A Natural Beauty Product that is Creating a Buzz!

Our Mission & Vision

We make people's lives better every day — naturally.

Burt's Bees is an "Earth Friendly, Natural Personal Care Company." We create natural, Earth-friendly personal care products formulated to help you maximize your well-being and that of the world around you.

Naturally, we're nothing but the good stuff.

There are ingredients that you will never find in any Burt's Bees product. Things like petroleum, which is not a renewable resource and can be toxic. Sodium lauryl sulfate, which is a harsh, aggressive ingredient used in most cleansing products like shampoo. And when was the last time you saw a farmer growing propylene glycol? Rather than loading our products up with harsh chemicals or unnecessary fillers, we offer you only the good stuff.

We believe that in order to make the world a nicer place to live, we need to start at home. That's why we support, and are actively involved in, several community efforts.Our efforts range from social responsibility to sustainability to overall well-being and the list is growing.You can learn more about what actions we take to reach our goals and how these choices are benefiting our consumers and our community by reading more in our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Reports to see how we continue to work harder every year for the Greater Good. After many years of pioneering sustainable practices and leading the Natural Personal Care industry, we intend to rigorously measure our progress and have set ambitious, quantitative goals to better assess our achievements and understand our challenges.

We believe natural products should be 100% natural.

We're proud that over half of our 150+ products are 100% natural and we’re working hard to meet our goal of 100% natural formulas for all our products. Plus, you will never find any Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates or Petrochemicals in any Burt's Bees products.

We believe companies should be transparent.

Personal care and skin care products' manufacturers have the responsibility to fully disclose their ingredients so that consumers can make the most informed decisions. We list the percent natural on every product label. What's more, we strive to educate consumers — and the industry — about natural and keeping to the highest standards.We've worked hard to create products that are honest and authentic, just like us. They reflect the culture that really exists within our walls — not flashy or fancy, but highly dedicated to doing the right thing for our brand and our loyal consumers. Burt's Bees is a company that cares about its consumers, the environment and the community and, equally as important, we care about each other.

http://www.burtsbees.com/c/story/mission-vision/

Recipes for Cleaning… the Natural Way!

Wanna use natural cleaners to make your home sparkle and shine, but don’t know how to start? Here are some great websites detailing some chemical-free ways to clean your home (and more!), with only a handful of non-toxic ingredients. Whether it’s washing your floors, countertops, tubs (you name it!), there’s a natural solution to all of your cleaning needs.

Check ‘em out!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/categories/green_living

http://www.thedailygreen.com/

http://www.drbronner.com/

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/16/get-it-clean-keep-it-green/

Join the Fight Against Toxic Cleaners

If you could only change one thing to improve the health of your family, the environment, and yourself, what would it be? When it comes to picking chemical cleaners, the choice is clear – kick out the synthetic ones!

The vast majority of chemical cleaners sold on the market today are essentially petroleum-based products (hydrocarbons) that can easily become toxic if used improperly. Chlorinated hydrocarbons, for example, are so durable that they do not biodegrade, lasting forever in the environment. Yes, forever!¹

As a matter of fact, concern about the safety of these compounds in the scientific community has been so great, that chlorinated hydrocarbons (and similar substances) were designated “Persistent Organic Pollutants” or POPs by the United Nations.² These substances have been connected to severe hormonal, developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune disorders as well as cancer.³

To fight the continuing threat from synthetic cleaners, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) was tasked with determining the safety of many synthetic ingredients commonly found in chemical cleaners today. However, citizens need to join in the responsibility of informing consumers about this issue. We all can do our part by choosing natural, healthy cleaning products and avoiding toxic, synthetic ones. Another step people can take is by contacting your representatives, asking for the strengthening of the Toxic Substance Control Act, and for the sufficient funding of the EPA.

Check out these links to learn more and do your part!

http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

^{1, 2, 3} http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/06-19-2012/Living_in_a_less_toxic_home

And contact pegspc@yahoo.com for more information on living in a less toxic home.

A New Market for Better Cleaners

Our topic as a class for this term focuses on the use and impact of chemical cleaners. One of the most important, but often overlooked, components of this topic deals with the economics of chemical cleaners.

The makers of petro-chemical based cleaners have fundamentally dominated the market for cleaning products since the industry’s inception. This has been particularly true in the manufacturing sector, where workers have had to cope with using harsh chemical cleaners to “rid their hands of grease, grime and oil.” The continued use of abrasive cleaners has had a clear effect on the health of workers and the environment, negatively impacting both.

Recently, however, a new family of natural, eco-friendly cleaners has been produced by a company called Wrenchers Body Products LLC – “the first company to introduce a botanical, natural skin cleanser for [industrial] applications.” These cleaners use organic extracts from ingredients such as soybeans and walnuts to provide a heavy-duty cleaner without compromising the health of individuals and the environment. So far, the company has experienced great success in the retail sector, with buyers and potential investors eagerly embracing the product. Clearly, the chemical cleaner market has signaled its approval for these innovative specialty cleaners!

To learn more about Wrenchers Body Products LLC, or its products, check out the following links and their website at:

www.wrenchersbodyshop.com

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/working-hands-have-it-made-with-hands-maidtm-from-wrenchers-body-products-2012-06-27

Or contact Wrenchers Body Products LLC at:

wrenchersbodyproducts@gmail.com   760-728-8838

Keeping Children Safe from Chemicals

There are many different chemical agents that we probably all have in our homes – detergents, flame retardants, pesticides or fertilizers, and various soaps and air fresheners. But do you know how the ingredients of these products (both those listed on the product label and those that aren’t) can affect your health, and the health of your kids?

The chemical ingredients found in many of the products above – triclosan, formaldehyde, and various phthalates (among others) – have become controversial due to studies by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) consistently demonstrating their ability to stunt normal biological development and cause numerous illnesses. Perhaps the most serious harm is done by the unlisted chemical ingredients of these products. Yes, you read that right, the “makers of popular household cleaners aren’t required to list all their ingredients on the label,” even though such “hidden ingredients can cause everything from asthma to reproductive problems.”

All is not lost though! There are many steps parents can take to help keep them and their children protected from potentially harmful products. Apart from calling your Senators and Representatives about these issues, the following article gives five simple suggestions for avoiding and replacing “dirty” cleaners. The choice is obvious – go natural! Check it out!

http://rismedia.com/2012-06-18/do-your-part-top-5-natural-choices-for-a-healthier-child/

Here's another great article on the legislative aspect of this issue:

http://ecochildsplay.com/2012/07/25/tell-the-senate-healthy-children-need-safe-chemicals/

"Greenwashing"

By Adriana Chepiga

So you are doing your homework on becoming a more Eco-conscious consumer. As time progresses it seems to be easier to find "green  friendly" products on the shelves of our grocery stores. Many common household labels are beginning to make new claims while also revamping their labels for a more Eco -friendly appeal. However do not let such companies take you for a fool, while you find yourself spending extra cash on supposedly "green products". The term is called "greenwashing" essentially it is a new marketing scheme companies use to gain favor of the environmentally conscious consumer.

Last year there was a 73% increase in products bought claiming to be "green"however researchers found that at least 95% of these products had over stated the degree of their "green" label.

As a consumer where does that leave us? One of our options is not only resourceful but is also money saving. A clean home can be achieved with simple everyday products that attain the same results as any household cleaner. Such as vinegar, lemon and baking soda. Other options take some extra research on what household products we buy. Look for a legitimate Eco labels such as EcoLogo and Green Seal. A great reference was sinsofgreenwashing.org, a link is listed below.

References

http://moneyland.time.com/2011/05/23/greenwashing-nearly-all-products-eco-friendly-claims-are-bogus-or-misleading/

http://sinsofgreenwashing.org/

What the Label isn’t Telling You

Dangerous Chemicals in Household Products 

 By: Christina Hampson

Every year there are more than 7 million accidental poisonings, more than 3 out of 4 of these poisonings involve children aged 5 and under. Also, compared to air-pollution, household products are three times more likely to cause cancer. These facts don’t even take into account how bad some of these ingredients can be for our environment. There are many dangerous chemicals being used in unsafe ways in households throughout the world. In addition to the harmful effects that these ingredients have there are no laws that require manufacturers of cleaning products to reveal the ingredients in their products or to test the safety of these ingredients. This means that it is up to us consumers to educate ourselves about the hazards of these products so that we can make safe decisions on which items to use in our homes. The following are commonly found chemicals in household cleaning solutions and their adverse effects: 

• Phenols- common in disinfectants, poisonous to circulatory and respiratory systems.
 • Chlorinated phenols- common in toilet cleaners poisonous to circulatory and respiratory
 • Nonylphenol ethoxylate- a surfactant common in all-purpose cleaners and laundry detergents, biodegrades into even more toxins.
 • Formaldehyde- found in deodorizers, suspected carcinogen and respiratory irritant.
 • Petroleum solvents- common in floor cleaners, adverse effect on mucous membranes.
 • Diethylene glycol- common in window cleaners, nervous system depressant.
 • Perchloroethylene- spot remover, damages kidneys and liver.
 • Butyl cellosolve- found in all-purpose cleaners, window cleaners, and other cleaners, harmful to the nervous system, bone marrow, liver, and kidneys.
 • APEs- surfactant found in all-purpose cleaners, detergents, and disinfectants, endocrine disruptor (mimics human hormones in the body).
 • Styrene- found in metal cleansers and floor waxes, known carcinogen, endocrine disruptor, harmful to central nervous system, reproductive system and liver.
 • Organochlorines- common in bleaches, detergents, and degreasers, known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.

 Obviously there are many more dangerous chemicals being used than the ones that are listed above. It is crucial that we as consumers take the time to educate ourselves and learn about the dangers of these household chemicals that we have been taught to trust and purchase throughout our lives. Recognizing labels that neglect to list off ingredients used should be viewed as a red flag that the manufacturer does not want the consumer to know what ingredients are in the product, and probably for good reason (if you knew what was it in you wouldn’t buy it). The more we learn about these toxins, the more obvious it becomes how dangerous they are to anyone who is exposed. Knowing that there are alternative options for cleaning solutions that are just as effective, but not harmful, is key in protecting our family and ourselves. Be wary of the products you use in your house.

 *Visit http://www.ecopolproject.blogspot.com/2012/07/economically-green-cleaning.html for more information on economically green cleaning.

 Sources:
 http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_279.cfm http://green.wikia.com/wiki/Toxins_in_Household_Cleaning_Products http://voices.yahoo.com/how-dangerous-household-cleaners-28288.html