Let’s face it: who the heck knows what methylisothiazolinone is?

It’s easy to find out if you have the Seventh Generation Label Reading Guide iPhone app. With an alphabetical index, it’s supereasy to find the ingredient you’re looking for, then discover different things about it like: What is it? What is it used for? How does it affect you? Or search for a specific term. You can also submit a product name if you can’t find it in the database, so it will be added.

And by the way, methylisothiazolinone is a synthetic preservative “typically used in detergents and hand dish soap … used to prevent microbial growth … corrosive to skin and also a skin sensitizer. Toxic to aquatic organisms….”

Available at the iTunes store.

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Green & Black’s organic chocolate goes Fair Trade and I, for one (crazy chocolate lover that I am), couldn’t be happier! The line will be converted starting this year, and Fair Trade labels will begin popping up early in 2011, with full conversion expected by the end of 2011.

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Want to do everything you can to save the planet? Check out a new environmentally friendly search engine named Ecosia. Each person who uses the search engine earns the company money from sponsored clicks. At least 80% of the money goes to a rain-forest protection project run by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Every new Ecosia user saves about 2,000m² (2,392yd²) each year; each search saves 1.95 m². Loving those stats! It’s easy to install and works just like any other search engine.

Check it out at: www.ecosia.org

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Put your best foot forward on some eco-friendly floors this year. Here are a few of our faves!

1.  Torlys Recycled Leather Planks

Sleek, elegant and eco-friendly: these leather tiles are available in a variety of colours and textures. Available in tile or plank format, the rich flooring is made of 100% recycled leather with cork backing and is completely VOC free!

Price: $11 per plank Available at: www.torlys.com

2. Recycled Metal Tiles

And now for something completely different: These recycled metal tiles are often used for bathroom and kitchen walls, but also make for a chic surprising new floor accent. Tile sizes range from 2×2 to 12×12 and are available in either 100% recycled aluminum or brass. Colour accent tiles are also available, a great way to add an unexpected and eco-friendly element to home.

Price: $35 US  per sq. ft. (aluminum); $70 US per sq. ft (brass) Available at: www.ecofriendlyflooring.com

3. Olde Wood Limited Reclaimed Wooden Planks

Add centuries of history to your home with reclaimed antique hardwood. Available in wide-plank oak, hickory, maple, pine and more, the wood was salvaged from old American barns dating back to the 19th century, and has a beautiful weathered look. Visit their warehouse to custom-choose planks with markings like saw marks and insect and nail holes.

Price: From $7 US per plank Available at: www.oldewoodltd.com

Plastic bags, out. Reusable totes, in.

Old news by now, right? Well, here’s what’s new: Trendy, earth-friendly totes for the stylish socially responsible shopper to storm the market in style. Below are just a few faves from Australian-based Envirosax, offering a proverbial grab bag of totes in various styles, fabrics and prints.

Graphic Selection

Size: 19.5” x 16.5” (unrolled), 4” x 1.5” (rolled)

Price: $9.50

Available at: www.envirosax.ca

Say goodbye to the clunky jugs and embrace something far greener: Method’s powerful, eco-friendly laundry detergent. Having landed in Canadian stores just this week (Shopper’s Drug Mart, Loblaws and Canadian Tire among many more), Method laundry detergent is well worth foaming over.

The Science-y Stuff

Method’s unique ‘smartclean technology’ turns detergent molecules inside-out, leaving surfacants (or cleaning agents) exposed, using less water in the detergent, but working harder to get rid of stains.

The Highlights

• it’s hypo-allergenic and biodegradable, made with 95% natural and renewable ingredients

• it’s 8x concentrated, requiring only ¼ the dose of leading national brands

• the patented bottle and pump system doesn’t allow you to “overdose” on detergent

• the packaging is sleek and easy to store, not to mention environmentally responsible (recyclable and made from 50% post-consumer recycled plastic)

Price: $17/600 mL bottle, $9/300 mL bottle

Available at: (in stores) Shopper’s Drug Mart, Loblaws and Canadian Tire among many more (online) www.methodlaundry.com

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN

Method is offering an eco giveaway pack for one lucky reader! Want to win? Comment below and tell us how you plan to ‘go green’ this year.

Contest closes Jan. 31, 2010 at 12 a.m. EST. Open to all residents of Canada, except those in Quebec. Not open to any Transcontinental Media employees, their families, or any other persons with whom they reside.

Presenting some exciting products for your wall-to-wall eco overhaul!

CLD Pure Wallpaper

CLD PURE wallpaper (Carey Lind Designs, Crown Wallpaper) covers your walls with natural, non-PVC product. These stunning, subtle solids and loud patterns are printed using low-VOC water-based inks so you can breathe easy in your own home.

Price: $80–$100 per roll Available at: www.crownwallpaper.ca

Bamboo Wall Flat by Inhabit Living

For a touch of texture, try these bamboo wall flats by Inhabit Living. Made from 100% bamboo pulp with no chemical additives, these tiles are a wonderful way to make your walls pop! They’re also 100% biodegradable. Customize your look with placement (you can rotate, mix and match the tiles) or paint colour (eco-friendly paint, of course).

Price: $86US per box of 10 panels (each panel 18” x 18”) Available at: www.re-modern.com

Milk Paints by Homestead House

Toronto-based Homestead House is all about natural products and cultural heritage – we like! Great for indoor or outdoor use, these milk-based paints are made with natural ingredients and pigments boasting Canadiana names like Voyageur Red and Rideau Blue. They’re 100% biodegradable, durable, and only take about a ½-hour to dry! (We really like!)

Price: $37.00/1 lb Available at: http://homesteadhouse.ca

Five fabulous green gift ideas for kids.

Mobiles by Petit Collage
Both peaceful and playful, these mobiles make an artistic, organic addition to a kid’s room. Made with sustainably harvested bamboo plywood, the retro animal motifs are super ‘70s and super cute!

Price: $75
Available at: www.saplings.ca 

 

 

Stylish Organic Cotton Bedding
I wish I could find these eco-chic sheets in grown-up sizes. They’re made in B.C. with sustainable, fair trade cotton harvested in the USA and India. The bright colours and funky patterns are created with low-impact dyes and inks, so little sleepers are not only snug and stylish, but safe from harmful chemicals, too. Wahoo!

Price: Blanket, $49-$175
Duvet Cover,  $114-$225
Available at: www.snugasabug-organic.com

 

 

 

Building Blocks
Aspiring architects and budding builders will delight in this 50-piece set of blocks, while parents will appreciate that they’re educational and eco-friendly. The blocks are made from 100% recycled and locally sourced maple that’s free of dangerous materials, so you won’t mind if some blocks end up in the young ones’ mouths… and, well, don’t they always?

Price: $55
Available at: www.grassrootsstore.com

Aren’t these wall decals supersweet? And the best thing about them is, they’re made from fabric!

Most wall decals are vinyl or PVC, which is anything but eco-friendly, so these are a great choice if you’re into being green. Since they’re made from fabric, they’re washable, plus, if you stick them up in one spot and change your mind, don’t worry – you can move them around.

They come in all sorts of themes – the ones above are Forest Critters for Boys ($75), but there are more below. They’re made by a company in Australia whose motto is Charmed, I’m Sure, and I certainly am!

Available at: www.saplings.ca

Dinosaurs, $75

Oh Dear, $75

Winter Dress Up Dolls, $45

Twitter Birds for Girls, $45

Build a Tree, $105

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Whoever would have thought they would make a flashlight out of wood! And not only is it made out of beech wood, it has an LED light, too.

It would make an awesome present! Battery-operated. – Guest poster Shelby Webster

Price: approx. $53

Available at: www.anthropologie.com

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