Green Options » vinyl

PVC Floors Linked to Autism?

Cate Nelson — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:00:03 +0000

A Swedish study found that the rate of autism is higher for children in houses that have PVC vinyl flooring. The children in the study were apparently affected by the phthalates that are emitted from the material.

Infants and toddlers who had vinyl floors in their rooms were twice as likely to develop autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than those with wood or aluminum floors.

Read more of this story »

Recycle Vinyl Blinds into Plant Markers: Another Quickie Tutorial

Julie Finn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:53:46 +0000

Our house is chock-full of vinyl mini-blinds, and one of the things that I’d most loooooove to do is to chuck them all in favor of something natural and something less likely to strangle my dear babies. I haven’t yet, however, because they are perfectly serviceable still and I can’t stand to just throw them in the trash just because I want to upgrade.

And then I thought, “Why do I hate vinyl so much?” Because it will basically never, ever decompose back into the earth.

Where, however, could such a quality ever be an asset?

In the garden, that’s where! No matter what happens between spring and fall–rain, sun, heck, the apocolypse could strike at any second–I am always going to know exactly where my chives are.

Here’s how you can transform your crap blinds into indestructable chives markers, too:

Read more of this story »

Kitschy Christmas Record Albums=Kitschy Christmas Tree Ornaments: A Tutorial

Julie Finn — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:29:26 +0000

So you’ve made yourself some kitschy Christmas record bowls, but now you have all these kitschy Christmas record album covers lying around–what to do, what to do? Sometimes I make kitschy boxes out of my album covers, but you know, my tree could really use more kitsch, as well…let’s make some ornaments!

You will need: kitschy Christmas cardboard record album covers, sturdy scissors, perhaps some nice scrapbook or wrapping paper and glue, a hole punch, and an ornament hanger

Read more of this story »

Puddlegear PVC Free Kids Raingear

Katy Farber — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:06:15 +0000

I was happy when I got an email about PVC free raingear for kids. So much of the raingear available is made from thick PVC, and you can smell it. Gortex is made from the chemicals used in Teflon. So what’s a green parent to do?

PVC (also known as vinyl) is also known as the poison plastic, and is bad for the environment and for our kids. PVC often carries lead (such as in some baby bibs), and uses a number of troublesome chemicals called phthalates to make the plastic soft. These phthalates are endocrine disruptors which have been linked to problems in the development of the male reproductive system and the brain development of infants.

Here is a link about the enviornmental problems that begin with the manufacturing of PVC.

Read more of this story »

Crafting Vs. Vinyl (Round 3)

Kelly Rand — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:30:02 +0000

In the not too distant past I called for an outright ban on using vinyl in any and all craft projects in Crafting Vs. Vinyl (Round 1). I then followed that up with Crafting Vs. Vinyl (Round 2) and explored some possible alternatives to the toxic plastic, but had no such luck on finding a substitute to clear vinyl, a material that is used in many crafting projects.

Gidget recently inquired about PEVA as a possible clear plastic alternative. I jumped at the chance to look into this plastic, which I had not heard of, to see about its potential for crafting and how it rates in relation to PVC.

Gidget pointed out that IKEA was selling clear plastic shower curtains and that they were made out of PEVA, not PVC. I happened to be at an IKEA the other day and was able to look over said shower curtain. Indeed, it said 100% PEVA. It was clear and light and flexible. The biggest difference that I noticed right away was its lack of smell! It was also thinner and a bit more cloudy (but still clear) than PVC, but still flexible and pliable enough to be run through with a needle and thread.

Read more of this story »

Crafting Vs. Vinyl (Round 2)

Kelly Rand — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:00:15 +0000

Last week, I let you know my strong feelings about the need to ban vinyl from the craft world. This week, I want to explore what that means in real time and explore some potential alternatives.

First and foremost, I see clear vinyl used most extensively in hand made items. It is found in wallets, ID holders and things like ipod cases. Unfortunately, I have yet to find an alternative for clear vinyl. So it stays on the Eco-Crafter’s List of Demands.

Second, many crafters use vinyl to make bags; many, many bags. The vinyl fabric that is used in these bags is bright and colorful. It comes in many different colors and is a relatively inexpensive material. It is also used because people either can’t afford leather, or are morally opposed to using leather.

Read more of this story »

Crafting Vs. Vinyl (Round 1)

Kelly Rand — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:00:27 +0000

Here at CAGW, we try and direct fellow crafters to materials to use that are gentler on the environment for craft projects. From fabric and yarns to scissors and notions there is a plethora of options out there for the eco-conscious crafter.

On the flip side, these are limited options and often our craft supplies leave you wondering how safe and green are they. We’ve even started a list of demands for things that we wish we had.

Well, I am going to add waterproof, clear, flexible, “fabric” to that list. Many crafters use this in their projects for many purposes. Unfortunately, this “fabric” is vinyl or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a type of plastic (number 3 to be exact) and I am calling for an outright ban on this poison plastic.

Read more of this story »

Rock! Vinyl Wrist Cuffs

Kelly Rand — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:14:28 +0000

Wrist cuffs are fun accessories that lend an air of rock and roll to any outfit. Thrifting vinyl records is a great way to add rock and roll to your music collection. Put the two together and what do you get? Wrist cuffs made from thrifted vinyl records!

Read more of this story »

Wal-Mart Still Selling Lead Bibs in Some States

Jennifer Lance — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:54:04 +0000

It’s no secret: I hate Wal-Mart. Honestly, I have only been inside a Wal-Mart store four times in my life, including buying batteries in Colby, Kansas on a cross-country childhood vacation, and every time I leave the store, I feel disgusted with American consumerism. This company’s initial practice of establishing stores in small communities to drive out “ma and pa” stores has contributed to the homogenizing of American retail. Furthermore,

Over 70% of products on Wal-Mart’s shelves are made in China. The recent string of product recalls shows the dangerous and even deadly consequences of Wal-Mart’s corporate bullying strategy to drive down the cost of products. Suppliers are forced to ship production to places like China where quality and labor standards are far less stringent.

Wal-Mart’s race to the bottom strategy leads to more than just unsafe products - it forces suppliers to cut corners when it comes to their own workers as well (walmartwatch.com).

I don’t care how green Wal-Mart attempts to be when they still sell dangerous products for children. I was shocked to learn that Wal-Mart is still selling, in some states, PVC vinyl backed baby bibs that contain lead despite a recall in Illinois.

Read more of this story »

So Much Plastic, So Little Time!

Juliet Ames — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:45:45 +0000

According to The Environmental Literacy Council, plastics make up 25% of all waste in landfills when buried. It is a good thing that crafters are finding ways to appropriate this versitale and plentiful material into their creations.

Take, for example, these adorable bird coin purses from Etsy seller Bird Versus Bird which are made from vinyl scraps from a sign shop. Imagine how many vinyl banners from State Fair corndog stands are filling up landfills? Yuck. This seller also uses repurposed and recyclable materials for packaging in order to reduce waste.

This “Beer-merang” necklace earned its name from the boomerang shape and the fact that it was made using the plastic rings from a 6 pack of PBR beer. Saving critters lives, recycling, and looking cool, that is what it is all about! Check out Muse Glass for more styles.

If you have ever visited the record section of a thrift store, you will know that they have more discarded vinyl there then anyone knows what to do with. How many Kenny Rogers records does one store need? Nature Vs. Machine brings us this stunning vinyl record and sterling silver lotus necklace. Kenny Rogers never looked so good!

We all have some records laying around, don’t we? Instead of adding to a landfill or the thrift store collection, why not make some funky chip bowls like this one? Check out these instructions from Instructables to find out just how easy it is. (Just make sure that your record is not valuable collector’s first!) I think I know what to do with my old Alvin and the Chipmunks album!

There are so many ways to use recycled plastics in crafting - I could go on all day! Feel free to share your plastic crafts in a comment!

[Images courtesy of Bird versus Bird, Muse Glass, Nature vs. Machine, and Instructables.]

Tip o’ the Day: Shower Curtain Call

Amy Stodghill — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:55:45 +0000

If your shower curtain is plastic, chances are it is made from PVC - polyvinyl chloride. Since this is the stuff we don't want in our kid's toys or in every day plastics why would you want to shower next to it every day? Eliminate PVC from your bathroom by getting a fabric shower curtain instead.

Get a shower curtain made from a natural fiber such as cotton or hemp. Hemp is more mold resistant and dries faster than other natural fabrics. Depending on the type of fabric shower curtain you get you'll probably also need a liner (nylon and polyester work well for this purpose.)

A fabric shower curtain is also a lot easier to clean than its vinyl counterpart since you can take it down and wash it when the mold begins to grow. You can also protect your new shower curtain by spraying it with a water sealer such as AFM Safecoat, or by spraying Method's shower spray daily to keep mildew away.

You can find fabric shower curtains and liners in most home goods stores and places like Wal-Mart and Target. And while it is a little more expensive than the five-dollar plastic version, it will last a lot longer and there are a wide range of price points available to fit every budget.

Amy says: I recently replaced my moldy, powder blue, vinyl shower curtain with a cotton curtain and a nylon liner. It not only makes me feel better about getting rid of some PVC in the house, but it also makes the bathroom feel a little more classy. Plus, it's so easy to clean since I throw it in the wash with my towels.

PVC - Center for Health and Environmental Justice

Grist: Ask Umbra "Your Finest Shower"

Treehugger: How to Protect Your Natural Fiber Shower Curtain

Treehugger: Q&A Non-Viny Shower Curtain Liners

Ideal Bite

Showering w/Green Options:

Weekly DIY: Solar Shower
How to take a green shower
Tip o' the Day: Singing a Shorter Shower Song
Tip o' the Day: Shampoo Skipping
Tip o' the Day: Go PVC Free

Got a tip for Amy and Jennifer? Share it with them!

Tip o’ the Day: Lead-Free Lunch, Yum!

Rebecca Carter — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:16:12 +0000

When you spend all of that time preparing lunches for your kids, to make sure that their little bellies don't go hungry and they eat (healthy) delicious meals at school, the last thing that you might think about is the lunchbox. Turns out that's a pretty important step, especially considering that many traditional lunch boxes are made of vinyl. Some even have issues with lead.

It's incredible how many lunch boxes are made from vinyl, especially considering it's such a toxic material. We don't usually like to mix that with our lunch. Vinyl lunch boxes have been tested; lead was found, but deemed insignificant. We, however, agree with our own Amy Stodghill when she wrote on her blog: "But the bottom line is lunch boxes have lunch in them. Lunch goes into our bodies (and the bodies of kids), a place where lead should not go."

There are many eco-friendly alternatives that are vinyl-free and lead-safe like the Built NY Gourmet Getaway or the Basura Bag.

Of course, if you're using a lunchbox that you consider suspect, you might want to go ahead and test it. You can pick up a lead testing kit at most hardware / home improvement stores, and follow these simple instructions. More info can be found at the Center for Environmental Health.

Rebecca says: I spend enough time worrying about what's in my food, I don't want to be concerned if I'm making it worse!

This tip was given to me by Amy. You, too, can give me a tip! I know you've got one…

Tip o’ the Day: Go PVC Free

Rebecca Carter — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 03:55:06 +0000

We find it incredible that something so poisonous in every stage of its life cycle is a material that is still advertised by name. Vinyl, also known as PVC, is dubbed by one group as the "poison plastic."

Yet searching for vinyl & PVC, we find websites ready to sell items for your children, pets and home. So what's the story on this plastic that is used in toys, shower curtains, cars, and construction?

This is a material you don't want to be involved with. It is extremely dangerous to the people that work in the factories that create the substance and products. It is dangerous to the communities where those plants are located. It off-gases in your home or car, giving you that oh-so-toxic 'new car smell'. Finally, in the trash, it is a big problem - it can not be burned or recycled without contaminating its surroundings.

There are two great ways to learn more about PVC. The good news is, both involve watching TV! First, visit PVCfree.org and watch Sam Suds and the case of the poison plastic. It's a fun but educational video on what PVC is and how to find it in your home. Sam Suds gives us a good clue on how to find PVC in the house. If you find a number 3 on the bottom of your plastic container or item - it's PVC.

To learn more about PVC and it's entire problematic life cycle, borrow or purchase Blue Vinyl. It is a documentary that will really open your eyes.

Rebecca says: Before I knew about vinyl, I purchased an inflatable basketball hoop and ball for some kids in my family to use in the pool. I still cringe when I remember one of the babies putting the ball to her mouth. The toys are so cheap and yet so toxic…I wish the price tag accounted for all of the damage it will cause in its lifetime.

My House Is Your House (Blue Vinyl Consumer Site)

Sam Suds

About PVC, CHEJ