects including hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, impaired learning and other changes in behavior.

DEHA (di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate) is one of several plasticizers (softeners) to which people have daily exposure through food, water, air and consumer products. PVC cling wrap contains DEHA, which can leach into oily foods on contact and when heated. DEHA exposure is linked to negative effects on the liver, kidney, spleen, bone formation and body weight. It is also a possible humancarcinogen, affecting the liver.

Styrene can leach from polystyrene plastic. Styrene is toxic to the brain and nervous system, among workers with longer-term exposures,15,16 but also has been found to adversely affect red blood cells, liver, kidneys and stomach in animal studies. Aside from exposure from food containers, children can be exposed to styrene from secondhand cigarette smoke, off-gassing of building materials, auto exhaust fumes and drinking water.

Tips for safer, more sustainable food use of plastics

1. Avoid using plastic containers in the microwave. Since chemicals are released from plastic when heated, it’s safest not to microwave food and drinks in plastic containers. Instead use glass or ceramic containers free of metallic paint. If you do microwave in plastic, use only plastic labeled “microwave safe.” Note that “microwave safe” does not mean that there is no leaching of chemicals. Avoid using for fatty foods, as there is greater leaching of chemicals into fatty foods.

2. Beware of cling wraps especially for microwave use. Instead use waxed paper or paper towel for covering foods. If you do use plastic, don’t let the plastic touch the food. For plastic-wrapped deli foods, slice off a thin layer where the food came in contact with the plastic and re-wrap in non-PVC plastic wrap or place in a container.

3. Use alternatives to plastic packaging whenever possible. Use refillable containers at your local food cooperative. Bring you own take-home containers to restaurants. Bring reusable bags or cardboard boxes to the grocery store.

4. Avoid plastic bottled water unless you’re traveling or live in an area where the quality of water is questionable. Bottled water, because it is less regulated, has less-certainpurity and safety than tap water, and is much more expensive. If you’re worried about tap water quality, consider installing a home water filter or use an inexpensive filter pitcher. Reduce or eliminate use of plastic bottles to avoid landfill waste and exposure to chemicals that leach from the plastic. You can also look for new biodegradable bio-based plastic water bottles.

5. If you do use plastic water bottles, take precautions. If you use a polycarbonate water bottle, to reduce leaching of BPA, do not use for warm or hot liquids and discard old or scratched bottles. Water bottles from #1 or #2 plastics are recommended for single use only. For all types of plastic, you can reduce bacterial contamination by thoroughly washing daily. However, avoid using harsh detergents that can break down the plastic and increase chemical leaching.

Baby bottles

Use alternatives to polycarbonate plastic baby bottles and “sippy” cups. Knowing what we do about BPA leaching and the real risks to children’s health, you might be surprised to learn that most plastic baby bottles and many “training” or “sippy” cups are made of polycarbonate. Fortunately there are alternatives, including baby bottles made of glass, polyethylene or polypropylene. Those made of pliable, milky-colored plastic contain no polycarbonates. Usually baby bottles are not labeled, so if you have questions about the type of plastic used, call the company’s toll-free number listed on the package. Minimize leaching of BPA from polycarbonate baby bottles. If you can’t avoid use of polycarbonates—for example, if it’s the only bottle your baby will take—then just follow these tips:

• Discard old, scratched polycarbonate baby bottles and “sippy” cups. Plastic that shows signs of wear—such as scratches or a cloudy, crackled appearance—more readily leaches chemicals. Scratches can also harbor bacteria.
• Heat foods and drinks outside of the plastic and then transfer into the plastic only after they are cool enough to eat or drink. With your food, use 4, 5, 1 and 2. All the rest aren’t good for you.

What else can I do?

By choosing safer plastics and limiting plastic waste, you can support a healthier, cleaner environment and protect your child from unnecessary chemical exposures. You can also support companies and public policies that promote safer use of plastics. For example:

• Contact baby bottle manufacturers and urge them to replace polycarbonate in baby bottles with safer alternatives.
• Avoid buying products made of PVC, used in plastic containers (#3), building materials, toys and other consumer products.
• Buy bio-based plastic alternatives if available.

Meagan's Roof Garden in New York City

2009-08-26T17:42:00.000-07:00

We moved into our new apartment on June 4th, and result started our garden late in the season. We chose our place because of the fact that it has its own private roof space outside our window- we saw it and immediately were like roof garden! As a result of beginning late, we had to rely on starts for most things, however we did do some things from seed.

The hardest part of having a roof garden is starting it. There are a lot of materials to acquire, and then of course lug up onto the roof. Soil is by far the heaviest, and also in New York City, the most expensive item. It is close to twice the price that it is in other parts of the country, and of course organic soil, which we used exclusively, is the priciest. However, if you plan on being in the space you have for more than one year, you can look at it as an investment- soil is reusable! Although we spent a bunch on soil, we saved money in other ways. Containers can also be very spendy. We realized that nurseries throw away tons of them, and pay to do this, so most are quite happy to give them to you for free. We found a great one in Queens and didn't spend a penny on any potting containers. You are also of course recycling by doing this. Next is fertilizer, again we did this all organic- fish emulsion is cheap and the plants love it! Get a liquid form that makes the nutrients readily available for uptake. Its really important to feed your plants at least once per week if they are in containers as the nutrients wash out quickly. One thing that we learned is that it is very hard to find a form of organic phosphorus (the nutrient responsible for vigorous flower and fruit development) that plants can make use of quickly. We didn't realize this at first, so when we planted some eggplants later we did an experiment by mixing into the soil some bone meal that is really high in phosphorous. If you do this from the beginning, by the time the plants are flowering the soil will have broken it down into an available form and you will get huge fruits. Our eggplants are enormous and the plants are like little trees!

One thing that is critical for roof gardens is to have the containers raised off the roof- if you have ever walked barefoot on an NYC rooftop in July or August you can imagine how it is way too hot of a surface for plants. We simply found scrap lumber on the street and built little platforms for them. Pallets work really well too. Another good thing to do is to mix some extra perlite and either peat moss orcoco peat into the soil, this makes the soil more airy for root penetration and also the perlite absorbs and holds water that the plants can use after the soil dries as it will very quickly on hot days.

Although our garden is flourishing, we have experienced a host of problems, aphids, little larvae type creatures that got inside the stem of a beautiful zucchini plant and killed it, and rats to name a few. All of the bugs besides the larvae (we still have no idea what those things were) we were able to deal with by creating a spray made of pulverized garlic and hot peppers, mixed into water and dish soap (eco brands!). We haven't figured out how to keep rats away (they only come at night), but for some reason they only seem interested in ripe tomatoes, so we've dealt with this by each day taking any tomatoes that are close to ripe and letting them finish ripening indoors.

We eat from our garden every day! It is unbelievably delicious and is a great feeling to create a homemade salad, or to be using all the veggie portion to your cooking all from your garden. We are growing a whole bunch of different tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, eggplants, okra, arugula, watermelons, strawberries, all kinds of hot peppers, we even had corn!

Next year we are going to buy some kiddy pools and use them instead of containers so that we have more in less space, and can actually have raised beds. We are addicted! There is a larger roof above us in our building and our dream is to fill it with soil and plants over time, a dream that is shared by the many other roof gardeners in our building. Here there are the results.

Post- versus pre-consumer recycled content

2009-07-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

A recycled-content product is an item that contains recovered materials. Recovered materials are wastes that have been diverted from conventional disposal such as landfills for another use. Recovered materials include both pre-consumer and post-consumer wastes.

Pre-consumer materials are generated by manufacturers and processors, and may consist of scrap, trimmings and other by-products that were never used in the consumer market.

Post-consumer material is an end product that has completed its life cycle as a consumer item and would otherwise have been disposed of as a solid waste. Post-consumer materials include recyclables collected in commercial and residential recycling programs, such as office paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastics and metals.

Recycled-content products may contain some pre-consumer waste, some post-consumer waste or both. A product does not have to contain 100 percent recovered materials to be considered “recycled,” but clearly the higher the percentage of recycled content, the greater the amount of waste that is diverted from disposal. Always look at the level of post-consumer recycled content in a product. As an example this book, Natural Capitalism, is printed on paper that has 100% recycled fiber content, including 80% post-consumer waste.

Some info about Fair Trade:

2009-07-17T12:27:00.000-07:00

A lot of the products at Sustainable NYC are Fair Trade certified, here is some more info about what that really means, and why it is important:

Principles of Fair Trade:

1. Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers Fair Trade supports small scale producers, those at the bottom of the economic ladder or from marginalized communities that otherwise do not have access to economic opportunities or mobility.

2. Payment of a fair price

Fair Trade ensures democratically organized producer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price for their product that provides a living wage to cover the basics of food, shelter, clothing, education, and medical care.

3. Democratic, transparent worker-owned cooperatives Fair Trade encourages and supports the cooperative system where each producer owns a portion of the business, has equal say in decisions and enjoys equal returns from the market.

4. Community development

For each Fair Trade product sold, the cooperative also receives a set amount of money, called the social premium, which is invested in community development projects democratically chosen by the cooperative.

5. Direct Trade

With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.

6. Fair working conditions

Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited and women's empowerment, such as maternity leave, is emphasized.

7. Environmental Sustainability

Fair Trade requires sustainable production methods that respect the producer's health and surrounding environment. Harmful agrochemicals and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are also prohibited.

Dynamo Solar Radio

2009-06-03T07:37:00.001-07:00

How it works?

The Dynamo Solar Radio allows you to charge its 300 mah/2.4 V Ni-MH battery via solar energy or by hand cranking.

*To power on: turn the on/off/volume dial. Change frequencies by switching the AM/FM?WB switch.
Turn tuning dial to change stations.

Functions:

*Uses Solar- Energy to generates power. FM/AM/WB radio.
*Great for outdoor use.

You can get in our website:

http://www.sustainable-nyc.com

Sustainable NYC and The Earth School in the East Village of Manhattan

2009-05-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

Sustainable NYC sponsor The Earth School community selling products and goods from organic, found, recycled and donated materials & ingredients. All proceeds benefit the Earth School, a public elementary school in the East Village, New York City.

For more information go to: http://www.theearthschool.org

How do the Ecospheres work?

2009-05-01T10:38:00.001-07:00

The Inside Story

Inside each EcoSphere are active micro-organisms, bright red shrimp and algae, each existing in filtered sea water. Because the EcoSphere is a self-sustaining ecosystem, you never have to feed the life within. Simply provide your EcoSphere with a source of indirect natural or artificial light and enjoy this aesthetic blend of art and science, beauty and balance. Because the living resources within the EcoSphere utilize their resources without overpopulating or contaminating their environment, the EcoSphere requires no cleaning and only minimal care. EcoSpheres have an average life expectancy of two years. However, it is not uncommon for shrimp populations to be thriving in systems as old as 7 years.

The EcoSphere is a tiny working model of the Earth. It contains the same essential elements that are found on our planet- air, water, life (algae, microorganisms and shrimp) and land (gravel and gorgonian). Life functions in the EcoSphere just as it does on Earth. The shrimp produce carbon dioxide by “breathing”; the algae use the carbon dioxide and light to produce oxygen. Algae can only produce oxygen when there’s light. When it is dark, the shrimp and bacteria are consuming the oxygen while none is being made. The EcoSphere would die with too many plants and animals, because they would run out of oxygen at night.

Along with shrimp, there is algae and filtered sea water. The EcoSphere also contains gorgonia (the non-living, branch like material) and gravel as a part of the working ecosystem. The gorgonian and gravel are a hiding place for the microorganisms- a place where they can not be eaten by the shrimp. All other areas in the water are accessible by the animals. By having more surface area for the bacteria to grow on, the eco-system has the ability to break down more of the waste materials.

You can find it in our store located at :

139 Avenue A. New York NY.10009 Te: 212-254-5400

Visit our website: http://www.sustainable-nyc.com

Sustainable NYC

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The End of the Line? Where to recycle, repurpose, or safely dispose

Facts about Plastic Shopping Bags

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Healthy Home Tips

Know the ingredients in your personal care products

Healthy Home Tips. Green Cleaning this Spring

Cleaning might be a chore, but it doesn't have to be toxic, too! Safer products and practices are available and easy. Why not go green when you clean? Your family's health is (naturally) worth it.

Why you should clean greener?

Tips for cleaning greener at home

Investigate alternatives to in-home pesticides

Why Organic Cotton?

Smart Plastics Guide. Healthier Food Uses of Plastics

Meagan's Roof Garden in New York City

Post- versus pre-consumer recycled content

Some info about Fair Trade:

Dynamo Solar Radio

Sustainable NYC and The Earth School in the East Village of Manhattan

How do the Ecospheres work?