RUBBER DUCKS

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THE PROBLEM:
Rubber Ducks
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Environmental Friendliness
Rating: 0 of 10


Most Rubber Ducks are made with PVC rubber which is non-toxic, however there are major concerns regarding the chemical process that are required to make PVC, also there are concerns with the leeching of chemicals from the actual toy once they start to age, chemicals that could end up in your child's mouth. PVC rubber is very difficult to recycle and may even contaminate and ruin other recycled plastics

at what
cost: $1.99

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A POSSIBLE SOLUTION:
The Original Rubber Duck
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Environmental Friendliness
Rating: 9 of 10

This bath toy is made with Natural Latex Rubber harvested from self sustaining Rubber Trees, it is completely non-toxic & water resistant, hand painted with non-toxic paints. This is a safe toy for babies to chew and play with



cost:
$5.95 each (standard size 3-4 inches tall)
$2.95 each (mini-size 1 inch tall)
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available from
http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/

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DISH SOAP

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THE PROBLEM:
Dish Soap
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Environmental Friendliness
Rating: 2 of 10


Some Dish Soap Products contain petroleum distillates which should be avoided at all cost, but for the most part Dish Soap, despite countless fragrances and dyes, is biodegradable and benign. When choosing a Dish Soap we should look at the larger picture: who makes it & what are the companies environmental policies & practices. Take Procter & Gamble for an example, makers of DAWN, IVORY & JOY, Procter & Gamble is the 52nd-largest corporate producer of air pollution in the US releasing about 350,000 pounds of toxic chemicals annually into the air. Many of Procter & Gamble cleaning products contain petroleum distillates and other harmful and toxic chemicals which often go down our drains and into our water supplies.

at what
cost: $1.99 12.6 fl oz
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widely available

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A POSSIBLE SOLUTION:
SEVENTH GENERATION DISH SOAP
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Environmental Friendliness
Rating: 8 of 10

All natural plant based ingredients, non-toxic, biodegradable & hypo-allergenic comes in a bottle made with min 25% post-consumer recycled plastic. Mild on your hands and gentle for the Planet

cost:
$3.95 25oz
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widely available
http://www.seventhgeneration.com/index.php

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A POSSIBLE SOLUTION:
OPTIONS FOR LIFE DISH SOAP
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Environmental Friendliness
Rating: 8 of 10

MANUAL TOOTHBRUSHES

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THE PROBLEM:
Mass Marketed ToothBrushes
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Environmental Friendliness
Rating: 0 of 10

It is estimated that over 50 million pounds of toothbrushes end up in landfill in America each year. Most high end toothbrushes combine plastic, rubber and nylon and can be recycled only if each of the components are separated which is not only expensive but difficult; like disposable razors, toothbrushes contain plastic which is made from oil/petroleum which contributes to our energy dependence and greenhouse gas emissions. It is recomended that you change your toothbrush at least 4 times a year; most people change their tooth bushes 2-3 times a year.

At what
cost: .25 to $8 pc
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widely available

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A POSSIBLE SOLUTION:
PRESERVETOOTHBRUSH
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Environmental Friendliness
Rating: 9 of 10

This Tooth brush is also made by Preserve, all the materials are also completely recyclable. The handle and bristles are effectively recycled together--the polypropylene and nylon actually strengthen as they combine in the recycling process. The packaging is made from recycled plastic and in turn can be recycled. Preserve's postage-paid envelope assures that your used brush will be turned into plastic lumber.


The
cost:$3.25 pc
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available from http://www.recycline.com/index.html


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A POSSIBLE SOLUTION:
RADIUS SOURCE:
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Environmental Friendliness
Rating: 8 of 10

The handle of this replaceable head toothbrush is made with wood Fiber blended with PLA, a plastic derived from corn. The entire handle can be re-used then recycled. It seems that the replacement heads are not recyclable. The current packaging uses plastic but a corn based plastic packaging system is in the works.


The
cost:$6.95 pc
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pack of 3 replacement heads $6.95
available from http://www.radiustoothbrush.com


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A POSSIBLE SOLUTION:
FUCHS EKOTEC
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Environmental Friendliness
Rating: 5 of 10

While this toothbrush is made from100% new plastic, it does come with 3 replaceable heads, if you save the handle you only need to purchase replacement heads in the future which cuts down on landfill waste, however as with the making of all plastics it does come with environmental consequences, still it is a better choice than conventional tooth brushes.


The
cost:$3.80 pc
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packaged with 3 replacement heads
plastic replacement head toothbrushes are widely available


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DISPOSABLE RAZORS

THE PROBLEM:
Mass Market Disposable Razors
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Environmental friendliness
Rating: 0 of 10

At what
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cost: .50 to $2 pc

Disposable Razors are easy to use and cheap to buy, however the United States Environmental protection Agency estimates that 2 billion disposable Razors go into this countries landfills each and every year. Also, disposable razors are made with plastic, plastic is made from oil/petroleum which contributes to our energy dependence and greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, nearly 10 percent of U.S. oil consumption - approximately 2 million barrels a day - is used to make plastic. Most people use a disposable razor only once.

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widely available
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A POSSIBLE SOLUTION:
Preserve Razor Recyclable
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Environmental friendliness
Rating: 8 of 10

The
cost:$1.81 pc


If you must use a disposable "The Preserve Razor Recyclable" is made from 100% recycled plastic, in part with recycled Stonyfield Farm yogurt cups and is designed for recycling - just squeeze in the arms, pop off the blade and recycle the handle in communities with #5 plastics recycling or ask them for a postage-paid mailer and they will recycle it for you. All returned razors are recycled and turned into plastic lumber. Even though this is a disposable product, it is one of the best we've seen at a comparable price to high end disposables and it solves several problems which contribute to global warming, the blades however are not recyclable and there are other shaving options that do not contribute to landfills, such as electric shavers which tap power resources and the old fashion straight razor which requires only hot water to operate.
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available from http://www.recycline.com/index.html

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