Sound Earth

The great thing about their products is that they dont compromise on quality.

We manufacture environmentally friendly cleaning products with superior cleaning ability by carefully considering every aspect of production, including:

• using our products in our homes before we sell them to you for use in yours.
• refusing to engage in the abhorrent practice of animal testing in any stage of production.
• packaging and shipping in easily recycled materials.

Sound Earth has been around since 2003 and still running strong. They donate 10% of their profits to organizations who share their philosophy and belief system.

To see all the products they offer click here.

The article makes sense, if you think about it everything we do in this world effects something else. Each child you have, will essentially have children of their own and so on and so forth.

Recycle, shorten your commute, drive a hybrid vehicle, and buy energy-efficient light bulbs, appliances and windows — all of that would cut out about one-fortieth of the emissions caused by bringing two children, and their children's children, into the world.

The researchers behind both studies are emphatic that they do not want people to be forced not to have children. But Martin, whose group sponsored the British study, said governments could help stop unwanted pregnancies by offering contraception and, in rare cases, abortion.

As stated above they aren't saying that they don't want people to feel they can't have children but they want people to see what effects having a child has on the earth. So definitely if you aren't planning on getting pregnant or wanting you significant other to get pregnant take responsibility and prevent it with birth control.

Some stores have already begun to charge for their plastic shopping bags, and others are wanting to but there has been much controversy over whether these charges are acceptable or not. What are your thoughts?

I think we are the only country that doesn't charge for shopping bags. In fact when I lived in Africa I thought it was strange that they charged for bags, people over there are way less fortunate than us and they still charge. But after I figured out the reasons behind it, I realized that its a great idea and with a little planning and getting used to taking bags with us to the grocery store, we would get used to it and we could be on our way to saving the planet and producing less toxic waste and that my friends is a very good thing!

abclocal.com has an article on California bill proposes charge for bags. Ikea charges 10 cents per bag and has charged for bags for many years. You can check out Ikeas FAQ section about Plastic bags cost the earth.

Some other articles to read:

New York Mayor proposes charge on plastic bags. Recently New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed that NYC begin charging shoppers 6 cents for each plastic bag issued at the register.

IKEA bans plastic bags.

Plastic Bag charging works.Charging for plastic bags at the supermarket works – people really do bring their own.

Kill Plastic Bags with Taxes: Look to Ireland. Ireland plastic bag usage drops dramatically after plastic bag taxes are instated.

So what do you think? Should all retailers start charging you for each plastic bag you use?

Ecohearth.com has an article on Unwrapping Wasteful Packaging. Also you should check out the Sustainable Packaging Coalition for the Indicators and Metrics Framework that they released recently.

Can we do something about this? Yes we can! Many companies have already begun to recycle old boxes and package their items in boxes that fit their products, not everyone is as thoughtless as this company above but we should be aware of the companies we do work with and their eco friendly or non-eco friendly practices. Ask questions, see if packages can be picked up or specifically ask them to send your products in appropriately sized boxes.

Reusables – Bows, ribbon, wrapping paper, boxes, gift bags, tissue paper, Christmas cards, all can be reused in its former state or repurposed into an ornament or new Christmas card. There are so many possibilities.

Recyclables – Wrapping paper, gift bags, Christmas cards and boxes that are ripped or crumpled can be recycled with your regular household recyclables. You dont have to remove the tape from the paper either. Cardboard boxes, styrofoam, tins are all recyclable. Also your holiday food scraps can be put in a composter for your garden.

Trash -Ribbons, bows and tissue paper, if not reusable, go into the trash bin. Foil wrapping paper, cardboard contaminated with food, paint or glitter, plastic toys all go in the trash bin.

I don't know how you are doing with getting your Christmas shopping done, but I still have a fair amount to get done. I would love to make some more gifts but time is running out. Below is a list of great do-it-yourself, quick, Green Christmas gifts.

1. Bath and Body Treatments from Planet Green and Martha Stewart. Click here for the recipe.
2. Make some Caramel-Corn Clusters for Christmas gifts from Planet Green. Click here for the recipe.
3. Make a pine cone bird feeder. Click here for instructions.
4. DIY Natural Christmas Candles. Click here for the instructions.
5. Do-it-yourself Organic Chocolate. Click here for the recipe.

Sterling Silver Stackable Rings: The artisans who hand make these sterling silver rings are paid fairly in the local context and are pre-paid 50% up front so they don't need to use their own resources to purchase raw materials.

Organica's Weekend Scarf: Hand-woven and made by women artisans using 100% non-violent, natural silk. The purchase of beautiful Tasar silk (indigenous to India) has far reaching impact on the environment and on livelihoods of the rural poor.

Bamboo 5 Piece Brush Set: This earth-friendly brush set is packed with the 4 high-quality brushes and, it shows respect for the planet. Bamboo handles, Synthetic taklon bristles that are 100% cruelty free, Sleek ferrule made from recycled aluminum and the cosmetic case is made from natural cotton and hemp.

Below is a list of great green gifts for that hard-to-buy-for guy in your life.

Tree Hugger Tee's – Free shipping on orders over $50. Each 100% organic cotton tee costs $25. and they have a bunch of fun ones to choose from.

Recycled Necktie & Suit Wallets from Uncommon Goods – Recycled neckties and suits turn into wallets for the eco-friendly man.

Shake and Shine Flashlight – Handy little no-battery emergency flashlight is extremely bright and reliable. It never needs batteries and generates power by converting mechanical energy (shaking) into electrical energy to power the light.

Bike Chain Bottle Opener – Uncap your favorite beverage with this bottle opener made of recycled bike chain.

1. Duo Pressure Cooker from Fagor – This contemporary update on the classic pressure cooker recycles stainless steel in streamlined modern design with high-functioning performance.
2. The Organic Wine Company Monthly Wine Club – Each month, they will send you a selection of 3 wines from our collection. New vintages or interesting, but rare wines will be offered in priority to expand your horizons!
3. Cast Iron Skillet from Lodge Logic – Its legendary cooking performance keeps it on the list of kitchen essentials for great chefs and home kitchens alike. And check out their Eco-responsibility practices.
4. Organic Spice Collection – Each spice can contains 12 one-teaspoon packets. These flavorful organic herbs complement the global cuisines of today’s kitchen. Includes, Basil, Dill Weed, Oregano, Rosemary, Tarragon and Thyme.
5. Green Your Kitchen – Includes everything you need to green your kitchen and replace those non green items that you have been keeping around.
6. Bamboo Salad Bowls – 100% organically-grown bamboo, non-toxic adhesive, natural food-safe wood oil. These bowls are made from vertical-grain bamboo, which makes them not only beautiful, but also extremely durable. They do not impart or absorb flavors.

• Reuse wrapping paper when at all possible from previous holidays and birthdays.
• Recycle the wrapping paper that can be recycled, by folding and putting into your recycle bin. Some wrapping paper cannot be recycled, be aware of what to look for.
• Buy wrapping paper that has been made specifically from recycled content, that way it will be recyclable or compostable.
• Buy wrapping paper from your local thrift store.
• Make your own wrapping paper.

Christmas Cards:

• Go paperless. Send a Christmas email and save some trees. You can even explain in the email why you are going paperless this year.
• Recycle cards from last year to use on your cards this year.
• When the holiday season is over, put the Christmas cards that can be recycled in the recycle bin or save for next year.
• You can also have the kids make crafts out of the old cards, such as place mats, or art for the wall, just add a frame.
• You can also recycle calendars or children's artwork to use as Christmas cards.

Gifts:

• Buy items that have been recycled or re-purposed into something different.
• Make your own gifts from old clothes, or items around the house that you don't use.
• Re-gifting is OK. "There is much discussion about etiquette behind the trend to re-gift, that is, to pass on a gift you received but do not need. What's to discuss? Re-gifting makes perfect sense. If you receive something you really don't need, look for ways you can reuse this gift by passing it on to someone who can use it. Of course, re-gifting needs to be done with care so as not to offend the original giver, but keeping a gift you don't need is wasteful." From eartheasy.com