Cradle to Cradle

Cradle to cradle (C2C) refers to a green concept of zero waste. Whatever is leftover during the manufacture of a product is reused, and when the product itself, or any of its constituent parts has reached the end of its lifespan as that particular product, it is recycled into another product or returned to the earth as compost. There is even green certification that goes along with C2C design. Imagine eco-friendly diapers. Well an Australian couple designed gDiapers, and they obtained C2C certification to lend credibility to the environment friendly nature of their diapers. The gDiapers are composed of a washable cotton outer pant and a flushable non-plastic inner refill. Sounds like a great idea.

Sick Building?

Is work making you sick? Think of the sick building syndrome. When employees complain of symptoms that only manifest when they are exposed to a certain building, then this is the sick building syndrome. Generally a sick building is suspected when a pocket of workers suddenly fall ill with many different symptoms. Often the only relief occurs when the building ventilation system is overhauled and the source of the air contamination is removed.

Sometimes the source of that indoor contamination is in the solvents and cleaners used to clean the ventilation system and surrounding areas. Many standard cleaners and paints use toxic chemicals that their green counterparts do not. Over time people can become sensitive to these chemicals leading to what is called Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). In some cases the illness is debilitating, and it leaves its sufferers hypersensitive to all chemicals in the environment. The only relief those with MCS receive is from a drastic change in lifestyle and environment. They must stay away from chemicals not only in their outside environment, but also at home. Sometimes a green renovation is able to help sufferers gain relief from their symptoms at home; however, many people with MCS end up with continuous symptoms until they move to an isolated, natural environment away from city contaminants.

It is not feasible for most people to head for the hills; however they can make small changes that make a big difference in their health. For starters, cutting out the majority of processed food generally works wonders on the body. According to recent publications, the fattening of America can largely be blamed on our high intake of processed, fatty foods. Add to that the fact that the most exercise many of us get is lifting the phone to call for take out, and well, it is easy to see how the American belt-bulge came to be.

When does the green end?

With the recent trend toward going green intensifying, it is no wonder that there are green versions of nearly everything these days. The green list is so vast, that trying to parcel it out piece by piece is futile. The best way to go about living a greener lifestyle is step by step. Make a list of the things normally bought at the grocery store and then decide if trying the organic, chemical-free, or non-toxic version of that item is a possibility. On the next trip to the discount retailer look for the environmentally friendly version of that light bulb that needs replacing in the hall closet. When it is time to buy a new vehicle, determine if a lifestyle change will accommodate that hybrid or electric vehicle.

Many consumers look at the upfront costs of going green, and when they see the initial price difference between the standard version and the green version, they immediately go for the cheaper standard. However, what most consumers do not realize is that the slightly more expensive light bulb will last longer and use less electricity than the standard version, and it will be less expensive in the long run. This cost savings is seen over and over again when comparing green merchandise with standard versions. Sometimes it is not money that is saved, but rather, it is good health that is preserved.

More on this next time...

Until then -- live green and prosper.