When I first decided that I would like to live in a more environmentally conscious way, the idea grew as I found myself doing some early spring cleaning in my apartment. Using products like Lysol spray and toilet bowl cleaner, I became overwhelmed with chemical fumes and had to take "fresh air" breaks. I am certain that I am not the first person to at least crinkle my nose at using these harsh chemicals in the same air that I must breathe every day. If these cleaners are so utterly noxious to my nose, how much worse are they for the environment? Especially toilet bowl cleaner, because that gets flushed down, and travels who knows where, but eventually it will either find its way to a body of water, or back into my kitchen tap.
This is what I discovered through the EPA: conventional water treatment plants follow 2-3 steps. The primary step screens and settles out large particles. The secondary step then uses bacteria to break down organic pollutants, then bleaches the water to remove the bacteria. The tertiary step is optional, used to reduce a concentration of a local pollutant, such as nitrogen or phosphorous. This treated water is then sent to a local water body. Although this process eliminates organic pollutants, it cannot filter out liquid, non-organic chemical pollutants, such as household cleaners. To conclude, whatever chemicals go down your drain, you will meet up with them again as the water goes through its cycle, eventually ending up back in your tap. I am just as personally opposed to drinking toilet bowl cleaner, hand soap, or shampoo, as I can safely assume you are. So what can we do as informed citizens of this planet to limit the inorganic chemicals we are essentially dumping straight into our lakes and rivers?
Thankfully, there are many wonderful companies attempting to answer this question for us. The best option for us today is to opt for naturally based soaps and cleaners that can effectively be broken down and filtered out of the water. One company I am familiar with is Method. Target carries this company's products, which are both reasonably priced and accessible to all. This company also does not do animal testing. Two other brands are Mrs. Meyer's, and 7th Generation (7th generation ingredients). I have not yet tried these products, but plan on doing so as soon as I have a need to replenish my supply of cleaning products. The Mrs. Meyer's website says this about their products:
"Mrs. Meyer’s makes environmentally friendly, biodegradable cleaning products. All of our liquid cleaning products will biodegrade. Our powdered products do contain minerals that do not biodegrade; yet they break down into non-harmful decomposition products."... Sounds good to me!
One last tip: For the consumer, here are two ingredients you really must look out for and avoid whenever possible: SLS and EDTA. If possible, you want "biodegradable" cleaners at all costs, because that means all of their components can be broken down into organic components.
SLS (sodium laureth sulfate) is a chemical readily absorbed by humans through the skin and into the blood stream. It is the sudsing agent in most soaps, shampoos, and even toothpastes today. Although has incorrectly been scapegoated as a cancer-causing agent, it is an irritant that should be avoided.
EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) is used in soaps and detergents, and is a non-biodegradable chemical that is not removed during traditional wastewater management.
Check this link out for more tips on many ingredients to avoid. Also please check out Tree Hugger, which is a great resource and can help in decision making when it comes to sorting out the truth about "going green."
At a later date I will address personal hygiene products, although I have begun to do that here. Until then, good luck, and happy shopping!
Thankfully, there are many wonderful companies attempting to answer this question for us. The best option for us today is to opt for naturally based soaps and cleaners that can effectively be broken down and filtered out of the water. One company I am familiar with is Method. Target carries this company's products, which are both reasonably priced and accessible to all. This company also does not do animal testing. Two other brands are Mrs. Meyer's, and 7th Generation (7th generation ingredients). I have not yet tried these products, but plan on doing so as soon as I have a need to replenish my supply of cleaning products. The Mrs. Meyer's website says this about their products:
"Mrs. Meyer’s makes environmentally friendly, biodegradable cleaning products. All of our liquid cleaning products will biodegrade. Our powdered products do contain minerals that do not biodegrade; yet they break down into non-harmful decomposition products."... Sounds good to me!
One last tip: For the consumer, here are two ingredients you really must look out for and avoid whenever possible: SLS and EDTA. If possible, you want "biodegradable" cleaners at all costs, because that means all of their components can be broken down into organic components.
SLS (sodium laureth sulfate) is a chemical readily absorbed by humans through the skin and into the blood stream. It is the sudsing agent in most soaps, shampoos, and even toothpastes today. Although has incorrectly been scapegoated as a cancer-causing agent, it is an irritant that should be avoided.
EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) is used in soaps and detergents, and is a non-biodegradable chemical that is not removed during traditional wastewater management.
Check this link out for more tips on many ingredients to avoid. Also please check out Tree Hugger, which is a great resource and can help in decision making when it comes to sorting out the truth about "going green."
At a later date I will address personal hygiene products, although I have begun to do that here. Until then, good luck, and happy shopping!
