Earth Day has come and gone, but we are assured - with perhaps too much confidence - that while the 1980s espoused the view that "greed is good," the 1990s is the decade in which "green is good."
Like it or not, folks, the "environment thing" is here to stay.Therefore, Earth Day can be considered simply a warmup for 10 wonderful years in which we will continually be bombarded with guilt on what we're doing wrong, ecologically speaking, and how we can make amends for our wicked, wicked ways.
One of the best ways those of us not given to throwing ourselves in front of bulldozers or getting arrested on protest marches against the Wall Street Running Dogs can redeem ourselves is to spend our money with those businesses that have vowed to clean up their corporate acts and make the world a better place for fish, fowl, ozone layers and landfills.
It's a big job, but somebody has to do it. Luckily, the Consumer's Guide to Planet Earth has not shrunk from the challenge.
The Guide is a lengthy listing of companies and organizations that offer environmentally oriented products and services, ranging from recycled paper products and solar energy equipment to organic foods and nontoxic household cleaning products.
Everything listed in the guide, we are told, is readily available to any individual or institution wanting to buy products "which do not adversely affect the environment or his or her own personal health."
Here is a sampling of those companies and their products that the guide believes any green-thinking American might want to consider in his or her quest for ecological purity of mind and spirit:
- The Ecology Box says its catalog offers safe, nontoxic products including cleaners, beauty aids, water and air filters, vitamins and supplements, cotton pillows, pet supplies, paints and sealers. It also offers allergy supplies and books on making homes environmentally safe. For a 45-page catalog send $2 to: The Ecology Box, Dept. CGPE, 425 E. Washington, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
- Everybody Ltd. is "Beauty Without the Beast." The company says its catalog offers exceptional quality products, featuring body and skin care, cosmetics, household products and pet care products. All are "cruelty free" (no animals used in testing them) and all formulas are biodegradable. For a free catalog call 1-800-748-5675 or write: Everybody Ltd., Dept. CGPE, 1738 Pearl St., Boulder, CO 80302.
- Life Tree Products, a division of Sierra Dawn Products, says it provides safe, natural and effective household cleaning products. The company's Life Tree brand of products is based on the philosophy that soaps and detergents need not contain toxic or environmentally hazardous ingredients to be effective.
Life Tree cleaning products are offered as alternatives, formulated to provide maximum concentration and working strength without sacrificing personal or environmental safety. No animal testing or ingredients. Available at local health food stores, or call 707/577-0324.
- Granny's Old Fashioned Products, "Yesterday's products for tomorrow's world" is the way this family company describes its wares. Granny's, the company says has been making environmentally responsible household cleaning products and personal care products since 1974. They are said to be unscented and non-animal tested. For a brochure send a stamped business envelope to: Granny's, Dept. CGPE, United States and Canada.
- Allens Naturally markets non-toxic, biodegradable, dye- and perfume-free home care products. Allens Naturally liquid laundry detergent, claims the company,, is so concentrated that only one ounce is needed per load. "That's 75 percent less than leading brands, thereby reducing non-biodegradable packing waste by 75 percent," said an Allens spokesman. For more information write to: Allens Naturally, P.O. Box 514, Dept. W, Farmington, MI 48332-0514.
- Livos Plantchemistry offers what it says are nontoxic paints, stains, wood preservatives, furniture polishes and waxes. Livos also has nontoxic leather seal, shoe polishes, household cleaners and children's art materials.
Livos says its products have pleasant fragrances from natural resins and oils, for no headaches and low allergic reactions. For a free catalog write: Livos Plantchemistry, 1365 Rufina Circle, Suite RS90, Santa Fe, NM 87501, or call 505/438/3448.
- Vita-Mix Corp. Your vacuum cleaner recycles harmful pollutants back into your home, claims Vita-Mix, whereas "The powerful Vita-Vac vacuum cleaner permanently traps dust, bacteria, smoke, pollen, dust mites and other irritants and gets your home really clean."
For information about Vita-Vac and the company's line of health products call or write: Vita-Mix, Dept. ED90, 8615 Usher Road, Cleveland, OH 44138; 1-800-848-2649.
- Porcher Inc. VENETO, Porcher claims, is "an ultra-water saving toilet that uses only 1.6 gallons of water per flush." The company says its gravity flush mechanism is quiet and meets the new ANSI standards for cleansing efficiency in a precisely calculated rinsing pattern. "Best of all, the elegance of VENETO's engineering is equaled by the beauty of its one piece, low-profile design."
- For more information about VENETO and Porcher's other bathroom and kitchen fixtures, call 1-800-338-1756.
- Artventure said its mail-order catalog features "beautiful, hard-to-find clothing and accessories for creative, down-to-earth folks. Express your individuality by wearing colorful, natural fiber shirts, pants, shorts, scarves, jewelry and bags from Indonesia, India and the United States."
Artventure says all orders are wrapped in unbleached tissue (no plastic) and shipped in biodegradable, hand-decorated boxes. Send $1 for color catalog (it's printed on recycled paper) to: Artventure, Dept. CGPE, 2547 8th St. No. 18B, Berkeley, CA 94710 or call 415/548-3030.