10 things you should NEVER buy

[h2photo]

Taken from my fall edition of Co-op America

1. Styrofoam cups
Styrofoam is forever. It's not biodegradable.
Alternative: Buy recyclable and compostable paper cups.
Best option: Invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you.

2. Paper towels
Paper towels waste forest resources, landfill space, and your money.
Alternative: When you do buy paper towels, look for recycled, non-bleached products. Search the National Green Pages™ for recycled paper products.
Best option: Buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse.

3. Bleached coffee filters
Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer in humans and animals.
Alternative: Look for unbleached paper filters.
Best Option: Use reusable filters such as washable cloth filters.

4. Overpackaged foods and other products
Excess packaging wastes resources and costs you much more. Around thirty three percent of trash in the average American household comes from packaging.
Alternative: Buy products with minimal or reusable packaging.
Best Option: Buy in bulk and use your own containers when shopping.

5. Teak and mahogany
Every year, 27 million acres of tropical rainforest (an area the size of Ohio) are destroyed. Rainforests cover 6% of Earth’s surface and are home to over half of the world’s wild plant, animal, and insect species. The Amazon rainforest produces 40 percent of the world’s oxygen.
Alternative: Look for Forest Stewardship Council certified wood.
Best Option: Reuse wood, and buy furniture and other products made from used or salvaged wood.

6.Chemical pesticides and herbicides
American households use 80 million pounds of pesticides each year. The EPA found at least one pesticide in almost every water and fish sample from streams and in more than one-half of shallow wells sampled in agricultural and urban areas. These chemicals pose threats to animals and people, especially children.
Alternatives: Buy organic pest controllers such as diatomaceous earth.
Best Option: Plant native plants and practice integrated pest management. Plant flowers and herbs that act as natural pesticides.

7. Conventional household cleaners
Household products can contain hazardous ingredients such as organic solvents and petroleum-based chemicals that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your indoor environment, positing a particular danger for children. The average American household has three to ten of hazardous matter in the home.
Alternative: Look for nontoxic, vegetable-based, biodegradeable cleaners.
Best Option: Try making your own green cleaner using vinegar, water, and castile soap.

8. Higher octane gas than you need
Only one car in ten manufactured since 1982 requires high-octane gasoline. High-octane gas releases more hazardous pollutants into the air, and may be bad for your car.
Alternative: Buy the lowest-octane gas your car requires as listed in your owner's manual
Best option: Make your next car purchase a hybrid. Or ditch the car and take public transportation, ride a bike, or walk.

9. Toys made with PVC plastic
70% of PVC is used in construction, but it is also found in everyday plastics, including some children’s toys. Vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC, is a known human carcinogen. Also, additives, such as lead and cadmium, are sometimes added to PVC to keep it from breaking down; these additives can be particularly dangerous in children’s toys. PVC is also the least recycled plastic.
Alternative: Avoid plastics that are labeled as “PVC” or “#3.” Look for #1 and #2 plastics, which are easier to recycle and don’t produce as many toxins. Use sustainable construction materials.
Best option: Take action to tell manufacturers to stop using PVC plastics, especially in children’s toys.

10. Plastic forks and spoons
Disposable plastic utensils are not biodegradeable and not recyclable in most areas.
Alternative: Use compostable food service items. Companies such as Biocorp make cutlery from plant materials such as corn starch and cellulose.
Best option: Carry your own utensils and food containers.

Then there's also the 21 Things you didnt know you could recycle

[SSimon]

I'm good on this except paper towels (7th Gen - recycled, unbleached) and overpackaged foods (I need snacks).

This is posted at a very relevant time as just this week I was looking to purchase a couple adirondack chairs. I found a retailer that claimed their teak was environmentally managed. I did some research on the tree farm and couldn't get enough information to make me comfortable enough w/ my purchase. And while I appreciate the goal of such managed forests, I don't necessarily like supporting mono cultures or the planting of exotic species. When researching my outdoor dining set, I later came across information that talked of the possible climate changes occurring from the respective managed Eucalyptus farms. So this remains an open consideration for me as well.

I'm now considering chairs made from recycled plastic, but would really like to see them before purchasing something like this. Still checking out my options.

[qbee42]

I suppose our mahogany boat falls afoul #5. We used mahogany from three continents: African, Honduran, and Philippine. It is nice wood, and if it's any consolation, I did feel a little guilty when we unloaded the lumber.

Tom

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[naterprius]

Teak and Mahogany are great for boats.

Why can't we plant more?

Nate

[Sufferin' Prius Envy]

How did bottled water not make the list? <_<

I guess it could be put under the heading of Overpackaged foods and other products, but bottled water is such a major violator just on its own.

[h2photo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sufferin' Prius Envy @ Oct 26 2007, 02:10 PM) [snapback]530877[/snapback]</div>

How did bottled water not make the list? <_<

I guess it could be put under the heading of Overpackaged foods and other products, but bottled water is such a major violator just on its own.
[/b]

That's a whole other topic on its own! You shouldn't buy those either, unless of course, you are recycling them. Then buying sometimes is ok.

[johnford]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(h2photo @ Oct 26 2007, 05:56 PM) [snapback]530915[/snapback]</div>

That's a whole other topic on its own! You shouldn't buy those either, unless of course, you are recycling them. Then buying sometimes is ok.
[/b]

I get my water in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It's FREE and 4,000 years since it has seen the light of day. Only pollution may be dinosaur poop? If you are ever visiting our vacation prone city, bring lots of bottles. There are two places with free spigots right in Downtown by the bath houses. Best water I've ever had.... jf

[zenMachine]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John Ford @ Oct 26 2007, 06:02 PM) [snapback]530919[/snapback]</div>

I get my water in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It's FREE and 4,000 years since it has seen the light of day. Only pollution may be dinosaur poop? If you are ever visiting our vacation prone city, bring lots of bottles. There are two places with free spigots right in Downtown by the bath houses. Best water I've ever had.... jf
[/b]

You are so spoiled...

Yes, it's the best water I've ever had too. Great stuff.