This week, Verizon announced its launch of the world’s first commercial 5G network initially in four U.S. cities, with plans to expand nationally. 5G is the fifth generation of cellular networking and is the next frontier that promises faster speeds and connectivity. While this is a massive move for the company, its network expansion is built with a heavy reliance on fossil fuels.

Communities and the climate shouldn’t be compromised in a race to reach faster networks. Join us in urging Verizon to stop being the industry laggard and finally make a commitment to 100% clean energy by 2025.

What is 5G?

A 5G network has been widely anticipated for quite a while and has even been called the “fourth industrial revolution” by some telecom experts. Transitioning from 1G to 2G took us from an era of pagers to the dawn of SMS texting. Progressing to 3G increased connection speed by four times, and 4G is our current stage, where we stream and share live video. This new 5G era promises longer battery life, larger data, and more reliability.

But what about environmental impacts?

4G allows for 1,000 devices to be connected per square kilometer, and 5G brings a drastic increase, with one million devices per square kilometer. These devices include not only smartphones, but a wide range of vehicles, appliances, and other technologies that are all part of the growing “internet of things.” This could pose ethical challenges, because electronic devices create harmful environmental and social impacts from their mining and production to the hazards of disposal. Having space for more devices does not directly mean that production will skyrocket right away, but it’s something to be wary of as more “smart” appliances appear on the market.  

A positive aspect of 5G is that it’s more directional and efficient, and this could result in less energy and power being wasted. Verizon claims 5G can help save cities 70 percent energy usage for networks and has cited that it can unlock benefits for cities in areas of public safety, transit, and utilities. Verizon cites that 5G can usher in more driverless cars, public cameras, and magnetometers to track traffic flows and volumes. The company regularly touts the environmental savings its products can offer, but these calculations are based on a number of assumptions and are hard to verify. What we do know for sure is that Verizon uses almost no clean energy to power its current networks and servers and has no plans to scale up its clean energy to match T-Mobile’s goal of 100% wind and solar power by 2021.

Does this make Verizon a leader in clean energy?

Unfortunately, no.

There is no certainty that all cities will implement the list of ideas that could curb energy usage once they loop into 5G. For years, Verizon’s energy focus has been solely on lowering its energy intensity. However, unlike its competitors, Verizon has yet to make any meaningful movement towards powering its network with clean energy. This means Verizon still continues to use (and demand) power derived from fossil fuels that spur climate change. Verizon is using less than 2% clean energy. By contrast, T-Mobile is already well on its way to 100% clean energy, and AT&T is approaching 30% clean energy. 

Climate change is not a distant threat to worry about tomorrow. It is here, and its effects are already devastating communities worldwide.  Recent studies indicate that the United States is one of the countries that will suffer the biggest economic impacts from climate change.  Alongside intensified natural disasters from climate change, the use of fossil fuels already harms residents living near extraction sites and power plants. We need to reduce emissions and seek efficiency, and we must switch to using the most sustainable resources. This means displacing the need for fossil fuels by expanding clean energy. 

Verizon is missing its opportunity to push for expanding clean energy infrastructure. Despite being the first company to launch 5G, it will be a laggard in its field until it commits to achieving 100% clean energy. Technological progress and a more connected world are important, but it matters how that goal is achieved. Green America urges Verizon to ensure its new progress is made stronger by committing to clean energy now for communities and the climate. Join thousands of others who have called on Verizon to take action today.

WASHINGTON, DC – Green America and Kiss the Ground today premiered a new video on Upworthy featuring actress and political activist Rosario Dawson, and Gangsta Gardener and “Ecolutionary” Artist Ron Finley, touting the “Climate Victory Garden” campaign that encourages Americans to plant “regenerative” backyard or community gardens to help combat climate change. 

The new video, available at www.greenamerica.org/climate-victory-gardens, will be promoted by Upworthy on Wednesday Sept 26th and by Green America, Kiss the Ground, and their partners on Thursday Sept 27th.

“Climate Victory Gardens” were inspired by the “Victory Gardens” planted during the first and second World Wars. By 1944, nearly 20 million victory gardens produced eight million tons of food, equaling over 40 percent of the fresh fruits and vegetables consumed in the U.S. at the time. These victory gardens fed Americans at home, to make more farm-raised food available for the troops abroad.

Today’s Climate Victory Gardens emphasize Regenerative Agriculture practices like no-till, cover crops, and composting that help to build healthy soils. These practices can mitigate carbon emissions and even sequester carbon into the soil while growing non-toxic, nutrient-rich foods.

“Climate Victory Gardens are a great way for the 35 percent of Americans with home or community gardens to engage on the issue of climate change. With simple techniques your garden can play a meaningful part in reversing climate change,” said Rosario Dawson. “Regenerative gardening is not about being ‘sustainable,’ it’s about rebuilding and restoring the health of our soils while we grow food. It’s a different way of thinking.”

“We have communities nationwide that are food prisons that could be producing their own organic food while addressing climate change,” said Ron Finley of The Ron Finley Project. “By educating the public about regeneratively homegrown food, Climate Victory Gardens are raising awareness about one of the biggest global challenges of our time and showing Americans how they can make a difference for themselves, their households, and their communities. Soil Equals Life.”

All the resources needed to get started are available here: https://greenamerica.org/climatevictorygardens. Climate Victory Gardens across the U.S. are being mapped here: https://www.greenamerica.org/climate-victory-gardens-map. 

Rosario Dawson is known for her roles in the films Kids, Rent, and Sin City, and the series Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, The Defenders and Iron Fist.

Ron Finley is a Los Angeles-based “Ecolutionary” and proponent of urban gardening around the planet. He travels the world encouraging the planting of edible gardens. He can be seen in the award-winning documentary “Can You dig This?”. He is also known for his TED Talks.

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Green America is the nation's leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America (formerly Co-op America) provides economic strategies and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today's social and environmental problems.

Kiss the Ground, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is committed to inspiring participation in global regeneration, starting with the soil. They work with consumers, educators, farmers, scientists, and business leaders to rethink and restructure agriculture and ecosystem function. They've partnered with Big Picture Ranch, and Executive Producer Leonardo DiCaprio, to release the film Kiss the Ground.

The Ron Finley Project's mission is to change the culture of South Central LA into a healthy well-balanced place to life. And to continue his Horticultural Revolution.

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

Five generations in the making, one lean, green, cleaning machine is shaking up the soap industry. Family-owned soap company Dr. Bronner’s has kept itself busy, constantly working to perfect the craft of ethical, organic soap-making.

The company was founded in 1948 by Emanuel Bronner, a German-Jewish immigrant determined to “unite Spaceship Earth” by preaching religious and ethnic tolerance. By 1950, he frequented San Francisco’s Pershing Square to spout his moral philosophy and sell handmade soap on the side. But after observing onlookers leaving his lectures early with peppermint soaps in hand, he had to find a new way to spread his message: printing his speeches on his soap packaging. By the 1960’s, Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap had become a counterculture icon, known for its wordy labels promoting peace, love, and prosperity for people and the planet.

Fast forward to the present, and the soap visionary has stayed true to its message.

Prioritizing environmental stewardship, Dr. Bronner’s is always looking for opportunities to clean up its supply chain beginning with its number-one sourced ingredient: coconut oil. Around ten years ago, Dr. Bronner’s established its first organic coconut oil project in Sri Lanka. Shortly afterwards, Dr. Bronner’s put itself on the map of environmentally and socially-responsible sourcing with the establishment of first-ever organic and fair trade palm oil project. Having seen first-hand the benefits of close partnerships with smallholder farmers, Dr. Bronner’s currently works alongside suppliers on the ground in Samoa, India, Ghana, and Palestine, and intends to expand.

“What we like to do is have a closer connection with our supply chain and the farmers that supply us, and one of the greatest ways to do that is through fair trade,” organic and fair trade coordinator Ryan Zinn said, phoning from Dr. Bronner’s coconut oil project in Samoa. There are currently 1500 farmers involved with the Samoa coconut oil project alone.

Supplying around 90 percent of Dr. Bronner’s raw materials, this vast network of smallholder farm projects allows the soap company to support and advance responsible agricultural practices globally. Now, Dr. Bronner’s is committed to progressing this model of partnership to achieve its ambition of carbon neutrality by 2020, all while ensuring that farmers receive fair compensation and setting a precedent of supply chain transparency.

There are two chief agricultural methods that Dr. Bronner’s uses to realize its aspiration to be carbon neutral. The first is regenerative agriculture, in which practices like conservation tillage and crop rotation can boost soil health, creating an effective a carbon sink. In order to encourage regenerative practices, Dr. Bronner’s has received a grant from the German government to increase the soil CO2 content by producing and distributing compost at its smallholder farm projects in India. Healthier soil then promotes better healthier crops, which constitute another carbon sink.

“The vast majority of our raw materials come from tree crops, and trees are fantastic photosynthesizers and sequester carbon,” Zinn explained. “My guess is that we will be carbon negative [by 2020]. When you bring together regenerative organic practices with tree crops, you can’t help but sequester tons of carbon.”

The second strategy is dynamic agroforestry, in which trees and shrubs are planted among crops to improve biodiversity and reduce soil erosion. The higher plant density and securitization of soil also results in significant carbon sequestration, while also boosting economic stability for farmers.

“We’re moving beyond the organic and fair trade and focusing in on dynamic agroforestry, which brings together coconut oil, cocoa, and a number of other crops,” Zinn explains. “[This] can diversify incomes and stabilize farms in the face of climate change.”

Dr. Bronner’s has become a leader in today’s soap industry, boasting an annual $120 million in sales, by staying true to its original mission of serving people and the planet. Dr. Bronner’s has successfully pioneered and continues to improve a business model in which social responsibility and environmental consciousness serve as uncompromising components of the its corporate identity, culture, and supply systems.

“One thing I try to constantly communicate to friends in the regenerative space is that it’s impossible to have any type of regenerative practice without farmers getting compensated,” Zinn explained. “Without good partnerships with farmers and compensating them fairly for the amazing work they do, there isn’t a future.”

“We’re always happy to share all of our successes and mistakes we’ve made along the way,” Zinn continued. “There isn’t a whole lot of precedent [for large-scale regenerative agriculture projects], and we’re excited to share skills, resources, consultants, and everything in between.”

SAN FRANCISCO – NEWS ADVISORY –  Carbon Sequestration in Soil: Scaling Investment, a full-day event for investors and project developers, produced by Green America's Center for Sustainability Solutions, will explore how to shift capital at scale to build agricultural market solutions to the global climate crisis.  This invitation-only event is now full.

The event brings together investors, innovative companies and project developers working to promote soil health and carbon sequestration. Investment in climate-friendly agriculture is still in its early stages, so the goal of the event is to identify viable pathways to expand and scale investment to help rapidly utilize agriculture globally as a key part of the climate solution.

The event falls the day before the start of the Global Climate Action Summit, Sept. 12 -14 2018. The Summit celebrates climate action achievements, and it also will be a launch pad for deeper worldwide commitments and accelerated action from countries around the globe—supported by all sectors of society.

Atish Babu, vice president of Agricultural Capital, said, “Agriculture Capital actively seeks to help create new realities in farming in the United States in response to climate change. But those new realities require new conversations. We are excited to participate in this event during GCAS. It will allow us to engage openly in vital conversations about the opportunities to do well and to do good.”

Lew Douglas, president & CEO Urth Organic, said, “Urth Agriculture, an environmental company operating as a for-profit corporation, is at the forefront of modifying agricultural practices to address climate change. We are excited to work with Green America to introduce both our investment opportunity and climate change solutions to the investor community.”

SPEAKERS

Project developers 

• Main Street Project: Julie Ristau, Chief Operating Officer, Main Street Project
• Palouse Soil Carbon Project: Jeff Bernicke, President & CEO, NativeEnergy
• Sea Feed, with Seaweed: Brian Von Herzen, Executive Director, Climate Foundation

• URTH Lew Douglas, President & CEO, Urth Agriculture 
• Soil Sensor Project - Real-Time, Affordable, Accurate and Global, Henry Rowlands, Director, Henstar PLC; Shalini Prasad, Professor, Bioengineering, University of Texas, Dallas 

INVESTORS

• Atish Babu, Vice President, Agriculture Capital – Sponsor/RAIN Design Team
• Alex Mackay, Director, Business Development and Investor Relations, Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT
• Chris Larson, CEO, New Island Capital
• Catha Groot, Director, Radicle Impact

MARKET INNOVATIONS

• Establishing a National Ecosystems Services Market, Sean Penrith, CEO, Gordian Knot Strategies
• Carbon Farming Program, Phil Taylor, Founder, Mad Agriculture
• Lessons from Solar for Carbon Farming, Ethan Steinberg, Propagate Ventures
• The Carbon Farming Innovation Network (CFIN), Charis Smith, Manager CFIN, Green America
• The Soil Value Exchange, Henk Mooiweer, Executive Director
• Rabobank and UNEP Fund for Forest Protection and Sustainable Agriculture: Michael Rinaldi, Sustainable Business Development Manager, Rabobank
• FoodShot Global: Victor Friedberg, Founder and Chairman, FoodShot Global
• My-Cultiver Richmond Food Production Center: Kevin Warner, Director, b.modrn Sustainability Ventures

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Green America’s Center for Sustainability Solutions works with leaders from across value chains to shift whole industries and sectors toward social, environmental and economic sustainability. We bring together diverse groups of stakeholders to solve the complex sustainability problems that no individual business, organization, or leader can solve alone. Green America is the nation's leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America (formerly Co-op America) provides economic strategies and practical tools for businesses, investors and individuals to solve today's social and environmental problems. http://www.centerforsustainabilitysolutions.org/carbonfarming/

MEDIA CONTACT:   Charis Smith, 440.213.8965 or csmith@greenamerica.org.

We offer sustainable portfolio management and personalized investments advice, holistic financial planning, and leadership in helping to relocalize the investment process. Sylvia Panek is an Investment Advisory Representative of Natural Investments LLC, a values-based investment management firm with offices across the United States. Please contact at sylvia@naturalinvestments.com.

Here on the cusp of fall, parents around the country are preparing for a new school year. To help out, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite back-to-school supplies from certified Green Business Network (GBN) members that will make your star student the most sustainable kid in class.  

1. Small Gyari Cotton Backpack

Who says your school bag can't be functional and stylish? Definitely not Lucia's World Emporium and the Small Gyari Cotton Backpack ($27). With multiple zippered pockets, adjustable straps, and fully lined, this backpack will reliably hold all your student's school supplies and then some.

2. Handmade Paper Journal

Note-taking is an important part of school. Be chic and sustainable doing it with Just Good's Handmade Paper Journal ($19). It comes in a variety of colors and patterns to best match your student's personality.

3. Chocolate Macaroon Organic Power Crackers

What's the best way to get through a school day? Making sure you're hydrated and fed! Foods Alive's Chocolate Macaroon Organic Power Crackers ($5.99 for 4 oz) is a perfect snack that's both good for you and the planet.

4. Stickers

School is a time for growing, learning, and becoming yourself. What better way to do that than stickers on your notebooks, water bottles, and everything in between? Mimosa Goods has many stickers ($3) with inspiring messages on them, as well as tons of other fun accessories.

5. The Last Wild Witch

One of the best school activities is reading time! This eco fable by Starhawk with illustrations by Lindy Kehoe tells the story of a group of children who save the last wild witch and the last magical forest from destruction. You can get it from We'Moon for $9.95.

6. Lip Balm

We all need to take care of ourselves--even at school. Thanks to Becca & Mars' body products, like this Lime Coconut Tinted Lip Balm ($6), there's no worry of chapped lips distracting from classtime.

7. Beeswax Crayons 

8. Eco-highlighters

8. Reusable Lunch Bag 

Every student needs a sturdy lunch bag. That's where eco ditty's Reusable Lunch Bag ($33) comes in. It's made of 100% organic cotton and comes with a convenient and easy drawstring closure.

9. Pencils with Purpose

What's the handiest item at school? A writing utensil, of course! The Good Pencil Company's pencil are made from FSC-certified materials from responsibly managed forests. What's even better about these Pencils with Purpose--Leftovers ($2.49) is that for each pack sold, The Good Pencil Company donates two meals to the Utah Food Bank.

10. Bees Wrap

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Green America launched its "Skip the Slip, CVS" campaign urging the pharmacy giant to improve its paper receipt practices to keep pace with other leading retailers. CVS is one of the largest retailers in the country and issues some of the longest receipts to customers. The chain's receipts contain the toxin Bisphenol-S (BPS), and its millions of paper receipts contribute to deforestation and pollution.

In response to consumer pressure and attention from late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel regarding CVS' long receipts, CVS introduced electronic receipts in its stores but failed to adequately promote the option to customers. Few CVS customers have switched because only CVS ExtraCare members have access to digital receipts, which they must request in store with a cashier. CVS' paper receipts continue to be over a foot long and toxic.

As Green America published in its recently updated report, roughly 93 percent of paper receipts are coated with Bisphenol-A (BPA) or Bisphenol-S (BPS), known endocrine-disruptors. The total mass of BPA on a receipt is 250 to 1,000 times greater than the amount of BPA found in a can of food or in plastic baby bottles. Retail employees are at greater risk, as workers who make regular contact with receipts have over 30 percent more BPA or BPS in their bodies. Additionally, paper receipt production in the U.S. consumes an estimated 10 million trees, 21 billion gallons of water, and emits 12 billion pounds of CO2 each year.*

"CVS has a well-known reputation for its lengthy paper receipts," said Beth Porter, Green America's Climate & Recycling director. "But what is less often discussed are that the millions of receipts it issues each year waste natural resources and pose health risks. CVS could be an industry leader on this issue if it switches to non-toxic receipts and fixes its restricted access to digital receipts. Currently, CVS is coming up short."

"We're mobilizing thousands of customers that visit CVS' 9,800 stores to urge the company to improve practices to protect worker health and follow through on its digital receipt program," said Todd Larsen, executive co-director of Consumer and Corporate Engagement at Green America. "As a company that is in the business of providing customers with products to protect and enhance their health, CVS has an obligation to move off of toxic paper receipts and make it easy for customers to get digital receipts."

Consumers can sign the petition calling on CVS to replace its BPS-coated paper receipts with a phenol-free option and to offer digital receipts to all customers.

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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

*For updated impacts and explained methodology, please see our Jan 2019 revised report here.

Forty percent of the food we grow in the US never gets eaten. It gets tossed out somewhere on the path from farm to table. That's billions of pounds of food that uses land, water, fertilizer and pesticides, packaging, transportation, fuel, and more.

So consider these five ways to fight food waste in your own kitchen.

1. Plan your meals.

The more precise you are about what you’re going to eat and when, the less food you’ll waste. Meal-planning apps can help! For example, Yummly features over million recipes, allowing you to save your favorites in a virtual recipe box. You can choose what meals you want to make, and Yummly (Free. Online or for iOS, Android) sends the ingredients to a grocery list—which you can  export to Instacart, a grocery delivery app. 

2. Store your food well.

Sustainable America offers plenty of helpful resources for smart food storage—including infographics for optimally packing your fridge, and “Eat Me First” signs you can print and put on food that’s close to its expiration date. The Natural Resources Defense Council has its own food-waste tips and resources at savethefood.com.  

3. Practice emergency use-it-up measures.

The Waste-Free Kitchen Handbook has plenty of practical advice for using up foods that are moving past peak-freshness. Turn to pp. 20-21 for a sampling, and read the book for more. Find many use-it-up recipes at ivaluefood.com, as well. And don’t forget to can or preserve extra produce! Our article can help.

4. Support food-rescue efforts for families in need.

Find groups across the country that are gleaning dropped produce from fields or rescuing wasted food from stores and restaurants, and sending it to food pantries for food-insecure households. Support legislation that will make it easier and more affordable for farms and businesses to donate excess food.

5. Get your community involved.

Take the Food Waste Challenge with your community. The EPA offers a toolkit to help communities start a campaign to reduce food waste. Ask local stores and restaurants about their food-waste practices, and support those that donate and compost. Demand your local government start a municipal composting program; consult the Institute for Local Self-Reliance for help and resources.
 

Ready to learn more? Learn about expiration dates, because they don't mean what most of us think they mean. And if you want to know the ins and outs of wasting less food, read our interview with Dana Gunders, author of the Waste-Free Kitchen Handbook.

While the holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and family, they can also cause a feeling of overwhelm: A 2011 report from the American Psychological Association found that 22 percent of Americans experience an “extreme level” of stress during the holidays.

While the other 78 percent don’t feel such high levels of anxiety, the holidays can be hectic for many. And, says Dr. Mari Swingle, a psychoneurophysiologist, doctor of psychology, and author of the book i-Minds: How Cell Phones, Computers, Gaming, and Social Media are Changing our Brains, our Behavior, and the Evolution of Our Species (New Society Publishers, 2016) our dependence on technology may be exacerbating that lack of calm. 

Swingle says one aspect that draws people to the Internet-connected devices she calls “i-tech” (like PCs, laptops, tablets, or phones) is their unpredictable loop of anticipation (What’s popping up next on my social media feed?) and gratification (Oh, look, a new comment on my blog).

She says that by keeping ourselves stimulated by screens constantly, our ability to quiet and calm ourselves is going the way of the dodo.

“We no longer know what to do to settle ourselves, hence the augment in anxiety, depression, and in other forms of addiction,” she writes. “We are glued to our devices in an attempt to stay occupied, to entertain ourselves, to defer emotions. Yet by the very fact of doing so, we are feeling more agitated and void.” 

Holiday vacations may be the perfect time to “detox” yourself and your family from electronic devices, says Swingle. Instead of being glued to a screen, make a real effort to put those screens away and spend time interacting with loved ones. You may have a more relaxing season, form more precious memories with loved ones, and start breaking bad, hyper-connected habits—even before it’s time for New Year’s resolutions.

Unplugging even for a few days can have a big impact. A 2014 study from UCLA Children’s Digital Media Center compared sixth graders who went into nature for five days with no screens to kids who stayed home and did their normal tech-centered routines. It found that the kids who stayed plugged in were worse at reading facial expressions and emotional cues than the kids who’d had a break.
And a 2014 study from University of California-Irvine tested stress levels for workers before and after a five-day e-mail break. The results? Lower heart rates overall and workers reported they felt more in control of their work lives. This study wasn’t even done during a full technology break; it just required people to talk to their coworkers face-to-face.

Set a Good Example

A good time to launch new tech-lite habits could be when you have consecutive days off of work during the holidays. But before you can get others in your household to unplug, make sure you’re modeling good habits.

As many as 70 percent of children think their parents spend more time than they should using tech devices, which kids see as a double-standard, according to psychologist Catherine Steiner-Adair, author of The Big Disconnect: Protecting Child and Family Relationships in the Digital Age (Harper, 2013).

“Kids hate the phrase ‘just checking’ that parents frequently use to justify a very rude, infuriating behavior,” she said to the New York Times of parents who constantly check their phone or e-mail.  

Setting boundaries can be harder for adults, because we have to enforce them on ourselves, rather than relying on an authority figure to remind us. Here are a few things to focus on:   

Unplug after work.

Leading up to the holiday break, make a point of ditching screens for a period of time as soon as you walk in the door from work or school. 

“Walk in the door unplugged, and use the first hour you’re home as time to reconnect with the family,” Steiner-Adair told the Times. 

Try dropping your devices off in a designated spot before proceeding to the rest of your evening. During big holiday dinners, encourage guests to do the same.

Don’t make yourself constantly available via gadgets.

For example, Swingle doesn’t respond to job-related e-mails after work hours unless it’s an emergency. 

Kathleen Davis, business editor at Fast Company, takes a similar approach. She downgraded to a flip phone without Internet access to limit her gadget use after hours. 

“It does start with setting expectations for everyone in your life,” she said in a video on the magazine’s website. “You really should set the expectation of ‘I am going to be unreachable. Pretend I’m on a desert island.... You cannot reach me.’”

In the video, she also talks about a woman she interviewed who had an automatic out-of-office response that said, “If it’s a true emergency, here’s my mom’s phone number.” 

Turn off your phone alerts.

The instinct to move when you hear a bell isn’t necessarily bad—think school bells or fire alarms. But if notifications are on your phone for every app and message, it’s hard to stay engaged in conversations when you hear your pocket or desk chiming. 

Turn off your alerts during the holidays, and consider leaving them off afterward. Most smartphones have settings that you can change to silence notifications—and even mute all call notices except for important numbers.

Breaking the Cycle

Once you’ve checked your own habits, it’s time to turn to the rest of your household. 

It’s not realistic to unplug everyone forever. Technology is useful, and it’s okay to have fun with it. But the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children have no more than two hours of digital time per day—with no screen time at all for kids under two. (Swingle is more conservative, recommending that parents wait to introduce tech until their children are four or six to have the least impact on development.)

If you have kids in your life, there are ways to encourage them to take a break from technology:

Keep track of your family’s tech usage—and set limits. Make a “tech hub” or central area where computers and devices live in your home—instead of letting kids bring tablets, laptops, or phones into their rooms—so you can keep a close eye on their browsing and ensure safe as well as healthy habits. 

A holiday vacation break is the perfect time to set up a tech hub and explain the rules around it. Perhaps agree as a family to limit your gadget use to two hours a day, for example, and then police each other. 

Don’t add fuel to the fire. Children are already bombarded with technology, and it’s extremely hard for them to self-regulate. Swingle recommends not buying more devices or video games for kids who already have problems being torn away from it.

Instead of the newest game or gadget, bring back old-school holiday gifts, like books, board games, sports equipment, musical instruments, or art supplies. Or, give the gift of an experience—a trip to the bookstore or tickets to a concert or a sporting event.

Physically remove temptation. You can physically enforce tech-free time at home by taking away gadgets or unplugging power strips or routers.  

Though it may seem like a paradox, there are many effective apps available to help set and enforce gadget limits. See the box above for examples.

Turn to new traditions. A tech-lite holiday might just help you develop healthy, non-tech traditions that can be carried through to the next year’s holiday or even throughout the year. You may find you enjoy regularly baking cookies or cooking meals together, for example, or a gift of a couple games could develop into a weekly game night.  

Get assistance from friends. Before your holiday vacation kicks off, Swingle recommends meeting with neighbors or adults in your community and setting up a tech-free project for your children to work on, like learning to draw, make jewelry, or play the guitar. 

You might even turn this effort into an ongoing creative co-op, where parents take turns hosting and working on a project with each other’s kids. The non-host parents get much-needed alone time, and the kids get a fun, tech-free activity.  

“Even though we all need and even want time away from screens, it can be a challenge to actually do it,” says Swingle. “All that said, it’s worth the effort. The earlier you can take back and balance real-life with screen-based activities, the better.” 

Limit-setting apps

While it might seem counter-intuitive to turn to technology for help taking a break from technology, some families swear by apps to help set and enforce gadget limits. 

For adults and older children, Breaktime ($4.99 for iOS, Android, ad PC) reminds you to take breaks from your computer or device on a schedule you set. If you or your family uses Apple devices, you can also use the built in "Screen Time" feature in the settings for a free option, although be aware that it can be easily ignored.

If you need stronger parental controls, consider Screen Time ($3.99 per month or $39.99 per year for iOS, Android, and Amazon devices) It puts timers on kids’ computers and mobile devices and has a master “pause” button for your phone that will stop activity on all devices until you un-pause it. It also allows you to set and enforce daily time limits, block activity during bedtime or school hours, and more.

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Green America does not rent, share, sell or trade supporter e-mail addresses and telephone numbers. 
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All our financial information can be found here.  

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After you donate to the organization Green America mails you a paper copy of the tax-deductibility of the gift. Please keep this document for your tax records.  In addition we mail paper copies of your total annual giving in January of the following year to all monthly donors and donors who have made a gift of $250 or more to the organization.  

If you need replacement documentation please contact our Member Services department, and we will be happy to prepare the information you need.  

How do I make changes to my monthly or annual automatic giving? 

Please contact our Member Services department and we can make your desired changes.  

Why do I keep receiving renewal notices even when I just renewed? 

We are sorry for this inconvenience! Sometimes our mail gets sent before we’ve processed your donation. We appreciate your patience as we work on improving efficiency of our systems to reduce this problem. 
 

How is my donation being used? 

Green America is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. A portion of your member donation goes to producing the wonderful member benefits including the National Green Pages, Guide to Social Investing and Better Banking and the Green American magazine. Your donation also goes to support our amazing corporate responsibility campaigns. Together, we are curbing the climate crisis… getting the dirtiest corporations to make clean energy commitments. We’re protecting people… taking the toxins out of electronics manufacturing so millions of workers are safer. We’re standing up to hate... in communities around the country saying #EveryoneIsWelcomeHere!  

Green America uses the power of consumer pressure, green business innovation, and the transformation of whole industries to shift our economy from destruction at every turn to one that protects the environment and human health. 

Please read about our most recent victories. 

Why is monthly giving (Sustainer Membership) the best option?  

Your ongoing, monthly contribution as a sustainer is what drives our organization. Because you have an automatically renewed membership as a monthly contributor, we don’t send you renewal notices and reminders, so in addition to saving paper and reducing waste on direct mail, more of your donation goes directly to our mission. You also have the option of receiving digital membership materials and will be first to know all about actions, meetups or other Green America events in your area through periodic newsletters and blasts.  Sign up as a sustainer today.

How can I personally maintain my membership? 

Unfortunately, there are no individual membership accounts for you to access online at this time. You can contact our Member Services department with any questions/issues about your membership. 

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Yes, as a first-time member if you receive our "Welcome Aboard Kit" and you are not 100% satisfied please contact us and we will send you a full refund.  

If you have been mistakenly charged twice in our system, we will be happy to issue a refund. Having your user ID# (located on any of your renewal stubs) available when you contact Member Services will make this process most efficient. 

How much of my donations to Green America are tax-deductible? 

Your gift is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.  

Green America has done our best outline below, but please check with a tax professional to understand your donation’s full tax-deductibility.  

For all first-time donations — all but $ 11.95 is tax deductible. Why is the full gift not tax deductible? The IRS requires us to account for the fair market price of the National Green Pages ($6.95) and Guide to Social Investing and Better Banking ($5.00) that is mailed to you as a donor gift. 

For renewing donors, all but $6.95 of your gifts are tax-deductible.  

For all additional gifts to the organization within a calendar year, they are 100% tax-deductible. 

For recurring monthly donors, 100% of your annual donation is tax-deductible.  

For donations of $250 or more, 100% of your annual donation is tax-deductible.  

How much is required to become a member? 

There is no required amount to become a member or renew your membership. Your gift is a donation and you set the amount.  

We ask for whatever you’re comfortable giving. However, $30 is the standard amount that covers all of your publications including the Green American Magazine, Guide to Social Investing and Better Banking, the National Green Pages and other membership materials. 

How many issues of your main publications do you print each year? 

Green American Magazine: 3 times each year 

Guide to Social Investing and Better Banking: at least once a year 

National Green Pages: at least once a year 

Where can I purchase an "I am a Green American" t-shirt or tumbler? 

You can find all items we have for sale on our website.  

Alternatively, if you upgrade your Sustainer Membership with us today, we will send you a free insulated tumbler as a way of showing thanks for your support!  

Can Green America accept a matching gift contribution from my company? 

Yes, Green America is a 501(c)3 organization and can accept matching gift funds from your workplace giving program. Our tax-ID number is 52-1660746. If your employer has such a program, take advantage of it.  If not, ask that they create one! If you need additional information, please contact us at  info@greenamerica.org  

How do I designate my donation as a tribute in honor or in memory of someone? 

There are several options for making a donation with the intention of honoring another individual.  

Gifts can be made to Green America in honor of a couple’s commitment ceremony, wedding or anniversary. Please contact Stephanie Demarest at 202-872-5320 or Tribute@greenamerica.org and we can create a personalized online donation form for your special occasion.  

We also have a gift membership program — great for birthdays, holidays or other special occasions!  To donate on another person’s behalf, please visit our gift membership webpage.   

If you would like to donate in memory of a loved one, please contact Stephanie Demarest at 202-872-5320 or Tribute@greenamerica.org. We will create a personalized memorial gift webpage for your loved one.  

How can I volunteer? 

We’d be excited to have you! Please submit a short letter of interest to info@greenamerica.org  indicating your strengths and what volunteer work you’d be interested in and we’ll get back to you. Green America is based in Washington, DC, but depending on what you’re interested in doing, we can potentially use your help no matter where you are. 

What is your Federal Tax Identification Number? 

Our Federal Tax ID Number is 52-1660746. 

How do I contact the Member Services department? 

You can reach a Member Services representative by calling 800-58-GREEN (800-584-7336) or emailing info@greenamerica.org, or submitting the form through our website. Our Member Services representative is available between 9AM and 5PM Eastern time Monday through Thursday. If you email or leave a voicemail, you can expect a response within one business day.  

In May, Global Labor Justice uncovered active gender-based violence in Asian factories supplying American apparel giants H&M and Gap. Results conclude that abuse against female garment workers stems directly from the way fast fashion meets its bottom line: outsourcing, contract work, and accelerated labor.

We're living in the era of fast fashion. Boasting 52 micro-seasons a year, this burgeoning sector of the fashion industry has made it more difficult to stay on-trend than ever before. Fast fashion giants H&M and Forever 21 receive new garment shipments every day. Topshop features 400 new styles every week, while Zara releases 20,000 designs annually. Sacrificing quality for quantity, these pioneers of fast fashion have quickly become the contemporary model heralds to mass consumerism — buying and selling as much as possible, as quickly as possible.

With the fast fashion machine constantly churning out new trends, it’s no wonder that consumers can’t keep up. But what does this mean for producers?

Global Labor Justice (GLJ) decided to seek out the truth. Over the past three years, the labor strategy hub partnered with four Asian-based non-governmental organizations to conduct 569 interviews at over 50 supplier factories across Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.

GLJ concluded survey-based and case study research in May and published two reports detailing the exploitation and mistreatment of Asian female garment workers in H&M and Gap supplier factories — including (but not limited to) physical abuse, sexual harassment, poor work conditions, and forced overtime. These facets of everyday factory life have created and continue to cultivate a climate of fear and intimidation to maintain worker submission and achieve fast fashion’s high production demands.

How Fast Fashion Meets the Bottom Line

It is important to understand how gendered patterns of workplace maltreatment are situated in current production networks. That is, what is it about the fast fashion supply chain that makes workplace abuse against Asian female garment workers possible? GLJ reports identified several factors at play.

First, fast fashion relies on outsourcing and subcontracting.

Fast fashion is largely dependent on the Global Production Network, a term used to describe a system in which several companies across multiple countries are involved in production. Fast fashion brands like H&M and Gap, headquartered in high-income countries, play a major role in a product line’s value creation, such as market research, design, sales, marketing, and financial services.

Production is a different story. Fast fashion brands don’t touch production directly; instead, they outsource production to supplier firms in developing countries known as Tier 1 companies. These Tier 1 companies then subcontract production to manufacturing companies, or suppliers, that are not officially authorized by or affiliated with the fast fashion brands that carried out the initial outsourcing. Without authorization or affiliation, fast fashion brands carry no legal obligation to ensure decent working conditions in the bottom tiers of their production network. And because unauthorized subcontractors are unregistered, they operate without government regulation and oversight, resulting in deteriorating work facilities where worker abuse runs rampant.

These issues are exacerbated with the use of short-term contracts. This temporary work status allows suppliers to easily hire and fire workers to adjust to fluctuations in production needs and help facilitate location moves. For example, the report details how a Gap supplier factory planned to move from Bekasi, West Java to a nearby town with significantly lower minimum wage by reducing its permanent workforce from 6000 workers to 1500, with the majority of workers retaining contract statuses.

Since the threat of termination is a constant, workers are less likely to report instances of workplace abuse. In fact, the threat of employer retaliation extends beyond an employee’s workplace at the time the violation takes place. One woman in GLJ’s Gap report explained, “Once a worker makes a complaint, she won’t be able to get a job in any of the factories. She will be blacklisted.”

Second, fast fashion production targets are too demanding.

To keep up with the fast fashion machine’s voracious appetite for new trends, the Global Production Network falls victim to aggressively high production targets. Overburdened workers are often subjected to forced overtime or through breaks with little to no pay. Legally-mandated lunch breaks aren’t always a certainty; one woman’s testimony in GLJ’s H&M report recalled how her employer made lunch contingent on finishing “urgent pieces.”

Even opportunities for short breaks — such as going to the bathroom or getting a drink of water — may be withheld by overseers. One worker from an H&M supplier factory explained: “We are not allowed to go to the toilet, the targets are so high. The in-charge things like, ‘if you go to the toilet, who will do the work? Who is going to complete the target? Go to work and finish it.’ If I take even a bit too long returning from bathroom, the supervisor will take away my machine coil. I have to go and ask him for it. Then I have to tell him why it took me so much time in the bathroom.”

When they fail to meet these targets, workers may experience physical, verbal, and sexual violence as punishments.

Poor and exploitative work conditions result in gender-based violence.

GLJ’s reports followed existing legal definitions of gender-based violence as set by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2016. According to these standards, gender-based violence can be categorized as violence directed towards women because they are women, violent acts that disproportionately impact women, or both.

Women make up the vast majority of garment workers in fast fashion supplier factories. For instance, eighty to ninety-five percent gender majority in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Further, management positions are male-dominated, while women typically work as machine operators and checkers. This results in a hierarchical power structure in which a male-majority management controls a female-majority workforce.

This means that disciplinary measures disproportionately inflict physical, mental, and sexual harm on women. And male-dominated management makes it more difficult for female workers to freely report on instances of abuse and to be taken seriously in the workplace.

Ultimately, retailers’ decision to outsource to subcontracting Tier 1 companies is directly responsible for industry-wide exploitation of female garment workers who create fast fashion products. The defining characteristic of fast fashion — the constant cranking of new trends to consume — drives production targets that can never be met, putting female garment workers at risk of severe physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

You can take action today.

The fight has only just begun. These harrowing reports are the sounding alarm, and we — as business leaders, shareholders, and consumers dedicated to the development of the green economy — must stand for socially-ethical supply chain practices. Here is how you can take action.

Sign Global Labor Justice's and Green America's petitions. Since publishing these two reports, Global Labour Justice has been organizing two petitions calling on H&M and Gap to take greater responsibility for their roles in the Global Production Network and end gender-based violence in their supply chains. You can take further action by signing Green America’s petition urging Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap, and North Face to support safe work environments for Bangladeshi garment workers.

Read GLJ’s reports. Both the Gap report and the H&M report included the recollections of women garment workers on their personal experiences and observations of workplace mistreatment and abuse. These narratives contextualize the immediate concern posed by these workplace horrors, and they should not be ignored.

Use the National Green Pages for your sustainable, ethically-sourced clothing needs. The Green Business Network is proud to support sustainable clothing retailers in our community. Browse the clothing section of the National Green Pages, our easy-to-use directory of certified Green Business Network members.

Share this article and other educational resources on social media. Progress begins with knowledge. Using your platform to raise awareness is a key way to encourage other consumers to vote with their dollars and place pressure on retail leaders to clean up their act.

No matter where you are on your green finance journey, it's always important to improve and engage your financial literacy. Start with these definitions.

Banks

Community development banks are for-profit banks dedicated to advancing economic development in areas with people who earn low to moderate incomes and who are under-served by traditional financial institutions. Make sure your bank is federally insured: FDIC.

Credit Unions

Community development credit unions are credit unions dedicated to advancing economic development in areas with people who earn low to moderate incomes and who are under-served by traditional financial institutions. A credit union differs from a bank in that it is a not-for-profit co-operative and serves a particular constituency or membership, such as people in a certain geographic area or people in a certain profession. Make sure your credit union is federally insured: NCUA

Loan Funds

Community development loan funds are usually not-for-profit organizations that provide loans and support services to businesses, groups, and individuals in low to moderate income communities. Most community development loan funds are focused on one or more of these areas: micro-small business, affordable housing, and community service organizations. Community development loans funds are uninsured (you are not insured against any losses of your deposits).

Credit Cards

While plastic straw bans represent progress in the movement against single-use plastics, the bans have been criticized for negatively impacting individuals with motor disabilities who rely on plastic straws to drink. In this article, we discuss why plastic straws are still a necessity for some and how you can support effective anti-plastic initiatives that are accessible to all.

Summer is in full swing, and going strawless is in season.

In July, we reported that Seattle became the first major city in the United States to ban plastic straws and utensils. Meanwhile, Starbucks announced plans to eliminate disposable plastic straws from its restaurants by 2020, followed by an official announcement by American Airlines on its intent to become the first U.S. airline to abandon single-use plastic straws and drink stirrers. While New York has been considering a ban of its own since May, San Francisco’s policy proposal is gaining traction. In the past few months, we have seen monumental actions taken by city governments and large companies, not to mention the growing star-studded list of celebrities pledging to #StopSucking.

By now, a general consensus by environmental activists has rung throughout the world wide web: sea turtle health should not be compromised for an Insta-worthy Frappuccino aesthetic.

But for some, plastic straws are not simply a luxury. For decades, the plastic straw has served as a vital tool for individuals with disabilities such as swallowing problems, involuntary movements, or muscle weakness or paralysis. Where some are unable to lift cups to their mouths and others lack complete jaw control, these small, flexible, and readily-available plastic heroes have always come to the rescue. And for many living before the transformative invention, life was far from a certainty.

Plastic straws have become a matter of accessibility, an instrument for independence, and a life necessity. That’s why people with disabilities and their allies are speaking out.

“I was about to enjoy my morning cup of tea at my favorite local coffee shop when I realized they were out of plastic straws,” disability advocate Karin Hitselberger wrote in The Washington Post. “For most people, this would be a minor annoyance or inconvenience, but for me it was a crisis. For me, a disabled person, no straw means no drink.”

“My friends jokingly call me Hazel Grace,” Madison Lawson said in Teen Vogue. The comparison refers to the main character of John Green’s young adult novel The Fault in Our Stars who carries around an oxygen tank. Lawson has a rare neuromuscular disease that makes her muscles progressively weaker over time, making it difficult for her to breathe and drink without assistance.

“Imagine wanting to go on a date and be seen as a normal girl, and having to ask the person you are with to help you with every sip you take,” Lawson continued. “There are so many things in a day that I need help with, that if something as simple as a straw can give me some independence it’s obviously going to be something I will fight to keep.”

While straw bans signal significant strides against disposable plastics, it is important to understand and assess inequities in the effects of these decisions between different communities. The fact is that blanket straw bans disproportionately impact individuals with motor disabilities who rely on plastic straws to live. Let’s break down why straw ban legislation and implementation require a more nuanced approach.

For many, alternatives to plastic straws aren’t viable options.

The first batch of modern straws was not sold to a restaurant — but to a hospital. Where glass straws reigned supreme, medical facilities quickly realized that the invention of the bendy straw would prove to be revolutionary.

The flexibility of the plastic bendy straw allowed confined patients to hydrate with ease, while its ability to withstand hot temperatures helped prevent drinkers from burning themselves. Its disposable nature promised sterility, ideal for preventing the spread of communicable diseases amongst those in vulnerable stages of health. Today, the modern plastic bendy straw is pegged as an early example of universal design — a fully-accessible product.

But modern alternatives often fail to satisfy the categorical trifecta: flexibility, sterility, and durability. Paper straws often fall apart too quickly, and for people with limited jaw control, paper straws can be bitten through easily, presenting a choking hazard. Metal straws can burn people when used in hot liquids and may chip drinkers’ teeth when involuntarily bitten. Corn, plastic, and bamboo straws are inflexible and unfit for those with specific allergies. And reusable straws in general require constant cleaning, which is not always possible.

Karin Willison, identifying as both an environmentalist and a disability activist, understands the dilemma. Living with cerebral palsy, she is required to use straws daily to work around her muscle spasticity and lack of coordination.

“Reducing plastic waste shouldn’t include demonizing people with disabilities who need straws,” Willison wrote for The Mighty. “Unfortunately, we live in a society where not all people with disabilities have access to the support services they need, and obtaining and/or using reusable straws may be difficult or impossible for some.” Still, she believes that individuals with disabilities must play an active role in exploring alternatives to disposable plastic straws and furthering accessibility.

To help others curb the expenses of the lengthy trial-and-error process, Willison documented her own journey in finding a straw alternative that was suitable for her lifestyle. She highly recommended silicone straws for a variety of people with disabilities, praising their flexibility relative to other alternatives and dishwasher safety.

Still, it is important to recognize that there is no single one-size-fits-all solution. For some, silicone straws are still not flexible enough, and price and availability may remain as obstacles.

Poorly-planned straw bans place the burden of accessibility on the disabled community.

Consider Seattle’s recently-implemented straw ban. The current policy includes a yearlong provision that allows food service facilities to keep plastic bendy straws in supply for those who need them for physical or medical reasons. Yet, when asked if there was a supply of plastic straws for such circumstances, over a dozen Seattle chain restaurants said no.

“What [the Seattle Public Utilities officials are] telling us as a commission, or the City Council, seems to be very different from what they’re telling the restaurants,” Shaun Bickley, a commissioner for the Seattle Commission for People with disAbilities, told Seattle Weekly. “They never communicated [the exemption] to begin with, so an exemption is only useful if people know about it and will actually act on it.”

Even if businesses are aware, it’s another uphill battle to get restaurants to comply. “So many businesses try to get around already ignoring things with [the Americans with Disabilities Act],” Jordan Carlson, mother to a son with motor-planning delays, told National Public Radio. “Sometimes you need to bring a lawsuit just to have your voice heard.”

Other cities pursuing straw bans, such as Miami Beach in Florida, don’t even have an exemption.

The result is a failure in equity by placing the burden of accessibility on the disabled community. Individuals with disabilities are already forced to carry around special devices, medications, and equipment to live their everyday lives. If carelessness in straw ban policy creation and implementation persists, many individuals with disabilities will be unable to eat and drink publicly — a matter of both dignity and survival — without special supplies, prior planning, and additional expenses.

Advocating for Accessibility, Awareness, and Allyship

At Green America, we strive to find creative business solutions that work for people and the planet, and effective allyship is central to this mission. To us, a green economy not only environmentally sustainable, but socially equitable — a commitment that can and must be made by shareholders, business leaders, and consumers alike. That’s why we’re sharing four ways for you to become a better ally for individuals with disabilities in the face of straw ban policies.

Support the implementation of plastic straw exemptions for those who need them.

Write letters, send emails, call decision-makers, and draft your cleverest Tweets! When drafting straw ban policies, it is crucial that an exemption is in place for people who need it. If you’re not in the “room where it happens,” incorporating such an important provision can be overlooked.

For straw bans already in place, be vocal about establishing exemptions by spreading awareness and urging true implementation. Presence is key, and whether you’re attending a city hall meeting or Tweeting at Starbucks, there is always a way to advocate.

Emphasize individual responsibility in the movement to reduce plastic consumption.

When we talk about the present state plastic pollution, there are two sides of the equation to consider — supply and demand. The logic behind straw bans is simple: eliminating plastic straws decreases supply, thus reducing overall plastic waste.

But a similar reduction can be made by changing demand — educating the public and encouraging people to skip the straw if they are able to do so.

If you are the owner of a food service facility, consider providing plastic straws upon request only, and look for opportunities to communicate with your customers about the company’s dedication to cutting plastic waste.

Actively listen to individuals with disabilities if they choose to share their experiences.

It’s no question that social media can bring out the worst in us, and discussions over recent straw bans on these platforms are no exception. In many cases, individuals with disabilities have expressed deep concern about straw bans and in return, received accusations of laziness, ignorance, and stubbornness.

Even with good intentions, it is never your place to tell anyone how they experience the world. When someone chooses to share their experiences and needs with you, believe them and respond compassionately.

It is also important to remember that these experiences can be intimate and personal, and people do not carry an obligation to educate you about their circumstance simply because they claim a certain identity.

Share this article and other relevant resources with your community.

Change begins with conversation. Being an effective ally and promoting a sustainable lifestyle do not have to be mutually exclusive. When we are willing to engage in open, respectful dialogue, what we learn from one another enables us — as business leaders, shareholders, and consumers — to work compassionately and diligently towards a green economy that is accessible to all.

4-Legger™ is on a mission to give every dog a healthy bath using sustainably sourced (planet friendly), cruelty free, safe and non-toxic dog grooming products!  We wanted to make it easy for pet parents to find truly all natural products by looking for the USDA seal so we made the world's first aloe based USDA Certified Organic Dog Shampoo! Truly all natural ingredients for your dog's naturally healthy skin. 

Our USDA Certified Organic Healing Balm for paws quickly heals dry skin. Our peppermint dental powder, a safe and non-toxic vegan alternative to dog toothpaste, highlights our commitment to using only the highest quality safe and non-toxic ingredients. 

Every day we work passionately to be better pet parents and to find ways to lower our dog's exposure to environmental toxins. We are committed to being a voice for safe and non-toxic dog grooming products and to providing an educational forum on the health and safety of our furry family members! Healthy Dog - Happy Life!

These pages were developed from our "App" between 2015-2017.

Divest and Reinvest:
https://www.greenamerica.org/divest-reinvest/

Find Fossil-Free Financial Products and Services:
https://www.greenamerica.org/fight-dirty-energy-grow-clean-energy/divest-reinvest/find-fossil-free-financial-products-services

A World of Hurt:
https://www.greenamerica.org/magazine/world-hurt

8 Things You Didn't Know were Made with Sweatshop Labor:
https://www.greenamerica.org/world-hurt/8-things-you-didnt-know-were-made-sweatshop-labor

Don't Have a Cow:
https://www.greenamerica.org/magazine/dont-have-cow

Climate Justice for All:
https://www.greenamerica.org/magazine/climate-justice-all

Climate Justice for All Discussion Guide:
https://www.greenamerica.org/climate-justice-all/discussion-guide-climate-justice

Latino Voices on Climate:
https://www.greenamerica.org/climate-justice-all/power-latino-voices-climate

Mohamed Nasheed: Climate Champion For The World’s Most Vulnerable:
https://www.greenamerica.org/climate-justice-all/mohamed-nasheed-climate-champion-worlds-most-vulnerable

If you drink coffee, you’ve probably heard the words “fair trade” and “direct trade.” Both seek to protect farmers from predatory corporations and work with farmers to develop partnerships that benefit both stakeholders. So, what’s the difference?

What is Fair Trade?

The fair trade movement has grown in demand over the decades—the most obvious sign being the development of multiple fair trade organizations. Fairtrade certifications promise that their producers receive and give their workers a living wage, supply chains are ethical, and labor laws are followed. Fairtrade International and Fair Trade USA are two of the largest and more global fairtrade standards. The biggest difference between fair trade certifications is who they are willing to certify. Fairtrade International only certifies organized farmers, while Fair Trade USA will also certify plantations under the rationale that more fair trade products will be available on the market.

Likewise, certified fair trade coffee follows a set of standards that account for environmentally sustainable practices on the property, ethical business strategies, and living wages for producers and their workers. Every farm must reach these highly regulated standards despite the challenges of their region to be certified fair trade. Additionally, fair trade employs farmer co-ops, which establishes a farming community, gives their members democratic voices in decision-making, and ensures that a fairtrade certification is benefiting many. For fair trade, this means larger quantities of coffee beans are sold to exporters and wholesalers.

In exchange, fair trade organizations have set prices for commodities to help protect farmers against fluctuations in the market. If a farmer experiences a poor harvest season, their families and workers will not suffer the economic consequences for a cause beyond their control. And when the season goes well and there is an excess of profits, those funds are invested in the community to build schools, hospitals, and other projects for community development. Although fair trade offers a minimum price for a commodity, it’s not necessarily equivalent to a living wage, especially if the supply chain is cloudy; in response, Fairtrade International is reevaluating their pricing structure to see how they can better support farmers.

Fair trade’s efforts have improved the lives of millions of farmers and their families around the world. However, what fair trade lacks is a standard for coffee bean quality.

What is Direct Trade?

Direct trade is direct because roasters want to ensure that the beans they purchase maintain a consistent quality—by building a partnership, roasters can hold farmers accountable to their standards year after year. This typically manifests as a representative from the roasters meeting with a representative of the farm to communicate this need and develop a relationship. Some direct trade roasters pay coffee farmers well for their high-quality beans; however, this is very dependent on the individual coffee company.

Direct trade roasters also can identify exactly how their relationship is impacting their partner farmers and the surrounding community. Roasters can market this to their customers and illustrate the tangible impacts their partnership creates. In this way, direct trade is much more personal, particularly if the roaster has the chance to experience the farm and get to know the farmer’s family. However, this usually means smaller batches of beans since they will only be used by the single roaster.

Besides flavor, one of the biggest differences between fair and direct trade is with whom they trade. While there are many benefits to a co-op, it also means that fair trade farmers may not necessarily know who is consuming the coffee beverage made from their beans; this may mean they don’t prioritize a consistent bean quality. Since direct trade partnerships are on an individual farmer to coffee company basis, the roaster determines if the quality meets their criteria year after year.

The biggest criticism of direct trade is fair trade’s strength: standardization. Every roaster trades differently. One roaster may physically visit the farm year after year, while another may purchase from an arbiter or small co-op. One may compensate their farmers very well and set environmental standards, while the other may not do either. There is no third party to oversee accountability and promote transparency in the supply chain.

So, Which One Is Better?

There isn’t a straightforward answer to that question. The differences between the two can be narrowed down to what they value: quality, social justice, and environmentally sustainable practices. These areas frequently overlap, but direct trade and fair trade are both guilty of leaning in favor of one over the other. Both seek to alleviate poverty and empower farmers. While fair trade farmers are not compensated for great coffee, there are fewer farmers that benefit from direct trade, comparatively.

Neither fair trade nor direct trade is the end-all poverty solution for coffee farmers. It’s also important to note that these strategies are not rivals, but evolving solutions to improve lives and spur development in coffee-producing communities.

Therefore, it’s not a question of which method is better, but more so, how can a consumer make an educated decision on a coffee purchase? The answer comes down to your values. Both strategies benefit the community they serve—if you value consistent flavor, you may purchase direct trade. If you want to prioritize social and environmental justice, you may choose fair trade. Neither option’s values are mutually exclusive; it just depends on the coffee company or fairtrade certification.

Updated January 2024

90 percent. According to the EPA, that’s the amount of time the average American spends indoors. Here are some tips to seeking out furniture that is eco-friendly and can help ensure time spent in your home is toxin- and waste-free. 

1. Just say “no” to ....

Flame Retardants: Though chemical flame retardants are no longer required on upholstered furniture by law, some manufacturers still use them on the fabric and inner foam padding. Flame-retardants have been associated with cancer as well as reproductive, developmental, and neurological disorders. Buy from green businesses, or a retailer that has pledged not to use these chemicals. 

Unfair Trade: Discount furniture can be produced at low costs because workers who create it are often paid remarkably low wages. Alternatively, buying fair trade ensures that workers labor under healthy, cooperative conditions and earn a living wage plus a premium to improve their communities. Or, buy from indie artisans.

“Built to Break”: Trendy designs from “fast furniture” companies aren’t built to last and promote rampant furniture buying, contributing to deforestation and burgeoning landfills.

2. Buy Local

Furniture parts and pieces often come from a variety of locations before they arrive at your favorite retail furniture store. Shipping between these locations requires more gas and therefore, more greenhouse-gas emissions. Purchasing furniture from local stores that are made by local artisans helps reduce excess shipping and keep money circulating in your local economy. 

3. Choose natural fabrics

For upholstered furniture, consider linen or organic cotton. Linen needs few chemical inputs to grow, and organic linen is an even greener choice. Organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and wool is naturally flame-resistant. 

4. Get eco-friendly wood

Look for wood furniture made from reclaimed wood and from wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (see #8).

5. Keep space in mind

Buying furniture that serves multiple purposes and can be disassembled can help save space in your home. Get a small table that can act as a both a night stand and a meal tray, or a bed frame with attachable dresser drawers. These neat qualities can ensure you get the most out of your investments and make for easy recycling in the future. 

6. Use recycled pieces

Buying recycled means using fewer resources and materials overall for manufacturing. “Recycled” is different from “recyclable”—the latter has been made with new resources, but it still has an eco-benefit. Recyclable pieces can be broken down into parts that are a single material, which can then be more easily recycled. “Recycled” could mean your furniture is made from recycled plastic or metals, or reclaimed wood. 

7. Look for heirloom quality

Heirloom-quality furniture made with durable materials can save resources and money. Invest in high-quality furniture pieces that will not only not have to be replaced, but can be passed on to younger generations and preserve family history. 

8. Know your labels

Look for these labels to be sure your furniture products are environmentally sustainable.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): ensures lumber comes from sustainably managed forests or reclaimed sources. Dozens of types of wood are produced in FSC-certified forests, in which the trees are regenerated, biodiversity is conserved, and air and water quality are preserved.

The Rainforest Alliance helped establish the FSC in 1993 and uses similar criteria for certifying good forestry practices, with an emphasis on conservation and local livelihoods. The Rainforest Alliance Rediscovered Wood Certification certifies reclaimed wood as having been recovered sustainably.

Cradle to Cradle Certification is given to products and systems that mimic nature and are efficient, fair, and waste-free. The certification evaluates products on the criteria of safety of the materials, use of renewable energy, and water stewardship, as well as how well the manufacturer closes the waste loop. Its final category, “social fairness,” checks in on the fair pay and treatment of workers as well as conditions within the supply chain.

Coming soon.

After years of public campaigning, Samsung has finally begun to take steps to address some of labor issues in its supply chain – ones that Green Americans and our international allies have spent years demanding action on. On July 24th, 2018, Samsung signed a binding arbitration framework that will ensure victims of chemicals exposure are properly taken care of and would follow through with recommendations put together by a third-party mediation committee. 

Samsung Finally Making Progress, Consumers Must Keep the Pressure Up

While Samsung is quick to address issues within its supply chain to ensure the safety of its consumers, it has dragged its feet to take steps to ensure the safety of its factory workers. 

But after years of public campaigning, Samsung has finally begun to take steps to address some of labor issues in its supply chain – ones that Green Americans and our international allies have spent years demanding action on. 

On July 24th, 2018, Samsung signed a binding arbitration framework that will ensure victims of chemicals exposure are properly taken care of and would follow through with recommendations put together by a third-party mediation committee. The third-party mediation committee was set up in 2014 when Samsung and SHARPS, the occupational health advocacy and watchdog group, first began discussions to devise a way to compensate past and future victims of chemical exposure at Samsung’s chemical factories. Once talks fell through in 2015, SHARPS held a 1,023 day sit-in at Samsung’s headquarters. 

The general framework that Samsung has agreed to includes: 

• Implementing safety measures proposed by the third-party mediation committee; 

• Formally apologizing to victims and their families; 

• Compensating victims that SHARPS has profiled under a compensation scheme proposed by the third-party mediation committee; 

• Continuing to compensate new victims for the next ten years. 

Meanwhile, SHARPS will formally end its sit-in at Samsung headquarters once the proposal has been signed by SHARPS, Samsung, and the third-party committee. 

This is a promising news to come out of South Korea, and we commend SHARPS for their tireless leadership on this issue. 

But Samsung’s progress doesn’t stop there! 

In its 2018 Sustainability Report, Samsung published a list of 11 substances that are regulated within its supply chain. Samsung banned benzene and n-Hexane from their supply chain, and has shared restrictions for the other nine chemicals. 

Although this is a promising first step, it’s important to note that far more than 11 chemicals are used in electronics manufacturing. Furthermore, this demonstrates how behind the curve Samsung is compared to its competitors. Thanks to Green Americans and our allies, Apple banned n-hexane and benzene from its supply chains in 2014; meanwhile, it has taken four years of public campaigning and behind-the-scenes activism to get Samsung to commit to what Apple did four years ago. 

This means that it is important for Green Americans to dial up the pressure on Samsung. While these updates are encouraging, Samsung still has a long way to go to ensure the safety of all of its workers. The victory in South Korea, for instance, does not mitigate horrific working conditions in Samsung’s Vietnamese factories. And while publishing a list of restrictions for 11 chemicals is better than publishing restrictions for zero chemicals, other industry leaders – including Apple and Google – have published more comprehensive plans regarding hazardous chemicals in their supply chains. 

Join Green America in taking action today – let Samsung know that you’re keeping an eye on its labor practices, and expect even stronger commitments to protect its smartphone factory workers. 

Plastics have improved many aspects of human life, like health and food safety. But as plastic materials are cheap and available, we've become far too reliant on this petroleum-based product that will never break down. Learn about the problems with plastics, and how to cut back, or cut it out of your life altogether, right here.

CleanTech Methods provides consulting and software services for the clean energy sector.

Our bodies act as a sponge that absorbs the substances we put into—and onto—it. Just like the food we eat, the products our bodies consume can either have positive or negative impacts on our health. Choosing nontoxic body care products can help you protect yourself and the environment.

Choose Green

Know what to look for: In a world of seemingly infinite body care products, having ideas in mind about what properties you want in yours can help narrow your search. Aim for products that have pure, truly natural ingredients and are scented with pure essential oils.  

Consider organic: There’s a wide range of organic personal care products to meet your needs. When you go organic, you ensure that the natural ingredients in your products were grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers—better for the Earth and your skin. A certified organic label on a body care product means 95 percent of the ingredients in it are organic.

Keep it simple: You do not want to cause unnecessary irritation or damage to your body by exposing it to too many ingredients and substances. Stick to products and brands that you already know are healthy and work. Also, a good rule of thumb is the shorter and simpler a product ingredient list is, the less toxic it may be. You may also consider getting creative in the kitchen and making your own, using substances already in your household. For instance, avocado, honey, and apple cider vinegar all make great natural facial cleansers. 

Do your research: The cosmetics industry is largely self-regulated, and manufacturers do not always report customer complaints about adverse effects of their products to the FDA. To stay safe, it pays to look into what you put on your skin. One great resource is the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, which informs readers of the potential health concerns related to over 70,000 cosmetics products and  thousands of ingredients.

Not That

Avoid parabens: They’re in shampoo and many other products, and they are estrogen mimickers that can lead to cancer.

Stay away from vague “fragrances”: A company may legally hide hundreds of substances behind the vague term “fragrance” on product ingredient lists. A product’s fragrance may contain potentially hundreds of toxic chemicals and volatile organic compounds.

Say no to nanoparticles: Nanoparticles are so small, many scientists are concerned about their potential health effects, as they can penetrate cell walls and are highly reactive. Products with nanoparticles aren’t often labeled as such, so check your conventional body care products on the Skin Deep Database or the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies. 

Ditch products with phthalates: These hormone disruptors have been linked to male genital abnormalities, liver and kidney lesions, and higher rates of childhood asthma and allergies. 

Don’t buy petroleum byproducts: Listed as mineral oil, petrolatum, liquid paraffin, toluene, or xylene, these chemicals are found in products, including many shampoos and soaps. They are often contaminated by toxic impurities like 1,4 dioxane, which is a probable carcinogen.

Ban all triclosan: The FDA banned triclosan in 2016 from antibacterial soaps and washes, due to its links to antibiotic resistance and hormone disruption, but it still appears in antibacterial hand sanitizer and other products.

You still have to look out for lead: It’s a potent neurotoxicant, and it’s been found in lipstick and men’s hair coloring kits. 

The following products from certified green businesses in the Green Pages received top marks for safety from the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Skin Deep Database.

Sunscreen can have all sorts of nastiness in it, like potentially carcinogenic retinyl palmitate. But All Good by Elemental Herbs sunscreens for kids and adults get their sunblocking power (up to SPF 30) from zinc oxide, and include natural ingredients like calendula and lavender. All Good sunscreens are also “reef-friendly,” so they’re free from ingredients that can harm coral reefs. 
EWG Rating*: 1 (low-hazard)

The Tea Tree and E Oil from Derma-E is an antiseptic cream for a variety of skin conditions, including bug bites, rashes, blemishes, dryness, and dermatitis. All Derma-E products are non-GMO, vegan, and cruelty-free. 
EWG Rating*: 1 (low-hazard)

Dr. Desai Tulsi Neem Goat’s Milk Soap is made to reduce acne and eczema and calm poison ivy rashes. Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is known as a divine herb in India and is an antioxidant. All Dr. Desai products are made according to the principles of ayurvedic medicine and with a handful of organic ingredients you’ll recognize.
EWG Rating*: 1 (low-hazard)

One World Renew Lip Balm in Moroccan Orange Spice from Eco Lips is Fair Trade Certified™, Non-GMO Project Verified, and contains certified organic ingredients. EcoLips manufactures its products in a facility powered by 100 percent renewable energy, and the packaging is 40 percent post-consumer recycled.  
EWG Rating*: 1 (low-hazard)

Founded by Aveda founder Horst Rechelbacher, Intelligent Nutrients offers plant-based products with a commitment to full ingredient disclosure. The Renewal Eye Gel is designed to depuff, cool, and reduce the appearance of fine lines around your eye. The company chooses natural ingredients based on their low impact on the planet. All products are certified organic and cruelty-free, and made with 100 percent renewable energy.  
EWG Rating*: 1 (low-hazard)

Dry Shampoo from Be Green Bath and Body contains natural ingredients like nettle and rice flour to soothe your scalp and absorb oil, so you can wash your hair less often. Organic and non-GMO ingredients.  
EWG Rating*: 1 (low-hazard)

Green America has been working for over 40 years to keep you and your family safe from toxic chemicals, maintain a healthy and vibrant planet, and connect conscious consumers with green businesses.

* The Environmental Working Group rates body care products on a scale of 1-10. 1-2 is low hazard, the EWG’s best rating. 3-6 is a moderate hazard. And 7-10 is a high hazard, meaning the product contains many chemicals that could potentially harm your health and the environment. The database also rates individual ingredients. 

Not ready for a full-scale renewable energy home system? You can still get some green energy in your life for less money. 

Super cheap renewable energy products:

A Clothesline: If your neighborhood allows outdoor clotheslines, consider installing one and let the sun dry your clothes. (If it doesn’t, try an indoor drying rack—also a good option if you have pollen allergies.) The set-up cost is minimal (especially if you have a pair of optimally set trees to hold your line), and you’ll save nearly $11 for every ten loads. 

Solar Battery Charger: Stop buying batteries and start using the power of the sun. Get a set of rechargeable batteries and a solar battery charger, and you’ll avoid needless battery waste. This 20-Watt Solar Battery Charger charges two or four AAA, AA, C, D, and 9V batteries at a pop. $149.95, or buy a DIY kit and build your own charger for AA and AAA batteries for $24.95, Sundance Solar.

Solar Bike Lights: Never run out of batteries for your bike lights again. Many solar bike lights can be powered either by the sun or a USB charge. Buy two, and use one as a headlight and one as a taillight. $16+, various stores.

Solar Holiday Lights: Tired of running extension cords through your yard when you want a little holiday cheer? You don’t need cords to put up this Multi-Color Solar Christmas Light String. The lights can run for eight hours on a charge. $19 with quantity discounts, OutdoorSolarStore.com. 

Medium-priced renewable energy products:

Solar Attic Fan: Attic fans pull stale air out of your home and replace it with fresh air. They’ll also cool your home in the summer. The Fan-Attic Solar-Powered Attic Fan helps you save even more energy, since it gets all of its power from the sun. And it’s automatically programmed to turn on when your home reaches 80° F or higher, and turn off when it cools to 70°. $350.95, positive-energy.com.

Solar Water Heater: Replace your conventional water heater with one that harnesses free solar power. A solar water heater is reliable even in cloudy weather, and it’ll likely cut your water-heating bills in half. $3,000-$10,000, including installation, with additional tax incentives available in some areas—check dsireusa.gov. Available at various stores.

Solar generator: Do you keep a generator on hand in case you lose power? Go off-grid but still keep the lights on with the Nature SolarPak Solar 1800 Solar Generator. The generator provides up to 1800 watts of power and boasts six AC outlets and two USB charging ports. $999.99, Earth Tech Products.

Does your utility lack a renewable energy option? 

You may be able to sign up with an independent provider like CleanChoice Energy, which operates in eight states and the District of Columbia, with more to come, or Inspire, which operates in six states. With both, you keep on paying your utility, and CleanChoice or Inspire works with that utility to ensure the energy you purchase comes from green sources. CleanChoice also donates to Green America with every signup.

When talking about ‘voting with your dollar’, we often talk about purchasing habits with specific brands or products, encouraging consumers to opt for the more sustainable and fair option when shopping. Another key player in our shopping habits are the grocery stores that we shop at, and learning more about how they source their products.

Oxfam recently published a report, "Ripe for Change," that examines how workers in grocery store supply chains are treated. The report revealed that grocery store supply chains exploit millions of vulnerable workers, including farmers and fishermen. 

Some of the findings of the report include:

• Increased consolidation of grocery stores and food retail chains: Over half of food retail sales in the European Union are from just ten supermarkets. This gives the supermarkets enormous influence within their supply chain, especially when it comes cutting costs.
• Prices paid to suppliers are decreasing: A mix of supermarkets cutting costs and insufficient government support is leading to increased hardship amongst producers within supermarket supply chains. Suppliers of major commodities are not earning a living income, and many farmers cannot afford to feed themselves and their families.
• Supermarkets receive the largest cut from consumer purchases within the supply chain: Supermarkets earn 30.1 percent of what consumers pay for goods. Meanwhile, farmers (both small-scale and large plantations) earn 13.9 percent.

In addition to these findings, Oxfam rated major American and European supermarket chains on their policies regarding transparency & accountability; workers; farmers; and women. The scores are based on publicly reported reports from the companies. The chart demonstrates the need for companies to develop strong policies that align with international recognized best practices and support the most vulnerable workers in their supply chains.

How can consumers help pressure supermarkets adopt better practices? Oxfam suggest reaching out to supermarkets and asking them to protect and respect workers in global food supply chains by implementing practices such as investing in projects to improve farmer income, increasing transparency within supply chains, and conducting human rights due diligence in compliance with United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Green Americans can also ask grocery stores to carry brands that do have responsible supply chains, as well as opting to purchase products that are sourced more responsibly. Grocery stores track information about what their consumers are purchasing – and by voting with your dollar for more sustainable and ethical brands, you’re signaling to grocery stores that this issue is important. Finally, consumers can ask their favorite brands to become more sustainable and fair with their sourcing practices, whether by taking action such as signing our Godiva petition or directly reaching out to companies.

You can read the full report here. 

Contact Wheel Pad

What happens when a loved one’s life is forever changed by a disabling accident? That’s the question couple Julie Lineberger and Joseph Cincotta were faced with when their god son became tetraplegic following a terrible accident. Out of an immediate need, Wheel Pad L3C was created to empower differently-abled individuals seeking a truly accessible home. Since winning second place in the 2015 InnovateHER challenge and partnering with Norwich University, the Military College of Vermont’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Wheel Pad has helped numerous customers regain their independence.

For those with limited mobility, stairs, narrow hallways, and out of reach appliances can make homes anything but welcoming. To rectify this, Wheel Pad is designed with an integrated accessibility approach throughout the entire home. Wheel Pad’s pioneering Norwich model, named for the team of Norwich University architecture, civil engineering and construction management students and professionals who helped build the model, is equipped with a Hoyer lift, mid-level mechanicals (on/off switches, power outlets, etc.), acrylic bathroom grabs, and doors that swing in both directions, all to make moving around the mobile home smoother.

“Often after rehab, an individual moves into a hotel, makes minor adaptations to a current rental or owned unit, or if extremely lucky, finds accessible housing,” says Julie Lineberger. “Wheel Pad enables people to stay with friends and/or family without completely disrupting another’s home as an individual learns to live in a new way and arranges for permanent accessible housing.”

Back in the late 1980’s, Lineberger and husband, Joseph Cincotta founded LineSync Architecture, a Vermont-based green architecture firm that incorporates sustainable building and energy-efficient practices. Cincotta serves as LineSync’s Principal Architect and led the construction of the Norwich model. LineSync Architecture is also a certified member of the Green Business Network.

The 200 square foot Wheel Pad home includes one bedroom, one bathroom and living space, is made with non-toxic materials, and incorporates eco-friendly features like daylighting. Like a mobile home, Wheel Pad is designed with insulated electricity and plumbing capabilities and can remain on wheels for transportation purposes. Customers have the option to attach Wheel Pad to an existing home with the aid of a connector, or keep the mobile home separate but accessible with a ramp. Since there are benefits to healing at home, having these options is a game changer for both individuals and caretakers. The Norwich model was also vetted by physicians, nurses, home healthcare providers, and differently abled persons to ensure that Wheel Pad will work for those with wheelchairs and mobile limitations.

Wheel Pad customer Cynthia Payne-Meyer spoke of the home’s ability to meet the unique needs of different people. “One of the best things about the Wheel Pad is actually that it’s not going to work the same for everybody. I just think it’s so versatile that people can make it work for them in all different kinds of ways,” says Wheel Pad customer.

Today, injured service members and veterans, injured sports enthusiasts and accident survivors and their loved ones are Wheel Pad’s most common customers. The leasing price for Wheel Pad is approximately $3,000 per month, which beats the average monthly cost of other housing options like nursing and assisted living homes. Currently, two credit unions—Vermont  State Employees Credit Union (VSECU) and Credit One both provide finance programs to help customers pay for Wheel Pad.

“For an individual, Wheel Pad value is dignity, partial independence and quality of life while gaining full independence. For family and caregivers, Wheel Pad value is the ability to be near and able to care for the individual. Wheel Pad sets the stage for reasonable demands on family/friend caregiver time and abilities,” says Lineberger.

Lineberger says the possibilities of where Wheel Pad homes can pop up depends on local zoning and adequate space. The Wheel Pad contract asks for a $2,000 retainer to explore siting and local regulations which is reimbursed to the customer if their home location isn’t a good fit. Currently,a larger version of the Norwich model—Wheel Pad XL is in the works and will include the same features of the Norwich model but will be able to fit a Queen size bed. The company is also joining the tiny house movement and developing Wheel Pad Tiny Home–an independent, accessible home set to premiere in 2020.