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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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What’s New in Eco-Manufacturing and Packaging

Jul 29, 2022 09:30AM ● By Rachael Oppy
Tube of refillable red lipstick

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Refillable Lipstick: One billion lipsticks are discarded worldwide annually. Now consumers can purchase refillable lipstick containers made with biodegradable bamboo and recyclable aluminum, among other eco-friendly materials. Refillable containers are meant for the same shade, so users will need a different case for each color.


Toothpaste tablets next to toothbrushes

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Toothpaste Bits and Tablets: Americans throw away more than 400 million empty toothpaste tubes annually. Now consumers can purchase bits and tablets of formulated toothpaste that go right in the mouth—simply bite down and start brushing with an eco-toothbrush made of bamboo. There’s also mouthwash and whitening bits, all packaged in glass bottles with compostable applicators.

 

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Deodorant: Deodorant tubes are not easy to recycle because they’re often made of several types of plastic. Now consumers can buy a reusable deodorant case made of stainless steel or other eco-friendly materials and purchase refills, as needed. Companies are also making paperboard push-up deodorant containers that easily biodegrade, as well as organic deodorant cream refills.


Stacks of reusable wipes wrapped in twine

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Reusable Wipes: Reusable wipes are becoming more common than disposable types. For babies, they’re often made of muslin and terrycloth, and can be tossed in the laundry. Reusable makeup wipes made of microfiber are also available.


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Doggy Poop Bag: Even Fido is going green when it comes to packaging. Instead of using plastic bags to pick up dog waste while on a walk, consumers can purchase biodegradable poop bags made of corn, vegetable oils and other compostable materials.



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The Greening of Packaging: Cleaning and Personal Care Products Go Eco

Consumers are demanding that home cleaning and personal care products come in environmentally friendly packaging that reduces waste and plastic use. Read More » 

 

Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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