Green Living: Eco Action Plan

Take steps towards developing your individual eco action plan with these environmental tips.

BY Michelle Collins

Living a GREEN LIFESTYLE - Environmental Tips
When your mom is Elizabeth May, leader of the federal Green party, living green is more than a lifestyle—it’s a state of mind. 16-year-old, Victoria Cate May Burton already has plenty of environmental tips to share.
“It’s just a whole lot of little things,” May Burton says. “The worst thing you can do is think that just one piece of paper isn’t going to make a difference, or one little drive to the corner isn’t—because little things really add up.”
May Burton says it’s all about having the right attitude. When it comes to thinking green her mom is her biggest role model.
Among the tips Elizabeth May shares with her daughter and other young women, are to pay close attention to the chemicals in cosmetics, reduce your green house gas emissions, and think about your diet and consumption habits.
“Start the process of thinking about taking bite-sized chunks,” May advises. “I like thinking about ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ in that order.”

REDUCING your FOOTPRINT
David Suzuki advises to “vote with your dollars” and buy fuel-efficient, hybrid cars from companies that practice good environmental management. May Burton suggests young people can carpool, take the bus, walk and bicycle whenever possible.
As product buyer for the Grassroots store in Toronto, it’s Amanda Montgomery’s job to know Earth friendly businesses inside and out, and here are some tips she shared with Vervegirl:

• Unplug it! Computers, hairdryers and other electronics consume “latent energy” even when they’re turned off
• Sign up for solar or wind energy to power your home through the existing grid, like bullfrogpowered, a 100 % green electricity retailer in Toronto
• Use rechargeable batteries and electronics. Grassroots even sells solar-powered chargers for your iPod, Blackberry and cell phone

Cut TOXIC CHEMICALS out of your DAILY ROUTINE
Common ingredients include chemicals derived from petroleum and coal tar, such as Parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, and fragrances.  The usage of some of these in everyday products has even been linked to cancer and health problems.
Tashodi, a line of natural bath and body products will be featured at Toronto’s Green Living Show in April.  It was launched by Natacha Rey one year ago.
“I think it’s very important to think about the life of the product you’re purchasing,” Rey says. She uses natural and fair trade certified ingredients in her products and packaging. Labels are made with 100 per cent recycled flower paper, and the containers are recyclable glass and tin, or made of certified biodegradable cellophane.
For the sake of the environment and your skin, Global News makeup artist Dana Joon recommends using mineral-based makeup. The natural, chemical-free makeup not only looks better, but Joon says it’s also an anti-inflammatory and doesn’t upset sensitive skin.
“I inhale a lot of stuff and I have asthma now. I didn’t have asthma when I started off in the make up business,” says Joon, explaining why she no longer uses makeup made with chemicals.
Cleaning products are another common source of harmful chemicals. Six years ago, Emmanuel Rey started the EnviroMaid cleaning company using toxic-free chemicals. The natural ingredients in the detergents, all-purpose cleaners and cream cleansers include the natural disinfectant thyme, tea-tree oil, and sodium-bicarbonate (otherwise known as baking soda). And to cut back on waste, Rey suggests using washable microfibre mops and cloths.

Buy Local, buy Organic, and get into Pre-Loved clothing!
One of the biggest ways to make an impact is to buy locally as much and wherever possible. When it comes to food, Canada’s Food Inspection
Agency regulates “local” as food that has traveled no more than 50 km from where it was grown or processed. Most of the time this helps to reduce the carbon emissions created by transporting product from over-seas, and usually means you’re purchasing product that made using fair and humane labour practices. However, there is evidence to suggest that locally grown food can leave a bigger carbon footprint and as, head of the Local Food Plus organization, Lori Stahlbrand stated in a recent
interview with Maclean’s magazine; “[the term] local does not recognize issues of sustainability, animal welfare, labour practices and energy use.”
May Burton is a vegetarian who chooses to buy organic fruit and vegetables that are free of artificial toxins. She recommends carnivores choose meat and fish that are fed organic foods and raised using sustainable practices..
For clothing, Montgomery suggests buying organic cotton or clothing made from bamboo.
“Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on earth. It grows
easily and doesn’t need heavy pesticides, and it’s not genetically modified,” Montgomery says.
Organic clothing designers are cropping up all the time, such as Padmani and Precocious in Toronto and Lilikoi in Nelson, B.C., which means you don’t have to sacrifice style.
Even California-based company Simple is set to launch Green Toes skate shoes made from sustainable materials like natural rubber soles and old car tires.
May and her daughter also suggest buying second-hand clothing to cut back on consumption and waste.
“I actually really enjoy it, I find it kind of a fun challenge as opposed to being in a mall where you go through everything that’s the same,” May Burton says. “It’s almost like you’re treasure hunting.”