Adding a new link over to the right there…under our ‘Other Blogs We Find Interesting’ section:
I love our crockpot and I am enjoying reading her blog and making notes for future cooking!
YUM!
Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco-Friendly Spa Products
Gentle on your body…
Gentle on the earth…
I LOVE coffee….hot, iced or blended it just doesn’t matter to me..as long as I get my caffeine fix! But I admit….I drink wayyyy to much.
I AM, however, trying to broaden my horizon (and taste buds not to mention improve my health!) by drinking more tea.
I LOVE the concept of tea and I LOVE the packaging of tea and so far my favorite type of tea is ‘white’. White tea is full of antioxidants promoting good health and to me it has a lighter, less herbal flavor.
I was recently introduced to Golden Moon Tea and received a couple of sample packets that I have not yet had the chance to try. You can bet though that I have bookmarked their site for further purchases!
I LOVE their packaging (and their logo is the coolest!), not to mention all the different varieties of tea to choose from. Their tea descriptions make you thirsty just reading them!
I don’t have a tea mug but instead use the plain old tea-spoon. I’m thinking just how cool it would be to have an actual tea mug that simmers the tea right in the cup (and am putting this on my wish list this very moment).
If you are a tea lover visit and bookmark Golden Moon Tea for your next tea purchase. Tell them you found them via our blog!
Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco-Friendly Spa Products
Gentle on your body…
Gentle on the earth…
I love this soap….
It has a very wholesome scent that screams, yells, says handmade perfection!
Our Oatmeal Milk & Honey soap is now back in stock.
Well……
Actually…..
It has been back in stock for a while…
I just forgot to update the website (oops!)
Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco-Friendly Spa Products
Gentle on your body…
Gentle on the earth…
Here is an interesting ‘read’ regarding eco-packaging!
By JoAnn R. Hines
It’s hard to separate fact from fiction about what is considered truly “sustainable” packaging. Every company has a different take on what they deem to be the solution. Some are just spin while others have real substance.
Green, sustainable, biodegradable, recyclable, compostable, renewable and so on. The list is endless and new terms surface every day. Bio-resins bio-plastics, eco-friendly—you name it. But whatever the term may be, it needs to be relevant packaging to YOUR customer.
Common Green Phrases in the Spotlight
• Save the Environment
• Global Warming
• Carbon Footprint
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
My own personal favorite describing some of this is “Packaging Greenwash.” Now, I don’t claim to have coined this phraseology, but I do write about it A LOT.
**Click HERE to read the rest of this article**
~~~
Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco-Friendly Spa Products
Gentle on your body…
Gentle on the earth…
Ah, stuff. We need it, we want it, we love it. Until we hate it, get bored with it, or wear it out. Sure, some of it winds up in the green bin or goes to Goodwill. But chances are, you’re sending a lot of things that have a shot at a second life to spend their final days in a landfill. Here are some of the treasures and trash we toss–and the websites ready to snatch them up.
CDs, DVDs
Why: Trashed discs don’t decompose, really–ever.
How: Go to cdrecyclingcenter.com (you pay for shipping); it accepts the disc and all its packaging, including sleeves, jewel cases, DVD cases, and paper.
Perks: KOs toxic chemicals
Cell phones, PDAs, and phone accessories
Why: They can be traded in for cash or overhauled and given to survivors of domestic violence.
How: For cash, go to greenphone.com; to help out, go to gooddeedfoundation.org (both offer free S&H).
Perks: offers cash back, helps those in need, free shipping, KOs toxic chemicals
Computers
Why: They’re loaded with hazardous chemicals like lead and mercury, and about 133,000 of them are tossed every day.
How: Go to myboneyard.com to junk computers or monitors.
Perks: offers cash back, free shipping, KOs toxic chemicals
General electronics
Why: Americans toss 2 million tons of e-gear annually, releasing toxins into the air and water. Trashing electronics can send metals like gold and silver to landfills, necessitating more mining.
How: Costco members can recycle computers, camcorders, digital cameras, printers, faxes, game systems, monitors, and PDAs for a Costco Cash Card (go to costco.com and click on “electronics”). Office Depot stores take most of the above, plus VCRs, DVD players, TVs, and peripherals, for a fee ($5 to $15, depending on the amount; officedepot.com/techrecycling). Sony provides free drop-off locations for many of its products (sony.com/recycle).
Perks: offers cash back, KOs toxic chemicals
iPods
Why: Most components of MP3 players don’t decompose.
How: If you’re not keen on pawning your iPod on Craigslist or it has finally died, return it to an Apple store and get 10 percent off your upgrade. Or ship it for free via snail mail (get the address at apple.com/environment/recycling/ipodrecycling).
Perks: offers cash back, free shipping
Printer cartridges
Why: You can get cash for your empties, and recycling one laserjet cartridge saves three quarts of oil.
How: Go to tonerbuyer.com (free S&H), or go to hp.com to unload HP inkjet or laser-jet cartridges (they don’t offer you cash back, but shipping is free).
Perks: offers cash back, free shipping, KOs toxic chemicals
Printers, peripherals, software, and computers
Why: Charities, schools, and public agencies can use them.
How: Find an organization through cristina.org; they’ll typically come and pick up your stuff.
Perks: free pickup, helps those in need, KOs toxic chemicals
Rechargeable batteries and cell phones
Why: Toxins from these items can leach into the waste stream.
How: Toss lithium ions into bins at Target, Best Buy, and other retailers (full list at rbrc.org). The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation also refurbishes and sells phones to benefit charities.
Perks: helps those in need, KOs toxic chemicals
Regular batteries
Why: Americans use 3 billion per year, creating 100,000 tons of waste annually.
How: Batteryrecycling.com will take them off your hands for a fee (weight x $0.85 + S&H).
Perks: KOs toxic chemicals
Business attire
Why: Low-income women receive interview- and career-worthy ensembles.
How: Find drop-off locations or mailing addresses at dressforsuccess.org (you pay S&H).
Perks: helps those in need
Formalwear and accessories
Why: Disadvantaged girls in the Chicago area can be Cinderella for prom night.
How: The Glass Slipper Project takes dresses, shoes, evening bags, jewelry, and unused makeup. Go to glassslipperproject.org (you pay S&H).
Perks: helps those in need
Polartec fleece and base layers
Why: Worn-out threads become brand-new duds.
How: Patagonia will take your threadbare items. Drop them off at a retail store or mail them (you pay S&H). Get more info at patagonia.com.
Sneakers
Why: Your cruddy kicks are converted into athletic and playground surfaces.
How: Find drop-off stations or a mail-in address at letmeplay.com/reuseashoe (you pay S&H).
Perks: helps those in need
Books
Why: You can help stock libraries and schools worldwide with textbooks, dictionaries, and children’s books.
How: Go to intlbookproject.org for info.
Perks: helps those in need
Carpets
Why: About 3.5 billion pounds of carpeting gets dumped each year, but you can give it a second life as roofing shingles or railroad ties.
How: Find a local reclamation center at carpetrecovery.org.
Perks: KOs toxic chemicals
Home, office, and outdoor furniture, appliances, and supplies
Why: They get new lives at needy schools and nonprofits.
How: Go to excessaccess.com ($5 annually).
Perks: helps those in need
Lightbulbs
Why: Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) contain mercury–one bulb’s worth can pollute 6,000 gallons of water.
How: Order a recycling kit at lightbulbrecycling.com/cf_bulb.html; there’s also free CFL drop-off at Ikea.
Perks: KOs toxic chemicals
Bicycles
Why: Support people-powered transportation and provide free wheels to needy kids.
How: Find participating community donation programs on ibike.org.
Perks: helps those in need
Outdoor equipment
Why: Your used camping gear (boots, bags, tents) goes to youth hiking programs, park rangers in Afghanistan, and female porters in Uganda.
How: Go to gear4good.com (you pay S&H).
Perks: helps those in need
Workout equipment
Why: Cash for dust collectors.
How: Try playitagainsports.com.
Perks: offers cash back
Toxic leftovers
Why: Anything with a caution label shouldn’t go in a landfill.
How: Find takers at earth911.org.
Perks: KOs toxic chemicals
You
Why: Traditional burial sinks tons of wood and thousands of gallons of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, into the earth.
How: Arrange to have your ashes poured inside an environmentally friendly concrete Reef Ball and go under. Fishy kisses for all eternity. (eternalreefs.com)
Perks: KOs toxic chemicals
A Bit of Give and Take
You’ve got it. They want it. See how this works?
freecycle.org
Join communities working toward landfill extinction. Post things you don’t need; scroll for stuff you don’t have. Membership is free, as is everything on the site.
swaporamarama.org
Where old clothes become art. Join up, trade unloved duds, and learn from local artists how to make them hip.
throwplace.com
Do good–without having to do much work. List items you want to “throw” to any U.S. or international charities; interested recipients can contact you about pickup.
~~~
Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco-Friendly Spa Products
Gentle on your body…
Gentle on the earth…
I love technology and am still, after all these years, fascinated by the computer.
I do, however, get bored very easily with the same old computer wallpaper!
Years ago I discovered Tootsie’s Theme Shop!
For just $10.00 per year (or 1,000 files) you can download ad free, unwrapped and unpackaged desktop enhancements.
I use it only for wallpaper background on my computer monitor but they have lots of other computer enhancements as well.
Over the years I have downloaded hundreds of wallpaper backgrounds and have never had any issues or problems effecting my computer.
I hope you enjoy this site as much as I have!
Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco-Friendly Spa Products
Gentle on your body…
Gentle on the earth…
Tom Branna
Editorial Director
A high profile health issue puts preservatives in a good light, but regulators, consumers and many marketers continue to search for alternatives to traditional systems.
When is bad news really good news? For the embattled preservative industry, recent news reports about poorly-preserved skin care products that ultimately became contaminated and infected hospital patients have put preservatives in a more positive light.
“The biggest issue confronting the preservative market is the potential for misinformation to impact a formulator’s choice in product preservation and imperil consumers,” said Mark Miller, McIntyre. “Marketing claims are fine – if they’re backed by safety testing and demonstrated efficacy of preservative systems via challenge studies in test formulas. Formulator’s should demand that cosmetic preservative suppliers provide challenge test data from a reputable testing lab before using a novel preservative system.”
It all started in a Barcelona hospital back in January. Five intensive care patients became infected with a deadly bacteria called Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia). Officials traced the illness to a moisturizing body milk used in the patients’ care.
The outbreak occurred at the Universitari del Mar Hospital in Barcelona, where it was common practice to apply moisturizer after washing intensive care patients. The lotion was available from treatment carts used in the ward. When a number of patients in nonadjacent beds came down with the same infections, investigators became suspicious of the treatment cart.
“Those infections were due to inadequately preserved cosmetics,” observed David Steinberg, Steinberg & Associates, Inc. “You just need one major incident like what happened in Spain and the cosmetic companies start rethinking about ‘preservative-free’ formulations. Even many of the NGOs may start realizing that preservatives are really necessary.”
Mr. Steinberg also noted that there has been reluctance on the part of formulators to move away from parabens because they realize parabens work. At the same time, there are no new preservative systems are on the horizon.
“The costs are just far too expensive,” he observed. “Even if you discover a new system and get it approved, you’ll be attacked by the NGOs. As a result, very few companies are doing research on new preservatives for cosmetics.”
David Hinden of Arch Chemical warned that as companies migrate away from traditional preservatives such as formaldehyde donors, parabens and isothiazolones, the number of replacements being offered is confusing and must be carefully screened to ensure that they are safe and effective.
“Since many simply do not function very well it is important to work with suppliers that have the technical resources skilled in art and science of preservation,” he observed.
In fact, Dean Bostic of Acme-Hardesty called consumer lack of information on the safety and efficacy of paraben and paraben blends the biggest issue facing the preservative industry.
“This is followed very closely by the impending changes that will occur with REACH and its far reaching implications for global cosmetic formulations,” he added.
To overcome these issues, Acme-Hardesty is constantly educating its customer base with the reality of paraben safety and efficacy. But Mr. Bostic warned that the REACH initiative has only made this education process more difficult.
Will Consumers See the Light?
Nearly every preservative executive contacted by Happi agreed that consumers’ misconceptions about preservatives continue to have a negative impact on the industry.
“The biggest issue confronting the preservative market are still the misleading reports by some groups spreading false information and rumors about the risks and safety of preservatives making the consumer feeling more and more unsure what to believe and what to buy,” said Frederic Pilz of Clariant. “Many well-established and well-investigated preservatives like the parabens are under attack and some cosmetic formulators are trying to substitute these safe substances with trendy ‘green’ or even ‘preservative-free’ alternatives, where safety and efficacy of these substances are often not known to the extent of well-known systems.”
To improve paraben profile, Clariant, via EfFCI, participated in a hearing on parabens in October 2007 at the SCCP in Europe to defend the parabens in cosmetic products. Colipa and the Cosmetic Preservative Council (CPC) also participated.
Lonza is investigating alternative approaches to preservation, whether it’s novel synergistic blends that utilize existing chemistries, botanicals or technological methods.
“There is an increased demand for controversy-free preservative systems,” explained Rosita Nunez of Lonza. “Our customers seek alternatives to traditional preservative chemistries. The most often cited requests are paraben-free, non-formaldehyde releasing, non-IPBC and non-isothiazolinone.”
Linda Sedlewicz of schülke inc., said that consumer concerns about cosmetic raw materials have had an increasing effect on global regulation and global regulation has had similar effect on consumer concerns.
“Bad news travels fast. The more bad press (accurate or not) the consumer sees about our industry, the more manufacturers are influenced to change their formulations,” said Ms. Sedlewicz. “The same bad press heightens the sensitivity of regulators, prompting them to tighten regulations. The consumer sees this as more evidence that they should avoid certain raw materials completely.”
Creative Chemistry
Dan Beio of RITA noted that with demand for “preservative-free” on the rise, many customers are asking for RITA to get very creative with the chemistry revolving around its ingredients. RITA is searching for ways to build preservation activity into more of its products. This can be done by choosing a particular class of chemical, such as lactylates, which have known antimicrobial activity, and combining them with natural essential extracts. At the same time, marketers are rethinking product development when it comes to preservation.
“We see them using less traditional emulsion systems, which puts heavier burdens on their preservatives, and moving more toward thickening emulsifiers, like our Viscolam AT100EF,” said Mr. Beio. “You get the same emulsifying power of traditional nonionic emulsifiers with virtually no emulsifiers, which reduces the requirement of preservatives.”
In a similar manner, Sinerga has improved its preservative-free claim by using self-preserving intermediates, explained Daniela Storni.
International Specialty Products is tracking any developments on the different preservative actives with respect to consumer insistence or changes in regulations, according to Sangeetha Subramanian of ISP. “We are working with industry trade organizations to provide the scientific information and data on these actives as needed.”
ISP is also generating analytical data on formaldehyde donors so as to present and communicate the safety of formaldehyde donors to its customers and consumers.
Many suppliers bemoaned the lack of a comprehensive preservative regulation that is accepted worldwide. Executives at Ciba noted, for example, in the U.S., there is no positive list while in EU and Japan there is, making it difficult for new preservatives to be globally approved.
A Lot of Activity in the EU
Still, Mr. Steinberg said that, overall, regulators have backed off on their scrutiny of preservatives in cosmetics. What’s more there may be some relief on the way in Europe. That’s because the EU has proposed an 8th Amendment to the Cosmetic Directive that specifically explains what is required of a safety assessment.
“Microbiology is a part of the 8th Amendment,” noted Mr. Steinberg, “So that is a positive thing for the preservative industry.”
Despite this positive move, issues remain in Europe. Lambros Kromidas of Coty observed that methyldibromoglutaronitrile is no longer permitted in cosmetics or on the market as of March 23, 2008, per the EU’s 41st ATP. Products already on the market must not be sold to the final consumer/users after June 23, 2008.
In that same ATP, the use of benzoic acid and salts thereof was changed.
“Benzoic acid may be used in rinse-off products at 2.5% or less, in oral care products at 1.7% or less, and on leave-on products at 0.5% or less,” said Dr. Kromidas. “For salts of benzoic acid, like sodium benzoate and methyl benzoate, they can only be used at 0.5% or less.”
Dr. Kromidas noted too that the 42nd ATP, published April 17, 2007, amended the use of iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC). As a result, it cannot be used in oral and lip products, or in children’s products (age three or below) except in bath and rinse-off products.
In fact, if used in any cosmetic product except bath and rinse-off, the product must contain the warning statement, “not to be used for children under three years of age.” IPBC should also not be used in creams and lotions aimed to be applied on a large part of the body. Otherwise, it may be used in rinse-off products at 0.02% or below, in leave-on products at 0.01% or below, and in antiperspirants/deodorants at 0.0075% or below.
Dr. Kromidas also warned that the uproar caused by S. Oishi that linked parabens to reproductive toxicity remains fresh in some people’s minds.
That’s why on Feb. 12, 2008, Colipa wrote to DG SANCO proposing to conduct pharmacokinetic studies to evaluate the absorption, distribution and elimination of oral doses of methyl, propyl and butyl parabens in rats. Two additional studies will examine the fate of parabens under dermal application and subcutaneous dosing. All of these studies are seeking to answer questions raised by the SCCP and hopefully secure a favorable opinion from the commission about the safety of parabens.
“The bad publicity with parabens does not end there,” said Dr. Kromidas. “In January, an Environmental Health Perspective paper by R. Danovaro and others claimed that butyl paraben damages coral. This paper was picked up by the National Geographic website, the Nature Conservancy and others.”
More Attacks
Although parabens make the biggest headlines, Louis L. Punto of Jeen Chemical, pointed out that other preservatives are under attack as well.
“The drive to eliminate phenoxyethanol in Europe is of concern because phenoxyethanol works so well and is so frequently used,” explained Mr. Punto. “With the drive to eliminate parabens and now phenoxyethanol and more companies having an aversion to using formaldehyde donors, the formulation chemist will face greater challenges preserving personal care products which increasing contain active ingredients prone to microbial contamination.”
But luckily for the industry, both the Personal Care Products Council and the CPC have been working to try to counteract the attacks on preservatives, according to Ms. Sedlewicz.
“The CPC has addressed these issues through its consumer website and directly with regulators in Europe. The CPC has also spoken directly to regulators in Europe,” she said. “The persistence of these organizations and others has succeeded in postponing any decision being made on the banning of long-chain parabens in Europe. It is a small step, but significant.”
Mr. Punto agreed that the efforts of the CPC have provided a lift for the industry.
“The members of CPC are from many companies in the preservative industry that have joined together to defend all cosmetic preservatives from regulatory restrictions or prohibitions,” he noted. “It is an uphill battle that unfortunately the industry will be addressing for many years.”
What About Formaldehyde?
Two years ago, Mr. Steinberg formed the CPC. Most recently, the group has defended the use of isopropyl parabens in Europe and, in the U.S., is trying to get the INCI name of formaldehyde changed to methylene glycol, a move that should relieve some of the pressure caused by California’s Safe Cosmetic Act, according to Mr. Steinberg. The Act cites California’s Prop. 65, which only refers to formaldehyde gas and does not regulate the use of methylene glycol.
However, the cosmetic industry does not use formaldehyde gas and as a result, The CPC has petitioned the Personal Care Product Council to get the name changed.
John Bailey of The Council agreed with the CPC position.
“It’s a valid point. Formaldehyde gas is different than the formaldehyde used in cosmetic products,” he told Happi.
Dr. Bailey noted that The Council is the custodian of the INCI process. Yet, it is a process that must include opportunities for comment from regulatory authorities.
Some Words on Naturals
Real or imagined, public concern about some preservative systems has marketers calling for natural preservation systems. According to Ellen Werner and Dr. Karla Wilzer of Ciba, there are natural preservatives, but their efficacy is formulation dependent. They noted, for example, that Ciba’s Tinosan SDC silver-based preservative is natural, but has some limitations when used in highly cationic systems.
Ms. Sedlewicz noted that batch-to-batch consistency is very difficult to accomplish in a truly natural product—and consistency is exactly what is required in a preservative.
“Synthetic organic acids are used to preserve foods, making them consumer-friendly alternatives,” said Ms. Sedlewicz. “The Euxyl K 700-series (K 700, 701, and 702) is based on organic acid chemistry, formulated to provide broad-spectrum, safe and effective preservation.”
Mr. Hinden agreed that consistency questions continue to dog naturals.
“The fundamental issue is what the definition of ‘natural’ is and whether or not they are any safer than synthetic technologies. Naturals that are based on botanicals may be subject to a natural variation in the biomass and resultant composition that may cause inconsistencies in efficacy, safety and odor,” he explained.
Dr. Pilz of Clariant had an interesting take on the natural issue when he called parabens the most effective and mostly used “natural” preservative.
“Parabens are ubiquitously found in many different plants and organisms and are also readily biodegradable; a fact which is normally not appreciated,” he insisted. “Other natural, non-classical preservatives often have the disadvantage that they show relatively low activity and a narrow anti-microbial spectrum.
Natural preservatives also often have color and odor issues. As a result, there is no real “natural” preservative on the market that is broadly being used or accepted, according to Dr. Pilz.
But there are some suppliers who have embraced the natural preservative issue.
“Here at Bio-Botanica we can provide our customers with an all-natural preservative,” explained Ellen Delisle of Bio-Botanica. “As an alternative to synthetic preservatives, plant materials are a significant source of active constituents with a high level of antimicrobial activity.”
Ms. Delisle insisted that plant components have a strong scientific validation supporting their active role as antimicrobials, and she pointed out that many different plants are already recognized by CAS and EINECS for their antimicrobial benefits.
“The benefit is having a preservative- free claim on your label that the consumer perceives as being less toxic and more beneficial,” she added.
To meet market demand, Bio-Botanica offers three patented natural preservatives: Suprapein, Biopein and Neopein. All three are propriety blends of botanical fractions having anti-microbial activity against a broad spectrum of organisms, including possible pathogenic organisms such as S. aureus, E. coli, Salmonella typhimurim and Candida albacans.
RITA has generated data to show that natural ingredients can have preservation activity.
“There are essential oils, some extracts, various glycols and some chemistries that have antimicrobial activity,” explained Mr. Beio. “The biggest benefits are their natural names and the comfort level with consumers. The more natural sounding, the better, and in the customers’ eyes, that translates into safer products from an irritation and sensitization standpoint.”
He warned, however, that these naturals are not as potent as traditional preservatives and use levels can often reach “a couple of percent” of a formula.
“At these levels, you not only have to worry about safety issues, you must look at them as possible formulation functional ingredients that could effect aesthetics, stability, odor and color, in addition to adding cost,” said Mr. Beio.
What’s New from Suppliers?
With the cost of introducing a new preservative prohibitive, suppliers are taking different tacks when it comes to new product development. Mr. Bostic of Acme-Hardesty, for example, noted that Acme/Sharon has not introduced any new preservatives into the market.
“In fact, the market has not approved any new molecules and the only introductions occurring are merely blends of already approved materials,” he noted. “From this perspective, Acme and Sharon are very active in the custom blending category to meet demands.”
Dr. Pilz said Clariant remains confident about the safety of parabens, safety that has been proven by the toxicological data and the history of their safe and broad use.
“Nevertheless, the cosmetic formulator should have a real choice what kind of preservative he wants to use and to offer to the consumer,” explained Dr. Pilz. “Therefore, we have developed two new special and extremely effective preservative blends based on Piroctone olamine, which can be seen as substitutes for all kind of blends containing the long-chain parabens.”
The new blends Nipaguard POB (phenoxyethanol (and) piroctone olamine (and) benzoic acid) and Nipaguard POM (phenoxyethanol (and) piroctone olamine (and) methylparaben) are said to combine the good efficacies of the single components to create highly synergistic and extremely powerful broad-spectrum blends. These clear liquid blends are easily incorporated in every kind of formulation even at temperatures as high as 80°C. They are most powerful between a pH value of 4-10 and so they give the utmost freedom of handling to the formulator. Although the allowed maximum use concentration is as high as 1.25%, typical use concentrations of 0.5-0.8% are enough to preserve a formulation and achieve the best marks in a challenge test.
Dr. Pilz said even hard to preserve formulations like sunscreens or wet wipes can be easily preserved with these effective, though mild, new blends.
“As we expect that piroctone olamine will be listed as a preservative in the Japanese positive list this year, formulators will be able to launch their products globally in the near future,” concluded Dr. Pilz.
One of the recent additions to the list of globally approved preservatives is methylisothiazolinone (MIT). Euxyl K 220, from schülke, combines MIT with ethylhexylglycerin to boost its efficacy and broaden the spectrum of antimicrobial activity. The globally approved combination can be used up to pH 10 in both leave-on and rinse-off products.
When developing products, RITA looks at the entire chemistry and starting materials to get as much functionality out its ingredients as possible.
“With preservatives, we are using as many naturals as possible mixed with some traditional ingredients to yield some interesting combinations,” said Mr. Beio.
For example, Ritative SR4L Magnolia is a unique combination of the natural components of Magnolia acuminata bark extract with the antimicrobial chemistry of glyceryl caprylate. This blend is augmented with phenoxyethanol.
“This gives a nice blend of natural and traditional ingredients which will give broad spectrum coverage,” he explained
McIntyre recently introduced two new preservative systems and one antimicrobial ester at In-Cosmetics. These patent-pending products are based on a high-monoester content glyceryl caprylate with demonstrated efficacy in shampoo, conditioner and skin lotion formulation challenge studies.
“Of course, the results of these challenge studies are available to formulators’ complete with formulation guidelines on use, formulation pH, and heat, to ensure finished product integrity,” added Mr. Miller.
Antimicrobial Aromatics
ISP has introduced two aromatics that have antimicrobial properties—Conarom P and Conarom H-3. Both work over a broad pH range (4-8) and can be used in both leave-on and rinse-off applications. They can be labeled as perfume or aroma or with their INCI names in end-use packaging.
“We have broadened our offering of acid-based preservative systems,” added Ms. Subramanian. “Optiphen BSP consists of a combination of nature-identical benzoic and sorbic acid in phenoxyethanol. Optiphen BSB-N combines benzoic and sorbic acid with benzyl alcohol. Both mild preservatives are effective against bacteria, yeast and mold at acid pH values. Optiphen BSB-N ingredients are compliant with Ecocert.”
Three of Lonza’s existing preservatives have been added to Ecocert’s list of permitted preservatives for certified organic products: Geogard 111A, Geogard 111S and Geogard 221.
“We are continuing to work with Ecocert to gain approval of other preservatives in our portfolio,” added Ms. Nunez.
~~~
Country Meadow Ltd. wants to assure our customers and clients that we DO use an effective, non-paraben, eco-certified preservative system in all of our products that contain water as an ingredient. We also periodically send out samples of those products to a local lab for testing to ensure our preservative system of choice is working properly to protect you, our customer!
Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco-Friendly Spa Products
Gentle on your body…
Gentle on the earth…
Local Restaurants Panicked Over Styrofoam Ban
SEATTLE – The answer to “paper or plastic?” may depend on how much you want to spend, in Seattle at least.
The Seattle City Council and Mayor Greg Nickels plan a public forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall to discuss adding a bag fee to your grocery bill and banning Styrofoam productsThe council will discuss proposed legislation which would ban Styrofoam to-go containers and charge a 20-cent fee for each bag you use at the store.
The idea is to encourage reusable, rather than disposable, bag use.
But the groundbreaking environmental move has some restaurants in a panic.
At World Wrapps, they would have to find a new way to keep their popular smoothies from melting. The drinks are served in Styrofoam cups.
“I don’t mind if it’s melted and warmer, it tastes good that way,” said Diane Gainier, customer
At the Queen Anne Café, Styrofoam is a staple. Owners would have to find a new way to dish up food “to go.”
The Seattle Coalition for Responsible Recycling says it will hold a press conference immediately proceeding the meeting Tuesday. They say the fee would cause an undue burden on struggling businesses.
But city officials say the objective is not to penalize people.
“It’s not saying you’re bad people and we’re trying to get rid of you. The objective is to get everyone moving in the right direction,” said Richard Conlin, Seattle City Council Chair.
Restaurants and grocery stores would have get rid of Styrofoam or other polystyrene containers in January.
If approved, the city would impose a 20-cent fee for disposable shopping bags at groceries and other stores, starting next year. It would apply to paper or plastic bags.
The city says the fee would encourage the use of reusable bags and reduce the number of disposable bags in the city by half.
In July 2010, the ban would include plastics, including utensils and deli containers. Everything would have to be biodegradable
~~~
Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco-Friendly Spa Products
Gentle on your body…
Gentle on the earth…
G-8 Endorses halving global emissions by 2050
updated 12:51 a.m. PT, Tues., July. 8, 2008
RUSUTSU, Japan – The Group of Eight leading industrial nations on Tuesday endorsed halving world emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050, edging forward in the battle against global warming but stopping short of tough, nearer-term targets.
The G-8 countries — the United States, Japan, Russia, Germany, France, Britain, Canada and Italy — also called on all major economies to join in the effort to stem the potentially dangerous rise in world temperatures.
“The G-8 nations came to a mutual recognition that this target — cutting global emissions by at least 50 percent by 2050 — should be a global target,” said Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who announced the endorsement.
The G-8 last year at a summit in Germany pledged to consider the 2050 target, and this year’s Japanese hosts had hoped to solidify that commitment at the meeting in Toyako, northern Japan.
Under pressure
The G-8 has been under pressure to secure commitments by wealthy nations to push forward stalled U.N.-led talks on forging a new accord to battle global warming by the end of next year. Tuesday’s statement, however, addressed world emissions rather than just those produced by wealthy countries.
The United States hailed the agreement, which Washington said fit with its stance that all major economies — such as China, India and others — need to participate in reducing emissions. Major developing nations have urged wealthy countries to take the first step in cutting greenhouse gases.
“It has always been the case that a long-term goal is one that must be shared. So the G-8 has offered today is a G-8 view of what that goal could be and should be but that can only occur with the agreement of all the other parties,” said Jim Connaughton, chairman of the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality.
Criticism persists
Environmentalists criticized the statement for failing to go beyond the G-8 statement last year.
“So little progress after a whole year of Minister meetings and negotiations is not only a wasted opportunity, it falls dangerously short of what is needed to protect people and nature from climate change,” said Kim Carstensen, director of the World Wildlife Fund’s Global Climate Initiative.
Environmentalists have argued that the 50 percent reduction target is insufficient, and have clamored for ambitious targets for countries to cut emissions by 2020. Japan itself has set a national target for cutting emissions by between 60 percent and 80 percent by 2050, but has not set a midterm goal.
Such shorter-term targets have been much more difficult to reach consensus on. The United States, for instance, has argued that meeting a Europe-supported goal of reducing emissions by between 25 and 40 percent by 2020 is unrealistic.
Individual targets
In a nod to such disagreements, Fukuda said the G-8 countries would set individual targets.
“The G-8 will implement aggressive midterm total emission reduction targets on a country by country basis,” he said.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the agreement constituted a “new, shared vision by the major economies” that would support the U.N.-led effort on a new global warming accord.
“This is a strong signal to citizens around the world,” he said in a statement, calling for a renewed push behind the U.N. talks, which aim to conclude a new pact at a meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December 2009.
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Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco-Friendly Spa Products
Gentle on your body…
Gentle on the earth…
Cocoa butter (theobroma oil) is the pale-yellow edible vegetable fat from the cacao bean and has a bland taste and a slightly chocolate aroma.
Rich in anti-oxidants cocoa butter is used in edible chocolate products as well as pharmaceuticals and spa/body care products.
Many people believe that cocoa butter has the ability to reduce or diminish the appearance of scars but this theory is yet unproven. Cocoa butter does however help the skin retain it’s elasticity. Cocoa butter may enhance a natural tan but it will not prevent sunburn as it does not have a sun protection factor (spf).
Cocoa butter will soften at body temperature and adds a rich, creamy consistancy to soap, lotions, creams and sugar scrubs and helps reduce skin dryness.
We use both the regular (lightly scented) and unscented cocoa butter in our emulsified sugar scrubs!
Cocoa Butter
Pure Xocolatl Sugar Soap, Body Cream & Sugar Scrub
Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco-Friendly Spa Products
Gentle on your body…
Gentle on the earth…