Many household cleaners contain harmful chemicals linked to serious health issues, yet consumers struggle to find transparent information about product ingredients. The document emphasizes the importance of choosing non-toxic, eco-friendly products and provides resources for consumers to make informed decisions. Additionally, it discusses the risks associated with GMOs in food and suggests ways to avoid them through better shopping practices.

1. Conventional
Resources
Environmental Working Group Guide
to Healthy Cleaning
ewg.org
Women’s Voices for the Earth
Chemicals in the products we use every day
womensvoices.org
Whole Foods Market Eco-Scale™
Rating System
wholefoods.com
DIY Recipes
lisa.drbronner.com
Basics for Non Toxic Cleaning
Care2.com
The Antibacterial Controversy
vermontsoap.com
Ten Simple Ways to Clean Green
greenamerica.com
The Dirt on Cleaners
healthyenvironmentforkids.ca
Why Green Clean?
Many household cleaners and laundry detergents
contain harsh chemicals like chlorine, ammonia,
triclosan, and synthetic fragrance linked to asthma,
reproductive harm, infertility, cancers, and other
serious health problems. Research points to the toxic
effects of not only active but also inactive ingredients
– hazards that can affect the central nervous system,
reproductive systems and other vital body systems.
Consumers often don’t have the time or know where
to find important information about the products they
use. To make matters worse, the information is often
presented in scientific language that is pretty difficult
to interpret.
But there are more and more ethical companies
making green products as we become informed and
demand products that are not hazardous to our
health and pollute our air, soil and waterways. We
are able to easily find ethical products in all price
ranges made from non-toxic ingredients, eco-friendly
materials, and biodegradable packaging.
Right to Know
• The Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) studied
twenty cleaning products used in California school
districts to study air pollution they released.
- Comet Disinfectant Powder Cleanser emitted 146
contaminants, more than
any product tested.
- 24 of the chemicals found in this
cleaner have well-established links to asthma,
cancer, and other serious
health concerns.
• Ingredient labels are mandatory for food, cosmetics
and drugs – but not for cleaning products.
Manufacturers aren’t required to disclose all
ingredients in their cleaners and many don’t.
• For more info, log onto EWG’s Guide to Healthy
Cleaning for reviews and ratings of 2,000+ popular
household cleaners with grades A through F, based
on the safety of ingredients and the information they
disclose about their contents.
Inform Yourself
• Avoid products that don’t fully disclose ingredients.
Buy only from companies that list all product
ingredients on the package.
• “Antibacterial” means that the product contains
pesticides that kill bacteria, viruses or molds. Avoid
these cleaners.
• Look for cleaners and laundry detergents labeled
"fragrance free." Warning: "unscented" does not mean
fragrance-free!
• Don’t use products with a signal word stronger than
“Caution”.
• Use DIY cleaning solutions made from ingredients such
as vinegar, baking soda, washing soda, lemon juice
and borax.
• Check out Whole Foods Market Eco Scale Rating
system to see how safe your products are.
• Demand laws that protect our right to health!
green
A surprising number of the most harmful toxins ever created are found right in your home, dorm, or classrooms.

2. Conscious
clean
Here are a few of the thousands of chemicals to avoid in cleaning products.
• Chlorinated phenols found in toilet bowl cleaners are toxic to respiratory and circulatory systems.
• Diethylene glycol found in window cleaners depresses the nervous system.
• Phenols found in disinfectants are toxic to respiratory and circulatory systems.
• Nonylphenol ethoxylate, a common surfactant (detergent) found in laundry detergents and all-purpose cleaners,
is banned in Europe
• Formaldehyde in spray and wick deodorizers is a respiratory irritant and suspected carcinogen.
• Petroleum solvents in floor cleaners damage mucous membranes.
• Perchloroethylene, a spot remover, causes liver and kidney damage.
• Butyl cellosolve, common in all-purpose, window and other types of cleaners, damages bone marrow, the
nervous system, kidneys and the liver.
• APEs endocrine disruptors. They act as surfactants, meaning they help cleaning solutions spread more easily
over the surface and found in detergents, disinfectants, all-purpose cleaners and laundry cleansers.
• Formaldehyde. A carcinogen and found in household cleaners and disinfectants, nail polish and other personal
care products.
• Organochlorines Carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Some types are highly deadly, such as DDT. Present in
pesticides, detergents, bleach and drycleaning fluids.
Definitions
Carcinogens – Carcinogens cause cancer and/or promote cancer’s growth.
Endocrine disruptors – Endocrine disruptors mimic human hormones, confusing the body with false signals and
are linked to reduced fertility, premature puberty, miscarriage, menstrual problems, challenged immune systems,
abnormal prostate size, ADHD, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and certain cancers.
Neurotoxins – Neurotoxins alter neurons, affecting brain activity, causing a range of problems from headaches to
loss of intellect
• Phthalates. Endocrine disruptors and suspected carcinogens, known to cause hormonal abnormalities, thyroid
disorders, birth defects and reproductive problems. Used in fragrance and air fresheners. (no product-labeling
required.)
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Reproductive toxins, neurotoxins, liver toxins and carcinogens. Present in
perfumes, air fresheners, disinfectants and deodorizers.
The full list of bad chemicals could fill a book that would include thousands of other chemicals — some so
dangerous that they’re found on lists of chemicals associated with Superfund toxic waste sites and in the toxins
section of the U.S. Clean Air and Water Acts. To detoxify your living space get rid of any cleaners that you suspect
may be toxic. You can be sure of this if the label says WARNING, DANGER or POISON.

3. What’s in a label Many ethical companies have taken the first steps toward independently testing and verifying their food
to be organic, GMO free, Fair Trade or all three. Check out what’s behind the label.
Resources
Environmental Working Group
ewg.org
Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce
ewg.org
The Non GMO Project
ongmoproject.org
Ensuring the sustained availability of non GMO food and products
Sustainable Table
gracelinks.org/1117/sustainable-table
Organic Consumer Association
organicconsumers.org
Find Farmers Markets and CSA’s in Your Area
WWOF USA
wwoofusa.org
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms
Fair World Project
fairworldproject.org
To promote organic and fair trade practices throughout the world
Local Harvest
localharvest.org
USDA Certified Organic
The USDA Certified Organic label on your foods and
beverages means that at least 95% of the ingredients were
organically produced – without pesticides. When you buy
organic you can be sure that the agriculture is not
chemical-dependent and less petroleum is used for farming
practices.
Compare that to modern ag practices that are destructive
through widespread use of herbicides, pesticides, fungicides,
and fertilizers and result in environmental damage in many
parts of the world.
Organic food grown on small-scale organic farms help
ensure independent family farmers can create a livelihood –
domestic fair trade!
* content from care2.com
GMO Verified
The retailers who started the Non-GMO Project believed
that consumers in North America should have access to
clearly-labeled non-GMO products. That conviction
continues to guide the Project, as North America’s only
independent verification for products made according to
best practices for GMO avoidance.
More than 80% of the foods and beverages at US grocery
stores are likely to contain genetically engineered
ingredients, but you wouldn’t know it because the FDA
doesn’t require labels for food with GE ingredients.
Whole Foods Market recently announced that all products
on their shelves containing GMO ingredients must be
labeled as such and many many states are working to pass
legislation to ensure the same.
Fair Trade
Fair Trade is a global movement which puts social and
environmental standards in place to protect workers and the
earth. It shares a vision of a world in which justice and
sustainable development are at the heart of trade, at home
and abroad, so that everyone can maintain a decent and
dignified livelihood. Fair Trade demonstrates that a successful
business can also put people first.
Through the purchase of fair trade certified products, you
support communities, workers, and the environment. The fair
trade seal can be seen in Whole Foods Market on at least
1,500 products across all categories. In retail establishments
around the world, there are thousands of opportunities to
support companies bringing these products to market and
benefitting entire communities.
food+

4. 42 Pesticide Residues Found Look for the number “9” in front of the
4 digit PLU (Product Look-Up Numbers).
The “9” stands for Organic.
• 5 Known or Probable Carcinogens
• 19 Suspected Hormone Disruptors
• 10 Neurotoxins
• 6 Developmental or Reproductive Toxicants
Conventional Apple vs. Organic Apple
beverage

5. Become Informed
The Non-GMO Project
The Institute for Responsible
Technology
Center for Food Safety
Food Democracy Now
Just Label It!
Label GMOs
GM Watch
Seed Freedom
Mercola.com
RobinObrien.com
The Organic and Non-GMO Report
Union of Concerned Scientists
Biosafety Information Centre
GMO Myths and Truths
What’s The Scoop on GMOs
GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are plants or
animals that have been created by an experimental
technology called Genetic Engineering (GE). Scientists
have fostered the ability to transfer DNA from one
species into the DNA of a completely different species, a
technique called gene splicing. This results in the
creation of organisms with combinations drawn from
plants, animals, bacteria and viral genes. GMOs were
created as a way to allow organisms to express desirable
traits that could not occur in nature or through traditional
cross breeding.
GMOs have been on the market for us to unkowningly
consume since 1994. Since then, GMOs have been
dominating our food supply. The long-term impacts of
GMOs are unknown, and once released they can never
be recalled. Most of today’s college students were born
between 1992 and 1995. That means we’ve been
eating GMOs our entire life and didn’t even know it.
Are GMOs Safe?
Most developed nations do not consider GMOs to be safe. In
more than 60 countries around the world, including China,
Australia, Japan, and all the countries in the European
Union, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on
the production and sale of GMOs. In the U.S., the
government has approved GMOs based on studies
conducted by the same corporations that created them and
profit from their sale. It is estimated that 80% of the
conventional food on supermarket shelves contains GMO
ingredients, but without GMO labeling we don't know for
sure.
The health risks of GMO’s and GE Crops are still largely
unknown though independent studies have shown that the
process of genetic mutation may cause the crops to become
toxic, allergenic and nutritionally deficient compared to their
organic counterparts. GMO crops also use more herbicides
and pesticides while harming soil quality and biodiversity.
Increasingly, Americans are taking matters into their own
hands and choosing to opt out of the GMO experiment.
(Excerpted from NonGMOProject.com)
How to Avoid GMOs
• Become familiar with High-Risk GMO Crops
(and their derivatives)
• Shop for products with labels including USDA Certified Organic
and Non-GMO Product Verified
• Learn to read and understand labels, ingredient lists, and look
for #8 (Non-GMO) on the PLU code on produce
(#9 means organic)
• Purchase more whole foods and avoid processed foods
and supplements
• Avoid animal products that are not certified organic or
purchased from a trusted farmer
• Purchase clothing, towels, bedding and other textile products
made from certified organic cotton or other sustainable fabrics
• Plant a garden – start small and grow (use only
Non-GMO seeds)
• Become an informed consumer and speak up for your
Right to Know
Support participating companies and products that are enrolled
in the Non-GMO Project.
-non-
Conventional packaged foods containing GMO ingredients

6. To Learn More
Visit the Non-GMO Project, a non profit
that believes everyone deserves an
informed choice about whether or not to
consume genetically modified organisms
(GMOs). They have a comprehensive list of
thousands of companies and products who
are committed to building the Non-GMO
food supply.
Where Can GMOs be Found?
GMOs can be found in any product including produce, packaged
food, body care, supplements, cleaning products, clothing,
cotton bedding and more - products that contain ingredients
derived from high-risk GMO crops.
What Are the High Risk GMO Crops?
Soybeans – 94%
Canola – 90%
Corn – 88%
Cotton (cottonseed oil) – 90%
Sugar Beets – 95%
Papaya (from Hawaii) – 50%
Zucchini and Yellow Squash – (just cleared for GMO planting
by the FDA)
Potatoes and Alfalfa – (just cleared for GMO planting by the FDA)
Common Ingredients Derived
From GMO Crops?
Unless otherwise labeled as certified organic or Non-GMO
Project Verified, most processed foods often contain
hidden genetically modified ingredients. The following is a
list of common GMO derived ingredients to watch out for:
Amino Acids, aspartame, canola oil, cobalamin (Vitamin
B12), condensed milk, confectioners sugar, corn flour,
corn meal, corn oil, corn sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch,
cottonseed oil, dextrin, dextrose, flavorings (“natural” and
“artificial”), fructose, glucose, gluten, high fructose corn
syrup, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, isoflavones, lactic
acid, lecithin, maltodextrins, milk powder, molasses,
monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium citrate, soy flour,
soy isolates, soy lecithin, soy milk, soy oil, soy protein, soy
protein isolate, soy sauce, sucrose, sugar (unless specified
as cane sugar), tamari, tempeh, textured vegetable protein
(TVP), tofu, vegetable oil, vitamins, whey, whey powder,
xanthan gum, yeast products.
Why Are We Still in the Dark?
Big ag companies have a vested interest in GMO seeds, and
the pesticides and herbicides they use in tandem. GMO cotton,
soy, sugar beets and corn, which are manipulated to make
sweeteners and fats along with additives like high-fructose corn
syrup and soy lecithin, are in ready-made food, snacks,
condiments, juice, soda and cereal. Labeling these products
would affect close to 80% of processed, non-organic food in
the US.
Companies NOT to Patronize
The following companies support and utilize GMO farming
putting millions of dollars into the fight against labeling laws.
Coca Cola, Pepsi, Frito Lay, Gatorade, Tropicana, Quaker, Kraft,
Nestle’s, Campbell’s, Hormel, Hershey, Godiva, Smuckers,
Ocean Spray, General Mills, Kellogg’s, Bumble Bee, Sara Lee,
Welch’s, Wrigley’s, Dole, Del Monte, Morton Salt, Bayer,
Clorox, Dow and Monsanto (partial listing).
-gmo-
Non-GMO Project Verified foods
Get Involved
Join Teens Turning Green and #NonGMO
Students for the Right to Know and
foster a revolution on your campus
working toward NonGMO dining halls
and campus stores.
#nonGMOstudents for the right to know

7. Organic, Non-GMO, and Fair Trade packaged foods with certified labels
and ingredients you can trust.
Conventional packaged food that are hazardous to your health.
Conventional
Resources
Project Green Challenge : Packaged Foods
projectgreenchallenge.com
The Ten Packaged Foods Your Shouldn’t Buy
drmercola.com
10 Worst Food Additives and Where They Lurk
gaiam.com
How to Eat Cheaply Without Packaged Foods
healthyeating.sfgate.com
True Food Network
truefoodnow.org
5 Reasons to Avoid Foods in Cans
seattleorganicrestaurants.com
Non GMO Shopping Guide
nongmoshoppingguide.com
Non GMO Project
nongmoproject.org
Mother Nature Network 4 Reasons
to Ditch Packaged Food
mnn.com
Read Ingredient Labels
We have an obesity epidemic. 90% of Americans’
food budgets are spent on over processed,
unhealthy foods with tons of additives. Most
processed foods are laden with sweeteners,
massive amounts of salt, artificial flavors,
factory-created fats, colorings, chemicals that alter
texture, and preservatives. These ingredients are
harmful to human health and linked to cancer, high
blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and other
diseases.
In the words of Michael Pollan, “When you pick up
that box of portable yogurt tubes, or eat something
with 15 ingredients you can't pronounce, ask
yourself, 'What are those things doing there?”
Note: Ingredients are listed in descending order of
predominance. The first two or three ingredients
are the ones that matter most. Ingredients at the
bottom of the list may appear in only very small
amounts.
Facts
• Learn how to read labels and avoid preservatives
that prolong shelf life.
• High Fructose Corn Syrup is a cheap subsidized
alternative to cane and beet sugar that increases
risk for obesity,
Type-2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and
cancer.
• Snack on organic vegetables and fruit, low-fat
cheese, and whole-grain crackers instead of highly
processed candy,
pastries and cookies.
• Steer clear of synthetic preservatives that prolong
shelf life and their major health impacts. Use natural
preservatives like
salt, vinegar and organic cane sugar.
• Products like canned soup typically contain large
amounts of processed salt, additives, MSG, and
genetically engineered ingredients packaged in cans
lined with the toxin Bispheol-A (BPA).
The Scoop on
Packaged “Foods”
As a rule, processed foods are more “energy dense”
than fresh foods: they contain less water and fiber but
more added fat and sugar, which makes them both less
filling and more fattening. This perverse state of affairs is
not the inevitable result of the free market. Compared
with a bunch of carrots, a package of Twinkies is a
high-tech piece of manufacturing, involving no fewer
than 39 ingredients. So how can the supermarket
possibly sell a pair of these synthetic cream-filled
pseudocakes for less than a bunch of roots? Look no
farther than the farm bill. It determines which crops will
be subsidized and which will not. A Twinkie is basically
carbohydrates and fats teased out of corn, soybeans and
wheat–three of the five commodity crops that the farm
bill supports, to the tune of some $25 billion a year.
(Michael Pollan)
Buying in bulk is a great way avoid packaged food and
make your own! It is economical, practical and You can
buy just what you need, and reduce or eliminate wasteful
packaging.
Conscious packag

8. ed food
Organic
Stone Ground
Blue Corn
No chemicals
or synthetic
ingredients!
NON GMO
Project Verified
Monosodium
Glutamate (MSG)
GMO Corn
Artificial
Flavors
Artificial
colors
Ingredients: Organic stone ground blue corn, sunflower oil or
corn oil, sea salt, water, trace of lime.
Ingredients: Corn, Vegetable Oil (Corn, Canola, and/orSunflower Oil), Maltodextrin
(Made From Corn), Salt, Tomato Powder, Corn Starch, Lactose, Whey, Skim Milk,
Corn Syrup Solids, Onion Powder, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Monosodium Glutamate,
Cheddar Chese (Milk, Chesse Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Dextrose, Malic Acid,
Buttermilk, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Acetate, Artificial Color (Including
Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5), Sodium Caseinate, Spice, Citric Acid, Disodium Inosinate,
and Disodium Guanylate. Contains Milk Ingredients.
GMO’s in ingredients derived from CORN – 85% of US corn crop is genetically engineered.
Monosodium Glutamate – Flavor enhancer known to cause such symptoms as headaches, chest
Artificial Flavors – Companies add natural and artificial flavorings to make products taste better.
They are created in a lab and the formulations are guarded as trade secrets.
Artificial Colors – Studies have shown that these colors may have various detrimental effects to our
health, especially for children. In the UK, products with Red #40 need a warning label stating they
may cause hyperactivity in kids?
Disodium Inosinate – This is a flavor enhancer, much like MSG. Its source is either pigs or fish. On
Frito Lay’s website, Doritos is marked as porcine free, leaving us to guess that fish is the source.
Inserted to activate MSG in the food product.
Disodium Guanylate – Another flavor enhancer, usually found together with Disodium Inosinate.
Again, sourced from fish. Not recommended for babies or asthmatics. Inserted to activate MSG in the
food product.
Organic Stone Ground Blue Corn – Non-GMO California Corn, Ground
from whole grain certified organic blue corn
Non GMO Verified – The Non-GMO Project works to ensure the
availability of non-GMO products and to help support informed choice.
Trans Fat Free – No hydrogenated oils, preservatives or added sugar;
100% cholesterol and trans fat free.
Wheat Free
Gluten Free
Lightly Sea Salted

9. Conventional
Resources
What’s in Your Paper?
whatsinyourpaper.com
Natural Resources Defense Council
Scorecard on Household Paper Products
nrdc.org
Environmental Paper Network
Paper Calculator
environmentalpaper.org
Earth 911
earth911.com
Forest Stewardship Council
FSC.org
Canopy Planet
Protecting the earth’s forests
canopyplanet.org
Kejriwal Paper
kejriwalstationery.com
Ecojot Paper
ecojot.com
New Leaf Paper
newleafpaper.com
Become Informed
How many times a day do you touch paper?
Newspapers, textbooks, cereal boxes, receipts,
paper, catalogs... these items play
a huge role in our lives. But the use of paper and
paper goods comes with a very real price: trees!
The loss of forests in the US (where over 30% of the
trees cut down are made directly into paper) and
internationally contributes to global warming, water
pollution, and decreased biodiversity and animal life.
And, the average American consumes over 700
pounds of paper a year, the highest per capita use
in the world.
But you can do something tangible to change that!
Every ton (approximately 220,000 sheets) of paper
recycled saves about 17 trees. Using less paper,
switching to post-consumer recycled paper
(advocate for that on your school campuses), and
recycling the paper that you do use (recycling bins)
are easy ways to reduce your impact and protect the
planet. Challenge yourself to go paperless!
Facts
• For every 17 trees saved, the earth absorbs 250
pounds of CO2.
• Forests store 50% of the world's carbon holding onto
pollution that would otherwise lead to global warming.
• Choose 100% recycled paper products.
• BYOB when you shop. A single tree produces only
700 paper grocery bags, which a moderately busy
grocery store can use in an hour.
• Carry a travel mug for your to go beverages.
• Bring your own plates and reusable utensils to
the dining hall.
• Buy in bulk and with minimal packaging. Better yet,
eat fresh foods and cook your own meals.
• Boycott paper towels. Use rags or dish towels for
hands, countertops, and spills.
• Choose digital subscriptions and download books.
Impact of Papermaking
During harvesting, huge areas of forestland are clear-cut
for wood pulp used to make paper. To harvest trees for
paper requires chopping down forests in old growth and
environmentally sensitive locations around the world.
Trees are chopped down, even where logging has been
made illegal. This causes the devastation of untouched
ecosystems, displacing vast amounts of species that are
becoming increasingly endangered because of this
process. Forests everywhere are critical protectors of not
only biodiversity, but climate stability as well. With each
forest that is clear-cut, millions of tons of stored carbon
are released into our atmosphere, contributing to global
warming. Even after the wood has become paper, some
mills continue to degrade the land through the improper
disposal of toxic by-products into local water supplies.
If we start to change our habits, we can start to reverse
this plight.
Conscious
conscio
These products are made with recycled and PCW content.Most of these products have little or no recycled content.

10. us paper
100% PCW
Waste paper that has served its intended purpose and has
been separated from solid waste to be recycled into new
paper. Not all paper products that contain recycled content
are produced from post consumer waste. Look for the % of
PCW when you purchase your recycled products so we
can get these reusable resources out of landfills!
Rainforest Alliance Certified
The Rainforest Alliance develops innovative and sustainable
alternatives to forest destruction. While we recognize the
universal need for forest products like lumber and paper,
we are helping businesses produce and source timber
sustainably, without overharvesting or destroying the
habitat of countless species.
FSC Certified
The mission of the Forest Stewardship Council is to
promote environmentally sound, socially beneficial, and
economically prosperous management of the world's
forests. Our vision is that we can meet our current needs
for forest products without compromising the health of the
world’s forests for future generations
Challenge yourself!
See how many paper products you use in a day. The
number may surprise you!
• How many are made from recycled content?
• How many are made from PCW content?
• How many can you recycle when you are finished
with them?
• How many could be replaced with a non paper
alternative
• When paper is recycled into a new paper product,
the process uses 60% of the energy required to
manufacture paper from new materials. Along with
the energy savings, 50% less water is used and 74%
less air pollition is produced.
• Look for recycled paper in unexpected places, like
egg cartons, coffee filters, dust masks and more. In
2010 the EPA estimated that over 5,000 products
were manufactured from recycled paper.
Did you know?
• In the manufacturing process of recycled paper:
74% less air pollution is generated.
35% less water pollution is generated
58% less water is required
64% less energy is required
• Recyling half of the worlds paper would free 20
million acres of forest land.

11. Resources
Skin Deep Report
ewg.org/skindeep
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
safecosmetics.org
Story of Cosmetics
storyofstuff.org
Organic Consumers Association
organicconsumers.org
Gorgeously Green
gorgeouslygreen.com
Organic Beauty Talk
organicbeautytalk.com
Whole Living Magazine
wholeliving.com
saffronrouge
saffronrouge.com
Make Your Own Natural Beauty
thedailygreen.com
Get Informed
Your shampoo is extra foamy, your toothpaste promises
pearly whites, and your deodorant leaves you smelling
fresh... but how? The unfortunate answer is toxic chemicals.
The majority of our cosmetics and personal care products
contain synthetic ingredients that have never been tested for
safety. Think about all the products you use daily: toothpaste,
mouthwash, face wash, soap, body lotion, moisturizer, styling
gel, deodorant, makeup, hairspray, and more! Flip around
just one of those bottles and take a good look at the
ingredient list. Neither the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) nor any other governing body has approved most of the
nearly 80,000 chemical ingredients used in the United
States, making it impossible to know their impact on our
bodies! Not safe. Researchers have found that repeated use
of products containing harmful ingredients can accumulate in
our bodies and lead to health problems like cancer,
reproductive complications, and neurotoxicity.
But good news... it is easier than ever to find products to
green your daily body routine.
Facts
• The average woman uses a dozen personal care
products a day containing nearly 200 chemical
ingredients. Men use about 6 products containing more
than 85 chemicals. We absorb, inhale and ingest these
chemicals into our bodies.
• Toxic chemicals in mainstream products include
carcinogens, neurotoxins, reproductive toxins, skin
irritants, and other chemicals that pose numerous other
health risks (ewg.org)
• Aluminum is commonly used in antiperspirants and can
cause skin irritation and other health impacts.
Antiperspirants block pores and prevent the body from
eliminating toxins through perspiration.
• Thoughtfully made, organic, and truly natural products
are widely available in stores like Whole Foods Market,
independent green grocers, Target, Bed, Bath &
Beyond, Costco, and CVS. So be on the lookout!
Right to Know
In a single product’s ingredient list, the word fragrance could
represent up to 350 synthetic chemicals that are not listed on
the label. This includes many that have been shown to cause
cancer, birth defects, and central nervous system disorders.
There is no law that requires these ingredients to be listed on
the label. Resources like the Environmental Working Group’s
Skin Deep Report will help you decipher the good from the bad!
Now, a challenge. Based on what you have learned today, find
an eco-alternative for your favorite can't live without
conventional body product. Read the ingredients, check them
out for health impact on the Skin Deep Report, and make one
switch to a greener alternative. (see TTG’s list of alternative
brands) You don’t have to sacrifice your health for beauty or
cleanliness, as there are tons of great products with safe
ingredients on the shelves!
And here’s a great resource to inform you
in seven minutes, Annie Leonard’s film,
Story of Cosmetics.
Eco conscious, safe, and ethical products
that support our health and the earth.
Conventional products that contain toxic ingredients that harm
both our bodies and the environment.
Conventional Conscious whole

12. This is a partial list of companies making safer products. Check their websites and in your community, check out
Whole Foods Market, Pharmaca, Good Earth and all of the local businesses who stock healthy alternatives.
THIRTY
DIRTY
CHEMIC ALS TO AVOID FOUND IN THE PR ODUC TS WE USE DAILY
FOR A COMPLE TE LIST SEE OUR “DIR T Y THIR T Y HANDOUT ”
OR GO TO: teenstur ninggreen.org
CHEMIC AL: ALUMINUM ZIR CONIUM
and OTHER ALUMINUM COMPOUNDS
Function: Used to control sweat and odor
in the underarms by slowing down the
production of sweat.
Present in: Antiperspirants. Banned by EU.
Health concerns: Linked to the
development of Alzheimer’s Disease; may
be linked to breast cancer; probable
neurotoxin; respiratory, and developmental
toxin.
CHEMIC AL: BENZYL ACE TATE
Function: Solvent; hidden within
“fragrance.”
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal
care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Linked to pancreatic
cancer; easily absorbs into skin causing
quick systemic effects; animal studies show
hyperemia of the lungs; possible
gastrointestinal, liver, and respiratory
toxicant; possible neurotoxin.
CHEMIC AL: BENZALKONIUM
CHLORIDE and BENZE THONIUM
CHLORIDE
Function: Antimicrobial agent, deodorant,
preservative, biocide.
Present in: Moisturizer, sunscreen, facial
cleanser, acne treatment, pain relief.
Restricted in Japan and Canada.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant;
may trigger asthma; possible organ system
toxicant; animal studies show endocrine
disruption and brain, nervous system,
respiratory and blood effects; possible
carcinogen.
CHEMIC AL: BR ONOPOL
Function: Preservative.
Present in: Moisturizer, body wash, facial
cleanser, makeup remover, anti-aging
products. Restricted in Canada.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant;
lung and skin toxicant; animal studies show
endocrine disruption and gastrointestinal,
brain and nervous system effects; irritant.
CHEMIC AL: BUT YL ACE TATE
Function: Solvent in polishes and
treatments, prevents chipping.
Present in: Nail polish and nail treatments.
Health concerns: Repeated exposure causes
skin dryness and cracking; vapors may
induce drowsiness or dizziness; flammable.
CHEMIC AL: BUT YLATED
HYDR OX Y TOLUENE (BHT )/
BUT YLATED HYDR OX YANISOLE (BHA)
Function: Anti-Oxidant; slows down the rate
at which product ingredients change in
color.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal
care products, read labels.
Banned by EU.
Health Concerns: Immune system toxicant;
endocrine disruptor; probable human
carcinogen; animal studies show brain, liver,
neurotoxin, reproductive and respiratory
toxicant.
CHEMIC AL: COAL TAR
Function: Controls itching and eczema,
softens and promotes the dissolution of
hard, scaly, rough skin, also used in hair
dyes.
Present in: Shampoo and Hair Dye. Banned
by Canada and EU.
Health concerns: Known human carcinogen;
skin and respiratory toxicant.
An alphabetical listing of companies that are creating safer beauty and personal care products.
We hope this helps guide you toward a greener lifestyle.
GREENER
ALTERNATIVES
100% PURE - 100percentpure.com
Skin, body and hair care
ACURE - acureorganics.com
Hair, skin, body, lip care
ACQUARELLA - acquarellapolish.com
Nail polish
ALAFFIA - alaffia.com
Hair, skin, lip and body care
ALL TERRAIN - allterrainco.com
Sunscreen, insect repellent, body, and lip
care
AUBREY ORGANICS - aubrey-organics.com
Hair, skin and body care, make-up
BADGER BALM - badgerbalm.com
Body and lip care, sunscreen, insect repellent
BENEDETTA - benedetta.com
Skin and body care, deodorant, hand
sanitizer
BUDDHA NOSE - buddhanose.com
Body and lip care
BURT’S BEES - burtsbees.com
Hair, skin, lip and body care, deodorant,
make-up, sunscreen, insect repellent
CORAL WHITE - coral-cure.com Toothpaste,
mouthwash
DESERT ESSENCE – desertessence.com
Body, skin, hair, lip, dental care
DR. BRONNER’S – drbronner.com
Body, skin and lip care, soap, bath, hair, hand
sanitizer
DR. HAUSCHKA – drhauschka.com
Hair, skin, lip and body care, deodorant,
make-up, sunscreen
DUCHESS MARDEN – duchessmarden.com
Skin and body care, anti-aging products
ERBAVIVA - erbaviva.com
Body, skin and lip care, deodorant, insect
repellent
EO PRODUCTS – eoproducts.com
Hair, skin, lip and body care, bath, essential
oils, hand sanitizer
EVAN HEALY - evanhealy.com
Skin and body care
FARMAESTHETICS - farmaesthetics.com
Skin, lip and body care
GRATEFUL BODY - gratefulbody.com
Skin and body care
HEMP ORGANICS - colorganics.net Lipstick,
liner
HUGO – hugonaturals.com
Bath and body care, deodorant
INTELLIGENT NUTRIENTS -
intelligentnutrients.com
Hair, skin, body and lip care
IREDALE MINERAL COSMETICS -
janeiredale.com
Make-up
JASON - jason-natural.com – Skin and
body care
JOHN MASTERS ORGANICS -
johnmasters.com
Hair, skin, lip and body care
JUICE BEAUTY - juicebeauty.com
Skin and lip care, hair, make-up
KEYS - keys-soap.com
Skin, body and hair care, insect repellent,
sunscreen
LAVERA - lavera-usa.com
Hair, skin, lip and body care, make-up
LOTUS MOON - smbessentials.com
Skin and body care, sunscreen
MARIE VERONIQUE ORGANICS -
mvorganics.com
Skin and body care, sunscreen
MGA - maxgreenalchemy.com
Hair, lip and body care, bath oil
MINERAL FUSION - mineralfusion.com
Make-up, nail polish, hair, body, skin care
MYCHELLE - mychelleusa.com
Skin, lip and body care
NATRACARE - natracare.com
Feminine hygiene, organic cotton wipes
NATUROPATHICA - naturopathica.com Skin
and body care
NEAL’S YARD REMEDIES -
us.nyrorganic.com
Skin, body, hair care, deodorant, sunscreen
NUDE SKIN CARE - nudeskincare.com Skin
care
NVEY - econveybeauty.com
Make-up
ODACITE - odacite.com
Skin and body care, sunscreen
PANGEA ORGANICS - pangeaorganics.com
Skin, lip and body care
PHARMACOPIA – pharmacopia.net
Skin and body care
PLAIN JANE BEAUTY - plainjanebeauty.net
Make-up
POMEGA5 - pomega5.com
Skin and body care
PRITTI NYC - pritinyc.com
Nail polish
RMS BEAUTY - rmsbeauty.com
Make-up
RIVER SOAP - riversoap.com
Soap and bath
SOULSTICE SPA - soulsticespa.com
Nail polish
SPA RITUAL - sparitual.com
Nail polish
SUKI NATURALS - sukisnaturals.com
Hair, skin, lip and body care, make-up
SWISSPERS ORGANIC - Organic cotton
balls, pads and swabs
TOMBOY SOAP - tomboysoap.com
Body and lip care
TRILLIUM ORGANICS -
trilliumorganics.com
Skin and body care
UV NATURAL - uvnatural.com
Sunscreen
WELEDA – usa.weleda.com
Hair, skin and body care, toothpaste
YES TO CARROTS – yestocarrots.com Hair,
skin, lip and body care
body

13. Resources
Green America
greenamerica.org
Zero Waste at Home (an awesome blog)
zerowastehome.blogspot.com
Earth 911
earth911.com
Natural Resources Defense Council
nrdc.org
Story of Stuff Project
storyofstuff.org
San Francisco on Track to Become
Zero Waste City
pbs.org/newshour
Yerdle
yerdle.com
Craigs List
craigslist.org
Why Zero Waste
Think about the impact of the single use, over packaged,
disposable, and replaceable items we use daily. In 2008,
we generated 250 million tons of trash - about a third was
recycled and a lot went into landfills. Individually, we create
4.5 pounds of waste daily from tossing things that could
have been recycled, repurposed, reused, donated, swapped,
shared, or put into a freecycle box on your campus.
Much of it will exist forever, taking up permanent space in
landfills, polluting land, oceans, beaches, and communities,
and harming ecosystems and human health.
Each of us has the power to decrease our consumption and
our waste steam! By making simple changes, and conscious
choices, we can have a massive impact on lessening our
global footprint whether it’s a buying recycled binders,
reusable water bottles, or upcycled fashion.
Think about replacing one single use product with a reusable
alternative. Make a pledge and share it with your friends.
What You Can Do
• Watch Annie Leonard’s Story of Stuff
• Eliminate what you don't really need
• Minimize consumption
• Buying nothing (or buying less) is even better for the
earth than buying green!
• Before you move into your dorm, check out yerdle,
Craigslist or Freecycle in your area to see what you can
score for free or for cheap.
• Plastic Doesn't Decompose. Every piece of plastic EVER
made still exists today (plastic milk jug = 1 million years
to decompose).
• Use Reusables. Over 31 million tons of plastics are
discarded in the U.S. each year with only 8% recycled.
• Recycle. It is estimated that 80% of the trash thrown
away in the US is recyclable but only about 28% is sent
for recycling.
• Go Paperless. An average American household throws
away 6 trees worth of recyclable paper each year.
Collegiate Stats
• Ohio Stadium is the largest stadium in the country to
achieve zero waste, diverting 90% or more of materials
from the landfill by recycling and composting.
• As of March 2012, more than 90 educational institutions
have banned the sale of or restricted single-use plastic
water bottles on campus. Instead they are installing refill
stations.
• For Homecoming weekend at Aquinas College, a zero
waste initiative was launched to reduce the amount of
trash that would eventually end up in the landfill from
this event. A zero waste team was positioned at multiple
waste stations on the campus for Homecoming
weekend. They guided people on which items should go
in the recycle, compost, or trash bins. Prior to
Homecoming weekend, the team contacted every vendor
and asked that the items they used be either recyclable
or compostable. 95 % of the waste that day was
composted or recycled
zero

14. 10 Steps to a Zero Waste Life
1. Make a “to go” kit of reusable’s to keep in your back pack or carry bag with a reusable tote bag, stainless steel
or glass water bottle, travel coffee mug, cloth napkin, and set of bamboo or stainless steel utensils.
2. Reduce paper waste by going paperless as often as you can. If not paperless, use 100% recycled PCW paper
3. Recycle all paper items including the inner cardboard tubes from paper towels or toilet paper, receipts, price
tags, and shredded paper. As long as they tear like regular paper, you can recycle the item.
4. Eliminate paper towels and replace them with personal towels,
bamboo towels or rags. Cloth napkins can be used in place of the
paper variety, too.
5. Buy in bulk, second hand, swap, or trade, but if you must buy new, choose glass, metal, or cardboard. Avoid
plastic: it ends up in landfill (or worse yet, the ocean).
6. Switch from liquid soap: Bar soap, which comes wrapped in paper, and powdered dishwasher and laundry
detergent, which comes in a cardboard box, are better choices than their plastic counterparts. Just be sure to
recycle the packaging.
7. Think about trash before you make a purchase: Make sure packaging is recycled and recyclable. If not – do you
really need that particular item? Can you find a brand that produces less trash?
Zero Waste Challenge
Track your trash for 24 hours with every piece of waste you use or generate (not compost)
Separate items into two piles: stuff that you used for more than ten minutes, and stuff you used for less than ten minutes.
Think about what you could have done without, what could be recycled, and repurposed
Make a no-trash travel kit for the week and share it with friends and TTG!
Stop making trash. Reduce it. Reuse it. Recycle it. Just don’t throw it away.
8. Buy whole fruits, vegetables, and bulk grains instead of prepackaged food. Prepackaged may be convenient but
expensive with a lot of waste.
9. Think consciously when giving gifts: experiences, homemade, to benefit charity, or second hand.
10. Switch to a refillable pen or fountain pen. Remember to compost your pencil shavings, too!
Excerpted from Thechalkboardmag.com and
The Zero-Waste Lifestyle by Amy Korst
waste