If you haven't heard of TOMS SHOES, check them out. For every pair of shoes you buy, they give a pair to a child in need.
You can find them at several stores, including the Downtown Artizia, the Billibong Store, and other trendy spots. I'm sure you can find them somewhere in Richmond Centre.
Check out their website
They have vegan shoe options as well - which if you are vegan (so you don't eat/wear ANY meat products) you will know is very hard to find vegan shoes.
They are a very environmentally friendly, sustainable, and an ethically minded company.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
A Revolutionary Alternative to a Not-So-Revolutionary Product
FOREWORD: To be honest, when I looked upon this topic, a barrage of ideas came to me, all yearning to be put into the written word. However, my idea of ‘an environmentally friendly/ethically made/sustainable product’ proved to be of a much higher standard than what my original ideas presented. Stalled, but not defeated, I gazed towards the heavens (the internet) for answers. When I finally found my product, I instantly realized that my solution was not normal in the least. In fact, it was so unique that I, along with my parents, found it downright disgusting but yet somehow remarkably refreshing and fascinating. So bearing that in mind, dear readers, read on at your own demise.
Shoe polish is extremely harmful to the environment. It contains an unethical amount of neurotoxic chemicals, namely trichloroethylene, methylene chloride, and nitrobenzene, all of which are known human carcinogens easily absorbed through the skin. By using commercial shoe polishes, we expose ourselves and put our fates into the unmerciful hands of these deadly chemicals, potentially leading to our premature deaths. Also, with chemical disposal, our world becomes further endangered. Pollution will increase in the air, in the water, and even in the food we eat. Soon, all natural resources will become unusable, and all life shall fall. In short, the health of our environment defines the health of all species inhabiting Earth. Shoe polish simply is not worth killing Mother Nature in return for a smelly resolution to our shoe problems. Therefore, an alternative must be presented. And with this simple product, we humans can entirely eliminate the need for any funeral marches and extinct races, and instead smile at the fact that our environment is cleaner and our lives are intact. By using Edible Shoe Cream, composed of 100% organic virgin coconut oil, commercial shoe polish can be negated as a shoe-cleaning necessity. Edible Shoe Cream is eco-friendly, without any harmful chemicals, while paralleling the shine factor that normal shoe polishes boast. Edible Shoe Cream also serves as an agent in lovely-looking skin, beautiful lip balm, and a delicious snack! By eradicating conventional shoe polish and replacing it with Edible Shoe Cream, we are doing the world, and ourselves, a huge favour. In summary, we can save our world, give our tastebuds a blast, and look smexy doing it, all with Edible Shoe Cream. Go green!http://www.greenfibres.com/product/44/62542/edible-shoe-cream.html
A Practical Alternative
I decided to pick my topic by picking a random item in my refrigerator and trying to argue that it is environmentally friendly or fair trade. Therefore, I apologize if the topic of my paragraph is somewhat mundane or unusual.
In this day and age, nobody is satisfied with just living off the resources of the Earth and land. We have a preference for using and creating our own resources, such as batteries, stainless steel, plastic and high-fructose corn syrup. Therefore we often take for granted resources that are already lying out there for us to use. For example, the amber-coloured natural sweetener associated with Canada: maple syrup. Maple syrup is arguably one of the most natural products of all the products available to us in our shops and supermarkets, requiring no preservatives, sweeteners or additional chemical of any kind. Also, unlike cane sugar, honey, or corn syrup, which require land to be cleared for the purpose of farming, farming maple syrup is relatively non-invasive and needs only a few paths to access the maple trees and a building to process the sap into syrup, therefore preserving the natural habitats of many different species of animals. Processing maple syrup consists of simply boiling the sap to achieve the required consistency, and requires and produces very few polluting chemicals, if any. In addition, the packaging for maple syrup, whether it be hard plastic or glass, is typically recyclable. Therefore, maple syrup is the most environmentally friendly sweetener that can be found, and is an excellent alternative to honey and especially high-fructose corn syrup.
And, as an added bonus, you can support Canadian farmers by purchasing Canadian maple syrup, thus helping our economy!
In this day and age, nobody is satisfied with just living off the resources of the Earth and land. We have a preference for using and creating our own resources, such as batteries, stainless steel, plastic and high-fructose corn syrup. Therefore we often take for granted resources that are already lying out there for us to use. For example, the amber-coloured natural sweetener associated with Canada: maple syrup. Maple syrup is arguably one of the most natural products of all the products available to us in our shops and supermarkets, requiring no preservatives, sweeteners or additional chemical of any kind. Also, unlike cane sugar, honey, or corn syrup, which require land to be cleared for the purpose of farming, farming maple syrup is relatively non-invasive and needs only a few paths to access the maple trees and a building to process the sap into syrup, therefore preserving the natural habitats of many different species of animals. Processing maple syrup consists of simply boiling the sap to achieve the required consistency, and requires and produces very few polluting chemicals, if any. In addition, the packaging for maple syrup, whether it be hard plastic or glass, is typically recyclable. Therefore, maple syrup is the most environmentally friendly sweetener that can be found, and is an excellent alternative to honey and especially high-fructose corn syrup.
And, as an added bonus, you can support Canadian farmers by purchasing Canadian maple syrup, thus helping our economy!
Brilliant Earth Jewlery
Many things harm the environment, but has it ever clicked that jewelery also contributes to this problem. People wear jewelery during everyday occasions. The majority of people however don’t think about how jewelery is made and the illegal actions companies engage in to obtain these jewels, such as trafficking and environmental effects. Consequently, by wearing jewelery, we are in turn destroying the earth and harming Mother Nature. Dirty gold mining releases toxic waste into the ecosystem which results in widespread water pollution and damage to landscapes. For instance, cyanide and mercury, two highly toxic substances have been released into the atmosphere freely because of dirty gold mining. Conflict diamonds also known as “blood diamonds”, refer to diamonds mined in African war zones and sold to diamond companies across the world. This involves with human right abuses including violence, worker exploitation, environment damage and child labour.
With all these horrible side affects to the environment, Brilliant Earth is a jewelery organization that does its part to contribute to the environment by obtaining jewelery in eco-friendly ways. They certify conflict free diamonds from Canada and Namibia, have fair labour and eco-friendly practices, and 5% of their profits are donated to help local African communities. Brilliant Earth also recycles precious metals. By doing so, they are reducing the global demand for newly mined gold and decreasing toxic waste substances into the atmosphere. Therefore, recycling metals is a naturally renewable way to make more jewelery. At Brilliant Earth they track how diamonds are transported from mine to market and ensure that they are mined, cut, and polished in a minimal environmental impact. Because diamonds are able to come from ethical sources, they are free from violence and other human discrimination. Personally I love jewelery, and rings are my ultimate accessory. Knowing that I am able to buy jewelery in an eco-friendly way, without causing any harm to the environment or be involved in conflict diamonds is a great thing. Brilliant Earth is still affordable and is the same quality as any other jewelery store. But also, having part of my money contribute to African communities should encourage all people to purchase jewelery from this organization. So is it not amazing that you can look great in high fashion and still be loyal to the environment?
Reusable Bag
A bag is everything that one needs to make the world a better place. A bag that can be used over and over again, every week, every day, whenever and wherever one wants. A reusable bag saves oneself, the environment, and your wallet, a little bit at a time. Unlike regular plastic bags, this bag won't cut through skin and that is very helpful for people who walk around with a large load of groceries. The cost of a plastic bag has increased in many stores from being free to an entire FIVE cents PER bag. Saving that nickel will eventually add up, and if the bag is shared among neighbors, it can save hundreds of dollars annually*. Plastic is absolutely horrible for the environment. It destroys the landscape , piling ever higher in our landfills. Plastic bags also kill thousands of animals every year, because animals think they are food and after eating it the WILL die**. Furthermore plastic bags do not degrade well and will sit there for a very looooong time. SO if people start using a few reusable bags, we would have several thousand less plastic bags*, floating in the oceans, sitting in the wilderness, and our landfills. I would use this bag every time as it saves me money, and will reduce the number of bags floating around my house, keeping it organized. Plastic bags hurt when there is too much weight in them and they snap easily, and this reusable will solve both of these problems, so I would use this bag anytime. A single bag, that is all it takes to save the lives of animals, keep the environment that much cleaner, and peoples' wallets filled with nickels.
*Your own results may vary
**Trust me on this, DO NOT try feeding plastic bags to animals at home.....or anywhere else for that matter
*Your own results may vary
**Trust me on this, DO NOT try feeding plastic bags to animals at home.....or anywhere else for that matter
The No More No Less Faucet
Water is a vital nutrient needed for the survival of all life forms. This includes plants, animals, and us humans. Yes, even the mighty human race must depend on water to survive. When it comes to helping the environment, water conservation is an important key factor. Even if it is just using less water at home, or turning the tap off, our little contributions often make the greatest difference in water conservation. The product I have chosen is the "No More No Less" faucet designed by Jasper Hou. This product not only provides visual ecstasy, it brings cooking and saving water to a whole new dimension. The LCD screen displays a number of functions that will aid our journey of water conservation. The screen shows the current amount of water flow, and the temperature of the water. This is exceptionally useful when we are making instant coffee or similar products. The amount and temperature of the water can be preset and controlled so that no amount of water goes to waste, and the faucet will immediately stop water from flowing. That means making the perfect cup of instant coffee every single time. Furthermore, the faucet can also record the total water outflow from this faucet, so we will have an idea of how much water we are using. Another function this faucet provides is the 30-second meter. The 30-second meter will turn off the faucet 30 seconds after it was last used to ensure that there is no flooding, and no extra water is wasted. Moreover, to top all of this off, the running water from the faucet powers the LCD screen. This water-conserving faucet does not need any extra electricity and energy to power it. In conclusion, I am tempted to buy this product not only because it is extremely stylish, but it can also help conserve water. Water is important for every living organism's survival, and everyone should participate or try to conserve water. I believe that by using Jasper Hou's invention, the "No More No Less", we can save water from our own home, and spread the idea of water conservation.
Biodegradable Doggie Bags
This planet is a beautiful oasis in our barren solar system, and it is very important the we preserve it by buying and using environmentally sustainable products.One product I would buy and use regularly are biodegradable doggie bags. My dog, Rusty, requires daily walks twice a day. And of course, this requires me to pick up his mess. Since he is a fairly large dog, I use a lot of plastic bags. These plastic bags take hundreds of years to decompose and pollute the environment for a very long time. Therefore, by using these biodegradable doggie bags, I can reduce the amount of waste I produce. This is because these bags decompose and are converted to carbon dioxide, water and humic matter, which can then be converted into other natural substances. This is a much smaller burden on the environment compared to conventional plastic bags. Not to mention that once I start using these biodegradable doggie bags, I can go further and use biodegradable bags for my garbage as well. This is an easy, environmentally sustainable product that I can use to contribute to the growing green movement.
Go to this link for more information:
Biodegradable Doggie Bags
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