itsyournature

By Wendy Gordon courtesy of Simple Steps

While there may be signs we’re not hurtling toward a depression, job losses continue at a disturbing pace and the economy remains a mess. But tough times offer interesting opportunities, as we all get a bit more creative in finding ways to do things we like and get things we need for less…including finding the perfect prom dress.

No, I’m not kidding. Proms are serious business, and yes, the dress has got to be fabulous, but these days of mass layoffs and company-wide pay freezes the price for a party dress can be more than a family can afford. So does it have to be new? Or might “pre-owned” (like a car) and worn only once or twice (as so many fancy party dresses are) be just as good or better—particularly if it’s free or very affordable? Vintage clothing stores are great sources for beautiful pre-owned but barely worn party dresses. The latest craze, though, is repurposing through clothing swaps. A friend I know in Washington gets together with friends every few months for a clothes swap. She says it has really cut down how much she spends on clothing over the course of the year. And as these swaps are with people whose taste she shares, she almost always goes home with at least one thing she really loves for virtually nothing.

Swapping, repurposing, giving clothes a second life, whatever you want to call it is not just cool—it’s eco-cool. To show that even for prom night the eco-smart choices can be both chic and cheap, a Brooklyn-based teen group called Teens Turning Green teamed up with the local Whole Foods to launch Project Green Prom. New York area high school juniors and seniors were invited to participate in a dress swap program in which they would donate their previously worn and loved gowns in exchange for other dresses as a way to promote repurposing items to preserve the environment. A green stylist was on hand to demonstrate cost-effective ways for making something old new again. In addition, attendees enjoyed eco-beauty makeovers and green spa treatments by local salon owners, John Masters, Mineral Fusion and PRITI Spa. They also received flower and décor preparation advice, healthy eating tips and menu ideas for the big day.

While community-supported swaps are the rage in cities and towns around the country this year, my hope is that they will stick around. They say something positive about our evolving views on consumerism: Good times or bad, owning can be nice but sharing can be better. Find out about clothes swaps going on near you.

Submitted by ktfinklea on Monday, May 11, 2009.

If Fluffy has fleas, think twice before grabbing that treatment from the grocery store.

Flea and tick treatments may contain toxic chemicals that can poison pets and harm people. A first-of-its-kind study by NRDC shows that dangerously high levels of pesticide residue can remain on a dog's or cat's fur for weeks after a flea collar is put on an animal. NRDC found that residues from two pesticides used in flea collars -- tetrachlorvinphos and propoxur, among the most dangerous pesticides still legally on the market -- were high enough to pose a risk to both children and adults who play with their pets.

Residue levels produced by some flea collars are so high that they pose a risk of cancer and damage to the neurological system of children up to 1,000 times higher than EPA's acceptable levels. Although we have safer options for controlling fleas on our pets, the EPA still allows dangerous pesticides to be used in flea collars and other products. NRDC is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban the pesticides tetrachlorvinphos and propoxur from pet products. Take action, tell the EPA to prohibit the use of these toxic chemicals in pet products.

California has already determined that one of these pesticides, propoxur, causes cancer and that consumer warnings are required. NRDC is suing major manufacturers and retailers of flea collars with propoxur to make them comply with this requirement or pull the products from California shelves. Retailers across the nation should help keep pets and families safe by removing products that contain tetrachlorvinphos and propoxur from their shelves.

Until the EPA bans the last of these toxic chemicals, consumers should avoid products that list tetrachlorvinphos, carbaryl and propoxur as active ingredients. Learn more about which products to avoid with the Green Paws product guide. NRDC checked the listed ingredients of more than a hundred flea and tick products to report which chemicals they contain and the chemicals' toxicity: whether they are linked to cancer, allergies and asthma or are suspected endocrine disruptors. Each product is categorized by its potential risk. We've recently updated the guide with new chemicals and products. Pregnant women and parents of young children should try to avoid products from the red or orange categories. When chemical control is necessary, choose a safer treatment and avoid the most toxic chemicals by selecting a product marked with a yellow paw.

Learn how to protect your pet without chemicals. Regular combing with a flea comb, bathing and vacuuming can reduce and control fleas. Pet bedding should also be washed in hot water once a week. Fleas tend to accumulate in bedding, so care should be taken not to spread the flea eggs and larvae contained in it. Vacuuming picks up fleas and eggs from carpets, floors and crevices, and from under or on furniture. Immediately after vacuuming, bags should be thrown away to prevent fleas from escaping and re-infesting the area. Severe infestations may call for professional carpet cleaning with steam. For more tips on treating fleas without hazardous chemicals, check the Green Paws site.

• Take action, .
• Check the GreenPaws guide to brand name flea and tick products to find out which products could harm your pet or young children and print out the pocket guide to chemical ingredients in flea and tick treatments.
  
• Learn how to protect your pet without chemicals. Regular combing with a flea comb, bathing and vacuuming can reduce and control fleas.