Check out the Story of Bottled Water and leave that, not much better then being bottled from a ditch, water behind!

http://storyofstuff.org/bottledwater/

from:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/7-foods-banned-in-europe-still-available-in-the-us.html

posted by Megan, selected from TreeHugger Feb 28, 2010 3:09 pm

By Christine Lepisto, TreeHugger

Genetically Modified Foods

Although the E.U. is continuously coming under attack for policies banning GM foods, the community is highly suspicious of genetically modified foods, and the agro-industrial pressures that drive their use. The problem with GM foods is that there is simply not sufficient research and understanding to inform good public policy. In spite of widespread GM use without apparent negative impacts in other countries, the recent public reaction to trans-fats are reason enough to support a precautionary principle for the food supply chain.

Pesticides in Your Food

The E.U. has acted against the worst pesticides typically found as residuals in the food chain. A ban on 22 pesticides was passed at the E.U. level, and is pending approval by the Member States. Critics claim the ban will raise prices and may harm malaria control, but advocates of the ban say action must be taken against the pesticides which are known to cause harm to health and nevertheless consistently found in studies of food consumption.

Bovine Growth Hormone

This drug, known as rBGH for short, is not allowed in Europe. In contrast, U.S. citizens struggle even for laws that allow hormone-free labeling so that consumers have a choice. This should be an easy black-and-white decision for all regulators and any corporation that is really concerned about sustainability: give consumers the information. We deserve control over our food choice.

Chlorinated Chickens

Amid cries that eating American chickens would degrade European citizens to the status of guinea pigs, the E.U. continued a ban on chickens washed in chlorine. The ban effectively prevents all import of chickens from the U.S. into Europe. If chicken chlorination is “totally absurd” and “outrageous” for Europeans, what does that mean for Americans?

Food Contact Chemicals

Phthalates and Bisphenols in plastic are really beneficial. They help manufacturers create plastic products with the softness and moldability needed to fulfill consumer needs. But when the food contact additives are found in the food and liquids contained by those plastics, trouble starts. Both the U.S. and Europe stringently regulate food contact use of chemicals. However, the standard of approval is different. In Europe, the precautionary principle requires that the suppliers of chemicals prove their additives safe, or they will be banned. Of course, although the E.U. has banned phthalates in toys, both phthalates and bisphenol-A remain approved for food contact uses — subject to strict regulations on their use.

Stevia, the natural sweetener

The U.S. recently approved this “natural” sweetener as a food additive. Previously, it was sold in the U.S. under the less stringent dietary supplement laws. It has been embraced in Japan for over three decades, but E.U. bans still stand — pointing to potential disturbances in fertility and other negative health impacts. But the sweetener is credited with potentially positive health effects too. Is this a case where consumer choice should prevail?

Planned Ban: Food Dyes

Many food dyes previously recognized as safe are suspected of contributing to attention deficit disorder. Action is afoot as the UK evaluates a ban on synthetic food colors. Regulation in the E.U. often starts through the leadership of one Member State, which pushes the concepts up to Brussels after a proof-of-concept pilot phase. Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Orange B, and Red 3 are among the food colors associated with hyperactivity.

http://ow.ly/1cV6G

Nice to hear something nice about one of the big boys for a change!

www.ewg.org/cellphoneradiation/Get-a-Safer-Phone

The following chart is taken from the Environmental Working Group:

Best and Worst Phones

Listing is based on phones currently available from major carriers. You can also see all available phones or all phones (current and legacy) ranked by radiation.

BEST PHONES (low radiation)		WORST PHONES (high radiation)
	Sanyo Katana II [Kajeet]		Blackberry 8820 [AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless]
	Samsung Rugby (SGH-a837) [AT&T]		Motorola i880 [Sprint]
	Blackberry Storm 9530 [Verizon Wireless]		Palm Pixi [Sprint]
	Samsung I8000 Omnia II [Verizon Wireless]		Motorola Moto VE440 [MetroPCS]
	Samsung Propel Pro (SGH-i627) [AT&T]		Motorola i335 [Sprint]
	Samsung SGH-t229 [T-Mobile]		Motorola MOTO VU204 [Verizon Wireless]
	Helio Pantech Ocean [Virgin Mobile]		Blackberry 8703e [Verizon Wireless]
	Sony Ericsson W518a Walkman [AT&T]		Kyocera Jax S1300 [Virgin Mobile]
	Samsung SGH-a137 [AT&T, AT&T GoPhone]		HTC Magic (T-Mobile myTouch 3G) [T-Mobile]
	LG Shine II [AT&T]		Blackberry Bold 9700 [AT&T, T-Mobile]

A recent study from the National Academy of Science states  “Tetrachloroethylene — also known as perchloroethylene, PCE, or PERC — is a dry-cleaning solvent that is found as a contaminant in the air, groundwater, surface waters, and soil.  In humans it can damage the nervous and reproductive systems, liver, and kidneys and is a likely carcinogen.  People are mostly exposed to PERC by breathing it in the air, but exposure can also occur by ingestion or skin contact’.  (For complete press release go to:http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=12863)

Newer methods are slowing evolving but 90% of dry cleaners currently use PERC.  You best options are to:

1: avoid clothing that requires dry cleaning

or in the case that just must have that cashmere or oh so sharp 3 piece…

2: find an eco cleaner

The following site has a data base of eco cleaners!  http://nodryclean.com/

Remember though, even the eco cleaners require a lot of energy etc.(check out this video on the eco cleaning process, it is a bit cheesy but will give you a good grip on the process: http://video.about.com/greenliving/The-Green-Dry-Cleaning-Method.htm)  so you’re better off finding those sweet things that prefer to be washed at home!

Below you will find popular Valentine categories with bright alternatives following a brief bit of your daily juice about the dark side of the category.

Jewelry:  Always ask for diamonds that are “conflict-free!”  Many of the minerals (even besides diamonds!) in jewelry are behind several ongoing conflicts in Africa and particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Some of the biggies are cobalt, diamonds, gold, cassiterite, copper, tin and coltan. “Conflict-free” diamonds are now available as mitigated by the Kimberly Process.   Check out this link to learn more about minerals and conflicts:  http://www.globalpolicy.org/the-dark-side-of-natural-resources/minerals-in-conflict.html

There are some very bright alternatives to bad juju jewelry with excellent quality warables being made from reclaimed, sustainable or conflict free materials!  Check out these fine purveyors:

Leber Jeweler        www.leberjeweler.com
Brilliant Earth       www.brilliantearth.com
Encanto Jewels     http://encantojewels.com
Green Karat           www.greenkarat.com
Sumiche                 www.sumiche.com

Lingerie: Can you say Kathie Lee all over again!  I mean, let’s just agree right here and now that children should not be making your lingerie (ick!)!  Instead of going into the sweatshop ramble, without even mentioning the environmental side of things,  lets just instead support these sweet and sexy lingerie boutiques that are really doing it right!

Green Cheeks     www.greencheeksboutique.com
g=9.8  (hot!)         http://g98.fr/
Enamore              http://www.enamore.co.uk/onlineshop/product_info.php?cPath=1_108&products_id=742

P.S. In case you can’t resist Victoria’s dark Secret:

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:X5SWRumptUUJ:video.aol.in/video-detail/lingerie-giant-victorias-secret-in-sweatshop-row/673329624+sweatshop+lingerie&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

Chocolate: Yum, yum, yum! Buy Organic, buy Fair!!!  Now a days it’s pretty easy to find chocolate made the right way.  But bad chocolate (i know it’s hard to believe there is such a thing but…) really is just that, it takes a major toll on both the environment and the producers.  We can do better people.  There are numerous fair trade and organic certifications available in this category now.  many grocery stores and even corner stores will carry at least one fair trade/organic option and if that’s not the case in your community then don’t fear, the internet IS your friend!

To learn more on why Fair Trade and Organic is so important:  http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/

For the goods: Just look for Fair Trade and Organic wherever you buy or for chocolate gift boxes:

http://www.globalexchangestore.org/SearchResults.asp?Cat=38

…and don’t forget the FLOWERS!

Flowers: Flowers can fall in the the very stinky sweatshop category all to easily!  The nvironmental toll of acre upon acre of pesticides on flower farms has degragaded a many a stream around the world.  Fair Trade or LOCAL (meet the grower on nice day at your farmers market) flowers offer you a much BETTER option.

Get ‘em:

Flowers: http://www.transfairusa.org/content/flowers/

or for a farmers market near you: http://www.localharvest.org/

Go out and spread the love, I mean, even if you don’t have someone to share the, almost always weighted, big day with….know that you can spread some of your love around just buy thinking  a bit about how to treat yourself (and thus others!)!

These vertical hydroponic gardens could really sweeten your harvest and second as an amazing, in or outdoor, art piece!

The advent of the “reusable” sandwich baggy is upon us.  And thank goodness, as we have been washing and reusing our plastic baggies for years and I have to admit the washing is a bit tiresome and the drying is a pain, not to mention the fall-outs of bad plastics!

Several solutions hit the market at once and although we cannot yet make recommendations (as we are just now trying them ourselves) we are happy to provide a short product description & several company’s websites so you can peruse and choose and let us know what you like and why.

Organic cotton, cute, cute, cute designs are great for kids and adults too. One of the more cost-friendly options: www.grazeorganic.com

Organic cotton, great name & more sophisticated designs: www.ecoditty.com

Food-safe, non-toxic. PVC- and phthalate-free, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is a widely used, BPA-free plastic.  Although these numbers lack a bit of style and are still in the plastics world…they may fare better with a juicy tomato sandwich: www.freshsnackpack.com

A couple picks of the day:

Baby:
Kanoe Baby Hammock- certified organic and fair labor, this is a gorgeous design and makes for a sweet space for baby! www. Kanoe.us

Home Gardening and animal husbandry:
Nomad Chicken Pad- now we haven’t gotten the full poop (yet) on the biz practices but I must say, the concept and design is a great hatch. Houses 3-4 hens. Check this movable chicken coop on wheels out. www.nomadchickenpad.com