GREENWASH ALERT!

1.  Small Steps Recycled Paper Products

Marcal Small Steps motto is “Paper from paper, not from trees”.

For over five decades, Marcal has been saving trees and reducing landfill by making its paper products from recycled paper.  Marcal uses paper collected from curbs in residential neighborhoods in cities and towns across America; from the small blue baskets in office buildings, unwanted junk mail, and waste from printers; all in an effort to do something good.

Small Steps makes:

• Recycled Everyday Napkins
• Recycled Hypoallergenic Facial Tissues
• Recycled Dinner Napkins
• Recycled Paper Towels

Would I buy these products? No, even though purchasing recycled paper products is a “small step”, removing these unnecessary products from our homes is better step for the environment. I shamefully admit to buying recycled paper towels, but I seek out unbleached ones and they last in our home a very long time (except when paper towel loving grandparents visit).  We occasionally buy facial tissues too, but this is pretty rare.  Cloth napkins are so much nicer than paper ones.

Editor’s note:  Thanks to one of our readers who commented below, we were alerted this may be greenwashing on the part Marcal.  The EPA asked the company to pay $1 billion for pollution clean up of a New Jersey river, and the company filed bankruptcy.  Small Steps may be a genuine effort by the company to go green, or it may be simply greenwashing in an attempt to change the polluting image of the company.  Given the company quote above that they have been saving trees for five decades, I strongly suspect greenwashing.

2.  Derma e Very Clear Natural Facial Products for Problem Skin

Whether you are a teenager or an adult like me that sometimes has blemishes, natural treatments for problem skin are the way to go.  Using Tea Tree, Willow Bark, Rosewood, Lavender, and Chamomile, these products are soothing to the skin while still addressing blemishes and break outs. All of these products are made in the USA.

• derma e Very Clear Problem Skin Moisturizer: “Derma e Clear Skin 3 Problem Skin Moisturizer is a daily moisturizer that provides a proper balance between moisture and oil, thus preventing clogged pores and bacterial infection while hydrating the skin.”
• derma-e Skin Care Very Clear Cleansing Scrub: “Derma-E Very Clear Cleansing Scrub 4 Oz. Removing dead skin cells to unclog pores is essential for healthy, balanced and clear skin. This gentle yet effective scrub utilizes Aloe and Apricot Kernel Meal to exfoliate skin. Used once or twice a week, this formula will help draw out impurities, resolve bacteria and stimulate new cell growth for clean, clearer skin.”
• derma e Very Clear Spot Blemish Treatment: “Unburden your skin of bothersome blemishes with derma ® Very Clear Spot Blemish Treatment. It uses natural extracts and oils to reduce harmful bacteria and pore-clogging oil without causing dryness, peeling, or irritation.”
• derma e Very Clear Problem Skin Cleanser: “Punishing your acne-prone skin isn’t the answer. derma ® Clear Skin 1 Problem Skin Cleanser uses effective, natural antibacterial agents combined with skin-soothers to reduce excess oil and harmful bacteria without irritating your skin.”

Would I buy these products? Yes, they are priced similar to other natural beauty products ($10-$20), and although I cannot vouch for the claims, when I have a breakout, I am willing to try anything.  Also, these products have low scores on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database ranging from two to three.

3.  Leather Work Gloves for Children

My son is a little helper. From the garden to the woodshed, he’s out there with us doing all of the chores of country living. We have bought several pairs of cotton work gloves in the past, but these gloves never fit right, get lost, aren’t like Mommy and Daddy’s, don’t last, are not very protective, etc. It seems only fair to give children real tools, like leather work gloves.

Young children want to help you carry garden clippings, clear brush and weeds, and do other work in the yard. Sturdy, well–fitting leather gloves protect their hands and help them grip tools firmly.

Would I buy this product? Yes, I actually did. I bought a pair of these gloves for my five-year-old son and am very happy with their quality.  Plus, they only cost about $5.00.  Of course, if you are a vegan, you would want a cloth alternative.

4.  My Professional Workshop Wooden Toy Tool Bench by HaPe

Might as well continue the working theme! This tool bench is my son’s absolutely favorite place to hang out when playing.

Big building projects call for big workbenches and that’s the idea with My Professional Workshop. The 78-piece set includes an abundance of screws and wood pieces to construct things with the hammer, screwdriver, vice, and ruler.

We’ve reviewed several toys by HaPe in the past, and all of them have been extremely well made and of high-quality.

Would I buy this product? Yes, I actually did.This is a big ticket item (about $100), and as a parent, I have always been hesitant to shell out the big bucks not knowing if it is really a toy my child would play with or not.  For my son, this toy was worth every penny. We’ve had our workbench for two years now, and the interest has not worn off. We have added other tools to it along the way, and it consistently promotes extended creative play.

5.  Glob It On:  Natural Paint Colors Made From Organic Plant Extracts

Every child’s art supply comes with the assurance that it is “non-toxic”, but I have often questioned how true this statement really is; however, I don’t question the toxicity of Glob It On Paints!  This may be one of the coolest products we have reviewed in a long time.  Made from organic plant extracts, Glob comes in powder form that you mix with cold water to the desired consistency.

Finally, eco-friendly paints made from natural ingredients. Created with a focus on sustainability, these water-based paints and pigments are biodegradable.

GLOB™ is made from colors found in nature.  Our botanically crafted products are colored by fruits, vegetables, flowers and spices.

The vibrant pigments in GLOB™ have been used by different cultures throughout the ages in artists’ paints and body products.

Using cosmetic and food grade ingredients, our products are truly non-toxic.

GLOB™ paints are unmatched in quality and environmental synergy.

The colors are truly vibrant, and the paint mixes up easily.  I enjoyed painting with our Glob samples :).  Mixed up paint needs to be stored in the refrigerator, because they are truly all natural, but you can easily just mix up a little at a time based upon your needs.

Would I buy this product? Yes!  Yes!  Yes!

Disclosure:  The products described above were sent to us as free samples, unless noted differently in the review.  Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given.  No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews.  The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.