photo credit: graciehagen

We recently read an article that covered tattoo safety. There’s new research that raises safety concerns over the long-term effects of chemicals found in tattoo inks. New studies have turned up upsetting findings about toxic chemicals in tattoo inks, including carcinogens and hormone disruptors.

One chemical in black tattoo inks is a potent carcinogen that causes skin cancer in animal research. Harmful metals, such as lead, have been found in black inks. These could trigger allergies or other diseases.

The FDA recently launched studies into the long-term safety of tattoo inks. Research has already shown that the inks can migrate into people’s lymph nodes. While the health risks are not known, you may want to wait until the research is completed.

24% of the population 18 – 50 has tattoos. 17% of these folks wanted them removed.

Removing Tattoos

Tattoos are fairly permanent, but can be removed if the right factors exist.

• Those more than 3 years old are harder to remove
• Green, Yellow, and Blue ink are more difficult to laser off
• Smoking makes it harder to remove them
• 12in is the largest size that can be removed
• Typically 15 sessions of lasering removes it. You need to wait 2 months between sessions. 25% of people undergo this and still are not successful

Coca-Cola has introduced a new PlantBottle that is fully recyclable, has a lower reliance on a non-renewable resource, and reduces carbon emissions, compared with petroleum-based PET plastic bottles.  The new blend has up to 30% plant based materials. Sugar cane is used to make the new material. New manufacturing techniques reduce carbon emissions by up to 25 percent.

Products using it were first rolled out in Denmark and were at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Dasani water is utilizing this bio plastic. Look for the green recycling triangle and  Plant Bottle label.

The bottles are still 70% plastic and only 27% of PET plastic bottles got recycled in 2008, so this is a step in the right direction but not a major breakthrough. Many of these drink makers are also trying to reduce the amount of plastic in each bottle.  Competitors of Coke question whether the environmental footprint of this PlantBottle is better or worse overall than the current PET plastic bottles.

The recycling rate for plastic bottles has not kept pace with the growth in plastic bottle use over the last decade. In fact, the scarcity of old plastic bottles results in a higher price for used plastic material than new. Companies like Coca-Cola are wrestling with how to fix this problem as they need more recycles material to achieve their goals.

Heinz is licensing the plant bottle for use in its 20 ounce plastic ketchup bottles, to be released later in 2011.

Pepsi has announced a 100% plant-based renewable sourced bottle. It will be in pilot production in 2012.

Lets not get started about high fructose corn syrup..

It is that time of year.  Back to school!

Millions of people flood the stores to buy new clothes, backpacks, binders, computers, etc.  Here are some tips to save money and be a little more green. Amazon has a back to school sale.

1) Stick with the same wardrobe. Buying a new set of clothes just to wear something new, is wasteful.   Also try hand me downs, thrift shops.

2) Reuse school supplies.  Look through your garage and dig up those old pens, markers, backpacks, binders, etc that can be reused.  You don’t need the latest commercial fade advertised all over your stuff. Donate unwanted items so others can reuse them.  If you need a new backpack buy one with natural fibers and skip PVC based ones. (Usually marked as #3)

3) Buy or use a re-usable lunch bag/box.  Also pack items in washable plastic containers, reusable utensils, not throwaway plastic bags. Thermos work great for drinks. Forget about juice boxes, use refillable BPA free bottles. Avoid lunch boxes with lead paint, PVC (Usually marked #7) , BPA, or antimicrobial chemicals.

4) Upgrade your computer, do not buy a new one.  Add some ram or a bigger hard drive.  Clean off junk that is un-necessary. Defragment your hard drive. Consult our Green Electronics Article.

5) Plan eco friendly transportation.  Bike or walk to school. Take the bus. Worst case, carpool with a friend.

6) Buy paper goods with high recycled content. Avoid PVC (#3) plastic. Binders, Binder paper, manila folders, notebooks, etc.  At least 30% post consumer waste is good.

7) Art supplies can contain many toxic chemicals so stick to water based paints with natural pigments, avoid polymer clays as they contain PVC. Buy natural brushes and pens with recycled materials. Avoid petroleum products by sticking to soy or beeswax crayons.  Water based glues are better than toxic ones or rubber cement.

8) Pencils should be plain wood, not painted, scented, or coated.

9) Cell phones should be low on the radiation scale and should be used with our tips.

Naked Binder, Eco-friendly binders

Naked Binder makes Eco-friendly binders, folders and tab dividers with sustainability and design in mind. Recycled and recyclable, strong as a bull and 130 choices to match your mood, class list or decor, these are the perfect binder for students or educators who care. Priced the same as most vinyl items.

Eco Green Permanent Marker

I saw a catalog with an Artline Eco Green permanent marker the other day. How can a marker be Green? More green washing?

The Artline ECO Permananet Marker by Xstamper or Shachihata USA is made of 74% recycled material. Prices at Amazon indicate that are not that much more expensive.

I tried find a place that recycles pens or markers but could not find one. Anyone have suggestions?

Save Money, Be Green, Bring Your Own Lunch

photo credit: daveynin

Save Money and be Green by bringing your own lunch to school or work. Making your own lunch instead of buying out can amount to $1460 – $3650 savings in a year, which is a ton of money. It is probably better healthwise too. Avoid the plastic bags and use reusable boxes.

Just cook a little extra the night before. You are cooking right?