Video Professor

Ladies, let’s be honest, we put a lot of stuff on our faces. From facial washes to lotions, blush, mascara, eyeliner and foundation, it’s a wonder the pores on our faces can breathe at all! And what’s more, do we read the labels about what exactly we are putting on our faces? Chances are, no. Just like I don’t like to eat things with ingredients that I can’t pronounce, I don’t want to put harsh chemicals on my skin or in my body.

So, what to do? Using “green products” these days isn’t reserved for those of us wearing Birkenstocks and eating granola. In fact, there are several cool and upcoming companies selling environment-friendly cosmetics. Take a look at companies like Lush, Aveda, Cargo, and Bert’s Bees, to name a few. From biodegradable lipsticks to organic face wash, you skin will thank you, as will the planet.

Environmentally friendly cosmetics will cost more, but there is a reason for that. Loopholes in the US federal law allow the $35 billion cosmetics industry to put virtually unlimited amounts of chemicals into personal care products with no required testing, no monitoring of health effects, and inadequate labeling requirements. So cosmetic companies don’t need to change their products to make them healthier for the planet and for you. In fact, one third of personal care products contain at least one chemical linked to cancer, according to the Skin Deep report by the Environmental Working Group, a partner of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

And speaking of environmentally friendly cosmetics, are we still living in a world where animals need to undergo painful testing just so our mascara looks its blackest and our shampoo makes our hair its shiniest? Animal welfare groups say that over 38,000 animals die needlessly every year in tests for new products. I, for one, say no thank you, there are plenty of companies that no longer test on animals. I have yet to hear of a person getting sick or dying from shampoo that wasn’t tested on a bunny.  

Overall, I think industries that have a large impact on the economy, like the cosmetics industry, should take responsibility for what they put into their products. And things are looking up, the natural personal care market had, “…an estimated value of $5 billion in 2004 and has grown by 50 percent since 2000,”according to safecosmetics.org. So we should be celebrating. The future is looking bright for environmentally friendly cosmetics. And all those anti-aging creams might just disappear from the shelves once people realize that their skin looks the way it does because of all the chemicals in the cosmetics and face wash they use.

Next time you go shopping, look at the labels. If you see “Active Ingredients” or “Derived From,” that means the company isn’t telling you the whole story. Watch out for petroleum in cosmetics and try to avoid products that test on animals. Environmentally friendly cosmetics are better for the earth, but they are also better for you. So, all the time and money you spend on creams and washes to make yourself look your best could be saved with a few products that bring back vitality to your skin and bring you back to a more natural and clean state of being.  

In a world that is becoming more and more environmentally conscious, large and small business owners alike are moving towards greener policies and practices. A trend is being seen, more and more employees are demanding recycling programs, and heads of companies are realizing that going green in their small business ultimately means more green in their wallets.

The Environmental Defense has developed a hierarchy of proactive actions called the “4 Cs.” These include: conserve energy, convert to lower carbon energy, choose quality offsets, and call for action. By following the 4 Cs, energy and cash can be saved. This is good for both a large and a small business.
Here are the details according to them:

Conserve energy. Energy use in buildings - heating, cooling, lighting, etc. - is responsible for nearly 40 percent of U.S. global warming pollution. Simple changes, such as occupancy sensors to control lighting and Energy Star office equipment, can substantially reduce emissions and energy costs. You can save even more by improving efficiencies in manufacturing and corporate fleets.
Convert to lower carbon energy. State and utility incentives can make it cost-effective for companies to install renewable power systems like solar panels or wind turbines. The benefits are long-term emissions reductions, a hedge against fluctuations in energy prices, and a visible commitment to clean energy.
Choose quality offsets. Offsets support reductions in greenhouse gas emissions outside company walls. They don’t replace reducing your own emissions, but they’re a helpful additional step. We recommend purchasing offsets after making all the on-site reductions you can. Offsets have to be purchased each year, and must be carefully assessed to ensure they truly reduce emissions.
Call for action. Corporations are well positioned to influence others - government officials, suppliers, customers and others. Leadership brings a variety of advantages. A national climate policy would create a single set of rules to play by and reward those who act first. Encouraging suppliers to be more efficient can reduce a company’s own costs. Finally, getting out ahead on fighting climate change helps a business improve its reputation in the marketplace.
Leading firms have found that when they reduce global warming pollution, they reap the savings from lower energy costs, they drive innovation, they differentiate their company as a good environmental steward, and they prepare themselves for forthcoming federal regulations. A small business, while it may not run on the same large scale as a leading firm, also has a carbon footprint and makes an evironmental impact. A small business should take the time to evaluate their carbon footprint and find ways to reduce their output. Not only is it good for the planet, it’s plain old good for business!
National policy is coming. Numerous states have already mandated cuts to global warming pollution. Bipartisan support for federal legislation is building in the government. As elections roll around, make sure that your small business won’t be on the butt ends of fines and legislation. Get out in front of it now. Not only will you feel better, your wallet and your employees will feel better, too.
To check out your small businesses carbon footprint go to: http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx