EARTH DAY

A new leaf: Being clean no longer needs to mean poisoning. Photo by Michael Persico

Eco No-Nos

Going green? Better look past the label.

by Alli Katz

It’s Earth Day Tuesday. How will you celebrate? With so much out there about how to save the planet, the possibilities are endless.

So what’s an ordinary mortal to do to save the planet? You can start by knowing what not to do.

The days of pouring half a bottle of bleach and half a bottle of ammonia into the bathtub, shutting the door and hoping for the best are over. It’s no longer acceptable to flood your house with citrus-smelling poisons left at children’s eye level, nor can you feel okay about washing your clothes in blacklight-reactive phosphates.

Want to use that aerosol oven cleaner that really beats grime? Why not run over a puppy instead?

You buy low-wattage, long-lasting light bulbs, carry reusable bags and eat only food that never had a face.

Or maybe you drive an SUV, but you don’t let your kids consume processed sugars. Of course you’re going to buy eco-friendly cleaning supplies.

Marketers know all about your kind. They know you feel guilty about your consumption, and they’re here to take your money.

Don’t trust them. They “greenwash,” and it’s a serious problem.

Greenwashing is the act of making a product seem less terrible for the environment through vague statements, misleading descriptions and sometimes outright lies, and it’s why you can stick drain cleaner in the eco aisle if the plastic bottle was recycled (or if it’s recyclable). Don’t let yourself get bamboozled.

Other terms can be seriously misleading as well. “All natural” and “organic,” for instance, should never justify a purchase by themselves.

There’s plenty of nasty stuff that occurs in nature, like arsenic, ammonia and hydrochloric acid. That doesn’t mean it’s good for you, your family or your public water supply. Petroleum is as organic as it gets—and it’s also one of the most harmful additives in most commercial cleaners.

Also be wary of anything that claims to be “nontoxic” or “chemical-free.” Pure oxygen is a toxin that can damage your lungs if you breathe it for too long, and water is a chemical. If you see those on a sticker, you can be sure someone out there is lying to you.

There are trade-offs to everything. Even if you find something that’s particularly environmentally safe and free of most harmful additives, there are other factors to consider.

Where was the product made? Shipping produces 1.12 billion tons of carbon emissions a year. Is the packaging recycled? Is it recyclable? Are the company’s practices eco-friendly at all levels?

A certain product may be created by conscientious folk, but if the company also produces baby-killing moist towelettes, you might want to take your money elsewhere.

Finally, does the product work? Even if you feel pretty good about the specs, if you have to use three bottles of detergent to get your dishes clean, it’s not worth your money.

But don’t be too heartbroken. Some products are clean, and do work. The first thing to look for is an actual certification from a source you trust.

EcoLogo and Green Seal are two organizations that require companies to submit their history, while claims like “certified biodegradable,” and “100 percent vegan” require approval by third parties (Scientific Certification Systems and Vegan Action, respectively).

Look for specific claims. Organic doesn’t mean much, but if it says bleach-free and you’re looking at laundry detergent, you might be onto something.

And think about where you’re buying the supplies. Are you at a hippie food co-op, or Acme?

Are there pictures of a pair of Birkenstocks and some low-rent plant images on the label, or is there a picture of a soccer mom accompanied by flashy graphics? These sorts of things show you where the companies’ priorities lie.

When in doubt, you can always make your own. Vinegar, baking soda and lemons cut grease, keep windows streak-free and leave your house smelling fresh, all while being healthier than eating a McDonald’s salad.