Updates on sunscreens – still unfounded claims

Sunscreen safety hasn’t improved since the FDA set new rules on advertising in 2011. photo by Joe Shlabotnik, flickr

The past few years there have been studies on sunscreens and the news hasn’t been great. A myriad of false marketing claims have led consumers into a false sense of security about protection from harmful UV rays.

A safer, non-toxic canned air system

The O2 Hurricane Canless Air System really is air, not canned compressed toxic chemicals

Spring has quickly morphed into summer-like weather and many of us are pulling out window and revolving fans to get them ready to stave off the coming sweltering heat. In my own efforts, I discovered that though stored well, an annoying a layer of dust had accumulated inside my fans.

Recently, I came across a device that’s saved me from my annual take-apart-and-clean-the-fans ritual.

The nightmare with shrink wrap labels on recyclables

As more consumers are getting the message and upping their recycling efforts, plastic recyclers are facing a different, more challenging issue – the use of full shrink wrap labels by manufacturers on otherwise recyclable containers.

Up your awareness of what’s happening to our oceans

Here’s a fascinating video that shows what humans are contributing to our oceans.  Simple yet graphic. And worth viewing.

 

 

Preventing more plastic in our oceans is everyone’s business – and it’s really not hard to do, is it?

Special Mother’s Day Gift Ideas – Gifts that make a Difference

Jewelry from Bali from the Mala Collective

Gifts from the heart come in all shapes, sizes and wrappings. Those that give back hold a special place in my heart. Even though by the time you read this the gifts have probably been given, as today is Mother’s Day, there are still “gift” ideas that you – or she – may want to take advantage of. For those who’ve forgotten it\s mom’s special day, there’s still time to do something she’ll appreciate.

Celebrate the start of International Compost Week

This year’s Composting Council poster contest winner – from Michigan junior high school student Jennifer Tigani,

Today marks the beginning of International Compost Week. Launched 13 years ago by the U.S. Composting Council, International Compost Awareness Week was designed to bring positive attention to the possibilities that composting can provide to communities. It showcases composting and compost products through special events, presentations and giveaways by communities and public and private organizations.

Celebrated each year the first week of May, “ICAW is the longest running community based awareness campaign about compost in the World,” says Rod Tyler, CEO of Filtrexx International LLC.

You can learn more about events, sponsors and ways you can participate at CompostingCouncil.org.

Start Saving Energy Now

The following is a guest post from writer Reuben Dickison

There are many steps homeowners can take to improve the energy efficiency of their homes without spending thousands of dollars at one time

Getting people to insulate their homes and replace all of their windows is nearly impossible. Since the downturn in housing values, many do not have enough equity in their homes to finance such high dollar improvements, and other methods aren’t always an option. Many have heard from other homeowners that the actual payback in savings was far less than projected when they made these improvements (often a symptom of overzealous sales tactics by contractors).

Telling people they should spend $7,000 to retrofit windows and also reinsulate their home is going to be a hard sell for many. If consumers knew what they could do to convert their homes to greater energy efficiency without having to save and/or spend thousands of dollars, they’d achieve this much more quickly.