Organic...it's not just for food!

So loyal blog readers I am proud to announce that I've been going consume-less now for 8 months strong! I've gotten so used to it that I don't even realize I'm doing it half the time. Every now and then I catch myself thinking I should go buy some random item, but then I realize that I can't and I soon forget I even wanted it. I have however done my fair share of consuming for work, but that unfortunately I can't change. Organizing a bunch of summer camps for teenagers meant I was just going to have to buy some things. We are striving as an organization however to become more sustainable. We even bought biodegradable silverware for our last big event!

But on other notes I did want to share my growing love of organic products. I've always been a big fan of organic foods (I even tried my own little garden this year) but now I've explored a whole new world of organic products. We all have heard the benefits of organic, no harsh chemicals, less pollution in the farmlands and runoff, often higher quality products, it promotes biodiversity, creates healthier soil, etc. etc. Now these benefits can go beyond just the food we eat. For example, I have recently switched to an organic line of cosmetics called Organic Wear from Physicians Formula. It just makes sense that something you put on your face everyday shouldn't contain harsh chemicals. Now there is a difference between organic care products and just natural care products. When it comes to food it is usually the USDA that gives out the organic certification, however, USDA has no jurisdiction over cosmetics or beauty products only the agricultural ingredients in them. The USDA can certify ingredients as organic but usually not the entire product. It is a French organization called ECOCERT that certifies many of the non-food organic products including the Organic Wear line. Now there has been some debate in the world of organic health and beauty products lately over what is truly organic. For example, Dr. Bronners product line and the Organic Consumers Association filed a lawsuit in California this year against other brands using the word organic, when they do not contain %100 organic certified ingredients. There has also been some debate about ECOCERT as well, but for me Organic Wear is the only brand of makeup I can readily find that actually tries to use more natural and organic ingredients. So I figure even if these brands are not 100% organic they are trying to head in that direction and I can appreciate that. So I have switched over to the most "organic" shampoos, soaps, deodorants, and toothpaste brands I can find.

I've also been working to switch to non-toxic cleaners that are not petroleum based and recycled paper products. Once again I'm sure there is room to debate this issue as well, however, as I said before this is at least a step in the right direction. I've also been intrigued by the world of organic fabric. I own a few clothes made with organic cotton and I really like them (of course these were things I bought pre-2008). I'm also a big fan of the brand American Apparel which makes most of their clothing in downtown LA and has a "sweat shop free" policy. They also have a nice line of products made with organic cotton. And of course there's Patagonia a brand of outdoor clothing that has been on the forefront of environmental consciousness. They not only print all their advertisements on recycled paper, have LEED certified green buildings and make many products of out of organic cotton, but they also have a program where they collect their old and worn synthetic clothing products and recycle them into new clothes. Quite cool. Not that long ago I bought a nice used Patagonia day pack I found at this second hand sports store in Bozeman. One of the more interesting things I've discovered is organic furniture. I almost bought myself a second-hand futon that had a mattress made of organic cotton and wool, sadly the price tag ended up a little out of my budget. I did however, end up buying a second hand futon, so the recycling continues. By the way I'm proud to announce this is the first ever bed I've actually owned (given it is only a futon). I feel so grown up.

Well that concludes my look at the world of organic. Props to those retailers who are starting to think outside the box. Enough small steps in the right direction and we can all become more sustainable consumers.