Thursday, May 27, 2010

How can I stop being so dependent on oil?

Don't worry, I'm not going to suggest that you dress only in hemp and ride a bike or hitchhike everywhere.

It's virtually impossible for most of us to go oil free. However, if all of us take a few steps towards ending our dependence on petroleum based products, a little can go a long way.

Here are the ingredients to keep an eye out for, and where you can find them:

Ingredients to avoid:

Petroleum
Petrolatum
Mineral Oil
Fragrance
PVP/VA Copolymer
Paraffin oil
Liquid paraffin
White petrolatum
Paraffin wax
Di-ethyl phthalate (DEP)
Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP)
Benzyl butyl phthalate
Polyurethane

Things they are in (just about everything):

Skin creams—hand lotions, facial products, etc.
Hair spray
Candles
Paint
Deodorant
Antihistamines
Cortisone
Soft contact lenses
Detergents
Shampoo
Shaving cream
Bandages
Diapers
Perfume
Insect repellants
Food wrap
Toothbrushes, toothpaste
Crayons
Purses
Shoes
Rubber boots
Rubber bands
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, flooring, shower curtains, and countless other household products


Kinda scary to think we're putting that stuff on our skin and brushing our teeth with it, isn't it?

As some of your products are running low and it's time to re-stock, take a look at the ingredients. If you see one of the ingredients listed above, spend some time researching to see what healthier, more environmentally friendly products are out there.

I did some searching and will share them with you here.


Method Products
- These can be found at Target.


I absolutely love these cleaning products, and they are reasonably priced at around $4 a bottle for the multi-surface cleaner. They work great and to be able to smell French Lavender while cleaning your kitchen is way better than having your eyes and throat burn from inhaling some of those cleaners that are out there.

Method also makes a bunch of different scented handsoaps, even holiday/season themed scents throughout the year.


Physicians Formula Organic Makeup
- organic make up doesn't have to cost a fortune!

This is a full line of makeup (from lip gloss to mascara to makeup remover and moisturizer) found at drugstores and department stores and won't cost you your next pay check. Not only is it organic, they don't do any testing on animals.

Trader Joe's - They have a great selection of organic foods, as well as many affordable organic toiletries.

Don't feel like brushing your teeth with petroleum anymore? You'll find organic toothpaste here, as well as shampoo and soap.


Some other steps you can take -- try to stop using disposable water bottles. Buy a reusable container and fill it at home with a Brita filtered water pitcher. If you do have a disposable bottle, don't just pitch it in the nearest garbage can when finished. Try to hold onto it until you are able to recycle it.

If possible, consolidate your errands, it will save you money on gas, and help cut down on your usage. When possible, try to carpool.

These are just a few suggestions, go ahead and add some of the ways you are making changes in the comment section.


Also, here are some websites that have a lot of helpful information:

Join the Oil Detox Challenge


Treehugger - Buy Green Guides



The Go Green Blog


Thanks for taking the time to read this!

2 comments:

  1. >>Don't worry, I'm not going to suggest that you dress only in hemp and ride a bike or hitchhike everywhere.<<

    Like that's a bad thing? Just change "hitchhike" to "rideshare" and you've got a plan!

    Thank you for all you're doing.

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  2. Makes me glad I am vegan and I say that not about the diet, because being vegan is a lifestyle not solely about food because what I buy, I buy consciously of where it's from, what it has in it and it's impact.

    More people need to wake up to the realities of consumerism and what were doing to this gift of a planet.

    ReplyDelete