Here's our take on...
The Apple iPad
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Buy The Book
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Use your spending power to create a cleaner, greener world.
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Be
One In A Million
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An Update on Bisphenol-A
After insisting that Bisphenol-A (BPA) was safe for use in baby bottles, #7 plastic water bottles like Nalgenes, and food can liners, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently decided to think again.
 BPA has been linked to heart disease and diabetes and has produced irreversible damage in test animals. Environmental Working Group cites 100 independent animal studies indicating that BPA could have serious health consequences for humans.
On January 19, the FDA agreed that BPA's effects on human health warranted "some concern" and said it will study the issue for the next two years.
You, of course, don't need to wait two years to protect yourself and your family. Click here to find out how to avoid BPA now.
Meanwhile, I called the Nalgene company to find out what to do with all my old water bottles. The company suggests contacting Earth911.com to find a recycling center nearest you that accepts #7 plastics. They also suggest that you repurpose your old baby bottles and Nalgene water bottles for non-food uses.
Personally, I think Nalgene should take the bottles back themselves. If you do, too, call their Customer Service Hotline to let them know: 1-800-625-4327.
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Natural Fiber Blankets
 Outside, the temperatures are dropping. Inside, you could turn up the heat. But why not stock up on cozy blankets and bedding instead, especially if they're made from natural fibers like organic cotton, wool, and hemp?
What makes these materials more environmentally friendly?
Natural fibers breathe more easily than synthetic fabrics, wicking away moisture if you sweat, and creating a layer of insulation when you generate your own body heat. Plus, organic and natural comforters and quilts do not contain 'finishing' chemicals like formaldehyde, a toxin that can irritate the skin, nose, eyes, and respiratory system (babies are especially sensitive). Plus, more environmentally-friendly covers will usually be colored with plant-based or low-impact dyes.
Before you buy new, check freecycle.org, Craigslist.com, or your neighborhood thrift shop for free or inexpensive wool covers you can have cleaned and then re-use.
If you have to buy new, here are some options:
Coyuchi environmental bedding is Fair Trade and made from 100 percent organic cotton, minus any solvents or resins.
Loop Organic provides a variety of hypoallergenic blankets and bedding that are also made with high quality organic cotton fibers free of toxic chemicals.
Sleep & Beyond makes classic organic comforters hand-filled with a USDA and WOOLMARK certified organic merino wool fiber called WoolGanique. The natural fiber allows the comforter to regulate and maintain stable body temperatures while keeping moisture away from your skin.
Dreamsacks/Bamboo Dreams blankets and bedding woven from organic bamboo fibers also adjust to your body temperature so they can be used year-round.
I've also found organic cotton and bamboo sheets at various J.C. Penney's and Target stores. If you don't see them while you're shopping, ask the store manager to stock up. Note: Bedding made from organic fibers is more expensive. You can afford it by saving money on energy when you turn down your thermostat. According to the Midwest Alliance, for every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you'll save up to 5 percent on heating costs.
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Tax Credits Can Help You Save Big
 Buying solar-powered home energy systems, energy-efficient appliances, and fuel-sipping cars can save you loads of money by reducing your energy consumption. But the upfront cost of investing in efficient technologies can make ditching your old energy guzzlers for new energy misers seem prohibitive. Federal and state tax credits help defray your purchase costs. Here's how: Federal Energy Efficiency Tax CreditsHome Renovations: You can earn up to 30% in federal tax credits on the first $1,500 you spend on improving the energy efficiency of your home. These credits apply only to existing home renovations and not to new construction. Remember: a tax credit is better than a deduction because it actually reduces the amount of money you pay tax on at the end of the year. Qualifying products include energy-efficient: windows and doors insulation roofs central air conditioners, furnaces, and boilers water heaters biomass stoves (like those that burn wood, wood pellets, dried corn, etc.) This credit expires at the end of 2010, so act sometime in the next eleven months to take advantage of this benefit. Alternative Energy Substitutions: If you've been thinking of transitioning to a renewable home energy system, you have until the end of 2016 to use tax credits to help defray the expense. These credits are also being offered at 30% of cost, but with no upper limit (in other words, if you spend $20,000 putting solar panels on your roof, the credits could generate as much as a $6,000 tax credit). Qualifying systems include: geothermal heat pumps solar panels solar water heaters small wind energy systems The EnergyStar website offers more details on what systems qualify and which ones don't. You can also earn tax credits on hybrid vehicles... click here to find out more. | |
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Diane MacEachern
Big Green Purse
email: diane@biggreenpurse.com
web: http://www.biggreenpurse.com
twitter @dianemaceachern
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