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Overuse of the Earth’s resources has put our planet at risk. Besides using less, green everyday products can help.
Consumer Issues and Advice Columnist
Overuse of the Earth’s resources has put our planet at risk. Besides using less, green everyday products can help.
On June 30, the Supreme Court’s six-member conservative majority eviscerated the Environmental Protection Agency’s power to curb greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
The ruling gives Congress the authority, an empty — [cynical?] — gesture, since Congress is so polarized and paralyzed there’s scant hope for action, clouding my grandchildren’s and the planet’s future. That leaves it up to state and local governments to make the rules, if they so choose, with no guarantee of nationwide uniformity.
Meanwhile, we face higher sea levels, disappearing beaches and communities, more devastating wildfires, and more serious hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.
So what can we do — besides screaming at the TV during related news reports? One answer: Buy environmentally friendly everyday products. I did some research, and here’s a variety:
• BioBag 100% Compostable & Resealable Sandwich Bags, made from plant starches, vegetable oils, certified fully compostable polymers. Unlike regular polyethylene plastic bags, BioBags are made from a resin that can be consumed by micro-organisms that live in our soils. 25 pack: $7.
Also BioBag compostable pet waste bags. 50 bags, $6.24
• Compostable Dog Bags from Beco Pets, made from natural plant-based resins. 60 bags: $9.99.
• Reli Biodegradable 13 Gallon Trash Bags. Made from plastic (High Density Polypropylene) with additives that speed up degradation (hundreds to thousands of times faster compared to conventional bags), with total degradation possible within 24 to 36 months.100 bags: $19.99
• SKOY reusable dishcloths from Sweden, made of cotton and cellulose, an alternative to paper towels and germy sponges, can be washed and reused multiple times. 4-pack $7.99
• Bee’s Wrap Food Wraps: Reusable, made of organic cotton, beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin, plastic-free and silicone-free, replaces single-use plastic wraps. 3 sizes (S,M,L). Made in the USA. 3-pack: $14.99.
• Tide Purclean Plant-Based EPA Safer Choice Natural Laundry Detergent Ultra Concentrated Liquid Soap Eco-Box. Packaging made with 50% less plastic per ounce vs. 2.25 x 46-ounce containers. 7.18 pounds, 72 Loads. $18.28.
• Seventh Generation Free & Clear Liquid Dish Soap, plant-based biodegradable cleaning ingredients, no fragrances, dyes, phosphates, or triclosan, EPA Safer Choice-certified, bottle and cap from recycled plastic.19-ounce
• Yihong Reusable Stainless Steel Straws, four straight, four bent straws, including twobrushes for easy cleaning. $16.95.
• Tea bags: Most paper tea bags enclosing ground tea leaves contain plastic (polypropylene) used to heat-seal the bag so they won’t open in their box or in your cup. But their bits of micro plastic are not recyclable or biodegradable.
Alternatives — Buy loose tea and use:
Flyfame Disposable Tea Filter Bags for loose tea, biodegradable, compostable. 50-pack: $6.99.
Aksuaple Eco-Fil Disposable Tea Filter Bags for loose tea: Wood pulp material, biodegradable, compostable. 100-pack: $8.99
Numola Unbleached Tea Filter Bags with disposable drawstring, wood pulp filter paper, biodegradable, compostable. 100: $5.49.
Climate Neutral, a nonprofit listing consumer brands in various categories that are carbon neutral, has to date “certified the climate actions of more than 330 brands that have become Climate Neutral Certified,” the organization says, “offsetting more than one million tons of carbon from emissions.”
Everyday essentials: Baylis, Beco, Blueland, Boon Supply, Brightly, Defunkify, Earthhero, Earthkind, Essembly, Hitch, Kleen Kanteen, Leaf Shave, LifeStraw, Nomad, Orbitkey,
Health and Beauty: All Good, Amiga, BLDG Active, Blume, Booboo,By Rosie Jane, Common Heir, Dr. Diana, Earth Harbor Naturals, Eva-NYC, Evberist, Everyday Humans, Glow Recipe, Innersense Organic Beauty, KORA Organics, Kate McLeod.
Bottom line: You can do something useful.
Reach out to Harlan and let him know your questions, issues, and concerns as a consumer; send him an email at harlan.levy@gmail.com
Consumer Issues and Advice Columnist
Harlan was a full-time reporter and columnist for the JI from August 1997 to September 2017, after which he has continued to write weekly Consumer Diary and Leave it to Levy advice columns. Harlan graduated from Princeton University and NYU School of Law.
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