The Danger of Plastic Bags

This slideshow was created by Vishal Mody, a public school teacher from Chicago, warning us about the dangers of plastic bags. From the ocean to the savannah, plastic bags are wrecking havoc on our planet. Just last week, LA banned plastic bags(starting in 2010), following San Francisco's lead. We've featured a lot of great reusable bags on Really Natural; this is an important, simple step you can take to reducing your impact on the environment. Remember, reusable bags aren't just for the grocery store or farmers' market, but they should be used at every store.

Flip And Tumble - Eco Friendly Shopping Bag

The Flip and Tumble bad is both eco-friendly and fashionable. We received one, and have really started to use it for our quick trip shopping over the past few weeks. It collapses into a ball, and best of all doesn't look like other reusable bags.

Bag Features:

• bag size = 12" x 14" x 5" = large enough for 3 half gallons of milk and then some
• ball size = 3" in diameter = the size of a peach
• weight capacity = 25 lbs. = strong enough for a bowling ball or two
• material = ripstop nylon
• plastic bags spared = 1,000+
• at the end of the bags useful life = more landfill. instead send it back, they'll recycle it.

At Flip and Tumble

Flame Retardant PBDE Found in Falcon Eggs

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a common flame retardant used in electronics, furniture, clothing (including children's pajamas), etc. PBDEs widespread usage has caused the chemical to build up in human bodies and the environment. Previous studies have found the flame retardant present in mother's breastmilk, now it has reached high levels in peregrine falcon eggs in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The eggs of peregrine falcons living in California's big cities contain some of the highest levels ever found in wildlife of a flame retardant used in consumer products, a new study has found.

It's a good thing that a California law that bans certain types of PBDEs goes into effect this year.  You do have choices as a consumer for avoiding some PBDEs, such as the Aloe Dream Mate Pillow by Natura or organic kids' pajamas. PBDEs may become the DDT of our times, now that it is reaching the birds higher up in the food chain. We should all be concerned, as Americans have the highest level of PBDEs in their bodies than any other people in the world.

Via: Treehugger