Environmental Defence 'Just Beautiful' campaign launch - Is Aveda complying?

Environmental Defence "Just Beautiful" campaign launch - The Globe and Mail
A worthy undertaking - environmental cosmetics. So - Aveda or not?

Here's a discussion

The impressions we have formed of Aveda makeup, skin care and haircare products are primarily from the services we received over the years in beauty salons such as facials, manicures, pedicures, and hair colorings...

When you visit the Aveda website, you are immediately seeing big, bold, clean water ads, and organic farming ads, 'Farming is the #1 polluter of US waterways. Organic farming keeps them free of pesticides and chemicals.' And yet, they continue to dump toxic chemicals into the Aveda line. As many of you know from... parabens seep into skin tissue and have been linked to cancer. The Aveda makeup and skincare line uses several of these parabens in much of the cosmetic line, mostly methylparaben.

Phenylenediamine, resorcinol, along with fragrance, slicylic acid, and ethyl lactate which causes skin, eye, or lung irritation are some of the not so natural ingredients in Aveda products. It is nearly impossible to get exact ingredients in each of their products by visiting the website. They have a general 'ingredients list'on the Aveda website. Natural? Sure. The ingredients they list are natural. But why are they not listing the rest? On the website….'Aveda products show that what you put on your body should be as healthy and natural as what you’d put into it'.

hmmm. Evidently Aveda pledged to be 'paraben-free' by August 2010. Want to check?

Try SKIN DEEP, the COSMETICS DATABASE from the Environmental Working Group. I did find Methylparabens, and other toxicity elements in MOST Alveda products including an unidentified FRAGANCE additive.

Check your own brands - and see what mysteries lurk in your 'organic' products....

Kortwright Centre - A green venue?

The Kortwright Conservation Centre is another venue which promotes 'green' credentials. Here is their list of compliance, to compare with other venues, such as the Black Creek Village venue (posted below) or other sites you may visit. It's work having some of these lists to ask questions...

• Complete local and organic menus available.
• Source local vendors to supply food, alcohol and linens.
• Vegetable and soy wax candles used to create an intimate ambience.
• Fair trade coffee and tea served.
• 100% Bullfrog powered facility.
• No use of chemicals or pesticides to maintain grounds.
• Facilities cleaned with eco-friendly and biodegradable products.
• We have an onsite recycling program.
• We reduce water consumption with an onsite wetland wastewater treatment system.
• We have an onsite solar hot water heating system.
• Our staff car pool to work to reduce carbon emissions.
• All proceeds go towards environmental education programs.
• By holding the ceremony and reception here we reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by your guests' vehicles.

Black Creek Pioneer Village - a green venue?

Black Creek Pioneer Village

It's worthwhile asking a "Green" venue what concrete (sic) factors make them an ecological choice.
For instance, here's a checklist from Black Creek Pioneer Village: 'Toronto's Original Green Event Venue'

At Black Creek Pioneer Village, being "green" means going back to our past. In 1860's Toronto, being green wasn't a movement; it was a way of life. Almost everything consumed was locally made or produced. Taking our cue from this bygone era and using some common day ingenuity, we have taken the following steps to help reduce our footprint.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
* The goal is to have ZERO landfill refuse at the end of the event.
* Any left over food is composted.
* We only purchase compostable napkins, plates, cutlery and cups.
* All glass, cans, plastic containers and cardboard products are recycled.

Local Food, Wine and Beer
* We support local farms by purchasing vegetables and meats. Our goal to locally source 60% of all of the food used
* We operate an historic brewery on-site and sell locally produced craft beer and promote local craft brewers.
* We host a events that highlight and promote local food and beverage producers, including Brews Fest
* We promote seasonal menus that feature Ontario produce.

Products
* Only tap water is used at events.
* All paper products are chlorine-free, made from 100% recycled material; we use hand cloth towels throughout our kitchen.
* All coffee is fair trade.
* All dishwashing and cleaning products are toxic and chemical-free

Vegan chef wins cupcake competition

Vegan chefs and their cakes are pretty mainstream, now - but Chloe Cosarelli is making waves by winning traditional cooking contests - you might enjoy her blog, and the news about her tiramisu and chocolate cupcake prize-winning recipes (as well as her Mango fusion curried cauliflower panini). She's even featured in the NY Times.