Question Consumption

Before you begin browsing our eco-products pages, it should be noted that consumption is not the solution to our problems-it is the problem. Throwing out all of your old things, and buying a house full of eco-products to replace them is a very bad idea-it would clog up our already taxed landfills, and deplete the earth's resources even more. As you browse these pages, remember that the most sustainable product is the one that is never made.

However, Lotus Live understands that we all do have needs, and depending on our choices, these needs can have very grave, or nearly negligible effects on the earth. Without a doubt, the first thing to do is question your consumption. But when you do have a need, the Lotus Live Eco-Products pages are here to provide you with the most up to date, unbiased recommendations for the products that will allow you to tread as lightly as possible on the earth. Responsible consumption will not save the world, but the world cannot be saved unless we shop more responsibly.

For more information about reducing our consumption, see the Simplicity Forum.

Eco-Products

Cleaning Products: Home cleaning products, and dry cleaning.
Clothing: Organic cotton fashion, etc.
Energy Products: Including CFLs, energy meters, etc.
Furniture: Mattresses, desks, chairs, etc.
Linens: Sheets, towels, etc.
Office Supplies: Recycled paper, etc.
Packaging: Drink packaging guide, etc.
Personal Care: Skin care, hair care, oral care, makeup.
Sports Equipment: Water bottles, bamboo skis and snowboards, recycled frisbees,
Water Products: Shower heads, waterless urinals, etc.
Important Note:
Lotus Live has not received any compensation for listing these products here, and would never accept any. These product recommendations come from the unbiased suggestions of our readers, and other trusted books and websites.

Miscellaneous Eco-Product Guides

How to Green Your Book: For Publishers, and For Authors (Treehugger 2007)
How to Green Your Kids' Toys (Treehugger 2007)
How to Green Your Wedding (Treehugger 2007)
How to Green Your Sex Life (Treehugger 2007)
How to Green Your Baby (Treehugger 2007)
How to Green Your Pet (Treehugger 2007)
How to Green Your Gifts (Treehugger 2006)
How to Go Green: Back to Basics (Treehugger 2007)
How to Green Your Community (Treehugger 2007)
How to Green Your Work (Treehugger 2006)
A Green Fourth of July (Inhabitat 2007)

General Eco-Stores

Gaiam: An online retailer of healthy, green products.
Healthy Home: Another online retailer of healthy, green products.
Seventh Generation: Find out about their widely available line of eco-friendly household products.
Debra's List: Discover and buy recommendations from the author of Home Safe Home.
Blue House Life: All kinds of green products for the home.
Nigel's Eco Store: Variety of green products from the UK.
Love Life Goods: Small selection, but some of the most awesome products we've seen.
Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label: Evaluates carpets and vacuum cleaners.

Energy Star: Certifies energy efficient appliances.

Forest Stewardship Council: Certifies that wood products come from forests that are harvested and maintained in sustainable ways.

Green Seal: Compares different brands of the same product and posts the results on their website.
Green-e: A certification given to electricity suppliers who use renewables to provide at least 50% of their energy. If you have the option of choosing who you buy your electricity from, then look for a supplier with this label.
Greengaurd: Certifies building materials, furniture, and finishes.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): Certifies green buildings.
USDA Organic: Certifies that food is either grown organically or that at least 95% of its ingredients are organic.

Holidays

See the Lotus Live Holiday Guide.

Related Media

The Story of Stuff: Twenty minute video about the real story behind stuff.

Articles About Green Consumerism

Eco-Junk: Green Consumerism Will Not Save the Biosphere by George Monbiot (The Guardian 2007)

Related Books

The Eco-Design Handbook by Alastair Fuad-Luke.
This amazing books lists a hundreds of ecologically friendly products, from furniture to electronics, with information about how to get them.
Biomimicry by Janine Benyus.
This book chronicles the truly noble bio-technologies, technologies that we humbly borrow from nature's experience. A look at where our design inspiration should and will come from in the future.
Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart.
This essential text envisions a redesign of the industrial world that would eliminate waste by designing products so that their waste will consist only of useful nutrients that will be used again and again as resources.
A Year Without "Made in China" by Sara Bongiorni
Chronicles one families attempt to go a year without using anything "Made in China."
Home Safe Home by Debra Lynn Dadd
Identifies toxins in everyday products, and suggests alternatives.
The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less by Barry Schwartz
Outlines the phenomenon of choice fatigue, and how more choices leads to less happiness.

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