Every single thing we purchase and use has some impact on our earth, and our health. I recently changed all of my cleaning products and laundry detergent to eco-friendly products. I also use soy candles with lead-free wicks to scent my home, eco-friendly hair and skin care products and I purchased wash clothes instead of paper towels to dry our hands in the bathrooms and then wash the filled basket as needed. My husband and I made a decision to go completely eco-friendly because our son has allergy induced asthma and we wanted to illiminate all potential fumes and allergens.
As a woman of color, I have a vested interest in living eco-friendly. African American children have the highest rate of asthma in the United States. Communities of color have the highest levels of air and noise pollution (American Lung Association). Schools in communities of color have more building deteration issues, lack of proper maintenance and lack of proper resources to correct issues. Indoor air pollution, lead, water leaks, aesbestos, etc. are all still serious concerns in schools in communities of color. These issues deserve to be addressed at the local, state and federal level and we have to raise our voices to be advocates for our families health.
What can you do today to make a positive impact on our earth? These are just a few ideas that are easy, money saving and effective.
Purchase eco-friendly cleaning products and laundry detergent for your home.
Use eco-friendly hair and skin care products that include natural and organic ingredients.
Use natural light when possible during the day and turn off lighting when leaving a room.
Use eco-friendly lighting inside and outside your home. Try indoor solar lighting.
Apply dimmers to lighting throughout your home.
Create a grocery list to keep you focused when shopping, saving money and gas.
Use wash clothes instead of purchasing paper towels to dry your hands. Place a basket in your bathroom for used wash clothes and then wash as the basket fills. This saves paper and trees.
Consider purchasing a steam mop. No more detergent, no more chemicals, extra clean floors.
When purchasing new appliances always look for the "energy star" label.
Set your dishwasher to run after midnight when water usage is low and run on "energy saver" cycle.
Purchase glassware instead of plastic when possible.
Consider installing a cooling/heating ceiling fan in your bedrooms. They circulate cool air in summer and warm air in winter and run on pennies a day.
Purchase eco-friendly bed linen (organic cotton, bamboo and recycled materials - yes the thrift store items count as eco-friendly:)
Shop thrift stores for your childrens summer clothes, and truth be told you can find great school clothes as well.
Pack up all unused or unwanted clothing and donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army or a thrift store. You can also make a little extra money by selling your old items to a consignment shop.
Open your windows on comfortable days to allow fresh air to circulate through your home and disapate indoor air pollution.
If you drink coffee or tea, purchase "fair trade" products to ensure your dollars help sustain the villages the product comes from.
Do your shopping locally when possible.
Shop local farmers markets for your fresh produce.
Get to know your local butcher and fish monger. They will know where their product comes from and how fresh it is.
Make sure your home has good quality insulation and check your home seasonally for leaks or general maintenance. Leaks can cause mold growth which can be a terrible health hazard.
When making additions to your home or remodeling use as many eco-friendly materials as possible - everything from flooring to fabric can be eco-friendly and affordable.
When we make positives changes for our families, our children take notice and we leave them a legacy and a love for the environment around them. They take interest in caring for our communities and great pride in living in a community that's beautiful and healthy.
For more information, products and ideas to help you make a positive impact on our earth, check out http://www.evo.com/
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