Green Retail Report: Magazines, Cosmetics, Organic Bedding

Magazines, in both their production and their disposal, are hazardous to our environment. But they are still a welcome find in a waiting room!


I delightedly stumbled across this one at the doctor's office today, and I wanted to share it with you because there was a great article listing the winners in their Beauty with a Conscious Awards 2008. If you opt to visit the Natural Solutions Mag website (green!) rather than signing up for a print subscription (not green!), you can still read the article, enter to win a basket full of the winning products, and even sign up to receive free samples and coupons.

Even better than free samples, though, is this magazine's commitment to educating the public on the lethal-but-legal chemicals found in mainstream beauty products, as well as the reality of cruel animal testing.

I admit I am a research-aholic, and I absolutely will not buy anything - from pillowcases to lip gloss - without looking it up online first. I am addicted to The Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. I've wasted hours looking up every product I've ever used, and cringing when I find out some of the things I have unwittingly exposed myself and my family to over the years. Own any perfumes like Calvin Klein's Obsession or Eternity, J. Lo's Miami Glow, or Celine Dion's Always Belong? They score so high on the list of hazardous chemicals that you are probably safer using gunpowder and matches as fragrance. By the way, even supposed "natural" companies like Avon and The Healing Garden get bad marks on some of their products. Kids, the moral of the story here is do not trust advertising, do your own research.

Another database I like to cross-reference with before making any purchases is PETA's Caring Consumer Guide. They will send you a free booklet called the Cruelty Free Shopping Guide, which lists companies that have passed their stringent guidelines for ethical treatment of animals. Their website also includes a very useful clothing shopping guide. Maybe PETA's methods don't sit well with you, but please do not ignore all that they have accomplished. Their hearts are in the right place.

I mentioned pillowcases earlier; I recently bought some organic bedding online from Target. Yes, that Target. They aren't a perfect company, and were I a rich woman I would not shop there; however, after comparing Wal-Mart, Kmart, and Target, Target wins hands-down in the ethics department. They also get a few extra points for style and quality.

I am happy to report that each time I visit Target I find more natural, organic, vegan, and/or earth-friendly products on the shelves than the last time. I can buy Method soaps there, and Kiss My Face shampoos. That's exciting to me because not a lot of stores around here carry those kinds of things. Now Target is starting to sell organic bedding, and I had to try it ... because after comparing prices at Gaiam and Kushtush, I quickly realized that those places are not only not in my price zone - they aren't even in my price hemisphere.

The sheet set I purchased is on sale right now for $42.49. (Unfortunately I bought it before it went on sale. I remain convinced, however, that it was a great deal - visit the Organic Trade Association website to read why.) It included two standard pillowcases, one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and a cute little matching bag. The sheets are very soft, and did not pile after washing. The color is called sage, but when I get into bed at night I feel like I'm getting into a bowl of mint ice cream - delicious!

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