What is Sustainable Packaging?

Sustainable Packaging 101 - from an interview with John Delfausse, the vice president of package design at The Estee Lauder Companies...

Definition: Packaging that uses the maximum amount of renewable and recycled materials, but is also sourced, manufactured and transported using renewable energy. (Source: the Sustainable Packaging Coalition)

Materials: There are a range of materials available, including bio-plastics, recycled materials and recyclable packaging. But be careful to not sacrifice performance or add excessive costs, he said.

Challenges: Retaining a "quality" feel - especially for luxury brands - for which a possible solution is to divide packaging into parts that can be separated and sorted for recycling. Also, what about exotic materials that are hard to get?

On Top of It: By being creative and experimenting with different ideas, he noted that brands can come up with innovative solutions - using the Aveda take-back initiative as an example of a successful program.

Curious about sustainable packaging initiatives? See Environmental Leader's article.

LeadStick Bill Shut Down by Cali Congress

The proposal that cosmetics companies prove that their products contain less than an "unavoidable trace of lead" was rejected by the California Assembly Committee on Health, reports Cosmetics Design.

The Personal Care Products Council called it "a ban on lipstick products with no scientific basis" and did indeed win the day when Attorney General Edmund Brown concluded that the Maximum Allowable Dose Level would have to be 5 ppm in lipstick, whereas the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found levels of 0.65 - well below the acceptable level.

Well, if at first you don't succeed...

More Language 'Of the Green,' Plus Comments

A few from the LOHAS green glossary that should not be overlooked:

100-mile diet: The purchase and consumption of food that has been grown, produced or manufactured within a 100-mile radius of where you live. Studies show goods shipped across the country, on the other hand, involve significant amounts of fuel.

Ana Says: It's not just expensive fuel, it's less trucks. Remember your last road trip and how you cursed those belching, enormous, highway-hogging trucks?

Biomimicry: A new design strategy that seeks to observe nature and emulate its best ideas, especially when it comes to waste reduction and limiting environmental impact.

Ana Says: Nature, not mother, knows best.

Community-supported agriculture (CSA): A community of individuals who pledge to support a local farm's operations in exchange for weekly deliveries of seasonal produce. Members usually pay for an entire season upfront, or in monthly or weekly installments.

Ana Says: My sister does this, in DC. Oh, the pie we ate, when rhubarb was in season...

Cradle to cradle: A phrase brought into the mainstream by William McDonough and Michael Braungart in their book "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things" (North Point Press, 2002); refers to manufacturing processes that are efficient and practically waste-free.

Ana Says: Check out McDonough's life-changing lecture on Ted.com.

Guerilla gardening: The practice of cultivating plants and foliage on someone else's land, usually without permission.

Ana Says: It's squatting - for the good of the earth!

Hybrid car: A car that uses two forms of power — an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.

Ana Says: Yes, like they used to just have down in Silicon Valley, and now everywhere. Hybrids are just. plain. sensible. (Like flats used to be.)

Triple bottom line: A corporate framework and measurement of performance that recognizes the interdependence of economy, ecology and equity.

Ana Says: Presidio MBA, all-the-way.†

Upcycled: Refers to waste materials that are recycled into something of greater value or use.

Ana Says: Can I upcycle my husband?

Inspiring Woman: Joanna Yarrow

Joanna Yarrow is an eco-entrepreneur, TV presenter, green-lifestyle specialist and also the founder of sustainability company Beyond Green. We've mentioned her briefly before, because she wrote a book on how to be more green.

She lives in a lovely Victorian house in north London with her family, dog - and lots of worms. She admits her biggest hobby is composting, hence the many worms she lives with.

She made the point that it use to be difficult to buy nice things with a good eco-philosophy. However, she has shown that there are now better alternatives. People are able to purchase cushions made of organic alpaca, they can recycle and reuse objects in the house, and they can do it all with good credentials and feel genuinely good about it.

She says that, "Small adaptations to your lifestyle can make such a huge difference." She set up a service to assist people with a green agenda, providing audits, guidance and suppliers' contacts. The service "Bespoke Green"www.beyondgreen.co.uk

Green Glossary

I know I'm not the only one out there who isn't fully aware of all the words used in a very 'green' conversation. I try to to keep up with the events, but sometimes the green vocabulary will have me lost. I've found that The Green Glossary, provided by Life Goggles, is really helpful. It may sound silly, but it is an easy go to source to get environmental terms explained.

For example, how many of you know what blackwater is? I personally thought it was mud, but according to The Green Glossary, its the waste water generated by toilets.

There are many more terms with layman terms explanations. If you can find it you can ask for an explanation and if you know a word and don't see it you can add to their list.

Did You Know? Reading Grows Trees

Eco-Libris makes reading fun again by offering everyone the opportunity to plant one tree for every book they read.

Attempting to alleviate the publishing industry's need to cut down trees for their paper supply, this website offers a solution. It suggests that "Every book you read was once a tree. Now you can plant a tree for every book you read."

"About 20 million trees are cut down annually for virgin paper used for the production of books sold in the U.S. alone. That’s definitely a problem - trees are one of the most valuable natural resources we have. They literally form the foundations of many natural systems and provide us with numerous benefits (carbon dioxide absorption, soil and water conservation, avalanche control, desertification prevention to name a few)."

The organization allows every individual to chose how many trees they want to donate and Eco-Libris plants them globally in developing countries where their presence will be beneficial to both the local communities and the environment.

Every tree costs only one dollar balance out the books that you read. And for every dollar, you will receive a sticker to place on your books...for bragging rights of course. As well as to encourage and motivate your friends to do the same.

Bookworms unite and make a difference!

Cult Beauty says to Get Naked

Jessia Gearhart and Elspeth Waters of Cult Beauty are telling us to Get Naked. Their article informs us on what to look for in a product and what to avoid.

BADDIES
Parabens/Petrochemicals: Preservatives, moisturisers that mimic oestrogen. Have been found in breast tumours.

Formaldehyde: Carcinogen released by some preservatives used in cosmetics.

Phthalates: Synthetic chemicals (DEP, DEHP, DBP), linked to reproductive damage.Aluminium salts: In antiperspirant deodorants, linked to breast cancer.

Sulfates (SLS/SLES): Synthetic chemical surfactants that make gels foam. Mimic oestrogen once absorbed by skin.Lead: Metal used in makeup (especially lipstick). Linked with cancer and neurological damage, particularly in unborn babies.

Talc: Chemically similar to Asbestos. Linked to ovarian cancer

GOODIES
Zinc Oxide: Natural SPF. Protects your skin without the irritation, potential harm caused by chemical SPFs

DMAE (Dimethylaminoethnol): Natural substance with anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing properties.

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA): Powerful anti-ageing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory component.

Hyaluronic Acid: Moisturises by retaining water, smoothing wrinkles.Astaxanthin: Natural carotenoid pigment and powerful biological antioxidant. Prevents cell damage.

Retinol: Alcohol form of Vitamin A (anti-ageing vitamin). Use with SPF to stop hyper-pigmentation.

Tocopherols: Derived from Vitamin E. Moisturiser, preservative and scar treatment.

An interesting fact: "Most women absorb around 2kg of chemicals through cosmetic products every year," says Charlotte Vohtz, pharmacologist and founder of Green People.

Trees For Marriage, Divorce and Shiny New Cars?

The Brazilian Câmara dos Deputados is discussing a bill which will make planting trees mandatory as a means of paying fees for certain legal proceedings. Which ones? Getting married, getting a divorce, buying a new car or trading estate.

The bill establishes that couples to be married would have to plant 10 tree seedlings in order to carry on with the wedding, while those who want to get divorced would have to plant 25 new trees. For the car buyers, the 'fee' for a new car would be 20 trees, the 'cost' of a middle-size car would be 40, and 60 for heavy vehicles. Construction companies would have to plant 10 trees for every new home and 20 for every new commercial unit they build.

Why divorce? "When people separate, families are divided and that results in an increase of the number of residences, which leads to a higher space occupation and consume of energy and water," explained Mannato, Brazilian deputy, to O Globo.

According to estimations published by the newspaper, if the law is approved, the construction and automobile sectors would plant at least 65 million trees a year.

The project has been approved by two of the five first commissions it has to go through and can be followed via the Congress website.

Obrigada. That's not a bad idea.

Green Event Planning

It's officially summer and with summer comes the endless parties. Perhaps you're having a few parties of your own and well would rather have someone else do all the work while you relax. Sound unbelievable?

Well it might be, but check out Green Events, they offer help with eco-friendly party favors, organic beverages, sustainable decor, green transportation, green venue recommendations and more.

You'll be able to throw the est parties of the summer and not feel guilty about them at all.

McCain Calls For Federal Environmental Efforts

This week at the environmental briefing at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History in Santa Barbara, Calif., Tuesday, June 24, 2008, John McCain, Arnold Schwarzenegger and others met to discuss the environmental issues of this year's upcoming campaign.

McCain publicly declared that the federal government should practice the energy efficiency he preaches, pledging as president to switch official vehicles to green technologies and do the same for office buildings.

Furthermore, this Monday, Republican presidential nominee John McCain proposed a $300 million prize to develop a car battery that will "leapfrog" today's plug-in hybrids.

His car battery prize is meant to spur creativity among automakers to make energy-efficient products.

"This is one dollar for every man, woman, and child in the U.S.--a small price to pay for helping to break the back of our oil dependency--and should deliver a power source at 30 percent of the current costs," he said.

It's comforting to know that both the Democratic and Republican political parties have joined the environmental campaign.

VIV Magazine

Have you been searching for advice or maybe even looking for some inspiration or motivation? If so, start reading VIV Magazine. VIVmag is the first all-digital magazine. VIVmag claims to deliver reliable, accurate service journalism in beauty, style, travel, wellness, healthy eating, fitness and awareness.

Kristina Ferrante Coleman is the Fashion & Beauty Director. She attended New York University, Gallatin School, and received her B.A. in literature along with a minor in business management.

Karen Marsala is the Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor. She was a former freelance stylist and fashion and accessories editor for Jane, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire and W. She attended Syracuse University, School of Visual and Performing Arts and received her B.A. in speech communication.

These two women are inspiring to us here at Edelbio, because of their desire to empower women with courage and elegance.