1) You Consume Less
Clothing is usually made from cotton, water, petroleum, and chemicals (including chlorine, dyes, pesticides, and herbicides). Some types of clothing have less of an impact on the environment than others. Organic cotton and hemp can be grown sustainably without harming the earth; unbleached fabric, and fabric dyes naturally use less chemicals, and clothes that are made from recycled fibers and plastics also have a smaller impact on the environment.

2) You Pollute Less
Cotton is a crop that is difficult to grow in large quantities without the use of pesticides, so cotton use contributes directly to pesticide-related pollution. Also, chlorine that is used to bleach fabrics releases carcinogenic dioxins into the environment. Synthetic fabrics are made with petroleum and various chemicals that also harm the environment.

3) You Waste Less
Reusing is even better than recycling! If you buy clothing used and then give it away when you no longer want it, nothing is wasted.

4) You Save Money
Second-hand items are usually much cheaper than retail clothing, and sometimes even free! While hemp clothing and organic cotton clothing are more expensive then conventional clothing, the cost is visible in the price, not our clean air and water.

5) You Don’t Support Sweatshops or Massive Corporate Conglomerates
Most retail clothing is manufactured in sweatshops. By purchasing second-hand, you do NOT support these unfair labor practices. Also, many corporate conglomerates that own stores like Old Navy, The Gap and Banana Republic are involved in the clear-cutting of our ancient Redwood forests.

Personal Care and Household Products

Did You Know?

*Most tampons/pads are bleached and contain dioxins. Dioxins are a byproduct of the chlorine bleaching process and are carcinogenic (cancer causing)
*Some tampons may contain asbestos fibers
*Regular use of aluminum-containing deodorants may contribute to the clogging of underarm lymphatics, leading to breast problems such as cystic disease.
*Conventional products (Crest, Suave, Dial) contain unnecessary chemicals, dyes and perfumes that can be irritating and even carcinogenic
*Phosphates in detergents and shampoos contribute to significant eutrophication (overgrowth of plant material) in waterways, which creates unbalanced ecosystems and can lead to the extinction of other organisms.
*Animals are put through excruciating trials so that scientists can test new “beauty” products.
*A good site on hazardous house products (and alternatives), including paint and solvents, auto and engine products, least-toxic pest control, and proper disposal is at: http://www.metrokc.gov/hazwaste/house/
*Say No to Dry Cleaning! Buy clothing that does not need to be dry cleaned, as dry cleaning solvents are very toxic. Many “dry clean only” garments can be hand-washed using mild soap and cold water, or sent out for pressing. If you must dry clean, look for cleaners that use a “wet-cleaning” method.
(Sources of Information: www.healthsurfing.com, www.epa.gov, www.greenmarketplace.com)

Make Your Own Nontoxic Products!

Use some of the following nontoxic ingredients:
*Baking Soda-Cleans, deodorizes, disinfects.
*Borax-Cleans and deodorizes. Good scouring powder. Softens water, increasing the cleaning power of soap.
*Soap-Biodegrades safely without polluting water. Avoid synthetic scents, colors and other additives.
*Washing Soda or Super Washing Soda-Disinfectant. Cuts grease, removes stains.
*White Vinegar-Cuts grease.
*Ammonia-Cuts heavy grease and grime. Use only as a last resort because fumes irritate eyes and lungs. NEVER mix with chlorine bleach or commercial cleaners.

Some good nontoxic recipes are provided by:

http://www.metrokc.gov/hazwaste/house/cleaners.html and
http://www.lakemichigan.org/elimination/kitchfeature.asp

Check Out These Eco-Friendly Alternatives:

**These alternatives are made by companies that compensate people fairly, donate money to
worthy causes and are animal friendly.

Cosmetics:

*Toms of Maine: Natural toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, soap, cold and cough medicine.
www.toms-of-maine.com

*Samra Health and Beauty: Products made by incorporating traditional Chinese medicine.
www.samra.com

*Beeswork: Face and body care, bath salts, soaps, lip balm.
www.beeswork.com

*Sun Dog: Natural help body care, lotions, creams, hair care.

*Derma E: Skin care products.
www.derma-e.com

*Aubrey Organics: 100% natural personal beauty care.

*Pure and Basic: Body washes, lotions, shampoos,conditioners.
www.pureandbasic.com

*Magic of Aloe: Cosmetics made with aloe.
www.magicofaloe.com

*Jason Natural Cosmetics: Natural skin, hair, body care,.
www.jason-natural.com

*Garden Botanika: Hair and body care, perfumes.
www.gardenbotanika.com

*The Essential Oil Company: Aromatherapy, candles.
http://essentialoil.com

*Earth Solutions: Skin care, jewelry, aromatherapy.
www.eathsolutions.com

*Herbalist-Alchemist:
Medicinal plants/tinctures. Domestic plants are organically grown or ethically gathered by wild-crafters who insure the sustainability of the plants they harvest.
http://www.herbalist-alchemist.com/

Feminine Products:

*Natracare: Dioxin-free tampons made from 100% pure organic cotton and winged pads with a natural absorbent core and a biodegradable plastic liner.
www.natracare.com

*Gladrags: Washable winged cotton pads, reduces waste.
www.gladrags.com

*The Keeper: Alternative to tampons, a menstrual cup that contains no bleached cotton or asbestos fibers.
www.keeper.com

Cleaning Products

*Lifekind: Laundry, cleaning, personal care and outdoor products, towels/linens made from organic cotton.
www.lifekind.com

*Simple Green: Household cleaning products.
www.simplegreen.com

*Earth Friendly Products:Cleaning, laundry, and paper products.
www.ecos.com

*Internatural: Retailer of natural products at reduced prices.
www.internatural.com

*Seventh Generation: Non-toxic household cleaners, recycled bathroom tissues and facial tissue.
www.seventhgen.com

Where to Buy Alternatives:

Cornucopia-Thornes Market Lower Level, Main St., Northampton.
Whole Foods-Route 9, Hampshire Mall.
Online company websites.
UMASS organic foods cooperative.