Philanthropic Friday: Fight Toxins
I’m not sure at what point things started to change but they did. My attitudes changed as did many of my actions. Maybe it was the result of living in Los Angeles; maybe it was when I became a mother. What changed? How I looked at the world with respect to recycling, cleaning, composting and the environment. My first realization about how I could have a small impact on my corner of the world was when we lived in Arcadia, California. Their recycling program was a model for others in the country. We had three full size bins – one for trash, one for all types of recycling and one for yard waste. Any kind of yard waste could go into that designated bin while anything with the recycling triangle could go into that one. No sorting or dividing or anything. That ease of function made me want to recycle everything I possible could, no matter how big or small.
It was a natural progression that I started looking at the products I was using to clean. I had tried Seventh Generation cleaning products and discovered that despite being a “green” product, they actually worked well. That was kind of a misconception I had when green products first started rolling out. I always thought to myself “Green means they don’t have anything in them that actually works.” Not only did they work well, the products like dish liquid didn’t rip up my hands. As a total bonus, I wasn’t putting chemicals into the house, into the environment, around my kids.
Seventh Generation creates products with the environment in mind but also with our children in mind. Of the 85,000 synthetic chemicals introduced into the market since 1976 when the Toxic Substances Control Act, the EPA has required testing on less than 10%. Scientists have linked exposure to chemicals to many health risks such as Cancer, Alzheimer’s, birth defects, asthma and other issues. The movie Erin Brockovich is based on the real-life example of the effect chemicals have on the human body. It’s sad. It’s scary. That involves a large-scale industrial incident but dangerous chemicals are used in household products, too. Products we use daily. Ones we use with the intent of keeping our kids safe and healthy. While attitudes of people like myself have changed, the laws haven’t. The Toxic Substances Control Act hasn’t changed since 1976.
This isn’t a post about why you should throw out all your cleaners and just buy Seventh Generation products. In case you hadn’t noticed, I haven’t linked to Seventh Generation website, product pages or social media channels at all in this post. The focus here is what you can do to make a difference. The Toxic Substances Control Act needs to be updated, modernized, cleaned up but that requires 100,000 signatures in order for it to be presented to Congress. THAT’S how you can help. Visit the website FightToxins.com and sign the petition.
What types of things do you do to make a difference?
We have a similar recycling programme in Uk one for garden waste, one for bottles and plastics and one foe general trash.
I LOVE 7th Generation products because they DO work! The all purpose kitchen cleaner even has a great citrusy scent, which I love. HUGE fan of 7th Gen!
Thanks for this awesome post!
Peggy (UBC)
As a mom, it’s scary to think what is out there that could effect my kids (and even my dog). Good for Seventh Generation for stepping up!
It is so good to hear someone else talk about toxins. I am constantly doing cleanses to keep myself healthy and get rid of toxins. Right now, I am doing a full body cleanse.
It is very nice to see cleaning products that don’t add to our worries.
being a mum its always a worry but its great to know people are trying to do better x
Nice article, Nicole, and it goes right along with the post I wrote last night entitled, “Garbage versus Nature”. It’s really awful what we are doing to our planet, our animals, ourselves. It’s way past time to do something about it. Thanks for spreading the valuable word. Peace
Just an important topic for people to learn more about. I will be sure to pass the petition along (Kim)
My kids have asthma and allergies so they are sensitive to many chemicals. I like to use Seventh Generation whenever possible to keep them from having asthma attacks!
Thanks for sharing this message. It’s really so important and I love Seventh Generation.
This subject is not talked about enough in mainstream media, which baffles me because it’s so basic to being healthy.
I love Seventh Generation brand. It is a must-have for our family because it does not contain harmful chemicals like most cleaners do.
Great post, Nicole!!!! Awesome share!!! Valuable information here! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Haven’t heard of 7th generation but any company making things healthier for my family is a good thing.
It’s important to be aware of the toxins that we could potentially be exposed to and to what comes in contact with our loved ones.
I am also in the fight to use less toxins in my home. We are pretty green here so nasty chemicals are not wanted here.
Toxins are the worst, and we bring them into our homes everyday. Trying to be green in my home
We have been working to be more green in our home using products that are safer. I want to know when my animals and kids play on the floor there was nothing in the cleaner I used to clean them that will hut them. Love Seventh Generation products.
I just started using this brand. I love how it is green and works great.
Great post! I know it sounds bad, but we are just now exploring green cleaning products. We started recycling last year. Baby steps LOL
I just read about this on another blog and am shocked at those numbers! I applaud Seventh Generation for stepping up and helping to raise awareness about this issue!
I use Seventh Generation and other natural products. We even started a compost heap!
I did sign this about a week or so ago. I agree, things like this need to updated as time goes on. We also all need to do our part when it comes to the environment.
Terrifying how many toxins we are exposed to from such a young age. Great program for awareness and making changes to your daily habits.
It’s so scary what’s in everything nowadays! Kudos to Seventh Generation for stepping up!
Great article and great read. The hubs and I recently started our weekly cleanse. I have to admit we are more energetic and I feel so much better.
It is scary how many toxins are in things these days. I am weird about my kids being exposed to cleaning supplies. I try to use natural cleaners.
I’m with you on this one. I’ve been looking for new toxin-free products to use to clean my house, especially lately. I’m having the hardest time finding ones that work for dirtier areas like sinks and tubs.
I am a fan of Seventh generation I love the way they clean and how affordable they are usually you pay more for products that have less stuff in them but not with Seventh Generation. I once got to be picked for a house party with them and have been hooked every since.
I have personally used these products and am a big fan. It is kind of scary how many chemicals are in the products we use everyday. After years and years of daily exposure, I have no doubt it can contribute to health problems. While we can’t fully protect ourselves, choosing natural cleaning products is a step in the right direction.
I’m one whose attitude must change. I understand toxic but I have not done anything different. Thanks to your post it begins today shopping list changes toxic cleanser gone. Thanks for sharing this post.
Good post! 🙂
Nice post. Take care our kids. Thank for sharing
Nice article, an important point of note I want to mention it’s cheap toys originating in China. Every year there are reports of toxic substances in toys that may affect the health or skin diseases, even cancer.
Great post. Thanks for sharing this message.
Great article and great read. The hubs and I recently started our weekly cleanse. I have to admit we are more energetic and I feel so much better.
It is so fantastic and I love your idea. these blend is so perfect for me to try something new. Thank you very much
Thanks for sharing this message. It’s really so important and I love Seventh Generation.
Great post! I know it sounds bad, but we are just now exploring green cleaning products. We started recycling last year. Take care our kids. Thank for sharing
Great post , thank for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this post. Green is definitely the way to go. I tried to visit the petition site you listed Fight Toxins but their servers seem to be down?
We should consider living more healthy and watch out for poisonous food and the place we are living around !
It is so fantastic and I love your idea. these blend is so perfect for me to try something new. Thank you very much