environmentally friendly

Growing up, my mother always taught me to be a conscious shopper and read product labels (thanks mom!). This includes the material on a clothing label, ingredients in food, and even chemicals in cleaning products. It's astonishing how many household cleaning products contain toxic ingredients that can be harmful to your health. Last week I told you about the Greenpeace tissue guide app that tells you which toilet paper and tissue companies make the most environmentally sustainable products. Well Seventh Generation has just come out with a Label Reading Guide app that will help you better understand the chemicals in cleaning products. Both enviro-friendly apps are free.

Just when I thought Apple was finally getting greener, the environmental group Greenpeace decided to run tests on the iPhone to determine just how toxic its inner parts really are.

The Greenpeace tests revealed that the iPhone contains hazardous substances like bromine, chlorine and phthalates with the antenna containing high levels of bromine and the headphones containing high levels of PVC. The iPhone investigation also showed that the iPhone's battery is glued and soldered in to the handset, making it difficult to replace the battery or dispose of it appropriately. In the dis-mantling video which you can check out below, Greenpeace notes how new cell phones by Nokia are now PVC free and how Sony Ericsson and Motorola have gone green by removing chemicals from their phones.

What I found interesting in the video is the fact that Greenpeace went into detail about how much attention and press the iPhone has received over the past ten months. I'm not doubting that the iPhone contains toxic substances, as I'm sure most electronics do, but what I want to know is why they specifically decided to examine the iPhone since it does comply with Restriction of Hazardous Substances guidelines?! Just something to think about...

To see a video the iPhone being dissected, read more

I'm pretty sure this laptop case isn't waterproof but then again, it is made from 100 percent all natural, recycled materials, so what can you do? Giles Miller has designed these sustainable, corrugated cardboard laptop cases for earth friendly computer geeks. He displayed this case and other cardboard pieces including tables, lamps and room dividers at the London Design Festival this year. You can even personalize the case with your initials or stick with the generic Apple logo shown below. Or opt for a cardboard case with old carpet patches so you get a bit more color and protection. I like the idea, but I think I'll stick with my giant laptop bag which also functions as my wallet, purse, make up bag and filing cabinet!

via popgadget