Eco Cleaning Products Advantage:

guarantee effectiveness — the products are tested by independent laboratories for quality; are labelled with clear guidelines for safe, effective and efficient use; and contain fewer hazardous chemicals.

By following the Eco-label range, you get products that tread gently on the environment throughout their life cycle, from the creation of the chemicals themselves, to their packaging, to their disposal . Simply said, Eco-labelled cleaning products are better by nature.

The Eco-label cleaning supplies range represents a breakthrough for the UK’s cleaning industry and will help to address the increasing problem of toxic chemicals entering the ecosystem from the cleaning industry.

The range which boasts several unique products, including a multipurpose detergent, glass cleaner, cleaning chemicals, and handwash/ hand cleaners will appeal to companies, contractors and distributors who are increasingly concerned with the environmental impact of cleaning regimes.

The eco-label is recognised throughout Europe as a top-level award scheme for products that provide first class performance with minimal environmental impact.

Detergents and cleaning products that carry the eco-label flower icon achieve high levels of biodegradability and are independently certified to prove they are greener, yet still perform as well as other leading brands.

The hope is “that now there would be more companies within the cleaning industry taking steps to address their notorious environmental impact.”

The green ecolabel products are colloid cleaners, based on micelle technology.

Colloid cleaners use electrically charged micelle molecule structures to separate and trap dirt, lifting it from the surface to which it adhered without the ability to redeposit.

The range of products is compliant with both current and future legislation, including the European Biocidal Products Directive which will come into effect under the REACH Directive to ensure that a high level of protection for humans, animals and the environment is provided.

To ensure demand for the eco-label range of products is met, the companies should actively seek distribution partners on a national level.

What can I buy?

The real question for eco parents is: what can’t I buy? but you don’t need to always buy new, you can re-use items already in existence, the less new items you buy the more ecologically friendly your new family will be! Baby clothes are easy and good-value to buy secondhand and because babies grow so fast, they tend to be hardly worn. Other items to look for in secondhand and charity shops include cot linen, soft furnishings, bouncy chairs and inflatable baby nests.

These products also minimize the impact on the environment and by taking actions such as recycling you can set a good precedent for the future generation. You can now buy most things in a ‘green’ version for babies including organic baby clothes, baby food and even green magazines made out of recycled paper. There is an increasing movement by parents to return to the old days and use cloth nappies instead of the disposable ones which add to the land fills. Imagine how many of these nappies you can get through in the first years of the babies life? Hundreds if not thousands! Many of these cloth nappy companies are stating ease of use, financial benefits, less rubbish and the comfort of natural cloth over paper and gel against delicate skin as some of the many reasons for making this change.

See the green directory for companies that offer cloth nappies and other eco products for babies and the home. Choosing reusable nappies is one of the biggest single things you can do to make a difference. It’s been estimated that two trees a year are felled to provide the pulp for each baby who wears disposables and it also takes hundreds of years for them to break down in landfill sites. Reusables are a lot less hassle than they used to be. And for times when they are inconvenient, the range of eco-disposables is expanding and is better than ever. If you’re buying wooden objects, such as high chairs and baby toys, avoid tropical hardwoods. Look for ones made from trees grown in sustainable forests and remember if you doubt you really need something, don’t buy it yet – wait and see.

I want to enable parents to choose and use products which will benefit baby and his or her family now and protect his / her future environment. GuideMeGreen is essentially a result of my own search for natural and eco-friendly products for my family and offers a service that makes it far easier for other parents to find the right products for them. With the introduction of a discussion board, parents are able to find out information and ask questions to an area which is new to them. We want to convert those to be more eco friendly that at the moment couldn’t care less. I spend half my life telling family members off for throwing glass and plastic away. Being a one man band I deal with all emails and often receive requests from teenagers asking for information on ethical clothing shops and other products of interest to them. My thoughts are …. If teenagers are interested, GuideMeGreen must be doing something right!

Let’s consider the current reliance of our planet on oil, it produces our fuel for all travel and has many side uses, like producing plastic. Oil is formed by the degradation of dead organisms over thousand’s of years and exists in pockets underneath the Earth’s crust. So what happens when oil is pumped out of the earth? Well the holes appear to be filled by water, a technique used by drilling companies to recover all the oil in that particular well.

Then we come to how much is left, where there are estimates ranging from 10 years through to 30 years, but no-body can be entirely sure of this, due to demand increasing with the likes of China & India becoming more westernised. And what happens when Africa is then exploited by large corporate companies for cheap labour? Improved standard of living equals higher oil demand.

Then consider the environmentally impacts of burning oil, which releases carbon dioxide, making the greenhouse effect worse, warming the planet and causing freak weather conditions. This all seems like doom and gloom but with the advances in technology that have been made over the past 20 years then surely we can devise sustainable renewable energy, harnessing the weather?

Another big problem in our society is waste, just think how much is generated and goes to landfill! We have hundreds of sites with thousands of tonnes of waste that will degrade very slowly, would you do this in your back garden? Think about all those used disposable nappies and consider the methane that gets released as some items degrade, another greenhouse gas that is affecting our climate.

Something else to consider that has been around for many years is the reduction in forests that has been happening, cutting it down for timber and to provide more farm land. The impact of this is to also reduce the CO2 absorbed by our fossil fuel usage as well as changing the shape of our landscape. There have been big steps forward in this area by moving towards sustainable wood, where for every tree chopped down; one is planted, ensuring we maintain our planets’ forests. Another recent development is the use of bamboo as a fabric which has great eco friendly properties as it’s a renewable resource and uses less water than cotton in the process.

A final element of our daily impacts on planet earth is the high use of chemicals which get pumped into the ground everyday through our household drains and that of industry. These are all man made, but where do they go? Back into our water stream? Into our food chain? With the advances in medicine, everyone is living a longer life than say 100 years ago, but there are still big killer diseases around, cancer for example. Why? Surely we would have eradicated all of these, but don’t you think chemicals and fuel fumes have played a part in this? So why do we use chemical laden cleaners or eat food that has been sprayed & washed in chemicals? Taste the difference between home grown food and cheap supermarket food, but how do we balance that with our hectic lifestyles? Eating organic food and using natural cleaners, which appears to be more expensive?

This then seems quite daunting if you sit and consider all the information and basically our futures are in the hands of governments & scientists. However, as individuals we can make our own small impacts within our lives, helping towards keeping our lovely planet healthy and a great place for the human race to live.

So let’s start with fossil fuel usage, we all use it in our cars and homes, either as petrol/diesel and gas or indirectly as electricity. As a householder we want our running costs to be as low as possible so with vehicles it’s a balance between lower CO2 emissions and slightly lower running costs with diesel, and considering the other harmful gases emitted from diesel engines. Whatever the choice, the cost effective way is to accelerate smoothly, keeping your speed to the road limit and reduce the urge to overtake. Consider the purchase of a hybrid car if you do a lot of town driving, this becomes very economical and is so much better for the environment. We still have a long way to go on developing the vehicles for the future that run on renewable energy based around the sun, wind & rain.

In our homes we need to do all the normal things that have been said many times over the years by governments, like loft insulation, door draught excluders and turning the heating down 1 degree. Then every time you purchase a new electrical item, look at the efficiency rating, and ensure you pick a low energy rated one (normally A+). Purchase a low cost energy metering unit and find out what each of your electrical appliances consumes and then switch off those that are the highest users. Don’t get caught by thinking that these standby busters save you loads of money, they don’t! Gradually switch light bulbs to either low energy ones or even better to LED bulbs, these last up to 20 times longer and use about 1/50th of the energy consumed by normal bulbs. Further to this there are good developments in the use of wind turbines & solar panels but at the moment they are not proving to be economically viable, but given time this will be the way forward for our source of energy in our eco homes.

Think about all the waste you generate, does it all go into bin bags for landfill or can you segregate it into items for recycling & composting? Try collating items for recycling in separate bins and having a kitchen compost bin to collect vegetable & fruit waste, tea bags, egg shells etc. This can then be used in your garden to help grow your own products which not only taste better but give you great satisfaction. Aligned to this is the consideration of purchasing items that have less packaging, not using plastic bags and shopping for recycled gifts and stationery. For anything that uses wood, try to buy Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) approved items, this indicates that the timber comes from a sustainable forest.

Finally, try and move away from using chemical laden cleaning products to natural or organic cleaning products but always check the contents as not all products are as eco friendly as they claim. If you are unconvinced, just check out the ingredients list of a well known retailers own dishwashing liquid which contains formaldehyde! Most good natural cleaning products are actually concentrates, meaning the cost per use is the same or better than high street brands that are packed full of bulking agents & chemicals. Consider eating organic food as it hasn’t been treated with fertilisers or chemicals and look at organic pet foods for your furry loved ones. Another thing to consider are the products that you use on your baby & children, there are some decent organic and natural items, ranging from shampoo to nappies.

In summary, even though times are hard with costs rising, investments and property dropping, there are many ways in which you can save money by taking a “lets go eco” view. You will also feel like you are doing your bit to help towards the environmental cause even though we are in the wake of the credit crunch. We can all do our little bit by making our lifestyle a little bit more eco friendly and buying eco products for our homes.

If you are planning to construct a house of your own, you must take into consideration various factors – the feasibility in terms of cost, nature friendly and comfort. You can find all these aspects in eco friendly house. Rather than exposing your house to harmful gases, you can use natural products. Eco friendly products used to construct houses will do much good to your house and environment.

Lend an earthy look to your house by opting for eco green homes. Such homes will add a fresh look and allow you to breathe in a healthy atmosphere. Various natural products can be used to construct such houses. In context of global warming, such houses will help reduce the extent of damage done. It is also our moral responsibility to contribute towards the cause of nature. You can follow green home building plans and build a house at a lower cost as compared to conventional methods. You can adopt non-polluting practices to build green houses. Such houses are cool in summer and warm in winter. Bio degradable products can be reused and are not harmful too.

Following such practices will also affect your lifestyle and budget positively. If this practice was to be followed by everyone, the extent of damage can definitely be undone. Over a longer period of time, this will improve the quality of life, and also lower skyrocketing energy costs. Creating an awareness among people for the need to opt for such means will help the cause of nature.

The trend is fast catching up with builders too. They are building greener homes. These homes are available at the same cost and are affordable by all. If you have a choice of a traditional home and traditional home, or an energy efficient home which is available at the same price, you can opt for green homes. This will boost energy savings. Using natural products like bamboo is a good option as compared to conventional products like cement, marble. These products are not nature friendly and also harmful. These houses will certainly an earthy touch to the ambience. Green homes are built with higher environmental standards and don’t burn a hole in your pocket too.

Well, the Eco-Schools Programme enables schools to become a more stimulating place in which to learn about eco issues and the schools themselves will be able to reduce their environmental impact within the school itself and the wider community including their own homes.

Once registered the school will be part of an international group of schools working towards education for sustainable development and a better quality of life for local and global communities. This global development perspective will enable them to better understand poverty and appreciate the work that Live Aid and international charities such as Oxfam and the Red Cross are doing.

The Eco-Schools programme provides a simple framework to enable schools to analyze its operations and become more sustainable. A bit like business re-engineering in companies but in manageable bite size chunks.

Pupil involvement is a key part of the Eco-Schools programme. Having pupils engaged in the whole process, including monitoring, action planning and decision-making, leads to genuine ownership of the programme and an increase in their sense of responsibility for the school environment and local area.

There is also an award scheme that will raise the profile of the school in the wider community and provide an incentive to participate. Schools can also be featured in local and regional media when they reach award level.

There are three award levels:

• Bronze award – self-assessed via website leading to a certificate

• Silver award – self-assessed via website leading to a certificate

• Green Flag – externally assessed leading to a certificate and flag

Eco-Schools is run internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It is administered by ENCAMS in England and Tidy Northern Ireland in Northern Ireland. Eco-Schools are supported by a wide variety of partners.

Organic Issues

If the school also wants to learn about organic issues then the Soil Association is encouraging the use of organic and local produce in school meals by running a Food for Life workshop at interested schools. It is a one day workshop for key stage two pupils. It is run by the Soil Associations education department. The workshop provides children with an opportunity to consider healthy eating, local and organic food through the theme of choices.

Schools also need information on good practice when sourcing healthy food for school meals. Schools can further improve childrens diets and increase their understanding of food by means of farm visits, and classroom activities. Wouldnt it be wonderful if all schools could have gardens so that kids can see that food doesnt come just from packets or appear miraculously in shops?

For more information on Eco Schools click here

For more on information on Organic Workshops click here

When your daughter pulls a Barbie Doll out of the hands of her friend you reprimand her. “Stop it girls! You can both play together.” Likewise, no one person owns this earth and we should all be able to use its resources. As gas prices rise and crude oil supplies are being depleted we need to ask ourselves. Are we sharing?

The Unites States accounts for 4 percent of the Earth’s population. Yet we produce 25 percent of the carbon dioxide pollution from fossil-fuel burning. This is attributed to: Our roughly 250 million registered cars on the roads, our constant need of new, cheap products, and our high usage/waste of electricity. But luckily there are ways to reduce our carbon foot print if we are willing to work together and make small sacrifices.

The best way to share our earth resources is to reduce our dependency on them. Dare yourself to live a day without electricity. Our lifestyles are all different but try spending one day without the television, computer and phone. The sun is our best source of light, so turn the switches down and go outside. And while you’re out there, hang your clothing up on a line to dry. Even a small day to day change yields a huge difference in the long run.

It can be as simple as a switch from plastic bags to organic re usable bags, or a decision to shop locally. Independent businesses generate strength and stability in communities by giving back 80 percent of the profit they make. Is that 10% discounted product from China really better than the more expensive American made product? Though both products look similar, an organic American made tee shirt will last longer than a cheap factory produced shirt. By knowing your store owners personally you can trust in their products and support their growth with a purchase. The longer a product lasts, the less you will have to buy more-and the less you’ll contribute to big business’s large carbon foot print. This community bonding is the perfect way to share in our earths resources.

One reasonable way to reduce the amount of gas used and the amount of fumes released is to car pool. Use a recycled calendar to make a driving schedule with a co-worker, classmate, or friend. When you car pool you save money and reduce your carbon output. The sun is always willing to share its rays with us. So we should start sharing all of earth’s resources with one another.

Businesses today are taking steps towards eco-friendliness by reducing their negative impact on the world. Some efforts include changing from coal burning fuel to solar energy by implementing solar panels in factories. But not all efforts must be so drastic. Personal electricity use in the office, such as computers, lights and air conditioning can be monitored and adjusted for optimal use. Recycled materials can be used to produce products that will last longer. And the theme of eco-friendliness can be spread with the use of smart advertising and personalized promotional products. Several promotional products often purchased by businesses now have eco-friendly alternatives. Companies can purchase eco-friendly promotional products such as personalized organic cotton tote bags for an upcoming convention or trade shows. Businesses can distribute promotional travel tumblers to reduce waste from paper coffee cups. Recycled flyers and water bottles can be given out as take home gifts at the annual company picnic. These are just a few simple examples of environmentally friendly promotional products that are available. Businesses must take the initiative and make others aware of eco-friendliness. By turning over to eco-friendly policies, businesses encourage us to change, so that everyone on this earth can share in its resources.

Ever heard the term â??biodegradableâ??? We have all heard it in science classes, but most of us may have listened to it half-heartedly. Today, however, this term is whipping up loads of emotions all over the world. While a large section of the population is vociferously supporting the cause of biodegradable products, a few still believe that this is a case of much ado about nothing. When it comes to making the decision to go green by changing your lifestyle, most people are hesitant to take the first step. Many feel that it is a chore; others think that one person simply cannot make a difference.

If you happen to be perched on the wall regarding this debate, then, here are the top reasons why it is necessary that you take a pro-environment stand â?? Now!

Many developed countries like America and Europe suffer from severe consumption addiction. They use non-biodegradable products, which will never be recycled or reused. For instance, it is believed that millions of used mobile phones finding their way to landfills everyday. These phones will stay there for thousands of years. Products like Styrofoam, plastic, PVC and cadmium choke the environment. People have long been using plastic bags for shopping. It is believed that America alone produces billions of polybags every year. When you consider the total volume of plastic waste generated by the expanding populations of the world, you will realize that it is enough to make major changes to the planet.

Unfortunately, the majority of such wastes are made from toxic, non-biodegradable materials that release hazardous waste into the air and earth. By opting to switch over from plastic bags to environment friendly products like bamboo and hemp products, you drastically reduce the non-biodegradable waste in the environment.

Eco friendly products encourage and enable healthy lifestyles for people who care enough for the society and environment they live in. Thus, they encourage safe living for future generations.

Eco friendly products are made with fewer raw materials. That means there is comparatively lesser destruction of forests and trees.

Sustainable, eco friendly products are typically cheaper and they last longer. The cost of most products is dependent on the kind of materials used. However, it is important to remember that some organic products may be expensive because they are grown in a pesticide-free environment. Even so, sustainable products have a longer payback period and represent the correct use of resources.

Eco friendly products are generally manufactured in an environmentally sound process. So, there is less emission of toxic waste and harmful chemicals. There is also a significant reduction of waste in the production process.

There is greater variety in eco friendly products because they are made from materials that are widely available. Also, many of these products are ingenuously manufactured. So they have special textures, feel and look. Add to that the feel-good factor associated with doing the right thing and you have a perfect package of longevity, health and total return on your investment.

Organic beauty is not an area in the beauty industry that had ever had much press, and even these days during an organic revolution, you wonâ??t find super budget eco brands with advertising funds big enough to rival the big names. This is why tales of organic beauty wonder treatments are filtering through from the press and products packed with natural remedies are getting the recognition they deserve.

Unlike a whopping 74% of commercial beauty brands; the typical essentials that fill up an average bathroom cabinet, organic beauty products focus on natural remedies, essential oils and botanical extracts.

Organic skincare products do not contain any of the nasty chemicals that slip beneath the radar in conventional beauty products. Things like carcinogens which are strongly linked to cancer cells and toxins which can harm unborn children and effect fertility are all spread onto the skin and massaged onto the face without a thought about what harm it could be doing. And these nasties can also be found in childrenâ??s skincare products with 70% of what is applied to the skin getting absorbed into the skin. There is also the fact that all of these products are washed away and can spread problems to the environment.

Living in a more eco friendly way doesnâ??t have to mean going without beauty products or dramatically altering your way of life. Small changes like switching to organic beauty and changing your cleaning products to non chemical ones which are based on natural remedies instead can really make a difference.

The fact that there are now so many organic skincare brands, many of which have been around for a considerable amount of years and now have refined ranges of organic skincare goodies infused with natural remedies and organic essential oils which are the most common base ingredients for organic skincare products.

Some examples of organic skincare products and other organic beauty products which people often do not realise are available are organic hair care products from serums to leave in conditioners and organic shampoo specially created for different hair types. You can buy organic skincare cleansers, organic toners, and also moisturisers which are geared towards anti-aging, oily or combination skin, even organic skincare ranges just for men.

There is also the homoeopathic side of organic beauty which draws upon inner beauty and good health. This might be natural remedies in the form of tinctures or tablets which are derived from nature and can be fantastic treatments for anything from the common cold to stress and anxiety issues.

Aromatherapy and massage is a further area which is inspired by natural remedies and an area which brings comfort to people in different cultures all around the world. Using organic essential oils in massage oil as well as organic beauty products and natural perfumes, the way nature can encourage eco living is inspirational.

Now the cold weather has gone its time to get back in the garden and getting looking great for the summer. More and more people are moving into eco gardening as it is a far mare natural way of keeping a nice back yard whilst also preventing damaging the environment.

But eco gardening isn’t that easy and quite often people can slip into environmentally damaging methods without even realising it. Here are seven tips to ensure your garden is grown the eco friendly way.

Conserve water â?? Wasting water is one of the most environmentally damaging things you can do. Remember, water is precious and if he climate continues to warm as scientist lead us to believe then it will become even more scarce. Water butts are a great way to save water, after-all, rainfall is hardly a scarcity during a British summer!

Recycle garden waste: recycling is just as important n the garden as it is in our homes. Composting is a great way of not only getting rid of leaves, grass cuttings and other garden waste but also it can create great chemical free and eco friendly plant food.

No chemicals â?? Plant food is not the only place chemicals are used in gardens. Pesticides can wreak havoc on our eco systems and can kill the insects and bugs that can really benefit our gardens as well as the pests.

Do not use peat â?? whilst it is a natural resource, peat-bogs are crucial places for our eco system and their destruction to provide us with peat is highly damaging to the environment.

Avoid power tools â?? They may take less time but power tools are using energy and creating green house gases. Reverting back to a push mower will not only save you money and be more environmentally friendly but it will also give you a little exercise, although modern push mowers are incredibly easy to use.

Use lighting responsibly: light pollution is not only annoying to your neighbours but garden lights also suck power. Try using solar powered lights and refrain from anything that is going to cause a nuisance, Small solar powered lanterns and other garden lights can give off a soft romantic glow without lighting up the entire street.

Here are some tips that will steer you in the right direction.

Plan and Prepare Well in Advance of Your Travel Dates

Forego paper tickets and book electronically via telephone or online. You will save paper (and time).

Discontinue the newspaper while you are gone or have it delivered to the local library or doctor’s office instead.

Before setting out on your trip, reduce the heat on the hot water tank, lower the thermostat, and unplug all electronics (like cable boxes, cordless telephones, and DVD players).

Vehicles Have a Huge Impact on the Environment

If possible, try to use public transportation or airport shuttles. Rent a vehicle only as a last resort.

If a rental is your only option, try to reserve a compact vehicle that will be easy on gas. Some rental agencies even provide electric cars or hybrids.

Before you head out, check tire pressures. Underinflated tires cause increased gas consumption.

Instead of using the air conditioner, open a car window when feasible.

Drive conservatively. Save fuel with a light foot on the accelerator while staying well within the speed limit.

Avoid idling your vehicle. If it will be sitting for more than 60 seconds while you load luggage or run an errand, switch off the ignition.

Participate in bus, train, or walking tours when available.

See if you can find a bike rental and get out in the fresh air.

Hotel or Bed and Breakfast Accommodations

Book lodging that is centrally located to your intended activities.

Make a point of reserving rooms in an establishment that promotes eco-friendly practices. Be sure to ask the innkeeper or booking clerk what they are doing to protect the environment.

Leave a note for the maid. Tell her that you want to use hotel towels for a couple of days before sending them to be laundered.

Don’t turn on the radio or TV unless you are really paying attention to it.

Leaving the room? Turn down the heat and/or air conditioning and make sure that the coffee maker, iron, TV, and other electrical devices are switched off.

If your hotel or inn has an elevator, ignore it and use the stairs instead. Your body will thank you for the exercise, and you will be doing your share to conserve electricity.

More Eco-Friendly Travel Tips

Never use regular alkaline batteries. Instead, pack enough rechargeables to get you through a complete day, along with a battery charger. You might also want to investigate the purchase of a solar charger.

If you must recharge your cell phone, game console, or laptop, don’t leave it charging overnight. Start early enough in the day or evening so that you can monitor the progress and shut down the device when it is up to 100%.

Instead of working out on a motorized stair climber or treadmill in the hotel gym, put on your walking shoes and go for a jog or walk in the fresh air.

Disposable or regular film cameras are not environmentally-friendly. Invest in a digital instead. Prices are becoming more reasonable every day and the capabilities are rapidly improving.

Avoid individually-wrapped hand cleaner packets, disposable razors, and other one-use items. Stick with smaller-sized reusable and/or refillable products.

An all-in-one cleaner can take the place of shampoo, laundry detergent, and hand cleaner. It will save room (and weight) in your luggage.

Speaking of weight in your luggage: pack light. It will conserve gas on your way to the airport, and will result in fuel savings for all other types of transport while you travel.

Avoid buying coffee or snacks in disposable containers. Pack your own mug – and if you want coffee to go, ask the restaurant or snack bar to fill it for you.

Be a good eco-citizen and pick up any trash you discover while you travel.

These tips are just a beginning. Be eco-conscious in everything you do, and you will find other ways to help save our beautiful planet.

©Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author’s note below (with active links) are included.