skin care

Interesting green factoid du jour: there are many chemicals that are inherently less hazardous for humans and the environment.

While we’ve reported on the risks of chemical cocktails in many personal care products, the truth is – we need chemicals. And not all of them are bad. But it’s up to a product’s manufacturer to make the right choices so that healthier options come to market.

That’s where the folks at Clean Production Action (CPA) come in.  The group’s “Green Screen” is a tool that tracks the:

• design
• manufacture
• use

…of safer chemicals.  En route, they are helping major companies and governments substitute hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives.

This important business-to-business organization networks internationally to promote clean production strategies using education and resources to step companies down the path of more sustainable, healthier chemical use.

A project of the Tides Center – a highly-respected incubator for philanthropists, foundations, activists and organizations – Cleaner Production Action works behind the scenes in projects including:

• Safer Products Project: Take a tour of CPA’s “Chemical House” and learn about the hazardous chemicals found in products used in every room in the house. The group’s research shows that even the dust in our homes is contaminated by chemicals that can easily be replaced with healthier, greener alternatives.

• Electronics: Electronic products have short life spans – and a limited recycling infrastructure. In fact, electronic waste is the fastest growing, most toxic waste stream in the world. CPA works to advance the production and use of electronic products that can be safely used, re-used and recycled.

• Power to Producers: CPA helps manufacturers take responsibility for the environmental and social impacts of their products throughout the whole product system. By making manufacturers responsible for their product’s waste streams, they are forced to adopt sustainable product design, and own the take-back, recycling and reuse of their materials in their end-of-life products.

• Common Sense: It is actually cheaper and safer to design products that are nonhazardous, able to be upgraded, more durable, more recyclable — or in the case of bio-based materials, safely composted.

I am always inspired by the hard-working, intelligent teams of people devoted to working from the inside out on healthier products for consumers.  Thanks to CPA and other not-for-profit organizations of their ilk for advocating for greener, healthier homes and neighborhoods!

View new Green Screen video (2.33 min)

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