GREEN PROJECT
Highland Park Green Residents Resource Guide
Consumer Products
Primary Focus of this Section:
To provide suggestions and resources for becoming a “green” consumer, including organic, fair-trade, sustainable and socially responsible household goods. Our choices as consumers have wide-ranging effects that reach beyond our own community and us. By choosing products that reflect our consciences, we make our money speak for us.
Position Statement:
The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the cleaning and hygiene products we use all have effects on society and the environment, from the natural resources and labor they require for production to residual effects after their disposal. Green consumers seek to reduce their personal contribution to environmental degradation by purchasing products that use organic methods, natural ingredients, free trade and non-sweatshop labor, recycled materials and minimal packaging. Though these products may cost a little more economically, the green consumer appreciates their environmental value more than the few extra dollars spent at the supermarket. The green consumer abides by these three main principles: reduce consumption, especially of environmentally harmful products, reuse products whenever possible, and recycle any materials collected in the community.
This section lists resources on the web for finding green household products. We’ve divided the list into several categories.
General Resources:
Check out these websites for informational resources and comprehensive listings of vendors selling everything from organic food and sweatshop-free clothing to sustainable furniture and socially responsible financial planners.
http://www.GreenerChoices.org
http://www.coopamerica.org
http://www.greenpages.org
http://www.organicconsumers.org
http://www.motherearthnews.com
Appliances:
Check out these energy efficient washers, dryers, fridges and other appliances.
http://www.realgoods.com
Body/Personal Care:
Look for soaps made with natural, organic ingredients as opposed to conventional detergents, which pollute our water sources, requiring more extensive (and costly) water treatment.
http://www.islandnatural.com
http://www.lunapads.com
http://www.feminineoptions.com
http://www.drbronnersundog.com
http://www.kissmyface.com
http://www.drhauschka.com
http://www.jason-natural.com
Cleaning Products:
Harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach and detergents can degrade water quality and wildlife habitat when poured down the drain. Furthermore, conventional detergents are petroleum based increasing our oil dependency. Look for products that use non-chlorine bleach, vegetable based cleaners rather than petroleum based ones, non-toxics, phosphate-free cleaners, and non-animal derived enzymes.
http://www.gaiam.com
http://www.ecover.com
http://www.seventhgeneration.com
http://www.sunandearth.com (In Norristown, PA)
Clothing:
Cotton growing requires extensive acreage. Conventional techniques employ heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides, which eventually seep into the groundwater or drain into surface waterways degrading the water quality.
http://www.americanapparel.net
http://www.cottonfieldusa.com
http://www.gaiam.com
http://www.tomorrowsworld.com
http://www.noenemy.com
Coffee:
Look for fair trade, shade grown, and organic coffees. These vendors support small family farms using environmentally sensitive methods. Ask your local supermarket to carry organic and fair trade brands.
http://www.santacruzcoffee.com
http://www.mokajoe.com
http://www.peacecoffee.com
http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com
http://www.equalexchange.com
Financial:
When investing money, look for socially responsible stocks, mutual funds and community investments. You can enjoy competitive returns while putting your money to work creating a more just and sustainable economy.
http://www.communityinvest.org
http://www.socailinvest.org
http://www.shareholderaction.org
http://www.paxworld.com
http://www.portfolio21.com
Food:
Look for Community Supported Agriculture in the area. Ask your grocer to carry organic and locally-grown fruits, vegetables as well as organic grains. Support local farmers at farmers’ markets. Try to buy things in bulk to reduce packaging that ends up in the landfill. Look for free range, organic, hormone-free, non-gmo milk, meat and eggs. Some green consumers reduce their meat consumption or even adopt a vegetarian diet because heavy meat diets require 100 times more natural resources, like grains and land for cattle, than diets rich in grains, fruits and vegetables.
http://www.georgestreetcoop.com (In New Brunswick)
http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/States/NewJersey.htm (A list of New Jersey farmers’ markets)
http://www.frontiercoop.com
http://www.anniesnaturals.com
http://www.annies.com
http://www.amys.com
http://www.shudderranch.com
http://www.veganstore.com
http://www.organicvalley.com
Furniture:
Look for furniture built with sustainable harvested wood and chemical free, organic and natural fibers, like hemp, which requires mush less acreage than cotton.
http://www.whitelotus.com (In New Brunswick)
http://www.furnature.com
http://www.tamalpais.com
Paper & Office Products:
Buy recycled and chlorine-free paper. Also look for vegetable-based inks. Paper towels and toilet paper are also offered in chemical-free, recycled form. Write letters to the magazines and newspapers you read asking them to make the switch to recycled paper.
http://www.woodwise.org
http://www.gregbarberco.com
http://www.seventhgeneration.com
http://www.newleafpaper.com
http://www.gaiam.com
http://www.greenlinepaper.com
Pets:
Organic and chemical free pet food, pet care and cat litter.
http://www.swheatscoop.com
http://www.ecos.com
http://www.organixsouth.com
http://www.worldsbestcatlitter.com
http://www.naturesearth.com
http://www.animalwellness-magazine.com
