4 Steps to Avoiding Green Scams

Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone was just honest and genuine all of the time?  Unfortunately for us all, we live in a society often driven by the wrong kind of green – money.  It can be difficult for the untrained person to NOT get caught up in scams claiming to be greener, safer, and organic.  Here are some hints and tips to keep you ahead of the curve.

Do Your Homework:

Did you know that consumer products in the United States need to register with the EPA?  This is a great stop for consumers to get the REAL facts about what is actually in the things that they keep around their life (food, cleaning products, etc.) – you should also steer clear of things that withhold that information.

Avoid Things:

There are some many things to avoid that listing them would take all day.  But, a good starting point would be to consider staying away from Petroleum Distillates like ethyl and methyl.  Petroleum Distillates are often used as “natural” products for kitchen cleaning – often as degreasing materials.

Don’t Believe Everything You Read:

Remember, companies are out there to make money and SELL you things.  There is no regulating process to determine what CAN and CAN’T be labeled green, and many of the mainstream options out there might only be a little more eco-friendly than their “regular” counterparts.  Ultimately, you need to take responsibility for finding the right options for you and actually reading what is in the things that you buy.

If It Sounds Too Smart Or Too Dumb It Might Not Be Green:

Just because something says that it is NEW & IMPROVED doesn’t always mean either is true.  Green Works® from Clorox claims to be 99% green – and honestly, the physical characteristics of its cleaning materials actually are derived from renewable resources, are biodegradable and the product is free of petrochemicals.  Companies that use complex “scientific” names for their products are designed to confuse the average consumer with products nearly identical to regular non-green options.

The key to being green in the marketplace is to be aware and be intelligent.  Don’t just be a consumer, be smart and succeed in being green.  Organic Bug offers leading products that ARE what they say they are.  Let us help you with some of your green purchases.

What is going Green, Anyway?

As the world turns, life is in fact getting greener. Homes are getting powered more and more by solar, people are buying more organic and local food and of course people are starting to buy non-toxic, sustainable and responsible products. Although this is a fantastic leap in the right direction, we all must slow down for a moment and make sure that we understand….why?

If all people understand why “living green” is so important for our species and for the world at large, it may just be the difference between the continuity of “living green” and letting it fizzle out as just another fad.

Going green is essentially the promotion of life. It promotes things like paying people the fair wages that they deserve and giving them a shot at building their own communities world wide. It promotes the protection of our ecosystem at large, this includes everything from animals, to plants, to outer space, to our air that we breathe everyday. It promotes the fair and equal treatment of all beings on earth whether we be a duck or a human. It promotes the growth and protection of our forests and wildlife areas and everything that lives in them.

Ok so now you may ask, how is me buying “green” contributing to all of this. Well, that is an excellent question. By buying, living, thinking and acting green in every move that you make you are basically creating a domino effect. You buying a head of organic locally grown broccoli is not going to save mother earth. But it is a statement amidst a large speech that they world is listening to. Not only that, but when you live and buy green, you are basically asking for the demand to raise for responsible, green products. You are asking other people to innovate and create more green companies and ideas that will further the protection and sustainability of our planet.

Companies more and more are doing things like printing on recycled, post consumer paper. Or only selling non-toxic, sustainable and fair trade products. Or even nearly halting the amount of green house gasses that are currently put out everyday with a machine. Or offsetting the carbon that they do put out into the world, kind of a “payback” system.

No matter which way you look at it, going green makes sense, but understanding why and setting the intention can make the largest difference in the history of the world. So, push the domino over and get started.

Our Favorite Natural Summer Essentials for The Whole Family

Having a naturally safe and healthy summer is very important to us,  so we have researched and tested  products to provide you with the best shopping choices for your family and your home.   Here are some of our favorite summertime products to ensure your summer is natural, safe and healthy. Be safe and enjoy your summer!

#1 Summer Must Have: Sun Protection Products from Shady Day

Shady Day Wipes is one of our all time favorites among our customers.  They have been featured on Oprah’s “Love it” List and Parents Magazine have called Shady Day their favorite sunscreen for the summer.

This product was created by 2 moms who wanted to provide a product that combine mess free application solutions, with all natural, high quality ingredients.  We encourage you to check out their entire line of products but the award winning Daily Sun Protection Wipes are a customer favorite!

#2 Summer Must Have: Herbal Bug Balm

This bug repellent is a must have for parents concerned about using synthetic chemical compounds on their children’s skin. Created by For My Kids, this Herbal Bug Balm is a safe natural alternative to chemical bug repellents for kids and the whole family!

The Herbal Bug Balm uses pure organic catnip essential oil to keep bugs at bay. AND it is chemical free! Ingredients: organic coconut oil, organic soybean oil, candelilla wax, lemongrass oil, organic tamanu oil, Vitamin E oil, organic lemon balm, organic rosemary, organic geranium oil, organic catnip oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil.

#3 Summer Must Have: Piggy Paint “Flower Power” Kid-Friendly Nail Polish Gift Set

Piggy Paint is a customer favorite for a reason. Girls of all ages can have fun decorating their fingers and toes with these vibrant, natural & non toxic polishes.   It’s as natural as mud in the sense that every ingredient is biodegradable with no residues left behind to harm the environment.  This product was also created by a Mom so she could provide safe, non-toxic pedicures for her young daughter’s “piggies”.    And make sure you check out the Piggy Paint “Little Miss Firecracker” Kid-Friendly Nail Polish Gift Set for the 4th!

#4 Summer Must Have: Green Toys Recycled Indoor Gardening Kit

This 9-Piece Indoor Gardening Kit is a great way to introduce your young ones to gardening and growing their own food. Everything you need is included, and of course, it is 100 % recycled.  Green Toys’ line of classic toys uses recycled plastic milk containers to make safe, eco-friendly children’s toys that do not contain phthalates or Bispenol-A (BPA), and meet FDA food contact standards.

#5 Summer Must Have: Klean Kanteen 12oz Brushed Stainless Classic Bottle + Kid Kanteen Sippy

This is a healthy and eco-friendly alternative to plastic water bottles-  perfect to take along  for the pool, summer vacations and camp. Klean Kanteen products help to keep your kids well hydrated while on-the-go.  The  12oz Kid Kanteen Sippy is designed like a basic bottle, add an adapter cap and Avent non-spill, easy-sip spout.  All bottles and caps are BPA-free .