If you want to get involved in the green movement but don’t know where to begin, you can start from home. With some research you can easily incorporate eco-friendly products into every aspect of your life. Whether you want to buy organic food, green office supplies, or eco-friendly fashions, here are some user-friendly sites to get you started.
Saffron Rouge (www.saffronrouge.com) sells organic beauty products for men, women, and children. Here you can buy facial cleansers, exfoliators, moisturizers, bath products, cologne, perfume, makeup, and haircare products. In addition, the site recommends products to remedy various skin and hair conditions such as acne, cellulite, eczema, psoriasis, ingrown hair, and dandruff. Shoppers receive two free samples of their choice with each purchase. Purchases of $95 or more include five free samples and free shipping. If you buy a product from the site then find it at a lower price on another Website within 15 days, you will be reimbursed the difference. You’ll also be refunded the purchase price of any product returned within 60 days.
Environmental Home Center (www.environmentalhomecenter.com) is a site for new homeowners and those looking to renovate. The Website carries a multitude of products for the home including building materials, bathroom fixtures, cabinets, countertops, flooring, and paint. If you’re not sure how to get started, the site allows you to review rooms that others have designed. Review “Go green without busting your budget†to gain an idea of how to purchase eco-friendly products that are comparable in price to traditional materials.
Local Harvest (www.localharvest.org) is ideal for those unaccustomed to organic food. If you’re unfamiliar with the terminology for eco-friendly eats, simply click the organic food hyperlink on the home page and a glossary will appear. When you’re ready to shop, return to the home page and enter your zip code to find farms, farmers’ markets, co-ops, and restaurants near you. Local farm listings include the contact information, hours of operation, and address as well as a list of the crops and products available. You can also access a variety of recipes from this site.
Pivot Boutique (www.pivotboutique.com) carries women’s eco-fashion that appeals to a variety of budgets, with prices ranging from $30 to $339. The site offers accessories and clothing from more than 40 designers, so there’s something for every woman’s taste.
The Green Office (www.thegreenoffice.com) provides guidance to help you incorporate green practices into your work space. Start by perusing tips on how to conserve energy from the break room to the boardroom. Whether you’re looking to purchase products for your personal space or the entire office, you can choose from a plethora of products including appliances, furniture, cartridges, paper products, cleaning products, and organic snacks and beverages. Merchandise is biodegradable, nontoxic, recyclable, and recycled. Free shipping is offered on purchases of $49 or more. If you’re thinking beyond the office, you can learn more about climate change, natural resources, and the effects of pollution when you click on the Learn More tab.
Lauren Lea conducted reporting for this article.
This article originally appeared in the September 2009 issue of Black Enterprise magazine.