Last week, I went to an AIGA Lecture (American Institute of Graphic Arts) at the Echo Science Center here in Burlington. Founder and CEO of Pangea Organics, Joshua Onysko spoke. "He is an exemplary model for smart, successful eco-living for both civilians and corporations alike. He thinks outside the landfill, and it shows in the company he runs and the products he makes." I took away 3 things from the evening:
• Read your labels and know what ingredients you’re using. All ingredients should be natural, edible and entirely organic-when possible. It’s not cheap but, make small changes when you can.
• Smart design can be the catalyst for change. For example:
- Choose to screen print on bottles so your manufacturer doesn’t have to cut out a label and create more waste.
- Less is more: Generate a concise message to print on actual packaging vs. the inclusion of a booklet inside each product that will ultimately end up in the trash.
- Why not put seeds in your biodegradable, molded egg crate style packaging? Use the product, stomp it into the ground once you’re done using it and then wait for a pine tree to grow. Biomimicry at it’s best.
• Free product!! For answering a question correctly. Woot, woot!
FYI: Your skin will absorb vitamins from the sun; chemicals; and anything else that it comes in contact with. Anything that your skin takes in will eventually wind up mixed with your blood. Perfumes, deodorants, hair dye, nail polish, moisturizers, cleansers all of these things can contain toxins that may make you sick. While many consumers assume that all skin care products current on the market are safe, the health and beauty industry isn’t that heavily monitored. Joshua said, “There are over 100,000 ‘ingredients’ in the products we buy. Only 10% of those are actually tested and proven to be safe for our use.” Read your labels.
• Read your labels and know what ingredients you’re using. All ingredients should be natural, edible and entirely organic-when possible. It’s not cheap but, make small changes when you can.
• Smart design can be the catalyst for change. For example:
- Choose to screen print on bottles so your manufacturer doesn’t have to cut out a label and create more waste.
- Less is more: Generate a concise message to print on actual packaging vs. the inclusion of a booklet inside each product that will ultimately end up in the trash.
- Why not put seeds in your biodegradable, molded egg crate style packaging? Use the product, stomp it into the ground once you’re done using it and then wait for a pine tree to grow. Biomimicry at it’s best.
• Free product!! For answering a question correctly. Woot, woot!
FYI: Your skin will absorb vitamins from the sun; chemicals; and anything else that it comes in contact with. Anything that your skin takes in will eventually wind up mixed with your blood. Perfumes, deodorants, hair dye, nail polish, moisturizers, cleansers all of these things can contain toxins that may make you sick. While many consumers assume that all skin care products current on the market are safe, the health and beauty industry isn’t that heavily monitored. Joshua said, “There are over 100,000 ‘ingredients’ in the products we buy. Only 10% of those are actually tested and proven to be safe for our use.” Read your labels.
OK. I'm getting off of my biodegradable soap box now.
I used to buy this brand of lotion but, I just went to buy it again and couldn't find it at city market or healthy living. ugh!
ReplyDeletei know!! we talked about product availability in vermont. he's trying to get it here. it's available at sephora.com
ReplyDelete