Content by specific author

PlushBeds is a leading online luxury mattress retailer and manufacturer, specializing in natural and organic latex mattresses. All of PlushBeds mattresses are hand crafted in the US with the best quality natural and organic materials - no chemicals, no pesticides, no adhesives, no dyes, no fillers, no synthetic blends. All of PlushBeds mattresses are GreenGuard Gold certified and come with a 100 night free trial. It is PlushBeds’ commitment to excellence in craftsmanship, sustainability, social responsibility and superior customer service, that has driven them to become America’s largest online distributor of natural and organic latex mattresses that are as affordable as they are indulgent.

Climate change is not a purely environmental issue, and neither is the fight for a sustainable food system. Regenerative agriculture, environmental justice, and diversity play a major role in navigating the future of these intertwined issues.

Climate change is having immense direct and indirect effects on individual human health and the stability of our societies and systems at large. It is a complex issue with drivers across industries, policies, and around the globe. Because of this diversity of sources and vast impacts, we need a multidisciplinary approach towards positive change, but this is largely hindered by existing boundaries—geographical and ideological—and organizational silos around how we talk about and approach the issue.

This term—organizational silos—is rooted in business-speak, referring to when parts of a company or industry don’t want to share information or work together for fear of undercutting their own priorities. Silos may form due to a lack of common language or organizational structure that does not allow for collaboration. With enormous cross-cutting issues like climate change and our broken food system, these silos dramatically reduce progress. We are entering the new territory of a climate-altered world without clear direction, in the face of limited resources and strained political relationships, and we need a multifaceted strategy and collaboration amongst diverse stakeholders for approaching these complex challenges.

Looking at these staggering tasks—climate change adaptation and mitigation—through the lens of the food system is helpful. Similar to climate change, issues within the industrial food system are complex and deeply intertwined with other social, environmental, and economic systems and stakeholders across the globe.

Agriculture is a major driver of climate change, but it also has the potential to be a solution. We’re here to advocate for regenerative agriculture and explore how it can guide our approach to the larger fight to “unsilo” efforts and join forces against climate change. For certain, a diversity of management techniques and knowledge systems are needed to address the twin issues of climate change and a degenerative, chemical-intensive food system. And, without a doubt, environmental justice is central to addressing both cases. A truly regenerative agricultural* system can restore soil health, sequester carbon, protect local communities, improve labor conditions, and provide healthier foods.

Using the Transition to Regenerative Agriculture as a Roadmap

The goal of regenerative agriculture is to restore rich soils that sequester and store carbon that would otherwise act as a greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. But, proponents of this approach recognize that this does not happen in isolation. Regeneration’s climate benefits can only be realized when healthy farmlands combine with supported farmers and farmworkers, protected local environments, and informed and empowered consumers. These issues, from the local to global, are all intimately related.

As activist Vandana Shiva said: “Regenerative agriculture provides answers to the soil crisis, the food crisis, the health crisis, the climate crisis and the crisis of democracy."

Sure, but how?

We’re already seeing strong partnerships and support for this multi-faceted approach to a complex challenge. Civil society is creating strong alliances across race, gender, social, political, and economic issues—It Takes Roots and The Climate Justice Alliance, are two examples of this approach that joins advocacy, education, and empowerment. The efforts of nonprofit research centers like the Rodale Institute and state-level initiatives like the California Healthy Soils Initiative are supporting this transition with research, testing, and promotion of successful methods. Farmers pioneering regenerative agriculture are engaged and thriving, just look at Singing Frogs Farm. Businesses like Dr. Bronner’s and Patagonia are propelling the movement forward in the marketplace, and consumers will soon look for products that are Regenerative Organic Certified.

These stakeholders come from different silos—individuals, nonprofits, large businesses, and government—but all have the same goal of promoting regenerative agriculture and reducing climate change (along with many other benefits). While the regenerative agriculture movement is still in its early stages, this collaborative approach and systems-level thinking is right on. These groups chip away at the problem from many angles. With such a diversity of drivers and impacts in both climate change and the food system, we need equally unique and innovative solutions. This approach includes the voices of those who are traditionally marginalized to ensure the impacts are not just shifted to them.

Diversity’s Role in Smashing Silos

According to the 2012 USDA Agricultural Census, women were the primary operators (those managing the day-to-day) of 14 percent of farms in the United States, and minorities—including Spanish, Hispanic, Latino, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian, Black, African American, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander—accounted for 9 percent.

This isn’t insignificant. Women and minorities were responsible for approximately $40 billion of the agricultural market that year. And, with this year’s census, we expect this to increase, as statistics show that beginning farmers are more likely to be female and more likely to be minorities. That’s not to mention the immense labor force of migratory and seasonal farmworkers, with population estimates around three million, 80 percent alone who are Hispanic.

Our world is diverse. Our food system is vast. The overarching lesson to be learned from this is the need for inclusivity and a justice-oriented approach to transition, whether we’re talking about the food system or global climate change.

Unlike chemical-intensive industrial farming, regenerative agriculture is knowledge-intensive and has much to gain from nonmainstream approaches and stakeholders. These farmers often have a strong interest in moving towards more sustainable and less chemical-intensive farming practices. Or, some beginning farmers are starting with these methods rather than having to transition to them. In many cases, farmers are pursuing regenerative agriculture because they have a passion for environmental regeneration and the wellbeing of farmers and farmworkers, but also because there is very real potential for greater revenues using these methods. A great example of this is Casitas Valley Farms, where they produce healthy food with methods that build soil, support pollinators, and care for those working on the farm.

From foodies to feminists, Standing Rock to Salinas, if we are going to break out of the silos and transition to more people- and place-based systems, we have much to learn from diversity. Indigenous, minority, and low-income communities are disproportionately exposed to pollutants and are hit hardest by environmental tragedies; they have much to contribute if we broaden our perspective to accept that these issues affect us all.

Regenerative agriculture will have major impacts in the realm of environmental justice, showing the potential and need for similar approaches in climate change. It has the potential for widespread social and economic benefits, not to mention environmental. These methods reduce water and air pollution, while increasing food access. They reduce pesticide use and, therefore, exposure of farmers and farmworkers to harmful chemicals. There’s the potential for green job creation and an increased bottom line for farmers making management decisions that protect their soils. In a regenerative system, immigrant’s rights and women’s rights stand alongside farmer and consumer advocacy.

It is our responsibility to ensure that all these voices are heard, especially those disproportionally affected by the many impacts of a broken food system and global climate change.

Regenerative agriculture thrives on diversity below ground and it cannot succeed in the fight against climate change and industrial agriculture without a diversity of people and efforts above ground. While the silos may seem unsurmountable at times, our diversity and breadth of experience and knowledge are our biggest assets. As more stakeholders join this agricultural movement and transition towards regeneration, the silos matter less and the ultimate goal becomes clearer.

*This is an exciting time in the worlds of sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation, when these two fields have the opportunity to collaborate and reinforce one another. This partnership is in its early stages, and terminology is constantly evolving. Regenerative agriculture is a new term that is still being defined and debated. Green America is proud to be a part of this discussion and stands behind agriculture that builds healthy farmlands, supports farmers and farmworkers, protects local environments, benefits consumers, and contributes to the fight against climate change—regardless of the term used to describe it. The organization recognizes that implementation of these agriculture methods will always be site specific and depend on soil characters, crops grown, and local climates. Green America's long-term goal is agriculture production that is regenerative and meets the USDA organic standard, the best way to achieve this is through the Regenerative Organic Certification. Green America supports all farms reducing chemical inputs and enhancing soil preservation techniques to move closer to those twin goals.   

SaveSave

Senior Bookkeeper/Accountant

Hours: 32 hours/week, Monday through Thursday

Salary: $44,000 - $48,000, contingent on experience

Benefits: Excellent benefits package, including health insurance, dental & vision coverage, sick days, holidays, and vacation                                                                                    

Supervisor: Director of Finance

Organizational Background

Green America is a national non-profit organization that mobilizes consumers, investors, and businesses to use their economic power to create an environmentally sustainable and socially just economy. We create change in the world with three strategic hubs: 1) Our Consumer Education & Action campaigns create consumer demand that sends signals to the market calling for change, 2) Our Green Business Network is proving that green innovation is not only good for people and our planet, it is also profitable and sustainable, and 3). Our Center for Sustainability Solutions brings together diverse stakeholders along entire supply chains to solve complex sustainability problems that no single business, organization, or leader can solve alone. 

We organize our national network of 250,000+ consumer activists, 2,000 Green Business Network members, and our growing list of corporate and supply chain partners around four core issue areas: 1) Safe Food & Sustainable Agriculture, 2) Clean Energy & Climate Action, 3) Fair Labor & Social Justice, and 4) Responsible Finance & Better Banking. 
 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Accounts Payable

• Process vendor invoices, employee travel reimbursements and other check requests and make payments via check and ACH.
• Insure that there are funds in the appropriate bank account to cover all required vendor payments
• Maintain the vendor file in Intacct including the Tax ID information (W9 or W8) and 1099 status for all vendors.
• Prepare and issue Form 1099 to all appropriate vendors.
• Reconcile the General Ledger Accounts Payable balance with the Accounts Payable sub ledger and Vendor Aging report.
• Maintain AP related forms and update as needed due to changes in the chart of accounts or department codes. 
• Review monthly bank reconciliations, verify that checks clear in a reasonable time frame and perform research as needed.

Payroll

• Enter employee information into the payroll system and process payroll on the scheduled dates.
• Review payroll reports and pay checks/stubs to verify that the payroll was processed accurately.
• Prepare journal entries to record all payroll related activity.
• Setup, process and monitor all payments to payroll related vendors (Metro, retirement, etc.) and tax agencies in a timely and accurate manner.
• Insure that there are funds in the appropriate bank account to cover all required payroll and related payments.
• Reconcile all relevant GL account balances with payroll and related reports.  Insure that all balance sheet and expense accounts match the payroll reports and create subsidiary Excel schedules when needed.

Revenue Journal Entries

• Obtain the necessary transaction source for all revenue related entries (cash based) and make the required journal entries into the accounting system.

Cash Management

• Monitor cash accounts and request transfers between accounts as needed so that payroll, accounts payable and other payments, including checks, ACH and wire transfers are fully funded.
• Prepare any intra-GA cash transfer entries and record in Intacct.
• Assist in the preparation of the monthly bank reconciliations, as needed.

Miscellaneous

• Work with Green America’s external auditors on the annual audit and tax return.
• Ability to work with and maintain confidential and sensitive information.

List of software this position will utilize:

• Intacct Accounting Software
• Paychex
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Online banking
• PayPal
• ACH via vendor sites
• Metro
• Retirement plan vendor

You will be a good fit for this position if:

• You’re well versed in financial concepts.
• You are meticulous as it relates to accuracy, detail and organization, and can work independently as needed in a high-volume environment.
• You recognize that an accounting and finance function in any organization has a responsibility to support other departments so that they can get their work done more efficiently.
• You have a solid understanding of accounting software, online banking, payroll software, and the Microsoft Office suite of software, and how to best use those tools to get the job done.

Qualified Candidates should have:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 3-5 years work experience in each of the job duties listed
• Outstanding references

Hours of Work:

• 9:00 to 5:00, Monday through Thursday, and some evenings and weekends as needed.  No telecommuting.

How to Apply:

Send cover letter and resume to hract@greenamerica.org.

No phone calls, please.

Green America is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination regarding: age, class and economic circumstance, ability/disability, physical appearance and body size, race, ethnicity, country of origin or nationality, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation and identity.

Green America values diversity within our staff, fellows, and interns. We believe the diversity of experiences, ideas, individuals, and organizations in our community and the sector makes us stronger. To create a more just and engaged world, we must embrace and celebrate diversity, practice inclusion, and exercise our role as a champion of equity.

View a larger version of the infographic here. 

This is an exciting time in the worlds of sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation, when these two fields have the opportunity to collaborate and reinforce one another. This partnership is in its early stages, and terminology is constantly evolving. Regenerative agriculture is a new term that is still being defined and debated. Green America is proud to be a part of this discussion and stands behind agriculture that builds healthy farmlands, supports farmers and farmworkers, protects local environments, benefits consumers, and contributes to the fight against climate change—regardless of the term used to describe it. The organization recognizes that implementation of these agriculture methods will always be site specific and depend on soil characters, crops grown, and local climates. Green America's long-term goal is agriculture production that is regenerative and meets the USDA organic standard, the best way to achieve this is through the Regenerative Organic Certification. Green America supports all farms reducing chemical inputs and enhancing soil preservation techniques to move closer to those twin goals.   

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSave

WASHINGTON, D.C.—DECEMBER 5, 2017 —Green America today launched the Re(store) It campaign to educate the public and U.S. corporations about the benefits of regenerative agriculture, an approach to farming which uses methods that rejuvenate the soil and trap greenhouse gases. The campaign will educate consumers about the importance of regenerative agriculture and offer ways to support it.

"We are in a farming crisis and we can no longer continue with our current industrialized, chemical-intensive system of agriculture,” said Anna Meyer, the food campaigns director at Green America. “If we want to sustain farming for future generations and reverse climate change, we must save the soil by adopting regenerative practices."

“We have already seen the power of consumer voice to push for more organic and non-GMO products,” said Jes Walton, food campaigns specialist at Green America. “Now it is time for consumers to demand a major shift in our food system and push for the mass adoption of regenerative agriculture, which has the potential for even more widespread benefits."

Regenerative agriculture harnesses the relationships between plants and soil microbes to pull excess carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and store it in plants and soils where it is a useful nutrient for farmers. These farming methods of storing carbon and re(storing) agricultural soils include: 

• Crop Rotation and Cover Cropping 
• Composting
• Zero to Low Tillage and Mulching
• Planting Perennials and Diverse Crops 

The Re(store) It campaign will release a series of blogs on topics ranging from carbon farming to Christmas Trees, all available at https://www.greenamerica.org/restore-it.  The campaign will help individuals to promote regenerative agriculture in their communities, support farmers who are leaders in restoring soil health, and encourage food companies to support regenerative agriculture through their supply chains.

The Re(store) It campaign builds on Green America’s prior food work, including its GMO Inside campaign, which over the past four years has successfully persuaded a dozen companies – including General Mills, Mars, Pepsi/Sabra – to remove GMOs from their products and move away from toxins in agriculture.

###

ABOUT GREEN AMERICA

Green America is the nation’s leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today’s social and environmental problems. http://www.GreenAmerica.org

INFOGRAPHIC: Available at https://greenamerica.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/RestoreIt_Infographic.pdf

MEDIA CONTACT: Max Karlin for Green America, (703) 276-3255, or mkarlin@hastingsgroup.com

Local and organic foods have some climate benefits, but choose local, organic, AND regenerative for the greatest impact!

Our food choices are important. They affect our personal health, the wellbeing of farmers and rural communities, and the state of the environment. Increasingly, we’re coming to understand the major impacts food and agriculture have on the most pressing and comprehensive issue of our time—climate change.

As conscious consumers, it can be difficult to navigate and understand the many labels and claims that come with our food. Organic. Regenerative. Local. You may have come across these words in the grocery store, at farmers’ markets, or in restaurants. And—while local and organic are great all-around choices—if you care about solutions to climate change, regenerative organic agriculture* and healthy soils deserve some extra attention.

When talking about the food system, the climate changing greenhouse gases we’re most concerned about are carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Human activities have increased the concentrations of these gases in our atmosphere, where they trap the sun’s heat and change the climate. Agriculture is a major contributor to climate change, but this could be lessened and even reversed with the adoption of organic, regenerative, and local practices.

Organic Agriculture: Great, But We Can Do Better

Organic is an easy place to start, because it has a legal definition with strict requirements. It prohibits the use of synthetic, nitrogen-based fertilizers that require a great deal of energy to produce (with associated carbon dioxide released) and turn into nitrous oxide if not managed correctly.

Organic agriculture diverts methane-producing waste from landfills, converting the waste to rich organic matter through composting. Organic methods may also reduce carbon dioxide emissions that come from transporting chemical inputs to farms, because these methods naturally enrich the soil with on-farm resources and eliminate the need for chemical inputs. The many benefits of organic agriculture have long been recognized, but of particular importance in this era of climate change is the fact that these richer soils are also better at sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.

New research shows that organic soils have the potential to store 26 percent more carbon than soils on conventional farms, resulting in less harmful carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Additional research from the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization found that 40-65 percent of agricultural greenhouse gases could be offset if the world’s farmers switched to organic agriculture.

So, organic clearly has an important role in the fight against climate change, but why isn’t it the end-all, be-all?

It’s a great start, and any conventional agriculture that’s converted to organic agriculture is a step in the right direction. Organic methods help reduce emissions. But, they don’t explicitly focus on climate benefits—that is, the building and protecting of soils and their ability to sequester carbon and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere—which is where the major potential for reversal of climate change lies. Slowing emissions is important, but we’ve reached a point where removing the greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere is a priority.

Regenerative Organic Agriculture: Restoring Soils to Reverse Climate Change

In September 2017, several organizations joined together to create certification criteria for regenerative organic agriculture. The criteria use USDA organic requirements as a baseline, meaning they include all the benefits in the organic section above with, an additional focus on animal welfare, treatment of farmworkers, and restoring and protecting soils that act as sinks for carbon dioxide.

Green America’s Center for Sustainability Solutions is convening a carbon farming network that will focus on increasing the acreage under regenerative agricultural production by creating pathways for farmers to move along the spectrum of regenerative practices. The Center is also working throughout the supply chain to develop market support for regenerative agriculture production.

Important soil building practices in regenerative organic agriculture include composting, cover cropping, conservation tilling, planting perennial crops, and intensively managed grazing. Research from the Rodale Institute suggests that a switch to these regenerative methods has the potential to sequester 100 percent of current carbon dioxide emissions with numerous other social, environmental, and climate benefits.

You read that right. 100 percent!

Much of the research focuses on carbon, but the benefits of regenerative organic agriculture extend to other greenhouse gases. Conservation tillage reduces the release of nitrous oxide and methane into the air. Livestock produce less methane when grazed with regenerative methods on high quality pastures. Similarly, less methane and nitrogen dioxide are released from the excessive manure build up that is seen in CAFOs or other confined animal situations, because it is evenly distributed over pastureland in regenerative land management practices.

Local, Regenerative Organic Agriculture: The Best of All Worlds

While it might seem like regenerative organic agriculture is the answer, we have to consider the fact that all these climate benefits are negated if responsibly-grown food is shipped around the world to consumers. Of course, there are many complex elements to consider from field to fork, but local foods generally have a lower carbon footprint and higher nutritional value. So, we’re here to advocate for local, regenerative organic agriculture.

The majority of climate benefits associated with local food come from less transportation and, therefore, less carbon dioxide emitted. So, buying locally grown food limits the shipping distance, but it also reduces the energy and associated emissions that come with refrigeration, storage, and packaging that come with long distances. Local foods are often less processed, which is energy intensive, and the emphasis on seasonal eating has a ripple effect of reducing demand for foods shipped from far away.

It’s imperative to consider climate benefits when making food choices. Let’s make the ultimate goal to buy food that’s grown locally and produced using regenerative organic methods. Not sure how to do that? We encourage you to talk to vendors at farmers’ markets. If you find producers with methods you love, spread the word through your networks on social media or word of mouth. Fill out comment cards at grocery stores and speak directly to managers at food retailers.

Let them know the climate matters to you. 

*This is an exciting time in the worlds of sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation, when these two fields have the opportunity to collaborate and reinforce one another. This partnership is in its early stages, and terminology is constantly evolving. Regenerative agriculture is a new term that is still being defined and debated. Green America is proud to be a part of this discussion and stands behind agriculture that builds healthy farmlands, supports farmers and farmworkers, protects local environments, benefits consumers, and contributes to the fight against climate change—regardless of the term used to describe it. The organization recognizes that implementation of these agriculture methods will always be site specific and depend on soil characters, crops grown, and local climates. Green America's long-term goal is agriculture production that is regenerative and meets the USDA organic standard, the best way to achieve this is through the Regenerative Organic Certification. Green America supports all farms reducing chemical inputs and enhancing soil preservation techniques to move closer to those twin goals.   

SaveSave

Christmas trees in the United States are a big deal. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, 25-30 million are sold every year. Many environmentalists cringe at this thought, but there are lots of options for making this once-a-year practice more sustainable.

Rent a Tree!

Yes, you read that right. Find a local business that grows live potted trees, delivers them to your doorstep, and then picks them up after Christmas. These trees are less of a fire hazard, help your indoor air quality, and drop less of those annoying pine needles everywhere.

Feeling attached to your tree? Don’t worry. Hug away. And, you can rent the same one year after year.

Start a Personal Forest?

Okay, so you’re ready to commit? Then this option might be right for you: you can purchase a live tree with root ball intact. After Christmas, remove the decorations and give the tree a new life outside in your yard or in a nearby forest. You might also consider a non-traditional option, like a fruit tree or other plant that might better compliment your space.

Here’s some guidance around tree planting.

No, I Like the Tradition of a Cut Tree.

That’s okay! As these trees grow on the farm, they release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. You can opt to cut one yourself on National Forest land. The US Forest Service guidelines help ensure that you remove trees in a responsible manner that may even benefit the forest.

Or, visit your local tree farm! Christmas tree farms provide around 100,000 jobs, which is something you can feel good about. Choose organic where you can, so you’re not exposing the environment or your home to toxic chemicals.

After Christmas, make sure to recycle your cut tree at one of 4,000 recycling centers across the country, where it can be turned into mulch or otherwise used in conservation and restoration efforts. Many towns have local pick up service as well.

The Great Christmas Tree Debate: Fake or Real, which is Best?

You might notice that we didn’t include artificial trees in our list of sustainable options.

There are many reasons for this. Artificial trees are made from petroleum-based products and many contain chemicals that are harmful during production, in your home, and after they’re discarded. 85 percent of these trees are imported from China, so their carbon footprint is quite large. And, while many point to the long-life of these trees, consumers only keep them for an average of 6 years before they are sent to spend eternity in a landfill, where they have many negative impacts. If you’re interested in an artificial tree, see if you can rescue a used one!

Why do we support real Christmas trees as a more environmental option? Well, their climate impact is one major reason. Like all plants, Christmas trees grow by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air; this carbon makes up around half of the tree’s dry weight. So, these trees spend their average lifespan of 7 years providing this service, and they are ultimately biodegradable. When you buy a real Christmas tree from a farm, it’s a crop grown specifically for this purpose, oftentimes on soil that can’t support other agriculture. And, while it’s growing, it may be preserving green space and habitats.

Research shows that the amount of carbon dioxide released from an artificial tree’s life cycle is around 18 pounds per year (based on its average 6 years of use), whereas a real tree releases around 7 pounds (if the tree is incinerated after use).

Note that when a tree is burned or otherwise allowed to decompose, the tree’s carbon is released back into the air—a major reason why we advocate for real trees that live past the holiday season.

Bonus, there IS a Regenerative Option!

Check out this Christmas tree farm that uses regenerative methods. These farmers are coppicing trees to produce a new Christmas tree every decade on rootstocks that have been around since the 1950s! Less disturbance of the soils means more carbon sequestered or drawn out of the atmosphere, so you can feel great about the climate benefits of this option. This is our #1 recommendation for the greenest possible Christmas trees, but only those near the Massachusetts farm may really be able to benefit.

Maggie’s Organics began in 1992, when an organic blue-corn farmer inadvertently taught us the ‘true cost’ of conventional cotton growing. Once we learned that cotton is the second most pesticide-laden crop on Earth, responsible for 10 percent of the world’s pesticide consumption, and nearly 25 percent of the earth’s insecticides, we knew we had to find a different path.

Having no business models to follow, we took our newly harvested organic cotton to various US mills, and quickly realized that the pesticides were only the tip of a confusing, convoluted and chemical-laden supply chain that included heavy metal dyestuffs, formaldehyde, and disenfranchised piece-paid workers.

We set our sights on changing the apparel industry by creating basic, comfortable, durable and affordable clothing while treating both the earth and all human resources with dignity and respect.

Twenty-one years and many successes, failures, awards, and tears later, today our line of socks, tights, leggings, scarves, hairware and apparel are made from organic wool and organic cotton grown by close to 3000 family farmers, and are produced by three supply chains that include worker-owned cooperatives, family-owned and -operated U.S. sock mills, and long-term relationships (more below).

We are thrilled to be nominated for this award, as Green America's members and staff have played such a key role in our growth and success. Green America has always been there: connecting us to like-minded creative business leaders, serving as our sounding board when we could see only failure, challenging us to keep going when obstacles seemed insurmountable, inspiring us to connect with consumers who really do care.

If chosen for this award, we will dedicate the funds to bringing more of our cooperative producers to meet and interact with our customers, through seminars and educational events. It is our belief that this connection can truly change the world.

http://www.maggiesorganics.com/

Bio-Beetle was the very first to rent out 100-percent biodiesel cars and offer the most eco-friendly cars into the rental world. Ethical living and sustainability is our driving force. Shaun Stenshol and Pamela Miedtke-Wolf started Bio-Beetle in 2003, with the idea of showing people that green options are available, today. If someone needs to drive, they can reduce their fossil fuel use and help make a difference.

"We live by our beliefs and we will only do business in the same way," says Pamela. "We rent the most eco-friendly cars available in Maui -- biodiesel, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and 100-percent electric. But more than just green cars, we strive to make everything about the company green while doing as much for our renters, as for the planet."

Bio-Beetle began with one biodiesel car, fueled with sustainable biodiesel made on Maui from recycled cooking oil. After adding several more biodiesel cars over the years (Beetles, Golfs, Jettas, a Jeep Liberty), Bio-Beetle added the most fuel-efficient hybrid they could get, a Toyota Prius, and most recently the gas/electric Chevy Volt, and 100-percent electric Nissan Leaf.

Renting a car from Bio-Beetle is not all that different from renting from the other guys, the prices are comparable, and in most cases renters will get picked up curbside at the airport, or cars can be delivered elsewhere on the island of Maui. But you also deal with a real person, meaning better customer service and a more personable atmosphere. 
In the cars, Bio-Beetle uses Earth-friendly coolants, synthetic engine oil, and nontoxic cleaners, which are okay for individuals with chemical sensitivity.

Bio-Beetle also lends out, for free, coolers, boogie boards, beach accessories, reusable shopping bags, local hiking books, etc., to help reduce needless consumerism, particularly of throwaway items that hurt the planet, making our renters' trips more economical and eco-friendly.

Bio-Beetle is a big believer in the concept of "reduce/reuse/recycle/repurpose," always using 100-percent recycled or tree-free paper in the office, organic cotton or resale clothes, and recycled items when available. Bio-Beetle logo shirts were made in the USA with organic cotton grown in the USA. Plus we encourage renters to bring in the recyclables they accumulate during their Maui stay and choose other eco-travel options when available.

Shaun and Pam truly believe in zero waste. Besides renting cars, they also own and operate a recycling company, they live off-grid, with solar energy, and a rainwater catchment. They're vegan, and grow a lot of their own food. Plus they created a cat sanctuary for around 100 homeless cats that had nowhere else to go.

" We believe it is important to know where your money goes," says Pam. "Just because you might be able to rent a hybrid now, from another rental company, for example, what does your money support? It matters! We’re trying to give people who come to Maui the greenest options available. Thank you Green America, for choosing us as a finalist, in the People & Planet awards, and for the opportunity to share what we are doing. If Bio-Beetle is awarded the $5,000, we will use it to help add another car to the fleet, plus help pay for cat food!"

Agriculture and crop production rely on photosynthesis to combine sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide for plant growth. This carbon dioxide is pulled from the air—a process known as sequestration—and used to build plant matter, roots, and soil.  

Regenerative agriculture* focuses on keeping this carbon out of the air, where it acts as a greenhouse-warming gas, and using it as a fertilizer in the soil. It also aims to keep carbon that originated from the soil in place. The practices that help keep carbon underground include: zero to low tillage, mulching, cover cropping, crop rotation, composting, planting perennials and diverse crops, and managed grazing.  

These methods limit or reduce the disturbance of fields and pastures, so soil carbon isn’t exposed to the air and oxidized into carbon dioxide. The methods also focus on keeping the delicate soil communities healthy and protected by covering the soil, feeding it rich organic matter at many depths, and avoiding the use of harmful chemicals like pesticides and herbicides.  

Download the PDF of the infographic here. Want more details? View the infographic sources here. 

SaveSave

Explore Maui’s road to Hāna, Haleakalā National Park, Iao Valley, Upcountry Maui, Makawao and more on one of our 3 Maui tours. Experience a majestic Haleakalā sunrise or journey down the road to Hāna to find a black sand beach, waterfalls and incredible coastal vistas. Mauiʻs mountains are on full display during our Volcanoes of Maui tour, visit the spectacular Iao Valley & Summit of Haleakalā  in our custom passenger cruisers, that are built for Mauiʻs roads so you can see it all totally relaxed and stress-free. Comfortably walk-into our industry leading wide captain seats and oversized viewing windows. We make sure a day with Valley Isle Excursions’ Certified, expert tour guides is your best day on Maui. Learn more at tourmaui.com

Fed By Threads is the first American-Made "Supply Chain Aware" organic sweatshop-free boutique clothing store and custom print apparel business that only carries certified responsibly manufactured products, and provides emergency meals through the purchase of our ethical apparel.

Since 2012, we have donated over 550,000 meals to some of the 45 million Americans facing food insecurity in the richest country in the world where we collectively throw out 30-40 percentof our food.

By supporting food banks across the country, food that was headed for landfills is redirected to families struggling to put meals on the table. We only carry designers who produce inside the United States paying living wages who use only sustainable cruelty-free fabrics such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, recycled plastic bottles that reduce our collective carbon footprint.

Sustainability for us means thinking about the farm workers, the soil quality and run-off, price per lb. of raw product, wages for the mill workers, the labor conditions in the cut & sew factories and how we can reduce the use of chemical pesticides, protect air quality, while educating future consumers to be aware of the impact of their choices.

Fed By Threads is about mobilizing a consumer awareness that doesn't require customers to be revolutionaries. Our customers are making a positive impact in the lives' of people they will never meet.  The long term solution to hunger and inequality is personally-rewarding employment and livable-wage jobs that offer dignity and respect.

Our mission supports de-globalizing fashion and redefining what the triple bottom line means:
Humanitarian + Organic + Made Locally to benefit Locally.

Beyond that, the underlying message is love and respect: The clothing we wear has many stories and truths woven into it, so our goal is to offer our customers the ability to have their dollars vote for a better world that values high-quality, long-lasting craftsmanship as well as positive community and environmental impact. Each time an individual chooses Fed By Threads they are affecting how to "change clothes" responsibly when they manage their closets and create ripple effects that make a difference.

At Fed By Threads, we are proactive about improving global labor markets and positively effecting climate change. We understand, individually, evolving global manufacturing systems is a monumentally difficult task, but like gravel, one grain at a time can redirect a river.

Founded in 2006 by a handful of “pragmatic idealists” with years of experience in the apparel industry, Fair Indigo believes when fashion is done right, everyone profits: discerning consumers, farmers, garment workers, and the earth we share.

Our journey has been daunting, humbling, and uplifting. After a strong start, we were nearly wiped out by the financial crisis of 2008 and lost three quarters of our employees. Since then we’ve bootstrapped our way back, focusing on what we do best.

First, we select only the best premium materials because we strongly believe that one of the best ways to reduce our carbon footprint is by building clothes that last.  Our Fair Indigo Label garments are made with organic Peruvian pima cotton and dyed with Oeko-tex certified dyes. They’ll endure through years, yes years, of enthusiastic wearing without pilling or shrinking.

For clothing to last, it also needs to be Forever in Fashion. At Fair Indigo, you won’t find Fast Fashion fads, this season’s “must have” whatever, or a slavish devotion to the “Color of the Year,” however garish. As our Style Manager Stacy likes to say, “pretty colors are always in style.”  Our Better Basics are the building blocks to an ethical wardrobe.

Our Joobles organic stuffed animals and accessories are hand knit by Peruvian artisans who proudly share their talents to craft magical characters for babies, kids, and kids at heart – without the worry of harmful chemicals or toy sweatshops.

Taking care of the earth is only half the equation to a cleaner closet. We also must take care of its inhabitants. Our cooperative members and small business employees in Peru are paid fairly, treated with dignity and respect. We visit them every year. Have lunch with them. Listen to their ideas. Laugh with them. Dream with them. When we ask what’s the one thing we could do to make their lives better, with rare exception, their answer is always the same: “send more work.”

The Fair Indigo Foundation supports education in the communities where we make our products. With customers’ $5 donations at checkout, we have been able to support two schools with hiring of teachers, building improvements, and school supplies.

If we win this prize, we would like to create a short video to share the stories of our friends in Peru. We are honored to work with them to bring the world Style with a Conscience. 

The average American tosses 4.4 pounds of trash per day. This seems insignificant, but with 323.7 million people living in the United States, that’s roughly 728,000 tons of daily garbage. The annual garbage weight for the entire country equals 254 million tons, equivalent to 1.2 million blue whales –enough to reach the moon and back 25 times, which is why zero waste is key.

These numbers are intimidating, but once business waste is added to the equation, the numbers only increase. Apple Inc. alone has sold over 570 million smartphones since the first iPhone in 2007 and recovered only 40,000 tons of e-waste in 2014. This does not account for the toxic waste created during the production cycle and iPhones that have been irresponsibly discarded or forgotten in a drawer. After Samsung's disastrous Note 7 recall in 2016, more than 4.3 million phones were considered unsafe.

Going from tons of waste to zero waste

So how does a business, with complex supply chains and consumer-producer relationships, become zero waste? Thrive Market, a certified member of the Green Business Network, sets an example: by committing more than 90% of their waste to go to recycling centers, be reused, donated or composted, they have diverted virtually all of their waste from landfills. They recently announced that they have surpassed this goal at two of their fulfillment centers.

Zero waste is also good for the bottom line. Epson in Portland, Oregon reduced waste to zero and has saved $300,000 and Xerox Corp., Rochester, New York has had a Waste-Free Factory environmental performance goal since the early 1990s, with a savings of $45 million in 1998.

Although zero waste at all ends of the supply chain is the final goal, zero landfill may be easier as an initial first step. It’s important to note that zero landfill goals should prioritize reuse and recycling streams, not incinerators; burning waste does not actually reduce consumption and can lead to other harmful environmental issues or workplace situations. Zero landfill goals can help businesses learn to divert waste from the production cycle, reduce disposal costs and maximize efficiency. This process can foster proper recycling habits, such as washing items of food or particle debris before sorting. Additionally, reinventing packaging to be minimal, recyclable or compostable can improve material flows, manufacturing efficiency and product appearance to the consumer.

Starting small is key

For organizations and businesses interested in zero waste or zero landfill goals, it may help to start small and build momentum. Restaurants purchasing biodegradable straws or partnering with food redistribution or composting organizations divert landfill waste and achieve zero waste goals. Color-coding packages by its recycling facility or redesigning training programs are all steps towards greening your business.  Small but achievable goals satisfy consumers, shareholders, and employees; these steps chip away at unsustainable but convenient habits.

Monitoring the life of a product after it has been purchased is more of a challenge. Apple offers a free reuse and recycling program for old iPhones, iPads, and computers in an attempt to recover and recycle as much e-waste as possible. Customers who may not want to return products for ecological purposes are incentivized with the possibility that their product may qualify for a gift card. This example can model a way for other businesses with products that can also be recycled or reused. Samsung also has a recycling program in an effort to reuse, refurbish, and reduce their e-waste.

Zero waste and zero landfill are very appealing terms; however, we caution consumers to be aware that these terms do not necessarily hold value without prior research into business practices. At the Green Business Network, we vet all of our certified members to ensure that they practice what they preach in both social justice and sustainability. Certified zero waste and zero landfill organizations are becoming the standard across the country as the movement towards a holistic green economy grows.

Kerabotanica is a Professional hair care brand that has created revolutionary hair care with high performance & without damaging ingredients. We've formulated the World’s First Certified-Organic Shampoo & Conditioner.

Visit www.kerabotanica.com to learn more.

Coming soon.

What are “CDFIs” and what is community investing?

Community development financial institutions (or CDFIs), are banks, credit unions, and other financial-services organizations, such as community development loan funds, that measure their returns both in terms of financial profitability and social impact. They operate with the express goal of creating resources and opportunities for groups, businesses, and individuals who are under-served by traditional financial institutions. When you choose to place your banking or investment dollars with CDFIs to help further these goals, you are participating in community investing.

Community investors help finance projects that lift communities economically. In rural and urban areas (and internationally), community investors provide capital that supports job creation, financial services to low-income individuals, start-up funds for small businesses, loans for affordable housing, and more.

In other words, community investing helps you to maximize the social change created by your banking and investment dollars. (Read stories of community investing successes here, and here, and here.)

Community investing has grown significantly over the last 15 years. As of 2010, CDFIs held assets of $41.7 billion, more than ten times their holdings in 1995. The rapid growth seen starting in 2007 has been attributed in part to consumer dissatisfaction with conventional banks as the US recession unfolded.*

How safe are community investments?

All personal holdings in banks and credit unions (including community investment banks and credit unions) are insured up to $250,000 per financial institution by the federal government. You don’t have to worry about losing any money up to that cap. Shifting your checking or savings accounts to a community development bank or credit union should be a largely seamless shift that can make a real difference in how you use your money to support your social and environmental goals. (Read our profile of one Green American who “broke up with her bank” here.)

Community development loan funds — like conventional loan funds — are not insured by the FDIC. Still, of the 508 community development financial institutions surveyed through the CDFI Data Project through 2007 (the latest date for which data is available), none have reported that they have ever lost any investor principal.

How have community investing banks fared during the global economic crisis?

The recession has certainly taken its toll on all sectors of the economy, but in the banking world, those most harmed by the housing collapse were those involved in predatory, abusive, and profiteering lending practices — sourcing toxic assets like sub-prime loans, for example. These practices, which caused so much turmoil for the economy, sit squarely at odds with the standard operating practice of community development banks and credit unions.

According to the FDIC, in 2009 a total of 140 US banks failed, up from 28 in 2008, and the highest overall total since 1992. Of these, the National Community Investment Fund (NCIF) reports that only one was a community development bank. Exact numbers for 2010 were not available at the time of this guide’s publication, though published estimates from the FDIC and NCIF indicate a year similar to 2009.

Meanwhile, the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions reports that deposits in its sector have actually outpaced the growth of conventional credit unions during the recession. Its 2009 financial trends report found that community development credit unions (CDCUs) experienced significant increases in membership, deposits, and size of their loan portfolios in 2009.What’s more, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of February 2009 appropriated an extra $100 million to CDFIs certified as such by the government, enhancing their lending capacities.

In testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, CDFI Fund director Donna Gambrell said, “The new economic environment has offered very real opportunities for CDFIs to expand their impact in the communities they serve. ... We are uniquely positioned to serve low-income and economically distressed communities.”

And in a July 2010 article comparing CDFI performance with conventional banks’ performance during the recession, analyst Bob Adkins of Community Bank Ventures showed that while CDFIs’ return on assets (ROA) have lagged behind their conventional counterparts, they also continued strong growth throughout 2008, while the rest of the economy contracted. Explains Adkins: “There has been a pent-up need for products and services offered by CDFI banks in the communities they serve, as many of these communities have been under-served by traditional banks.” For more on the economic crisis and CDFIs, see this article.

Besides banking, what other community investing options are available?

Lots! Community development loan funds provide financing for cooperatives, green businesses, nonprofit organizations, and economic development projects. Microenterprise loan funds provide small loans to entrepreneurs in the US and overseas. Community development venture capital funds provide loans to businesses creating jobs for low-income communities, and some socially responsible mutual funds devote up to ten percent of their assets to community investing. You can even find credit cards through community development banks. Remember that it’s only accounts at community development banks and credit unions that are federally insured up to $250,000. Loan funds, venture capital funds, and other vehicles are not insured, so the risk is higher. As with all investment options, you or your financial adviser should investigate them thoroughly to ensure they meet your social and financial goals. (Find a clickable list of resources in the online PDF version of our Community Investing Guide, also available for purchase as a print magazine.)

Do I need large sums of money to invest in communities?

You do not need large sums of money to invest in communities. Many options have low or no minimum amounts.

What impact will community investing have on my investment returns?

If you choose to shift your checking or savings account to a CDFI, or dump your mega-bank credit card in favor of a CDFI-sponsored credit card, you should find that interest rates and other terms will be comparable to those at traditional banks and credit unions.

With community development loan funds and micro enterprise funds, the return on investment will usually run between zero and four percent. In a roaring market, your returns might be more modest than other investment vehicles. In a faltering market, when many stocks begin paying negative returns, returns on community investments may turn out comparatively better.

Either way, the social returns are greater with community investments, and no matter what type of market we’re in, experts agree that investors should diversify their portfolios to minimize risk. Community investing can be a healthy part of a diversified portfolio.

Why not just give the money to charity?

A potential $20 reduction in the return on a community investment vs. a conventional investment vastly exceeds the social-change capabilities of a $20 gift to charity.

What’s more, community investing can be much more empowering for low-income individuals looking to use their own skills and talents to lift themselves economically. Your money’s power to change a community ripples out from the initial borrower who then embarks on a venture that will provide education, jobs, clean energy, child care, or any number of other critical business and infrastructure needs for their local community.

Continue to be generous in giving to charity, and then also consider breaking up with your mega-bank, and moving at least one percent of your portfolio into community investing.

*Chart created by the Social Investment Forum Foundation for the 2010 Report on Socially Responsible Investing Trends in the United States, using data from the Aspen Institute, Calvert Foundation, CDFI Data Project, CDVCA, National Community Investment Fund, National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions, and Opportunity Finance Network.

The road to financial health starts with embracing a “shift to thrift.” By spending less and saving more, you’ll not only save the planet’s precious resources, but you’ll avoid extra debt and pave the way toward a secure retirement.

The best way to save more is to take a close look at your finances and create a financial plan. 

You (Yes, You!) Need a Budget

The best way to begin creating your financial plan is to take a close look at the state of your finances. By examining how much money you earn and where you spend it, you can create a lean budget that will get you through tough times and beyond.

“Taking charge of your money—really doing the things you want to do with your money—all starts with the foundation of a spending plan, otherwise known as a budget,” says Carrie VanWinkle, a financial advisor with Just Money Advisors in Louisville, KY. “For a lot of people, it’s the most challenging part of their financial life.”

Follow these steps to figure out your finances:

1. Write down your net monthly income.
2. Figure out all of your fixed monthly expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments, retirement contribution, utility bills, food, child care, insurance payments, student loans, and credit card or other debt payments.
3. Subtract your total monthly fixed expenses from your net monthly income. What’s left over is your discretionary income.

There are many online budget calculators that can help you scrutinize your finances, such as from Mapping Your Future.

Figure out what your savings goals are:

• Do you need to put away more money for retirement or for college?
• Do you need to establish an emergency fund (experts recommend having at least three month’s worth of your salary on hand for times of need)?
• Are you planning an expensive trip or do you need to save for a new car? 

A solid budget can help you figure out how you can trim your fixed expenses and save more of your discretionary income to meet your goals.

Apps Can Make It a Snap

The challenge of creating a budget has gotten easier, thanks to new technology. A variety of mobile apps have become available to help you set a spending plan and keep track of your spending in real time. You can even connect your budget with your bank and investment accounts, use your phone to track your spending, and understand where you’re spending your money without saving bothersome paper receipts or statements. 

Mint is the most popular budgeting software and app out there, with over 10 million registered users. It started as an online budgeting system and adapted quickly to the need for mobile apps, so you can now access Mint on your computer, phone, and tablet. *Editor's note: Mint shut down in 2023. However, free alternatives like Empower and Rocket Money work nearly exactly the same.

Empower and Rocket Money allow you to see the big picture of your finances in one place by linking with all bank, investment, and credit card accounts. Then it breaks down your expenses so you can see how much you’re spending in different categories, like restaurants, groceries, entertainment, and more. Using expense analysis, you can create a realistic spending plan based on your historical spending patterns.

To track your finances fully, Empower and Rocket Money requires your bank login info, credit card numbers, and other account information. It keeps this information encrypted, and no funds can be moved or transferred through it. However, this type of online disclosure may make some budgeters squirm, so VanWinkle urges you to only reveal your financial information at your comfort level.

There are plenty of apps that can help you track your budget without linking to your accounts. VanWinkle recommends You Need a Budget (YNAB), an online and mobile budgeting program that allows you to enter in the amount of information you desire about your different accounts without actually linking to them. In addition to helping you create a living budget, producing reports about how you spend, enabling you to set up regular transactions, and more. YNAB also offers budgeting webinars online.

Track Daily Spending

If you want to track your spending, but you don’t need or want the more detailed reports that Rocket Money and Empower provide, there are many mobile app options.

Imagine you used only cash, but you knew that $200 of it was for savings, $30 was reserved to fill up your gas tank, and you had to save $1,000 to pay your rent. You might separate this cash into different envelopes for each category to keep it reserved for the right purpose, and to help assess how much money you have left for the rest of the month.

This is called envelope budgeting, and you can electronically keep track of all your finances this way through Goodbudget, formerly known as Easy Envelope Budgeting Aid.

When you set up Goodbudget, you’ll create virtual “envelopes” based on how you want to spend your money every month. The app will also ask for your income information, to match it up with envelope expenses. Anytime you make a purchase or payment, you enter it into the app and choose which “envelope” to take the money from.

“The envelope method sounds very simple, but I’ve seen people reach some amazing financial goals this way,” says VanWinkle.

Another app available in the Android store, Wallet Master, is even simpler than Goodbudget. Rather than setting up envelopes, you set a spending goal for the week or month. You then enter in any purchases you make and categorize these purchases as you go. This enables you to look at what is available in your budget as a whole and also visualize where your money is going.

Stick to It

Maybe you’ve created a spending plan but want extra help sticking to that budget. Try out a “shopping list app.”

Of the dozens of shopping list apps out there, Out of Milk is one of the most popular. It allows you to build different shopping lists for different stores or needs, entering prices for all of the items on your list. This feature allows you to see the expected total of your shopping list and know if it falls within your budget, or whether you need to cut out that mocha latte you were planning to get. 

You can even build up your Out of Milk “pantry,” which is a list of items you always like to have stocked at home. Use this feature to move commonly purchased items over to your shopping list with ease. A bar code reader within the app makes it easy to add items to your list at the store, and the app will also search online for local deals near your zip code.

You can also use this app to track your savings. This writer created a list called “Things I Didn’t Buy,” where I added things that I was tempted to splurge on but didn’t. Seeing these items add up helps me realize that making small decisions to save can have bigger outcomes.

Live Green, Save More

Living green means learning the art of elegant simplicity—saving more for your retirement, buying only what you need, and supporting the green economy when you do make a purchase. Creating and sticking to a budget is a great way to plan for that. Plus, says VanWinkle, it’s also an important step toward financial wellness.

“The first time someone buys a car with cash, pays off student loan debt before age 40, or dedicates a certain amount of money to creating positive impact in the world: these are all life-changing experiences that allow you to live in a more relaxed space financially,” says VanWinkle. “A good budget is the tool that gets us there.”

Updated January 2025.

When most people think of the variety of apples only a few names come to mind, such as Fuji, Granny Smith, Gala, Honeycrisp, and Red Delicious – these are your staple grocery store apple varieties. But there are so many more! According to the US Apple Association, a trade association for apple growers, “there are over 100 apple varieties grown commercially in the US,” but only 15 varieties make up 90% of the apple sales.” These are pretty ridiculous numbers when you consider that there are over 2,500 varieties of apples grown in the US and 7,500 varieties grown throughout the world.

Each apple has its own characteristics. Apples differ in taste (sweet v. tart), coloring, and crispness. Heirloom varieties are those that “have been bred by orchardists over the centuries for a wide range of tastes, textures, sizes, and shapes.” Orchardists have maintained and protected these varieties for years, making sure that we don’t lose them in favor of more commercially appealing varieties. Heirloom apples tend to be much more complex in their flavoring and serve a variety of different persons.

Beyond flavor another reason to step outside the traditional variety apples is the recent introduction of genetically engineered (GE) apples into produce sections. Arctic apples, the recently released non-browning GE apples, are now available at grocery stores in the Midwest, and will likely be sold in other regions in the near future. Currently, the Golden Delicious is the only GE apple available, but the Granny Smith and Fuji are next on the list of GE apple varietiesplanned to be released.

When picking an apple, it is also important to consider how your apples are grown. The majority of an apples’ nutrients and fiber are stored in the peel of the apple. The peel is also the area most likely to be directly exposed to pesticides. Make sure to buy organic apples and ask your local apple grower what type of pest management is used on their farm.

Tips to Finding the Perfect Heirloom Apple 

For the most part heirloom apple varieties aren’t going to be found at your local grocery store. Since it is apple season you might luck out with some locally grown varieties at your local natural foods store, but more likely than not you’re going to have to do a bit of apple hunting. The first place to stop is your local farmer’s market, you will likely stumble upon a seller or two with heirloom varieties. If you don’t see any apples at the market, go ahead and ask some of the farmers there and the farmer’s market staff if they know any local apple farms in the area, it could be that they just aren’t at the market that day. If your local market doesn’t pan out, the internet has lots of resources to find your local heirloom apple sellers, for example New York State has an apple locator, helping you find heirloom varieties being sold at farmer’s markets and pick-your-own orchards throughout the state.

Another great option to make sure that you have organic heirloom apples for years to come – grow them yourself! Now this takes a bit more planning and quite a bit of patience, as apple trees don’t fruit the first few years they are planted. Homesteading.com has a great list of 16 heirloom varieties and what regions they thrive in and what they can best be used for. If you don’t have a place to plant your own apple tree, see if you can split the cost of a tree with a friend and then share in the bounty for years to come.

Once you have your bushel of apples there are so many ways to put them to use. You can make apple sauce, apple butter, apple pie (recipe below!), apple cider, and the list goes on and on. We recommend hosting a holiday apple tasting party. Apples pair well with so many things, but they are also quite delicious on their own. Pick up a few varieties of apples at your local farmer’s market or fruit stand and gather a group together for an apple tasting. Just like a fine wine an apple can be recognized by its varying flavor notes. This is also a great way to share new varieties of apples with friends and families and educate your neighbors about the need to avoid the GE varieties that are now on the market.

Just below is one of our favorite apple pie recipes. But if you want options, check out this list of 36 different apple pie recipes. Don’t forget all apples are not created equal so make sure to adjust the recipe based off the sweetness or tartness of your apples.

Deep Dish Apple Pie Crumble by the Minimalist Baker
* Use organic, non-GMO ingredients whenever possible.

Ingredients 

Pie Crust

• 1 heaping cup of organic unbleached all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons organic cold butter
• 3-6 tablespoons cold water>

Filling

• 7 organic heirloom apples, cored, peeled, and sliced (best with a mix of different varieties)
• scant ¾ cup organic sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon organic flour
• 1 tablespoon organic butter

Crumble Topping

• 1 cup rolled organic oats
• ½ cup organic almond meal>
• ½ cup roughly chopped organic pecans
• ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar>
• pinch of sea salt>
• 4 tablespoons cold butter

Preheat the oven to 400° F.

For the crust: Mix salt in flour and cut butter into flour with a fork until well blended. Add enough water until the dough scrapes away from the bowl – usually about 3-5 tablespoons. Remove from the bowl and mold together with your hands on a well-floured surface. Form the dough into a 1-inch thick disc and then roll out into an even circle, adding more flour if it’s sticky.

Use a rolling pin to roll it up and lay gently over a 10-inch cast iron skillet or pie baking dish and gently form the edges with your fingers. The crust should extend to the top of the pan, no need to crimp the edges. Refrigerate until you’re ready to add the apples.

Next prep the apples by tossing them in sugar, cinnamon, and flour – feel free to reuse the bowl you made the dough in. Add to chilled pie crust and top with 1 tablespoon butter, scored into little pieces.

In the same bowl, mix the topping ingredients using your fingers or a fork to combine and crumble. Pour the topping mixture over the pie, spreading evenly to coat. Bake at 400° F for 35-45 minutes, or until the pie is warm and bubbly and the top is golden brown. If you notice the crumble top getting too brown, simply top it with foil.

Let rest for 30 minutes before slicing. Consume in one sitting.

We asked our members and e-news subscribers, and others to send us their best going-green-on-a-budget strategies. Some of the best and most-often-mentioned ideas appear below.

14 Tips to Go Green And Save Money

1. Grow Your Own

“The biggest thing I’m doing this year is growing my own vegetable garden. It will be organic, and it doesn’t get any more local than my own back yard. Plus, it’s one heck of a money saver. It will even help me build community, because I will surely have extra fruits and vegetables to share with my neighbors.”

2. One Less Car

“I don’t own a car. Even in the cold Minnesota winters you’ll find me biking. Riding a bicycle obviously saves money and resources, but I believe it also builds community. When I am on a bicycle, I feel more connected to my surroundings, and I’m more approachable. I’m always saying hello to people as I ride past, whereas in a car, that interaction would be lost.”

3. One Less Car, Part Two

“Although I get 48 miles per gallon with my hybrid car, I still make every effort to plan my trips to avoid needless driving, to carpool, and to take public transportation and telecommute, as often as possible. I write and call my political leaders in support of laws and funding for mass transit, and for greener cars.”

4. Reuse, Reuse, Reuse

“One way I have discovered to keep items out of landfills and save a bunch of money in the process is FreeCycle – an online group where members post things they are looking for, and what they have to get rid of. I have received a dining room set (complete with six chairs, buffet, and hutch), bunk beds for my kids, a set of night stands, and a really good juicer for no cost. And I’ve used FreeCycle to give away all the clothes that my kids have outgrown.”

— Lea P-W., Painesville, OH 

5. Stop the Leaks

“I’m unplugging the toaster, lamps, cell phone chargers, laptops, and other electronic devices when I’m not using them. These things leak energy needlessly when they are plugged in all the time. It’s the quickest way to save energy and it saves me money on the electric bill too.”

6. Harness the Sun

“We installed solar panels on our townhome in March along with another family in our homeowners’ association. Several others had expressed interest before the economic meltdown and then backed off, but we hope that with our example others will see that in the long-run it’s a money-saver, and they will understand the benefit for both the planet and their bottom lines.”

— Ellen S., Boulder, CO

7. Waste Not, Want Not

“I compost. I keep my garbage creation to a minimum. I refuse packaging and bags whenever possible (bringing my own cloth bag). I explain to the checkout person why I am refusing the bag or giving back the packaging. Also, steel is 100-percent recyclable. The recycled steel isn’t downgraded or ‘downcycled.' I recycle every unusable nail, every screw, every wire, etc., at my local transfer station. Even my steel roof will be recycled when it is done being my roof.”

— Ruth O., White Salmon, WA 

8. Dispense With Disposables

“This may seem like a minor thing, but it really helps on my limited budget. I have ceased purchasing paper towels and instead use old rags for cleaning and wiping up spills. I wash the dirty rags and reuse them until they wear out. I didn’t realize how many paper towels I used to go through before I started this new system.”

— Sarah F., Tullahoma, TN 

9. Reallocate Your Resources

“Our path toward sustainability began when we realized the value of doing things for ourselves. I began by making our own laundry detergent. It is all-natural and costs less than a penny per ounce to make! We used the money we were saving to take bigger steps: buying our meat in bulk from local farmers who raise their animals on pasture and sustainably, and buying Energy-Star appliances for our house.”

— Carrie C., Salem, VA 

10. Examine Your Diet

“By becoming vegan I cut my carbon footprint to at least 60 percent and the amount of money that each meal costs me by an average of 78 percent. Beans and legumes are so inexpensive compared to meat! I cut costs even more by growing herbs and vegetables for myself, and I earn fruits by offering to do the picking for friends with fruit trees, in exchange for keeping the surplus. I preserve them in glass jars and make pickled fruits and vegetables to extend them even further .”

— Sarah F., Tullahoma, TN 

11. Green celebrations!

“On June 20, I am getting married green style. Oh, green wedding, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: 
1) Used wedding dress from eBay, $10!, 
2) Organic, Fair Trade apparel for the wedding party that they can use afterwards, 
3) Asking guests to carpool to save gas, money, and the environment, 
4) Sending plantable wedding invitations [That’s right, you bury the invitations and wildflowers spring forth, just like love blooms…], 
5) Using leftover supplies from my cousin’s wedding, 
6) Buying organic flowers from the farmer’s market … and more. 
My fiancé Mark and I will be celebrating our day free from wedding-induced debt and the weight of a heavy carbon footprint!”

12. Invest Wisely (and Needs vs. Wants)

“We’re always asking ourselves whether this next purchase is a ‘need’ or a ‘want.’ When we actually stop to think about it, there are precious few needs. People say things like ‘I need cable TV,’ but that’s probably not true. Calling such things ‘needs’ cheapens the meaning of the word. We’ve also begun investing some savings with a community bank. Interestingly, in our experience, the smaller community bank with the social mission has been reliably beating the pants off of the mega-banks in terms of rate of return. We know that we’re saving more by getting the higher rate of return, but we are also proud that our money is doing good in the community as well!”

— Steve O., Mamaroneck, NY 

13. What Really Matters?

“I’m trying to stay focused on people and relationships rather than stuff. This helps me consider who is affected by what I do buy and from whom I buy it. I save by buying only thrift store clothes, but splurge on Fair Trade chocolate. I support locally owned businesses. I volunteer my time. And with some of the money I save, I use it to support organizations that help people help themselves. I do without stuff; that isn’t what matters anyway!”

— Kelly G., Charlotte, NC 
 

BONUS #14: Get everyone you know involved in going green and saving green.

Send this list of ways to go green and save money to all your friends and family, or post it to your blog or Web site. Engage others to help them save green in these tough economic times, and get more involved in going green for the sake of their health, people, and the planet. Together we can shift our economy from greed to green.

Heal Your Home Center: Healthy Home Glossary

Ever wonder exactly what Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) and endocrine disrupters are? Green America's Healthy Home Glossary comes in handy for those who want to learn more about the pollutants so often mentioned on our website, especially within the Healthy Home Tool Kit. Getting familiar with these common culprits can help ensure your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and overall home is healthy and free of toxins.

1,4-Dioxane: (a.k.a. iethylene dioxide, diethylene ether, dioxan, p-dioxane, or just “dioxane”) Used as a coolant in cars and as a foaming agent in some body care products, including baby shampoo. A recognized carcinogen and a suspected blood, gastrointestinal, immune, kidney, nerve, respiratory, and skin toxicant. 

Aluminum: A lightweight metal used in cooking utensils and beverage containers. A suspected blood, nerve, reproductive, and respiratory toxicant. Suggestions that ingested aluminum may have some link to Alzheimer’s disease are inconclusive. 

Arsenic: A recognized carcinogen and developmental toxicant. Suspected of being toxic to the human blood, endocrine, gastrointestinal, immune, nerve, reproductive, respiratory, and skin systems. 

Arsenic disulfide: Used as a pesticide on produce. A recognized carcinogen and developmental toxicant. 

Benzyl benzoate: A common insecticide for lice and mites, as well as a food additive, a fragrance fixative, and plasticizer. A suspected neurotoxin.

Bisphenol-A: Used to make transparent, hard plastic known as polycarbonate (#7), such as baby bottles and the lining of infant formula cans. Exposure may cause prostate cancer, breast cancer, female infertility, endocrine disruption, and obesity.

Chromium copper arsenate (CCA): A compound that was once used on pressure-treated wood. Leaches arsenic. 

Crystalline silica: (a.k.a. “silica gel”) Usually found in a small packet serving as a desiccant. Packaged with items that might mold or spoil when wet, and a component in play sand. A known carcinogen and a suspected toxin to the gastrointestinal, kidney, and respiratory systems. Fine silica can hurt the respiratory tract if inhaled, but presents a low threat in skin care products and in food.

DEHP: (aka Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, BEHP, di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, or DOP) A liquid plasticizer used in hydraulic fluids and PVC (#3) plastic. While DEHP cannot cause harm through skin contact, when ingested it can damage reproductive organs, the lungs, kidneys, and liver, and fetuses.

Dichlorobenzene: Used in mothballs, urinal “cakes,” and other disinfectants designed to control moss and mildew. A suspected carcinogen.

Diethanolamine (DEA): (a.k.a. bis(hydroxyethyl)amine, diethylolamine, hydroxydiethylamine, diolamine, and 2,2’-iminodiethanol) Colorless crystals used in cosmetics, where it is suspected of combining with another common chemical to produce highly carcinogenic nitrosamines. Alone, it’s a suspected carcinogen and a suspected toxicant to the blood, gastrointestinal, kidney, nerve, respiratory, and skin systems. Damages fetal development in mice.

Dioxin: (a.k.a. Dioxine, TCDBD, TCDD, 2,3,7, 8-TCDD) A byproduct of chlorine manufacture and PVC incineration. A recognized carcinogen and developmental toxicant, and suspected of being toxic to blood, endocrine, gastrointestinal, immune, kidney, nerve, reproductive, respiratory, and skin systems. 

Endocrine disrupters: The endocrine system regulates hormones and the glands that secrete those hormones in the body. Endocrine disrupters (a.k.a. endocrine disrupting compounds, endocrine modifiers, or hormone disrupters) are chemicals that interfere with the endocrine system by mimicking or inhibiting natural hormones. They can cause reproductive damage and have been implicated in cancers of the reproductive system. 

Formaldehyde: (a.k.a. methanal, methyl aldehyde, or methylene oxide) A smelly colorless gas found in pesticides as well as in consumer products and building materials. A recognized carcinogen and suspected gastrointestinal, immune, nerve, reproductive, respiratory, and skin toxicant.

Hormone Disrupters: See endocrine disrupters.

Lead: A heavy, soft grey metal once used widely in paints. It is now illegal as a paint ingredient over 660 ppm, though it may legally be mixed into other products, like jewelry. Some imported toys containing lead have recently raised alarms about children’s exposure. A recognized carcinogen and neurological, developmental, and reproductive toxicant. Also suspected of being toxic to people’s blood, endocrine, gastrointestinal, immune, kidney, respiratory, and skin systems. 

Mercury: A heavy metal recognized as a developmental toxicant and suspected of being toxic to humans’ blood, endocrine, gastrointestinal, immune, kidney, nerve, reproductive, respiratory, and skin systems. People are most likely to be exposed to mercury by eating contaminated fish and by drinking contaminated water.

Naphthalene: (a.k.a. naphthalin, tar camphor, or white tar) Used in many dyes and as a fumigant in household products such as mothballs, where it gives them their signature smell. A recognized carcinogen and a suspected toxicant to the blood, developmental, gastrointestinal, nerve, respiratory, and skin systems. 

Parabens: Parabens are widely used as preservatives in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and are found in toothpaste, shampoo, moisturizers, and shaving gels. Suspected of toxicity to skin. Some studies have linked parabens to cancer and to endocrine disruption.

Perfluorochemicals (PFCs): PFCs are widely used in well-known consumer brands including Teflon, Stainmaster, Scotchgard, and Gore-Tex (they have subsequently been phased out of Scotchgard). Laboratory studies on animals have linked them to several cancers, thyroid problems, damage to the immune system, reproductive problems, and birth defects.

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA): (a.k.a. C8) Used in the manufacture of nonstick cookware such as Teflon, Gore-Tex fabric, and StainMaster carpet. PFCs in microwave popcorn bags may form PFOA when ingested. A persistent, bioaccumulative chemical that may be linked to cancer, heart disease, and immune system damage.

Phenol: (a.k.a. carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene, monohydroxybenzene, phenyl alcohol, or phenyl hydroxide) A crystalline solid widely used in antiseptic sprays and cleaners, paint removers, and disinfectants. Suspected of being toxic to people’s blood, developmental, gastrointestinal, kidney, nerve, reproductive, skin, and respiratory systems. 

Phthalates: Commonly used as softeners in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), other soft plastics, and in a variety of beauty and skin care products. Studies have identified phthalates as endocrine disrupters. Phthalates may also cause liver and kidney lesions, lead to a higher risk of certain cancers, and may exacerbate asthma and allergies in children.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs): PBDEs were commonly used as fire retardants in foam furniture until 2005, when the most commonly used form was banned. PBDEs are neurotoxins that bioaccumulate, building up in people’s bodies over time. New carpet padding may likely still contain PBDEs, and PBDEs have been found in many fish.

Polycarbonate (#7) plastic: A transparent, hard, unbreakable plastic that offgasses bisphenol-A, a suspected endocrine disrupter.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): Cancer-causing, persistent chemicals that were once used widely as coolants, fire retardants, and additives in paints and pesticides. PCBs were banned in the United States in 1976, but they persist in the environment, contaminating a number of animals, particularly farmed salmon. Salmon with PCBs can be a carcinogen to those who eat them, and a neurotoxin to fetuses when pregnant women eat salmon.

Polystyrene (#6) plastic: The white “foam” commonly used for packing peanuts, protective packaging, and “clamshell” take-out containers. May leach some benzene, a known carcinogen, into the food when heated. Difficult to recycle and very slow to biodegrade. 

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE): This is the resin coating associated with Teflon brand and other non-stick cookware. It breaks down at high temperatures into chemicals linked to neurotoxicity, respiratory damage, and human polymer fume fever. May be harmful to pets.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): (a.k.a. vinyl or #3 plastic) Generates carcinogenic dioxin when manufactured and incinerated. In its pliable plastic form, it can leach phthalates, which are endocrine disrupters.

Quaternary ammonium compounds: (a.k.a. quaternary ammonium cations or quats) are used widely in disinfectants, fabric softeners, and pesticides. A respiratory irritant.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): (a.k.a. sodium dodecyl sulfate, sulphate, SDS, or NaDS) Used as a foaming agent in toothpaste, shampoo, shaving creams, and bubble baths, and as a tick repellant in pet products. A suspected gastrointestinal and liver toxicant.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Any one of a category of chemicals that are chemically volatile—that is, they evaporate into the air and react to sunlight, forming ground-level ozone and damaging indoor air quality. (“Organic” here is a scientific term indicating that the chemical contains carbon.) VOCs pose a particular risk of developmental damage to infants and fetuses. Some commonly used VOCs include formaldehyde and other endocrine disrupters.

—Sources for this glossary include Environmental Defense’s Scorecard.org database and the Environmental Working Group’s scientific research.

• Back to the Heal Your Home Guide

Dear Green America,

I’d like to use more eco-friendly laundry products to wash my clothes. Any recommendations?
— Marty M., Denver, CO

An excellent decision, Marty.  Conventional detergents are made from synthetic petrochemicals that are hard on the environment. They also can leave residue on clothing, so their toxic ingredients constantly brush against our skin, potentially causing rashes. You can safely keep your clothes looking smart by washing them with eco-friendly soaps and detergents. 

If you choose soaps, look for an all-natural liquid soap made without artificial dyes or fragrances, such as Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps (760/743-2211, www.drbronner.com). Use the same amount of soap as you would detergent.

Soaps can react with chemicals in hard water, leaving a dulling film on clothes. To combat this, Annie Berthold-Bond, author of Better Basics for the Home (Three Rivers Press, 1999), recommends adding baking soda. “Start out with ¼ cup of baking soda, and increase to ½ cup if you have very hard water,” she advises. Leave the soda in the water for ten minutes, then add the soap and clothes.

To prepare clothes for the switch from detergent to soap, wash them initially with ½ cup of white distilled vinegar for a full load to prevent yellowing (a result of detergent residues reacting with soap), says Berthold-Bond.

The best eco-friendly detergents are made without nonrenewable, petroleum-based chemicals. They are biodegradable and contain no optical brighteners, dyes, or artificial fragrances.

Some excellent green laundry detergents to try include:

• Ecover (www.ecover.com)—Offers nontoxic powder and liquid detergents, as well as a detergent for delicates.
• Natural Choices Home Safe Products (www.oxyboost.com)—Sells Oxyprime, a nontoxic laundry detergent, and Allergy Free, a detergent for people with chemical sensitivities.
• Sun & Earth ( www.sunandearth.com)—Offers a “Deep Cleaning Formula” laundry detergent.
• Seventh Generation ( www.seventhgeneration.com)—Sells nontoxic liquid and powder laundry detergent, as well as Free and Clear fragrance-free laundry detergent and a detergent for baby clothes.

Conventional bleaches and fabric softeners have their problems, too. Conventional bleaches are made from chlorine, a known carcinogen according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Fabric softeners contain chemicals that can cause allergic reactions. What’s a concerned consumer to do? Try these nontoxic alternatives:

For whitening:

• Use a non-chlorine bleach, such as oxygen bleaches like Oxyboost, available from Natural Choices Home Safe Products. Also, Ecover offers two natural, chlorine-free bleaches, one made with hydrogen peroxide, and one with percarbonate.
• Soak clothes overnight in a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide to eight parts cold water. Wash as normal.

For softening fabric:

Add ½ cup baking soda to the rinse cycle of your wash. You can also try a commercial green fabric softener like Natural Choices Home Safe Products’s Safe ‘N Soft, Ecover’s Natural Fabric Softener, or Sun & Earth’s Ultra Fabric Softener.

Dear Green America,

I’ve read a lot about toxins in cosmetics.  Is there a way to compare my favorite brands?
— Julie G., Chicago, IL

Check out Skin Deep, a database compiled by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) that provides safety analyses of the ingredients in over 7,500 personal care products, from cosmetics to shampoo to soap. You can search by product category or brand name.

You can find all-natural, organic cosmetics in Green America’s National Green Pages™

We asked our summer editorial fellows, Krisna Bharvani and Sierra Schellenberg, to find an office casual outfit that they would wear, as cheaply as possible. The rules were that they could spend no more than $50; they had to assemble a complete outfit, including shoes and one accessory; and they needed to get their items from a combination of online and local resources. Here's how they did:

Left: Total Krisna paid: $49
Estimated retail value: $162
Savings: $113Total Sierra paid: $18.95
Estimated retail value: $158
Savings: $139

Krisna (left) bought her cotton print dress from Beacon’s Closet, a New York City vintage clothing store that has an online and brick-and-mortar shop.
Cost: $9.47 + $5 shipping. “It was 50% off.”
Retail: $39.99 for a similar dress at Urban Outfitters

The intertwined circle pendant comes from No Relation Vintage, a “salvaged goods” shop in NYC.
Cost: $5
Retail: $34 at Nordstrom

Her “fun-sized” leather cross-body bag came from the Beacon’s Closet brick-and- mortar store.
Cost: $7.97.
Retail: $18 for its doppelganger at Target.

Krisna “instantly spotted” these patent leather Tahari flats at an outdoor flea market.
Cost: $22
Retail: $69.95 at DSW

Sierra (right) got her beaded necklace at a clothing swap with friends. “I also walked away with a really nice vase, and my friend walked away with my old sweater and one of my bracelets,” she says.
Cost: $0.
Retail: $8 from Forever 21

Her wool/acrylic dress is from LikeTwice.com, an online used clothing store (now closed).
Cost: $13.95 + $5 shipping.
Retail: $84.95 at Ann Taylor

Her leather shoes are a hand-me-down from a family member.
Cost: $0.
Retail: $65 from Clarks

Whether you're on a health kick or just looking for a new home project, Green America is here with tips for a healthy lifestyle that start in the most important room in the house: the kitchen.

1. Avoid Pesticides; Go Organic

The problem: Many conventional fruits and vegetables carry pesticide residues. 23 of the world's 28 most commonly used pesticides are suspected carcinogens, and several are possible neurotoxins and endocrine disruptors. Consuming conventional dairy products and meat can expose you to the hormones used on food animals, which may be linked to endocrine disruption. 

The solution: Buy organic foods, grown without toxic pesticides, when you can. If you're on a tight budget, avoid conventional fruits and vegetables that carry the highest amounts of pesticide residue: apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, raspberries, spinach, and strawberries. Eating organic also gives your immune system a boost. A study at the University of California-Davis found that organic produce has 19 - 50 percent more cancer-fighting anti-oxidants than conventional produce.

Visit the National Green Pages™ category: food

Check out our articles:

Eat Less Meat; Cool the Planet 

Is Organic  or Local Food Better? 

9 Ways to Support Sustainable Food 

The Skinny on Alternative Sweeteners

2. Genetically Modified/Engineered Foods (GMOs)

The problem: Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are becoming more and more prevalent in our food supply, but they haven’t been definitively proven safe for human health and the environment. In fact, an increasing number of animal feeding studies have demonstrated possible links between GMOs in our food and kidney and liver damage, as well as an increase in tumors. While more studies are needed to prove that GMOs can harm people, no one has proven that GMOs are safe, either. What we do know is that GMOs are responsible for an increased use of toxic pesticides. Data from 1996-2008 from the USDA, analyzed by the Organic Center, showed that GM crops resulted in a 318.4-million-pound increase in overall US pesticide use.

The solution: Buy organic. USDA-certified organic foods prohibit the use of GMOs, as well as toxic synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. You can also look for foods that are tested verified as non-GMO (containing less than .9 percent GMOs) by the Non-GMO Project. Finally, avoid non-organic processed foods that aren’t verified non-GMO, as they are highly likely to contain genetically modified organisms—particularly corn or soy.

Check out our articles:

GMOs and the Case for Precaution

9 Ingredients to Avoid 

GMO Inside Campaign

3. Purge Plastics

The problem: Plastics often contain toxins that can leach into food, especially when heated.

When plastics are created, manufacturers will often include “additives” to enhance their performance, according to a 2009 study by Mike Neal and Dr. Anthony Andrady (published in Philosophical Transitions B). These additives include fillers to make the plastics stronger, thermal stabilizers to allow them to be heated, plasticizers for pliability, UV stabilizers to keep them from degrading in sunlight, fire retardants, colorants, and more.

In short, all plastics are a veritable soup of chemicals, and all are capable of containing toxins, depending on a given manufacturers secret plastic “recipe”. In fact, a July 2011 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives looked at 500 diverse types of commercially available plastics, from baby bottles to food packaging, and found that especially when exposed to heat, they release estrogen-mimicking hormone disruptors, regardless of their recycling code numbers. The study authors also note that a single plastic part may contain five to 30 chemicals, and a plastic item made up of many parts may contain up to 100 chemicals.

The solution: Purge plastic from your life in favor of reusable glass and stainless steel alternatives. While it’s likely difficult to get rid of all plastic, there are plenty of options to help you get rid of wasteful, single-use plastic—especially for food and beverage items.

Learn more:

Could You Go Plastic-Free?

11 Easy Ways to Kick the Plastic Habit

4. Be Cautious with Your Cookware

The problem: Non-stick pans with Teflon or Teflon-like coatings contain polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which break down into the air at high temperatures. Aluminum can also find its way into your food through cookware. Though exposure to aluminum has not been linked definitively to any adverse effects like Alzheimer's disease, it is thought wise to avoid extra exposure. Linked to: cancer.

The solution: Stainless steel and cast iron are both safe alternatives to non-stick and aluminum pans. Non-stick anodized aluminum pans have a layer of aluminum oxide to prevent aluminum leaching. 

Read more ideas to make your lifestyle green and healthy on our Green Living page.

1. Choose Better Bedclothes —

The problem: Toxic chemicals that resist flames, water, moths, stains, soil, and wrinkles are sometimes added to textiles like bedclothes. Labels such as "permanent-press," "no-iron," "water repellent," and "flame retardant" may indicate fabric treatments that off-gas chemicals like formaldehyde and perfluorochemicals (PFCs). These toxins may be linked to: respiratory and skin irritation, cancer, and developmental damage.

The solution: Choose organic fabric sheets and covers without any chemical finishers. Most bedclothes will not be labeled with information about finishers, so call the manufacturer and ask, or choose bedclothes that advertise as "chemical-free." Also, avoid fabrics with a "new" smell that may indicate chemical treatments.

Eco-bonus: Organically grown cotton is grown without pesticides that can harm workers and the environment (though those particular chemicals won't reach you in conventional cotton products).

Visit our National Green Pages™ category: bedding/futons/mattresses

Check out our article: The Allergen-Free Bedroom

2. Mind Your Mattress—

The problem: Federal laws require mattresses to be fire resistant, so many manufacturers treat the mattress foam with flame-retardant chemicals. The most dangerous are polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which some manufacturers are phasing out voluntarily. Mattresses and pads made of petroleum-based polyester, nylon, and polyurethane foam (including "memory" foam) can off-gas VOCs. The water-repellants and stain-resistant finishes used on many mattresses, and on some plywood or particleboard box springs, may off-gas formaldehyde. These toxins may be linked to: endocrine disruption, cancer, neurotoxicity.

The solution: Choose mattresses stuffed with natural, nontoxic, and organic materials, and untreated with flame-retardant PDBEs or other chemical finishes. (If this information is not on the tag, call the manufacturer.) Mattresses with a layer of flame-retardant wool may be more affordable than all-organic mattresses. If you can't replace your mattress, minimize off-gassing fumes by covering it with an impermeable encasement intended for allergy sufferers, by vacuuming frequently, by ventilating the room, and by using a HEPA air filter.

The farm only has two full-time paid staff, and the rest are volunteers. Some volunteers help grow food and tend to the plants, and others help with promotion, communications, volunteer coordination, events, and workshop coordination. Pictured: Common Good City Farm youth education coordinator (volunteer) Chris Soriano and executive director Pertula George creating a trellis for pole beans. [Photo by Dena Blickstein]

I started volunteering with the garden/farm when it first opened in 2007. I came weekly to help tend to the plants because I wanted to further urban agriculture. I wanted to turn our cement and asphalt cities into green spaces filled with oxygen-producing, carbon-sequestering life. And, I figured, if I’m going to grow plants, I might as well grow something we can eat. After a few years of volunteering in the dirt, I started coordinating the workshop program as well.
Pictured: Shireen Karimi with Waynika Cain at one of the farm’s community events.
[Photo by Dena Blickstein]

When I tell people about our workshops, they are interested and intrigued. Once they attend one, they are eager to apply what they’ve learned. Pictured: Prince Charles and Shireen (shaking his hand) talk about eating the food grown on the farm along with the farm’s cooking and nutrition workshops on His Royal Highness’s spring 2011 visit to Common Good City Farm. [Photo by Deedy Ogden]

The children who come to visit the farm are particularly excited to try purple-colored beans, pull up carrots out of the ground, and eat cherry tomatoes plucked off the vine. They can be interested in good food if they are given the chance.

Throughout my years of volunteering at Common Good City Farm, I’ve learned that the simple act of maintaining a garden, whether with edibles or not, helps combat erosion, toxic run-off, pavement heat, and climate change, as well as provide some natural serenity in the midst of hectic urban lives.

I’ve also learned that anyone can plant a few things and get a bit of high-quality, healthy, fresh food, even with just a few pots on a patio. Gardening is accessible to anyone, even if you’re in a city apartment.

I started “gardening” years ago in a second-story apartment with no yard but a balcony. All it took was pots, soil, seeds, and the faith and desire to create life. It is so amazing and inspiring after days of watering boring brown soil to watch the first tiniest bits of green pop out, and then see them uncurl and grow a bit more each day. Going outside and just picking lettuce or tomato or parsley directly from the plant and making your dinner, from a plant that you yourself started from seed and nurtured and cared for, is a wonderful experience. It truly is the magic of Mother Nature before your eyes. [Photo by Dena Blickstein]

Contact:  CommonGoodCityFarm.org

SaveSave

Note: This interview is from an article in published in the Fall 2007 issue of Co-op America Quarterly, now called Green American.

Dr. Robert Bullard is Ware professor of sociology and director of the Environmental Justice Resource Center at Clark Atlanta University. He is also widely known as the “father of environmental justice” for more than 25 years of tireless work on behalf of communities of color who have been victims of environmental racism. His work gained a national spotlight in 1987, when two landmark studies—one by Dr. Bullard that focused on Houston and the Toxic Wastes and Racenational study commissioned by the United Church of Christ (UCC)—found that toxic facilities like landfills, chemical plants, and incinerators are much more likely to be located in areas based on race and class.

This year, Dr. Bullard and three of his colleagues published a follow-up to the first UCC study, called Toxic Wastes and Race at Twenty: 1987-2007. In it, they showed that things haven’t changed much—communities of color are still bearing the poisonous burden of America’s industrial way of life. 

Co-op America editor Tracy Fernandez Rysavy talked to Dr. Bullard about this latest study; about how environmental justice issues affect everyone, not just those who live near toxic facilities; and about what gives him hope as he gets ready to begin the next 25 years of his important work.    

CO-OP AMERICA/TRACY FERNANDEZ RYSAVY: What kind of role has race played in siting toxic facilities in the US?

DR. ROBERT D. BULLARD: When you look at all of the variables, race is still the most potent factor to predict where these facilities are located, more important than income or other socio-economic factors. Even when you control for how much money people make and the price of housing, race still comes out as the number one factor in determining where toxic facilities are located.

Race permeates everything, in terms of housing, education, where people can live, land- use decisions, transportation and mobility. And often, the fact that so many people of color live near facilities that other people don’t want is based on historical factors that resulted in residential segregation and affected the decisions of housing commissions.

TRACY: So you’re saying that it’s not being poor that makes a community end up with toxic facilities—it’s more the fact that brown people or black people live there?

DR. BULLARD: That’s right. And it’s not just toxic waste facilities. Communities of color have more of the negatives and also fewer of the positives—for example, they often lack something as basic as a grocery store or a park or a library, or ease of access to hospitals and other amenities.

Land use oftentimes is not based on any objective, rational criteria. The negatives follow the path of least resistance in terms of how they get sited and the extent to which groups can organize and fend off unwanted land use.  A lot is due to legacy issues, or things left over from the past, when city councils and boards of supervisors were made up of all white people.

And newer occurrences are based on patterns that have not yet changed. Even when we get people of color elected to city councils and boards of supervisors and task forces, these things generally still follow these patterns. That’s what we’ve shown in our report, Toxic Waste and Race at Twenty (TWART).

What that means is that the current land use and environmental protection apparatus is broken and needs to be fixed. It does not protect all communities equally. And that’s why many of the policy recommendations we put forward in the TWART report are crucial—because the existing laws and regulations and industrial siting policies do not protect and do not address these wide disparities.

TRACY: Can you give me an example of one of the policy recommendation in the TWART study that would be very powerful in repairing these disparities?

DR. BULLARD: Before toxic facilities can be located, we need to take into account the extent to which a community or neighborhood already is saturated. Right now, there’s nothing in the laws or regulations that would prohibit a neighborhood from being overly saturated with locally unwanted land uses or industrial facilities.

There’s nothing in our current laws that would take into account the cumulative effect of having a number of facilities within one area—we’re talking about a two-mile radius, which is a very small area. There’s no threshold where we could say, “This community has had enough and there should be no more toxic loading.” When a permit is granted, only that permit is taken into account, not what’s already there.

The way it works in our society is that when one community gets one facility, it’s easier to get two. When it has three, it’s easier to get four. The idea is that since you have five facilities, one more won’t make a difference. And we say that kind of concentration really disadvantages the communities that are hosting these facilities and oftentimes did not ask to get them.

There’s another recommendation where we talk about the question of examining health effects and looking at comparative health disparities within a specific community or neighborhood when a facility is being proposed. The idea is that if a community is already sick and overburdened with toxic facilities, it does not make a whole lot of common sense to add an additional facility.

One example is in Port Arthur, Texas. There’s a neighborhood there, a predominantly black neighborhood, that has all kinds of facilities—we’re talking incinerators, petrochemical plants, all kinds of refineries, you name it. And recently, there was an incinerator that was put there to burn VX nerve gas wastewater. It’s like giving a permit to blow smoke in a roomful of asthmatics!

There should be a trigger that would say, “This community has had enough, and it’s already sick, and it does not need any more environmental stressors and polluting facilities placed in this area.”

Now that’s not rocket science.

TRACY: You’ve said that this type of environmental racism even affects schools.

DR. BULLARD: Schools are not exempt from what we’re talking about. If a neighborhood is saturated with landfills, incinerators, toxic waste sites, and many of our schools are in those neighborhoods, they’re affected, too. If you look at schools across the US located within a one-mile radius of these facilities, you’re talking about a lot of school children that are located in areas with heavy industrial pollutions.

It’s important that we not think of children as little adults. We have to think of them as very sensitive populations that need special protection. We want our children to play outside and get physical activity and not be obese, but we don’t want our children to be outside on dirty air days or in parks built on dump sites. It’s not safe.

TRACY: I remember reading that the people who lived in the Love Canal neighborhood in the 1970s—which was built on top of a toxic waste site—had toxic waste barrels erupting in their local schoolyard. Does that kind of thing still happen?

DR. BULLARD: It still happens. As a matter of fact, there are a number of similar cases that we’ve worked with. There was a school in Los Angeles that was built on top of an old toxic waste site. The Agriculture Street Landfill community in New Orleans, for example, had an $8 million elementary school built on top of an old garbage dump. The school had to be closed, and people who lived nearby were fighting for relocation. They finally won in January 2006, but they were relocated in August of 2005 by Hurricane Katrina, unfortunately.

Almost every school district in the country will be looking for land on which to site new schools, and it’s important that we not make the mistakes of the past.

TRACY: We’ve talked about asthma rates a bit. What else happens to communities when they have clusters of toxic facilities around them?

DR. BULLARD: What also happens is that the only industries that these communities can often attract are other dirty industries. The clustering effect, the piling on effect, the saturation effect, leads to the fact that these are not areas where you will get a lot of clean industry and clean jobs coming in. What you get are basically more and more dirty industries—and they often are not even employing the local residents living nearby.

Residents are always given this promise of jobs: “Well, if we locate this factory here, you’ll get jobs.” The promise of a job is very different from a job. And too often, many of the fence line residents get promises and not jobs.

Some people say that the least that these companies can do is hire local residents when they put a toxic facility in their neighborhood. If you’re living on the fence line, you could walk to work. But in many cases, these jobs are not for the residents at the fence line or nearby; they are for people who commute in with their cars, and they drive in and out, causing more pollution.

So the people who are at the fence line are left with poverty, pollution, and too often, illnesses. That’s a triple whammy that needs to be reversed.

TRACY: Toxic Waste and Race at Twenty said things really haven’t changed in the last two decades when it comes to putting toxic facilities in communities of color.  What gives you hope in the face of these findings?

DR. BULLARD: It’s an uphill struggle, but I’m optimistic that we will be able to continue to expand the issues. A lot of these things just didn’t happen until the last 20 or 30 years. A lot of this has been building for centuries.

First, what gives me hope is the fact that we have more people working on these issues—we have young students, and we have universities that have environmental justice courses in law school and medical school and planning school.

There are other areas where we’ve made improvements in terms of getting more grassroots people on board commissions to identify other problems that may not necessarily be related to a landfill or hazardous waste site. They’ve expanded the whole idea of environmental justice to include access to transportation, access to full-service grocery stores, equity in how we plan our cities and our metropolitan regions. We have broadened the definition of what environmental justice means for policy makers.

And there’s the fact that we’ve gotten all kinds of organizations—faith-based, environmental groups, mainstream as well as health groups—to say with us that the environment should be nurturing, and we should be able to get sustenance from the environment; it should not be something that’s harmful.

So we’ve changed the definition, and we’ve gotten more and more people involved.

The other thing is that we’ve been able to get environmental justice on the international radar. These issues are global and they’re international, such as when we’re talking about the issue of climate and climate justice. The same people who are disproportionately and adversely impacted in terms of environmental problems—generally people of color—are impacted negatively and disproportionately when we talk about climate issues.

Environmental justice is now a concept and paradigm that is not just confined to rural places in southern US; it’s international.

TRACY: You recently testified before Congress on environmental justice issues. How did that come about?

DR. BULLARD: The four principal authors of the TWART report, myself and Drs. Paul Mohai (University of Michigan), Robin Saha (University of Montana), and Beverly Wright (Dillard University of Louisiana), circulated a letter with the ten policy recommendations that were pulled out of the report. We sent it out to civil rights groups, environmental groups, health groups, and others, and we received the support of over 100 organizations representing millions of people around the country. We took that letter to the Senate, and as a result, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), the chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Superfund and Environmental Health, held the first-ever Senate hearing on environmental justice on July 25 of this year.

Tracy: You’ve been working on these issues for more than a quarter of a century, and this is your first hearing?

DR. BULLARD: (laughs) This is the first Senate hearing.

I think what that says is that we have to do a better job in getting the information out, in informing our elected officials about what’s going on. In my testimony, I presented a lot of the materials and findings and recommendations from the report, and really tried to challenge the Senate Subcommittee and the Congress to strengthen and to put back in place many of the environmental justice regulations and initiatives that are being stripped and rolled back.

Like the enforcement and implementation of the Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice, which required the EPA to take the lead in addressing environmental justice issues. There have been recent attempts to redefine environmental justice and not deal with racial disparities and income—or to basically strip race and income out of the Executive Order. That was not the intent of the order when President Clinton signed it in 1994.

There have been reports from the General Accounting Office and two reports from the EPA’s Inspector General (one in 2004 and one in 2006) that basically say EPA has done a lousy job of implementing the Executive Order since it was signed 13 years ago. We’re asking Congress to put the rules back in place and to strengthen what we have, and also move to the next level.

TRACY: What kind of reactions did you get after your testimony?

DR. BULLARD: After a number of us testified, we did get some commitments from the Subcommittee to move forward and get the EPA to implement the recommendations the Inspector General made in those two reports, regarding strengthening the Executive Order. If those recommendations were carried out, we would be well on our way to addressing a lot of the environmental injustice problems in communities of color and low-income communities around the country.

The Subcommittee did press the EPA on why it has taken so long to get things moving and why they’ve really dragged their feet. I think they really scolded the agency for not doing what it needs to do. And we want the EPA and the Departments of Transportation, Energy, and the Interior—all those 12 or 13 agencies that come under the Executive Order—to really get back on track. The problem is that when EPA backed off, especially in the last six years, that’s given the wrong signal to a lot of these other federal agencies because they take their cues from EPA.

TRACY: Do you think they’ll start acting, or do you think it’ll take until after the next election?

DR. BULLARD: I would hope that the Congress would begin to move on some of these environmental justice initiatives—there are a number of bills currently moving through Congress. I’m hopeful.

But it’s all about getting communities around the country energized and mobilized to say we can’t wait another 12 years. We’re talking about communities that are really hurting, especially the most vulnerable parts of our communities, low-income children and elderly people.

It should not be a Democratic or Republican issue. This is an issue of health and equal protection of our environment and our communities.

TRACY: What do you recommend people do if they live in a community that’s targeted?

DR. BULLARD: It’s important that people identify the strengths in their community, especially the organizations. Many times, low-income communities and communities of color do not have environmental organizations operating within, but they do have church-based groups, neighborhood groups, civic groups, and homeowners associations that can do this work.

They need to organize and mobilize and get themselves educated on what the impacts of these toxic facilities are. Get the permit applications and read them and see exactly what kind of thing is being proposed. Then, access databases like the toxic release inventory database and see what the effects of that facility could be, so they can tell people about them.

We have more resources available to these communities today than we did 20-30 years ago—there are all kinds of environmental justice organizations around the country and environmental centers based at local universities that can assist.

There’s no substitute for organization and education. No substitute at all.

Also, it’s important for everyone to understand that we are all in this together, even though most Americans don’t live next to a toxic waste site or next to a freeway or polluting facility. It affects everybody, because when illnesses rise and health care goes up, everybody will have to pay.

If we are to be a just society, that means we all should share in trying to address these problems that may somehow hit some populations harder. In the end, we all will pay. There are some people saying, “Well, I don’t drive, I don’t pollute.” But if you breathe the air, you are impacted.

So it becomes our civic duty to say, “If we really are to become a safer, more secure, and healthier society, we all have to contribute to solutions, not just talk about the problems.”

It can be hard to eat organic food on a budget. But we have some tips on how to prioritize the foods least contaminated by pesticides, increase your access to healthy, organic foods, and even build community along the way.

Organic or Conventional?

If you’re on a tight budget, prioritize buying organic versions of produce that’s normally the most contaminated or genetically engineered.

Safe to Buy Non-Organic (least contaminated by pesticides after washing)

1. Avocados
2. Pineapples
3. Cabbage
4. Sweet Peas (frozen)
5. Onions
6. Asparagus
7. Kiwi
8. Eggplant
9. Grapefruit
10. Cantaloupe
11. Cauliflower
12. Sweet Potatoes

Always buy organic (most contaminated and/or genetically modified)

1. Apples
2. Peaches
3. Nectarines
4. Strawberries
5. Grapes
6. Celery
7. Spinach
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Cucumbers
10. Cherry Tomatoes
11. Snap Peas (imported)
12. Potatoes
13. Hot Peppers
14. Kale/Collard Greens
15. Papaya*
16. Sweet Corn*

* A small amount of sweet corn, papaya and summer squash sold in the United States is produced from GE seedstock. Buy organic varieties of these crops if you want to avoid GE produce.

Sources: GMOInside.org and Environmental Working Group’s ‘Dirty Dozen Plus’ and ‘Clean Fifteen’

If You Have More Time Than Money…

Reduce Your Processed Food And Restaurant Purchases

Processed food is often more expensive and less healthy than whole foods. Use the money you save by avoiding processed food and expensive restaurant food to buy more organic items.

Grow Your Own Food

It’s not only fun, but it can save money, cut pesticides, and reduce carbon emissions compared to store-bought vegetables. Can some of your produce for the winter months; our article, “Think Globally, Can Locally” can help.

Volunteer At A Local Food Co-op

Many allow members to volunteer a few times a month in exchange for a discount.

Arrange a CSA Workshare

If you belong to a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) arrangement with a local farmer, ask the farmer if you can exchange some work hours for a discount on your weekly share of produce.

If You Have More Money Than Time…

Join A CSA

You can save up to 40 percent on in-season and organic (or close-to-it) produce over buying it from the grocery store by joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) arrangement, according to DailyFinance.com. (find a sustainable CSA at localharvest.org and eatwellguide.org)

Consider An Organic Delivery Service

You’ll save time and gas money, and since the service delivers groceries to many households in one trip, you’ll save on climate emissions, too.

If You’re Broke And Busy…

Buy Organic Wisely

Use our “Organic or Conventional?” list above to focus your organic grocery purchases on the types of produce most likely to be contaminated by pesticides or genetically modified.

Eat less meat

Better yet, go vegetarian or vegan! Author John Robbins notes that eating a plant-based diet typically costs 25 percent less than a meat-eater’s diet.

Avoid fast food

While it might seem inexpensive, the impact of fast food on your health—and future health-care costs—can be catastrophic due to its high content of salt, sugar, and fat.

Forego bottled water

Say goodbye to wasteful, single-use bottled water and save $1,400 a year.

Buy in bulk and on sale

Green American Mark Landers buys organic food by the case, which gets him a ten percent discount at his local store. And member Victoria A buys organic produce like blueberries whenever it's on sale and freezes it in single-serving portions for quick thawing later. Read our latest article on buying in bulk.

This is a tale of two T-shirts, one from the popular mall store Forever 21, and one from Green America Green Business Network member Blue Canoe. The shirts are both blue and made of 100-percent cotton. They both have cap sleeves, slight tapering at the waist, and come in sizes XS-L. But that's where the similarity ends.

The Forever 21 shirt costs $8.80. The Blue Canoe shirt, $45.95. Which to choose?

"No contest," says just about any budget-conscious shopper in America. "The Forever 21 shirt, hands down."

Even for those who understand that there's more to both shirts than meets the eye, the price difference raises the question that many people have asked us over the years: If there's a premium on green goods, how can one buy green on a budget?
 

The Blue Canoe shirt is made of organic cotton by workers in California.

The Forever 21 shirt is tied to sweatshop labor and chemical-intensive cotton farming.

Taking Responsibility. Or Not

It’s true that people may pay a premium for green goods and services, but it’s not because green companies are trying to earn a larger profit. The fact is, no matter how successful a green business becomes and how much of a cost advantage that company offers due to economies of scale, it’ll never match the low, low prices of a conventional corporation like Forever 21 for one simple reason: Truly green businesses pay for external social and environmental costs that corporations are content to ignore—and foist on the communities in which they do business. To illustrate, let’s return to our two T-shirts.

The Forever 21 shirt likely has ties to sweatshop labor. In 2001, the company moved most of its manufacturing to Asia after a lawsuit was filed that year alleging sweatshop conditions in its US factories. And in 2012, Forever 21 was one of several being investigated by the US Department of Labor (DOL) for wage and overtime violations in its remaining US facilities in Los Angeles. In March of this year, the DOL issued a subpoena demanding that Forever 21 release records of its US workers’ wages, work hours, and working conditions, after the company spent months refusing to comply with a DOL request stemming from the 2012 investigation.

Forever 21 has also been linked to overseas sweatshops by worker advocates, and it has refused to sign on to the Accord for Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, even after the horrific Rana Plaza building collapse last April.

Forever 21 has refused to join retailers like Gap and even Walmart in committing to not buy cotton from Uzbekistan, where child labor in cotton fields is rampant.

And the Forever 21 shirt has a profound negative impact on the environment. That shirt is made from conventional cotton, the farming of which is responsible for 25 percent of the world’s pesticide use. The blue color likely came from conventional clothing dyes, which often contain toxic heavy metals like chrome, copper, and zinc. And it’s now the industry standard to apply finishes to clothing to make it stain-, wrinkle-, and fire-resistant, including formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.

Green for the Planet and You

While it may be a similar color and shape as its Forever 21 counterpart, the Blue Canoe shirt stands in stark contrast when you look at which is better for workers, communities, and the Earth.

The Blue Canoe shirt was made with 100-percent organic cotton, meaning no synthetic pesticides were used to grow the cotton. The shirt gets its deep blue color from low impact dyes, says founder and owner Laurie Dunlap. And like every piece of Blue Canoe clothing, the shirt was knit in Los Angeles and sewn in San Francisco by workers making a living wage.

In short, Blue Canoe’s production costs are higher than Forever 21’s, because it absorbs extra costs like paying its workers well instead of exploiting them, paying a premium for organic cotton, and forgoing cheaper chemical dyes in favor of eco-friendly alternatives.

And often, the quality of a green item is just better than a cheap, sweatshop-made product. Cost-conscious manufacturers can make their product cheaper, for example, by requiring longer stitch lengths, which saves time and money. But then, says Dunlap, the seams have no stretch and will easily come apart.

“From the beginning, we’ve heard from our customers how long our clothing lasts,” says Dunlap. “They’ll say things like, ‘I’m still wearing same pants I bought from you five years ago!’ We like to hear that. We don’t think of our clothing as disposable.”

Great, But It's Still Expensive

For struggling families, buying everything they need from the green economy can present a challenge. In our Green American magazine (subscribe), we've compiled our best tips to help you go green within your budget, focusing on the product categories people spend the most on—clothing, food, and transport—and where a shift to green can have the biggest impact.

As you mind your budget, remember that green isn’t always more expensive, and sometimes it’s just better. An energy efficient home feels cozier during the winter and saves money on your monthly bill. Communities designed around green transportation are often walkable, vibrant places where small businesses thrive. Organic foods promote better health and fewer doctor bills than processed foods, and they’re not coated with pesticides.

The green life is the good life, and it can be a wholesome, affordable life, too.

Here are seven things being "greenwashed," from granola bars to cleaning products. These items may seem more environmentally friendly than they are, but there are better alternatives for you to consider.

1. Biodegradable Bags

How much do they cost? $5 – $20

What’s wrong with them? Unless you know these bags are ending up in a compost bin, they’re not doing the planet or your wallet any good. There’s a good chance the bags will end up in a landfill where they will fail to decompose due to the anaerobic state of compacted trash.

Buy this instead: Reusable bags made of cotton or with high recycled plastic content are a great choice ($10 – $20). You can also reuse the plastic bags that may package your food ($0).

2. Conventional Granola Bars 

How much do they cost? $4 – $6 for a box of 6-12 bars.

What’s wrong with them? Conventional wisdom says that granola bars are a quick and healthy way to start your day, but most of them are filled with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) such as soy and sugars, with little of the beneficial protein and fiber they like to tout on their labels. Some have artificial flavors and preservatives. Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars (owned by General Mills), for example, contain soy protein, soy flour, canola oil, sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, brown sugar syrup, and soy lecithin, all of which are highly likely to contain GMOs. 

Buy this instead: Certified organic energy bars with high protein and low sugar content. Foods bearing the certified organic label cannot contain GMOs. A handful of organic nuts make a healthy snack, as well.

3. "Green" or "Ethical" Bottled Water

How much does it cost? $1.75 – $4.50

What’s wrong with it? Bottled water sends approximately two million tons of plastic to landfills each year. Even if all the plastic was recycled, it still represents a huge carbon footprint, especially when you consider how far much of this water must be trucked before it reaches its destination. Plus, plastic downcycles, meaning that you can recycle it once or twice, and then it becomes an unusable mess — which ends up as waste in landfills or the ocean.

Buy this instead: Tap water ($0). If you’re concerned about your local water quality, consider buying a water filter ($30 and up).

4. Cell Phone Radiation Screen 

How much does it cost? $17 – $30

What’s wrong with it? Manufacturers of these screens claim they mitigate the harmful effects of cell phone radiation, but their effectiveness is highly suspect and not at all regulated.

Buy this instead: Use a plug-in headset ($5 – $30), or put your cell on speaker and hold it at least two inches away from your body ($0) to minimize radiation exposure. Even a Bluetooth headset will help.

5. Recyclable Plastic Products

How much do they cost? $3 – $20

What’s wrong with them? “Recyclable” plastic sounds green, but this phrase is a classic example of greenwashing. Just because plastic is recyclable doesn’t mean there will be facilities available for you to recycle it in your state. It also does not mean that the item contains any recycled content. In addition, as noted in #3, plastic downcycles, rather than recycles, into waste that invariably ends up in landfills or the ocean.

Buy this instead: Replace plastics with reusable glass or metal containers such as a stainless steel water bottle ($12 – $40).

6. Greenwashed Cleaning Products

How much do they cost? 22 oz. for $5

What’s wrong with them? Many of these greenwashed products claim to be “nontoxic”—a term that is unregulated on product labels and is basically meaningless—yet include toxins in their ingredient list.

Buy this instead: Truly green cleaners certified by Green America’s Green Business Network®. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps (16 oz. for $10.50), for example, are not only certified Fair Trade and organic but are also nontoxic. Their concentrated formula means that once you dilute their soaps, you’ll be getting the same amount of cleaning for a comparable amount of money. Another option is to make your own cleaning products.

7. Ethanol Fuel

How much does it cost? New cars that can run on E85 are of comparable cost to new gasoline-powered vehicles.

What’s wrong it? Ethanol, which is mainly produced from corn in the United States, takes a vast amount of fossil fuels to grow and should not be considered green. In addition, the mostly genetically modified corn that the fuel is made from contributes to problems with GM cross-contamination and Monsanto’s hold on American seeds.

Buy this instead: Biodiesel made from waste products such as used cooking oil is a more environmentally friendly alternative. Kits for converting used cooking oil into biodiesel run from $1,000 to $2,000.

1. Trash Conventional Body Care Products

The Problem: More than one-third of all personal care products contain at least one ingredient linked to cancer, and very few products are tested for safety. Some products contain phthalates, which don't appear in the list of a product's ingredients. Instead, they are covered by the general term "fragrance." Other troublesome ingredients include coal tar, which is made from petroleum waste; diethanolamine (DEA); 1,4-Dioxane; and parabens. These toxins may be linked to endocrine disruptions, skin problems, and cancer.

The Solution: Look for body care products from one of the 600 retailers that have signed the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' Compact. These companies have pledged to phase out the 450 chemicals banned by the European Union in 2005 because they're strongly suspected of being mutagens, carcinogens, or endocrine disrupters. You can also search the EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database to learn about the products on your shelves.

Eco-bonus: Your green body care purchases help stop environmental contamination of our waterways. Buying organic supports sustainable, pesticide-free agriculture.

Visit our National Green Pages™ category on body care

Check out our articles:

9 Toxins to Avoid in Personal Care Products 

Safer Sunscreen for Summer 

Green America’s Sarah and Tracy Talk Green Feminine Products

2. Avoid Chemical Air Fresheners

The problem: Air fresheners can contain dangerous ingredients like dichlorobenzene, naphthalene, and formaldehyde. Conventional scented candles aren't much better. Many are made from petroleum-based paraffin wax, which releases carcinogenic soot when burned, and some have lead-core wicks, which release toxic lead into the air when burned which is linked to respiratory irritation, cancer.

The solution: Avoid candles and air fresheners with synthetic fragrances. Instead, leave out a bowl of baking soda to absorb odors, and switch from paraffin to 100-percent beeswax or soy candles with cotton wicks. To test a candle wick for lead, rub the tip on a piece of paper. If it leaves a mark, there's a lead core in the wick. This method doesn't work with candles that have been lit already, so when in doubt, throw them out.

Visit our National Green Pages™ categories: aromatherapy and candles

Check out our article: Are Your Candles Toxic

3. Purge PVC from your Shower Curtain (and elsewhere)

The problem: Polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC, or the "vinyl" in your vinyl shower curtain, is a plastic that's dangerous to people and the environment at every stage of its life cycle. DEHP, an additive used to soften many vinyl products, is a phthalate. 

The solution: Avoid PVC products for your bathroom or anywhere in your home. PVC is often recognizable by its distinctive odor (think that "new shower curtain" smell). When shopping for a shower curtain, look for a non-vinyl one. Ikea and Vita Futura both make polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA) liners, which are PVC-free. You can also get a hemp curtain from green companies like Rawganique.com. Hemp dries quickly and is resistant to mildew.

Visit our National Green Pages™ categories: hemp, housewares, and toys

Learn more:

Could You Go Plastic-Free?

“Universities are very sensitive to how they are portrayed.”

Kyuwon Kim and two recent university graduates, Elysia Petrone and Yasmin Parodi, are attempting a unique method of pressuring universities to divest from fossil fuels. The three friends are asking Maclean’s Magazine, a current affairs publication that annually ranks Canadian universities, to add an “ethical investment” ranking to its report. 

Green America/Martha van Gelder: How did you get involved with the divestment movement?

Kyuwon Kim: I met Elysia and Yasmin at a workshop in Toronto that was run by the Sierra Youth Coalition back in October. The three of us had a big interest in the divestment campaign because we came from different 350.org chapters, which inspired us to take action.

Green America/Martha: How did you get the idea to use the universities’ rankings as a way to encourage them to take action? It is such a unique approach!

Kim: At the end of each year, Maclean’s publish a universities issue in which it ranks Canadian universities based on class size, funding, reputation, student support, etc. Most Canadian high school students use it when they search for universities. I used it myself!

We noticed that there was nothing that mentioned ethical investment, so we started a petition asking Maclean’s to include information in its university rankings that reference the ethicality of their endowments.

Green America/Martha: How successful have you been so far?

Kim: We have been in talks with Maclean’s Magazine, and they have been going very positively. We’re very, very thankful that all these people have supported us.

Green America/Martha: Why do you think this ranking could influence universities?
 

Kim: A lot of universities are sensitive to how they rank in Maclean’s Magazine, and they have responded to their ranking in the magazine. Many universities will call the magazine and want to know how they can rank better the next year.

Green America/Martha: As an alumna, why do you feel moved to take action to change what your alma mater does with its endowment?

Kim: All three of us, Elysia, Yasmin and me, have studied the environment in some way or another. Universities are leading the way in terms of sustainability and leadership. [The fact that our university was invested in fossil fuels] disheartened us, and we thought it was hypocritical that these great institutions that are investing a lot in sustainability research yet they are investing in unethical activities and unsustainable industries.
 

Green America/Martha: What advice would you give to other alumni who want to get involved?

Kim: Pay attention to what your leverage points are. They differ by wherever you are in the world. But I believe it can be done. There's a huge amount of momentum, so right now is the time to jump in for sure.

1. Avoid Vinyl (PVC) Siding 

The problem: Home siding can be the single largest use of PVC plastic in a home. Vinyl siding often contains DEHP, an additive and a phthalate. The manufacture and incineration of PVC releases dangerous pollution. May be linked to: endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, cancer.

The solution: When it's time to buy new siding for your house, choose one of the many non-vinyl siding alternatives available, from aluminum to polypropylene.

2. Take Care with Exterior Paints

The problem: Like paints used indoors, exterior paints can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and may contain fungicides or biocides. In exterior paints, VOCs are less likely to be inhaled, reducing the paint's health risks, but these VOCs can still cause smog and damage the ozone layer.

The solution: Pick a zero- or very low-VOC exterior paint. All exterior paints need fungicides to prevent mold, so choose an exterior paint that contains the least-toxic paint fungicide: zinc oxide. Avoid oil-based paints and choose instead an acrylic, latex, or recycled water-based paint. Least-toxic exterior paints include: DuraSoy No-VOC Interior/Exterior paint, American Pride No-VOC Interior/Exterior Primer, and AFM Safecoat Low-VOC Exterior Satin.

Visit our National Green Pages™ category: paints

Check out our article:  Eco-Friendly Paints and Stains

3. Reduce Your Pesticide Use

The problem: Too many homeowners needlessly use hazardous chemical on their lawns, and these chemicals can drift into their homes and pollute indoor air. Of 30 commonly used lawn pesticides, 19 are linked with cancer or carcinogenicity, 15 with neurotoxicity, and 11 with hormone disruption, according to the National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns. Many also pollute groundwater, and most are toxic to wildlife. These toxins may be linked to: cancer, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption.

The solution: In many American yards, pesticide use is unnecessary and excessive. Visit Beyond Pesticides for least-toxic solutions to lawn care.

Visit our National Green Pages™ category: landscaping/lawn care

4. Check Your Wooden Deck and Playsets

The problem: Until a few years ago, pressure-treated wood for decks and play equipment was routinely covered in chromium copper arsenate (CCA) to kill insects and prevent rot. CCA leaches arsenic that sticks to hands and is absorbed through skin. The wood industry voluntarily agreed to stop selling CCA-treated wood for most residential uses in 2005, but older decks and playground sets may still be coated in poison. These toxins may be linked to: cancer, developmental damage.

The solution: If your wooden deck or play equipment was built before 2005, obtain a test kit from the Environmental Working Group. If there is arsenic present, consider replacing the items, or at least the parts like handrails and steps that people most often touch. Using a table cloth on older wooden picnic tables, applying wood sealant every six months, and regular hand-washing after playing outside can limit arsenic exposure. (Clear sealants are most toxic. Look for a wood sealant with the darkest pigmentation.)

Also test soil surrounding older wood decks or play equipment. You may need to replace it with a safer ground cover if the soil contains unsafe levels of arsenic. Avoid storing any tools or toys outdoors near arsenic-treated wood.

Check out our article: Green Hands on Deck 

“Your investment philosophy should reflect the values you have in governing.”

Seattle mayor, Mike McGinn made history last November when he became the first mayor to divest his city from fossil fuels. His office has already divested the $1.4 million in their direct control, and it’s working to encourage the Seattle pension fund to divest its $1.9 billion from fossil fuels.

Header photo via Flcikr user Joe Mabel.

Green America/Martha van Gelder: Why is it important for Seattle's pension fund to divest from fossil fuels?

Mayor Mike McGinn: It’s important when you’re a public entity that when you spend your dollars, you do so in a way that is consistent with the values of the people that live in the place. And Seattle has been, and I hope will continue to be, a leader in trying to build an environmentally sustainable economy, one that’s fair and economically vibrant.

If you’re taking actions on the one hand to make buildings more efficient and make it easier for people to walk, use transit, or ride a bicycle, your investment philosophy should reflect the values you have in governing as well.

Green America/Martha: Do you anticipate other cities following suit and divesting?

McGinn: I do think it’s something that other cities should look at. Not every city manages its own pension fund; I know that many of the cities in the state of Washington are part of the state pension system, as an example. But all cities probably have some amount of money that they’re managing, and they should see what they can do with it.

Green America/Martha: How does the divestment effort play into Seattle’s strategy to go carbon-neutral by 2050?

McGinn: I want to say something about carbon neutrality and other goals that are difficult to attain and that are going to take a lot of action to reach. The real question is, can you take the steps now that lead you towards that goal?
That’s what we’re focusing on here: What are the steps we can take around buildings, around transportation, around our practices—whether as individuals, as entities like a city government or businesses—that really point us in that direction.

We believe going carbon-neutral is really a growth strategy for Seattle, because we’re reducing waste and putting those dollars into more important things. That’s what’s being reflected here in our investment policy as well, that there’s a pathway towards a more sustainable economy, and that we don’t have to rely on taking actions that in the long run, hurt us.

1. Get Rid of Conventional Cleaners 

The problem: Many household cleaners contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, harsh acids, and hormone disrupters, which may be linked to: cancer, endocrine disruption, and eye, throat, and lung irritation.

The solution: Use nontoxic, biodegradable cleaners free from synthetic fragrances. Or save money and go easy on the earth by making your own.

Visit the National Green Pages™ category: cleaning products

Check out our article: Ten Simple Ways to Clean Green

2. Use Care with Paints and Stains

The problem: Conventional paints contain three chemicals worth worrying about: VOCs, fungicides, and biocides. Some paints have toxic pigments too. VOCs are the primary solvent in oil-based paint and a component in water-based paint. Biocides and fungicides are chemicals designed to extend paints' shelf life and prevent mildew once applied. Problematic ingredients can include mercury, arsenic disulfide, phenol, and formaldehyde. Paint containing lead levels greater than 660 parts per million is no longer legal in the US, but homes painted up to the 1970's may still have lead paint. These toxins may be linked to: reproductive toxicity, nerotoxicity (lead paint), and developmental damage.

The solution: Use super-low or zero-VOC paints and stains. Look also for "biocide-free" paints with natural pigments. If your home was built before 1970, test your home and your children's blood lead levels. Paint over lead-based paint to minimize dust and chipping.

Visit the National Green Pages™ category: paints

Check out our article:  Eco-Friendly Paints and Stains

3. Look for Sustainable Furniture

The problem: Some wood furniture can release VOCs from adhesives and finishes. Urea formaldehyde is used in particle-board furniture. Most upholstered furniture is treated with flame-retardant polybrominated diphenl ethers (PBDEs). These toxins may be linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and respiratory irritation.

The solution: Seal exposed edges of particle board and pressed wood with a zero-VOC sealant (like AFM Safecoat's Safe Seal sealant). Consider buying all-natural furniture, made from solid wood or natural, organic ingredients like organic cotton or hemp. Look for furniture made without toxic flame retardants.

Eco-Bonus: Wood furniture certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) supports sustainable forestry practices, preserving old-growth forests throughout the world.

Visit the National Green Pages™ category: furniture

4. Find the Right Flooring

The problem: Wall-to-wall carpets are notorious for harboring allergens and trapping toxins like pesticides that get tracked in from outside. Most synthetic carpets and their adhesives also emit VOCs. Carpeting may be treated with benzyl benzoate or other chemicals for mothproofing or to repel moisture. These toxins may be linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and respiratory irritation.

The solution: Don't put down new wall-to-wall carpeting, and consider removing any current carpet, especially if any family members have breathing problems. You can apply AFM's nontoxic Carpet Seal to lock in off-gassing toxins from newer carpets. Use a HEPA vacuum weekly to remove allergens.

Eco-Bonus: Wood flooring certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) supports sustainable forestry practices, preserving old-growth forests throughout the world. If possible, re-finishing current hardwood flooring or re-using flooring from old houses with non-toxic finishes is best.

Visit the National Green Pages™ categories: flooring and carpets/rugs

Check out our article: Eco-Friendly Flooring

“They’re making profit because we’re letting them destroy God’s Creation.”

The Reverend Dr. Jim Antal is a conference minister in the United Church of Christ, responsible for the 375 UCC congregations in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts conference board of directors recently approved his proposal to divest their funds from fossil fuels and became the first major religious body to divest.

Green America/Martha van Gelder: How did your conference end up voting to divest from fossil fuels?

Rev. Dr. Jim Antal: I’m the conference minister, responsible for 375 congregations, which are all the United Church of Christ churches in Massachusetts. I brought this proposal to our board of directors for the conference, which is a relatively small board of about 20, and we had a very lively conversation. In the end, they approved the resolution unanimously.

As one of 38 UCC conferences in the country, we will bring this resolution to our national gathering. The UCC gets together once every other year in what we call a synod, and that gathering happens in late June this year. We will bring it to the Synod as a resolution, and my expectation is that it will be the dominant focus of our five-day synod gathering.

Green America/Martha: What kind of action can you take without the synod?

Antal: It's an interesting question. The conference itself is not hierarchically organized and doesn’t have that many resources. Our 375 congregations each have autonomy in terms of their resources—they own their own buildings and they own their own investments. So each of them needs to take this into consideration and make their own decisions.

As for us, the first step we took a little more than a month ago was to say, we’re going to provide leadership for the denomination on this. The next step in terms of our own investments, which are several million dollars, is to determine what steps we might take immediately in order to divest.

Green America: Why is divestment important to you from a faith perspective?

Antal: What we’re realizing is, as Hebrew scripture and Christian scripture state, the Earth is the Lord’s. Whether you’re Hindu or Buddhist or whatever faith you have, every faith shares the perspective that Creation is God’s; it’s not ours.

So here’s the deal: Over the past 200 years or even more, humanity has ceded to entities that we now call corporations the right to be intermediaries for humanity in relation to God’s Creation. And as we’ve done this, we’ve fallen asleep at the switch. 

As it turns out, for 35 years or more, we’ve known that the extraction and use of fossil fuels is actually wrecking Creation. So now we’re at a point in human history where we need to take back our own direct relationship with God’s Creation. Informed by science, we recognize that we must leave at least 80 percent of the known carbon reserves in the ground. 

Green America/Martha: You represent the first major religious body to join the divestment movement. Have you heard other religious bodies expressing interest in what you’re doing or thinking about following suit?

Antal: Yes, yes, and yes. My “counterparts” in other denominations responded almost immediately with incredible enthusiasm, so I’ve been in touch with the people who are leading their environmental fronts amongst Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians, and other denominations.

This is going to take a different shape in different denominations. Unitarians have shown a lot of leadership, and they’re also having their national gathering in June. I don’t know for a fact, but I expect they will also have a resolution [on divestment] coming before them. 

Green America: If I were a member of a religious body but not a leader and I wanted us to start taking more action, would you have any advice for me?

Antal: Oh, this is so cool. Thank you for asking! In writing our resolution to divest from fossil fuels, my intent was that any religious body—whether it was a congregation with 50 people, or the largest denomination in the country, or anything in between—could read this, understand the theological reasoning behind it, and say, “You know what? We need to be committed to this.”

If it’s a congregation, then the council of the congregation can take a vote, and a representative leader from that congregation can begin to advocate [for divestment] along with myself and other emerging leaders.  On our website – www.macucc.org\divest -- we are collecting the names of congregations who endorse the resolution. 

Divestment will likely be the focus of the conversation at our national UCC gathering in June, and both the UCC Pension Boards as well as United Church Funds will be engaged in the deliberation.  They currently screen against alcohol; they screen against tobacco; they screen against weapons; they screen against gambling. But the idea of adding another screen to those four—particularly a screen that would be challenging to implement – concerns them.  Particularly when that screen, fossil fuel companies, is eliminating companies that are so unbelievably profitable right now.
Yet the reason they’re profitable is because they’re destroying the Earth. That’s what the Church needs to be shouting: They’re making profit because we’re letting them destroy God’s Creation.

Photo via UCC.org.