FAQ's

Here are some frequently asked questions about the benefits of choosing products that are natural, recycled and organic!

Can my choice of Household Cleaners make a difference in the environment?
Yes! If every household in the U.S. replaced just one bottle of 32 oz. solvent-based carpet spot cleaner with Seventh Generation 32 oz. hydrogen peroxide-based product, we could prevent over 11 million pounds of petroleum based solvents and glycol ethers from entering our environment! #

How many Stonyfield Farm yogurt cups does it take to make one Preserve toothbrush handle?
It takes about 3 8oz. Stonyfield Farm Yogurt Cups!

How does Organic benefit the soil?
Widely used in conventional agriculture, chemical fertilizers are prohibited by organic standards. The absence of chemical fertilizers benefits the soil because, though they provide plant nutrients, chemical fertilizers do not help soil absorb water, retain water, or improve structure. In fact, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, one-third of our country's topsoil has eroded due to current agricultural practices. Organic farming relies instead on cutting-edge methods that work with nature, instead of against it.

What's in the Household Cleaners I'm Using?
It's hard to say. While cleaners are the only household products regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission under the Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act, they're still not required to reveal their ingredients. These ingredients are considered "trade secrets" and, as such, government regulations are designed to protect this proprietary information. #

What does Organic have to do with Pesticides?
Every year, 5 to 6 billion pounds of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, and other synthetic chemicals are applied throughout the world. Since organic standards prohibit the use of toxic and persistent pesticides, buying organic products is a way to show support for an environment with less pesticides.

Do we generate more, or less waste each year in the United States?
More! A total of 409,029,000 tons of municipal solid waste was generated in the United States in 2000, a 7% increase from 1999. *

Am I noticing an increase in Organic products in my store?
Most likely yes! Organic products had growth rates of at least 20% annually throughout the 1990's. As they become more and more popular, they will continue to become more prevalent in your food store!

Can my choice of recycled vs. non-recycled paper products in my household really make a difference?
Yes! If every household in the U.S. replaced just one 12-pack of 400 sheet virgin fiber bathroom tissues with 100% recycled ones, we could reduce the demand for virgin fiber by the equivalent of 4.5 million trees; and save 11 million cubic feet of landfill space, equal to over 17,000 full garbage trucks; 1.6 billion gallons of water, a year's supply for over 12,000 households; and avoid the release of 275,000 pounds of toxic chemicals in the water . #

What States Generate the most waste? *
1. California (66.1 millions tons)
2. Texas (44.8)
3. New York (31.1)
4. Florida (24.8)

Which States Recycle the Most? *
1. Delaware (59% of Municipal Solid Waste)
2. Arkansas (45%)
3. Minnesota, New York and California (42%)
4. Maine (40%).

Should I be conscious of chlorine in my household products?
Breathing in the fumes of cleaners containing a high concentration of chlorine can irritate the lungs. This is particularly dangerous for people suffering from heart conditions or chronic respiratory problems such as asthma or emphysema. And the risks are compounded when the cleaners are used in small, poorly ventilated rooms, such as the bathroom. Chlorine is also a highly corrosive substance, capable of damaging skin, eyes, and other membranes. Chlorine was listed as a hazardous air pollutant in the 1990 Clean Air Act, and exposure to chlorine in the workplace is regulated by federal standards. #

* Stats provided by Recycline
# Stats provided by Seventh Generation