Articles of Interest
What is Organic?
The concept of organic refers to the creation of something that originates in nature, a pure product from the environment.
Organic Products
• Eliminate unnatural herbicides and pesticides
• Use biodegradable and natural fertilizers
• Follow crop rotation standards and soil management procedures
• Undergo specific harvesting procedures
• Have regulated storage procedures
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25% of the world's pesticides are sprayed on Non-Organic cotton:
- This causes devastation to our land, air, water and the health of people living in conventional cotton-growing areas.
- The simple act of growing and harvesting the one pound of non-organic cotton fiber needed to make a T-shirt takes an enormous toll. When cotton is grown organically, it is done without the use of chemicals or harmful pesticides.
- Sustainable and organic growing methods support biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, improving the quality of the soil, using less water and helping to prevent groundwater pollution. Once cotton is spun and knit into a garment, conventional products are often subjected to toxic dyes that are cheaper to produce, nickel-containing metals, and other chemical finishes.
- Dioxin, a bi-product of bleach, is used to whiten conventional clothing, and formaldehyde is used to keep it looking nice in stores. These chemicals off-gas and are absorbed into a person's skin and respiratory system. Organic cotton does not use chemicals in growing or processing and is the healthiest solution for the planet's ecosystem and the health of our species.
- While all cotton is a natural, bio-degradable material, conventionally grown cotton is one of the most chemical-intensive crops grown in North America . Our soil, water and air are all corrupted with these chemical fertilizers and pesticides. And that's not the worst of it...
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies 7 of the 15 conventional pesticides used on cotton crops in North America as possible or known carcinogens!
Why use Organic body care products?
- To reduce the amount of pesticides entering your body. Most body care products on the market today are a combination of plant-derived ingredients and synthetic ingredients. Any plant (whether it’s used for cosmetics, body care product, or food) can be heavily contaminated with pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. By using organic body care products, you’re ensuring that the ingredients are naturally raised and free of contaminants.
- To reduce the number of carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) entering your body. As our largest organ, the skin absorbs everything and this includes the many carcinogens found in almost all body care products for women, men, and babies. To decrease your chances of getting a number of chronic illnesses and diseases, many people now believe that the less carcinogens you put into your body (whether through products, food, or environment), the more you can help to decrease your chances of getting sick. The Canadian Cancer Society says that cancer now affects 1 in 2.3 men and 1 in 2.6 women. Numerous studies suggest that these rates are caused by the increasing number of carcinogens in food, products, and in the environment.
- To know you’re putting only the best, most pure, ingredients into your body. Take the time to read the ingredient label of any name-brand product you currently use; chances are you don’t know what half the ingredients are, and chances are you wouldn’t want to. Truly natural products without chemical ingredients are more safe and more effective than mainstream products because they don’t contain synthetic ingredients which may be toxic to our systems; synthetics are less expensive to use which is why there’re used in most brand-name products.
Choosing Safer Plastic Products for our Children
| Safer Choices | Avoid | |
| Baby Bottles | Baby bottles made of tempered glass or cloudy plastic | Baby bottles made of transparent plastic, available in various colours. These are typically made of polycarbonate, a type of plastic that leaches bisphenol-A (BPA) |
| Sippy Cups | Sippy cups made of stainless steel or opaque/cloudy plastic | Sippy cups made of transparent, rigid plastic, available in various colours. These are typically made of polycarbonate, a type of plastic that leaches bisphenol-a (BPA) |
| Nipples/Pacifiers | Silicone (clear) nipples | Rubber/latex (yellow) nipples which may leach nitrosamines - carcinogenic chemicals |
| Water Bottles | Unlined stainless steel bottles or aluminium bottles lined with a leach-free water-based epoxy resin | Water bottles made of transparent, rigid plastic of various colours. These are typically made of polycarbonate, which leaches bisphenol-A (BPA) |
| Food Storage Containers |
Glass or stainless steel containers | Plastic containers labelled with the following recycling codes: "PVC", "V", "vinyl", "PS" or "other" which is usually polycarbonate coded "PC" |
| Lunch Boxes | Cloth bags or metal lunch boxes | Lunch boxes or bags made of vinyl (PVC) which may contain lead |
| Plastic Bags | Plastic bags and cling wrap (for residential use are made of safer plastics). Waxed paper is also convenient for wrapping food | Avoid heating plastic bags and cling wrap in the microwave, cover with paper towel instead |
Which Plastics are Safe?
| Plastic | Common Uses | Ingredients of Concern |
| PET, PETE Polyethylene terephthalate |
Bottled water, juice and soda. Containers for prepared foods such as condiments, dressings, and peanut butter. Bottles cooking oils.
|
None |
| HDPE High Density Polyethylene |
Cloudy baby bottles, sippy cups and water bottles. SIGG water bottle lids. Bottled milk, juice and water. Cereal box liners and grocery bags.
|
None |
| LDPE Low Density Polyethylene |
Cloudy baby bottles, sippy cups and water bottles. Bags for bread, frozen foods and fresh produce. Zip-loc bags. Consumer cling wrap. |
None |
| PP Polypropylene |
Cloudy baby bottles, sippy cups and water bottles. Containers for storing leftovers. Dairy and deli tubs, squeezable bottles for condiments, honey, syrup etc.
|
None |
| PS Polystyrene |
Take-out food containers. Styrofoam cups and dishware.
|
Styrene is a possible carcinogen, toxic to the nervous system.
|
| PC or OTHER Polycarbonate |
Clear baby bottles, sippy cups or water bottles.
Polycarbonate can be coloured but not cloudy.
|
BisphenolA (BPA) is an estrogen mimicking chemical linked with cancer, changes in behaviour and altered immune function.
|
| PVC, Vinyl, V |
Lunch boxes, knapsacks. Commercial cling wrap.
|
May contain phthalates, plasticizers linked with birth defects and asthma. May contain lead, which harms children's learning and behaviour.
|
***info obtained from Washington Toxics
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