UCMercedEcoReps-earguellez-earguellez@ucmerced.edu-University of California, Merced Green Living Students can easily green up their living space with these easy steps and products! UC Merced EcoReps Green Up with these easy steps! Purchase sustainable cleaning products Repurpose, shop at your local thrift stores to find steals! Stop buying plastic look for a BPA free products Reuse your water bottle, refill daily! What is Green Living? Green living can be intimidating. Many believe that if you live green, you have to give up on all the products you love. Wrong. Green living is about switching your mindset to conscious thinking versus conventional thinking. Majority of the products that are damaging to the environment have a sustainable alternative. These products not only benefit the environment, but also benefit you! They are toxic free; therefore, safe for your face, body, and health. Shop Thrifty Americans only recycle or donate 15 percent of there used clothing, and the rest about 10.5 million tons goes into landfills Make sure to shop thrift stores and repurpose clothing
Why is Organic Important? A side-by-side comparison of two products 2
Brands to Buy: These companies are composed of sustainable ethics and values through cultivation not deforestation. Dr. Bronner s All-One Company s mission statement is to make socially and environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, and dedicated their profits to help make a better world. ACURE is founded on sustainable principles to provide the highest quality natural and certified organic personal care. Desert Essence strives to strengthen the bonds between our planet and all the beings that call it home Naturepedic believes Mother Nature provides us with the bestunrivaled materials that are actually in harmony with our bodies Toockies project opens an unimaginable door of opportunity for over 230 women desperate for a dignified way to earn a living. Their products are environmentally & socially responsible. U Konserve is committed to operate their business based on their long-standing pledge to support the environment. At EO they are dedicated to making personal care products that nurture the people who use them, respect people who make them, and honor the planet we all share. At SOL, their mission is to take organic cotton mainstream. To make organic cotton a reality for all, they want it to be within everyone s reach. Urbana Sacs washable paper is manufactured HankyBook was inspired with a specific goal to steer people towards a nondisposable culture, where reusables are once again cherished and where we value our environment. Therefore they strive to make their products from genuinely eco-friendly materials using the most sustainable practices. 3
Home Checklist BEDROOM pillows pillow cases PURPOSE BATHROOM towels body wash facewash shampoo conditioner toothpaste toothbrush hand soap wash cloth shaving razor toilet paper feminine hygiene Lube/Condoms KITCHEN shopping bags cutting board serving bowls measuring spoons food storage containers cooking utensils dish sponge dish towels dish soap Lunch Bag CLEANING laundry detergent bathroom cleaner all purpose cleaner dryer balls BRAND PRICE AllerEase $9.43 Threshold $19.54 Threshold $6.99 ACURE $6.49 Dr. Bronner $7.99 Desert Essence $4.25 Radius $7.95 Threshold $9.49 Preserve $4.95 Seventh Generation $11.95 Nata Care $3.65 Sustain $8.25 ChicoBag $6.95 Bambu $12.95 Natural Home $19.95 Natural Home $4.95 Ukonserve $11.95 Bambu $9.45 Natural Value $0.92 Full Tidy $5.18 Green Shield Organic $3.95 Ukonserve $12.95 Seventh Generation $13.95 Ecover $3.25 Truce $4.95 Molly's Suds $14.95 Truce $7.95 Organic cotton is grown using organic means without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides Fair Trade not only provides workers with fair wages but it also engages cheap agricultural practices that compromise surrounding ecosystems. During the production of BPAfree products, less fossil fuels and toxins are released into the atmosphere Composting biodegradable products can turn trash into rich humic material Compost replenishes and revitalizes exhausted farm soils by replacing trace minerals and organic
101010 Ways to Be a Conscious Shopper 1. Get educated Look up a company s values, whether or not they are Fair Trade, it s important. 2. Shop Local Shopping local can give you a far better sense of how and where products are made and even the conditions of where the product was made. 3. Buy secondhand Instead of purchasing those cheap jeans from Wal-Mart, go to your local thrift store and purchase them there. They might be cheaper! 4. Do you need it? I always ask this question when I m shopping, do I really need it? Make sure all your products have a purpose and you re not over-buying. 5. Read your label Again, what is your product made of? Knowing the ingredients that went to your product is significant! 6. Maintain what you own Take care of what you already own, this way you don t have to replace items. 7. Use the Web Check out Etsy, Craigslist, and other handmade vintage or used clothing sites to find unique pieces. 8. Crossroads Crossroads Trading Co. is one of my favorite places to shop. You take your used clothing and get credit for the store to buy more clothing from other sellers. It s like a huge clothing swap! 9. Repurpose Oh wow, that old dresser can be turned into a TV stand?! Yes it can! Check Pintrest and learn how to repurpose old trash into new gems! 10. Yard Sales Every Saturday morning, you ll see your neighbors yard filled with stuff they don t want anymore. Don t be scared and take a peek. You will find great items that are even cheaper than thrift stores. Your neighbor s trash can be your treasures! 5