Earth Day Tribute - The Green Scene

It is impressive to see how many spas are modifying the way they do business to become more earth friendly. Many are making a conscious effort to be in harmony with nature. A truly “Green Spa” uses organically certified products and practices ecological management by being energy conscious and making sure they use low energy lighting, recyclable products, phosphate free cleaning products and consciencious waste management.

Environmentally conscious marketing campaigns are quickly becoming one of the most important movements in recent memory. Earth friendly companies are writing corporate policies based on living in harmony with nature. The organic cosmetic market is on board and growing at a rate of 20% - 30% per year. Unfortunately, with no legislation governing the claims of green companies there is great deal of controversy. The following definition of terms may help to clear up some of the confusion.

"Organic" refers to carbon compounds. Organic labels do not guarantee anything unless they are Certified Organic. There are a few associations working to establish criteria for claims being made, such as BDIH in Germany, AIAB in Italy, and EcoCert in France. EcoCert is the most recognized as it is over sixteen years old and used in over eighty countries, including the European Union. The EcoCert label guarantees that 95% of a product's ingredients are of natural origin, with a minimum of 10% coming from certified organic farming. Companies must also show respect for the environment with good manufacturing certifications, no animal testing, minimum certified preservatives, adherence to the Eco-Charter (recycling) and promote research enhancing plant use in cosmetics.

“Natural” does not imply any guarantees and basically means the ingredients used are from nature’s broad spectrum, including plants, whether grown in organic soil or not.

“Ecological” is also not a certification, but usually means the environment is respected in the management of actives, but does not necessarily mean organic. Ecological products generally require that a minimum of 5% of the ingredients come from organic farming. Certified Organic products are usually ecological too, but not visa versa. There are some ecological brands that promote fair trade and defend the environment, but the ecological branding does not apply to their product ingredients. It is all in the advertising and the implications.

It all sounds rather complicated, doesn't it? Simply put, . . . if using organic products is important to you, look for the certification labels. Mother’s Day is around the corner offering each and every one of us a perfect opportunity to do our best to pay our respects to Mother Earth.

HAPPY EARTH DAY

*"Big environment. Big issues. Little you. If you feel as if there's not much one person can do to make a positive impact on the environment—just take a look at these Go Green (Forever®) stamps. They illustrate simple things we each can do every day. With only a few small changes to the way we live.

Out of milk? Walk or bike to the store. Repair that drippy faucet—the noise was driving you crazy, anyway. Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs. Put on a sweater instead of turning up the thermostat. Sun dry your sheets—they'll smell wonderful! Is it enough to make a difference? Absolutely. Recycling just one aluminum can reduces waste—and saves enough energy to run a computer for three hours. Multiply that by 10—or 200—cans. Simple insulation like caulking or weatherstripping pays for itself with reduced utility bills within one year. Properly inflating your car tires improves gas mileage by as much as three percent. You're not just saving the environment, you're saving—period. Suddenly small steps seem pretty big.

Best of all, once you've started thinking—and acting—green, you'll feel proud that you've been part of a big change. "Home" just got greener. Thanks to you. Go Green, a pane of 16 stamps, is the Postal Service's social awareness issue for 2011. Award-winning animator, filmmaker, and illustrator Eli Noyes worked with Art Director Derry Noyes on his first stamp project, using a colorful, playful style to convey the message that every American can take simple actions to conserve energy and improve the environment. These Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate."
*As Quoted by USPS

In Honor of Earth Day April 22nd

Total Beauty.com published a list of 30 simple tips to reduce your carbon footprint. The suggestions include . . .
• install a low-flow shower head and save up to 750 gallons of water per month
• shut off the water while shaving your legs and save 300 gallons of water a month, use a large bowl in your shower to catch the water as it warms up and use it to water plants
• try eco-friendly beauty products as alternatives to your standard products
• review your beauty products for ingredients that may harm your health and the environment
• try using a sunscreen with physical blockers (like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) instead of chemicals that may be harmful to you and the environment
• steer clear of antibacterial products that contain 'triclosan' because bacteria are becoming resistant to these products and stronger bacteria are developing, which could lead to worldwide health problems
• don't toss last season's nail polish in the trash - take it to a hazardous waste disposal so it doesn't get into ground water and harm the environment
• try using eco-friendly makeup brushes that are made with sustainable bamboo handles and animal-free bristles
Join in and do your part in honor of Earth Day. Be a green machine!