[Dialogue] YES! But How?

[Harry Wainwright]

YES! Magazine Spring 2006 Issue:  10 Most Hopeful Trends



YES! But How?

 

Searching for simple and practical ways to live sustainably?


I have heard that using bleached tampons or super-absorbent tampons with
rayon can be harmful to women's health. What is so harmful about these
tampons and do you have an inexpensive solution? Unbleached, all-cotton
tampons are so much more expensive, and I'm also concerned about the effect
of tampons on the environment.

Bleached tampons-the kind you'll find on most drugstore shelves-may expose
users to dioxin, a highly carcinogenic substance that is a by-product of the
chlorine bleaching process. Though most tampon manufacturers insist they
test for the presence of chlorine, bleaching still makes many women nervous.
Also, the more absorbent a tampon is, the higher the percentage of rayon it
contains, since the fiber holds more liquid than cotton.  Rayon, however,
promotes growth of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus which causes Toxic
Shock Syndrome, a potentially deadly disease. Women can lower their risk by
not using "super" tampons. You're right to be concerned about the
environmental impact of tampons, because one woman uses a staggering 10,000
tampons over the course of her reproductive life.

The good news is that there are reusable options that are cost effective and
environmentally friendly. Two of our favorites are menstrual cups and
reusable pads. Menstrual cups are made of natural rubber or silicone and are
worn internally. Users rave about how comfortable they are. At $35 per cup,
the up-front cost may seem high, but contrasted with the ongoing monthly
expense of tampons, the cup is a bargain. They can be ordered online at
<http://www.keeper.com> www.keeper.com or  <http://www.mooncup.co.uk>
www.mooncup.co.uk. For women who prefer an external pad, cotton cloth is a
great alternative. Purchase or make your own. Learn more at
<http://www.gladrags> www.gladrags.com or  <http://www.lunapads.com>
www.lunapads.com.
Meredith Dearborn

>From Lawn to Prairie

I am starting to get restless indoors and want to begin my garden planning.
I have to say, though, that I am getting tired of all that weeding,
watering, and lawn-mowing. But I still want a beautiful garden. Do you have
any magic tricks? Inspire me!

Your question came just at the right time. I am sprouting mung beans on my
windowsill, and it's not just for their great nutritional value. Though my
body sure appreciates the extra vitamins, I believe my soul longs to see
things grow again.

I am with you on the tiring weeding and mowing and watering. To escape the
drudgery, I suggest you get rid of (some of) your lawn, go local, and try
working with, not against, nature this year.

There are different ways to keep open spaces without having a lawn: Wooden
decks are dry spaces to play and gather. Attractive mulched, tiled or
cobblestone paths and mowed paths in fields give access to your garden.
Raised outlooks, steps, or tree houses create varied perspectives. Benches,
tree trunks, large rocks and hammocks provide spaces to rest  If you still
want a lawn, choose the size based on the use you have in mind.

Native prairie grasses like Buffalo grass and Blue Grama grass make
excellent lawn substitutes, and thrive with little water in the Great Plains
and California. In more humid climates, native mosses can take over if you
let them, forming a soft, velvety ground cover.

Less lawn means more space for native flowers, shrubs, and trees-plants that
are by definition strong and well-adapted. Choose plants suited to your
particular climate zone-seven zones spanning 

To learn more, contact native plant organizations in your area. The North
American Native Plants Society has a list of regional associations at
<http://www.nanps.org.> www.nanps.org. Two fine reference books are Carole
Rubin's How to Get Your Lawn off Grass and Ken Druse's The Natural Habitat
Garden.
Lilja Otto

Local vs. Organic

When I can't find food that is both local and organic, which should I
prioritize?

Tempted to snub those regional apples in favor of shiny organic Chilean
ones? Or enjoy organic raspberries in December when local ones aren't
available?

Yes, the organic label means those foods were farmed via environmentally
sustainable methods and are free of genetic engineering, pesticides, and
hormones. But just because your food is labeled "organic" doesn't mean it's
necessarily better than what's available just down the road.

Most often, buying local is not only better for the Earth, but better for
you and your community.

A 2005 report published in the journal Food Policy calculated that buying
foods grown within a 12-mile radius was less environmentally costly than
buying organic, non-local foods. And researchers from the Leopold Center for
Sustainable Agriculture in Iowa found locally and regionally based meals
used four to 17 times less fuel during transport than a meal from the
conventional food system.(Not to mention all the costs of refrigeration and
packaging.)

In an industry dominated by corporate agribusiness, buying local supports
the growing movement toward sustainable food production. Brian Halweil of
the Worldwatch Institute estimates that the typical U.S. wheat farmer
receives only six cents per dollar spent on a loaf of bread. By shortening
the retail chain between you and the grower, you increase the amount of
money he or she receives. Not only does this allow family farmers to
maintain a time-honored tradition, but it protects farmland from
development, boosts your local economy, and ensures food security for your
community.

Local food is generally fresher, so it's tastier and more nutritious-as
anyone who's ever eaten a freshly picked tomato can attest. Produce begins
deteriorating the moment it is picked, as the natural sugars turn to
starches and enzymes destroy nutrients. Eating locally also means using
what's available seasonally, thus reconnecting us with the natural cycles of
the Earth.

For help finding local produce, check out  <http://www.localharvest.com>
www.localharvest.com. And check out
<http://www.farmland.org/market/season.htm>
www.farmland.org/market/season.htm to find what's in season when and recipes
for how to enjoy it!
Elle McPherson

Yoga Mats

I've heard that standard yoga mats aren't environmentally friendly. Do you
have any advice for finding PVC-free alternatives?

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the plastic used in most yoga mats, raises health
and environmental concerns. PVC additives leach out and can buildup in your
body and in the environment. PVC does not degrade, and is extremely
difficult to recycle. When burned it releases dioxin, a toxic substance that
can cause cancer.

Fortunately, there are ecofriendly alternatives, such as natural rubber,
jute, latex, and hemp. EcoYoga ( <http://www.ecoyoga.com> www.ecoyoga.com)
makes a mat with a pure rubber underside and jute fabric/rubber mix on top.
It has no synthetic additives or plastic components and is completely
biodegradable. Try also Jade's Harmony mat ( <http://www.jadeyoga.com>
www.jadeyoga.com)and MinaSai's hemp and rubber mat (
<http://www.minasai.com> www.minasai.com).
Elle McPherson

Send your questions to our YES! But How? researchers: Yes! But How? YES!
Magazine PO Box 10818 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 E-mail:
editors at yesmagazine.org Please include your name, address, and an e-mail
address or telephone number

 

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