Why Go Green ?

At EcoStylish we have taken great care to put together a collection of stylish and eco-friendly products for moms and babies to enjoy !  We believe that there is no need to loose your sense of fashion and style in order to be eco-friendly!

What is an Eco-Friendly or Socially Conscious Product? 

As a consumer, it is sometimes hard to know what products leave the least impact on the earth.  Our definition of an eco-friendly product is anything that is honestly better for our bodies and that helps us to live more lightly on the earth than we would if we purchased traditional products from conventional retailers.  

Green products have certain qualities that make then environmentally friendly:

*Specifically designed for low or no toxicity

*Made from a renewable resource or from recycled materials

*energy efficiency in the product and/or in the manufacturing process

*recycled packaging

*fair trade/fair wage

*organic

*made without child labour

Some things can meet multiple criteria, others just one.  In the end, it's about making choices that leave the least possible footprint.  We believe that our children have a right to enjoy the planet as much as we have.  We choose ethical and eco-friendly products in order to protect that right. n>

Green Glossary:

* Carbon Footprint:  the impact of human activity on the planet, measured in terms of carbon dioxide produced. Even babies can have large carbon footprints, so be sure to teach your children about the effects of their everyday actions.

* Recycled: New products made from old materials. Buying recycled products or upcycling your own stuff (finding new ways to use your old stuff) means reducing the number of items that get sent to the landfill and reducing the energy and resources used to create “new” products.

* Sustainable: Using resources to meet present needs without compromising the needs of future generations. This is the most comprehensive environmental term, whose basic concept refers to taking care of the planet and its resources, so our future generations can enjoy it too.

* Biodegradable: A product that can be broken down to its natural elements, creating no waste. It’s the eco-conscious choice for disposable baby products like wipes and diapers.

* Fair Trade: Made by people who work in proper conditions and receive a fair living wage for their labor. No sweatshops.

* Compostable: A product that can be broken down at the same rate as paper and can support plant life. Compostable products are usually made of materials like corn or potato.

* Toxins: Poisonous substances harmful to the human body and the ecosystem. Toxins can be found in products ranging from baby food and toys, to lotions and creams. They can inhibit the development of your baby's immune, nervous and hornonal systems. 

* VOCs (Volatile Organic Compunds):  Solvents that can easily evaporate into the air. Found in most conventional household cleaning products and non-eco personal care products. VOCs can irritate your baby's eyes, nose, throat and skin. Make sure to always choose Low VOC or No VOC when painting your nursery or buying baby's furniture.

* Organic Cotton:  It's cotton grown without the use of harmful chemicals, pesticides or genetically modified organisms. It helps to build biologically diverse agricultural systems, replenish and maintain soil fertility, and promote a healthy environment. Organic cottons are great for the people who wear them, the farmers who work with them, and the earth!

* Phthalates:  Additives used to make plastic flexible, smooth and make scents last. Usually found in skincare products including many baby products; phthalates can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and affect your reproductive system.

* BPA or Bisphenol A:  A chemical building block found in hard plastic bottles (like baby bottles). This chemical, which can be released when heated, disrupts hormones in your body.

* PVC: A strong plastic that you probably know as "vinyl". Commonly found in toys like rubber duckies, PVC is carcinogenic and poses serious threats to the people who work in vinyl chloride factories and to the environment during its lifecycle.

*FSC:  is an acronym that stands for Forest Stewardship Council - a nonprofit organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world's forests. FSC sets high standards that ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable manner.