Issues > March/April 2005 (#107) > 10 Easy Things You Can Do Today for Your Family's Health and the Earth

10 Easy Things You Can Do Today for Your Family's Health and the Earth

Nature provides human beings with billions of dollars in health and welfare services, according to the Center for Environmental Research and Conservation in New York. Here are 10 easy ways we can give back to Mother Nature on this Earth Day, April 22nd, and every day.

1. Buy basics in organic cotton

Annually, conventional cotton is responsible for the use of $2.6 billion worth of pesticidesˆ more than any other crop. Look for labels that say certified organic, which means USDA or international standards, including the prohibition of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, have been met.

Shopping Ideas:

*Gaiam's Organic Cotton Crossover Bra, $18. And a three-pack of organic bikini, hipster or high-cut panties is $19. From www.gaiam.com

*For baby, get everything from organic cotton diapers to shirts and creepers at ecobaby.com; for more companies, see the Clothing Product Report.

* REI offers men's organic cotton Prana Wooodcut t-shirts for $20, rei.com. If he needs a collar, check out Patagonia's new, lightweight Offhand Polo, $48, www.patagonia.com

*For personal care products that are also non-chlorine-bleached: Organic Essentials Quilted Rounds cosmetic pads, tampons and nursing pads. At your local pharmacy or natural foods store, or see list of stores at www.organicessentials.com.

2. Take your own bag when you shop

Around the world, roughly 4-5 trillion plastic bags of all kinds were manufactured in 2002, and Americans throw away 100 billion plastic grocery sacks a year, the Worldwatch Institute reports. That's a lot of petroleum used to produce items that clog our landfills.

Governments worldwide, from South Africa to Ireland, Taiwan, France and the UK, are restricting the manufacture of plastic bags or taxing them. Many stores are charging customers a few cents extra for them. And some markets give a small refund for each of their bags you don't fill. So tuck your own bag into your purse, pack or pocket next time you shop.

Enviro-Tote sells certified organic cotton large grocery bags (minimum order of 12, $6.51/bag) and shoulder totes (min order 12, 5.97/bag), www.enviro-tote.com, 800-868-3224.

Reusablebags.com sells 5 organic cotton string shopping bags (wth stuffsack) for $34.95 (or by one bag individually for 6.95). Organic cotton totes are also available for $8.50.

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