GoodGuide Joins UL Environment

Posted on August 6, 2012 by

We are very excited to announce that GoodGuide has been acquired by UL Environment, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories) that’s focused on helping people make, market, find, and trust greener, healthier, more sustainable products. This merger brings together two organizations deeply committed to sustainability and product transparency. (You can read more about our partnership here.)

Don’t worry: GoodGuide’s web and mobile apps are not going away. We will continue to operate “business as usual,” and our team will still be building tools and rating products to help you find the best products for you and your family. We will also be working to enhance and optimize those tools and rating systems to serve even more users and prospective customers as part of our longer-term goals.

Joining UL Environment provides GoodGuide with a strong and trusted commercial partner that is mission-aligned and that will help ensure the continued availability of GoodGuide information. UL is one of the oldest and most respected brands in the product testing, certifying, and information-sharing space. By becoming part of UL Environment, we will be able to continue to improve the quality of the information we use in our ratings and recommendations.

THANK YOU so much for your support over the last several years. We look forward to this next phase in our mission to empower people with better information that helps move the market towards safer, healthier, and greener products.

Sincerely,

George Consagra
CEO

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The Naked Brand

Posted on June 21, 2012 by

GoodGuide is honored to be featured in a powerful new documentary film – which is having its San Francisco Premiere today. The Naked Brand is:

about how corporations can help save the planet one small step at a time. It’s an introduction to a bright new future where companies tell the truth and work hard to create better products and a better planet. Corporations have incredible influence on the world we live in and that’s given them free reign to pollute, collude and mislead us, but advances in technology are rapidly making them accountable not just to shareholders, but to everyone. Now that we have constant access to the truth about the products we use and the ethics of the companies behind them, big brands are realizing that looking great isn’t enough. It’s time to actually be great.

The documentary features interesting interviews with some of the leading thinkers in the world of corporate marketing and communications: Alex Bogusky, Tony Hsieh, Yvon Chouinard, Keith Weed, and more. 

Check out the film and the growing movement towards radical transparency.

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Spring Cleaning, Naturally

Posted on April 11, 2012 by

Even though this spring may not feel very different from our exceptionally warm winter, it’s still time to do a little spring cleaning.  But be careful – cleaning products are actually among the most significant sources of exposure to toxic chemicals in the home. They can contribute to indoor air pollution, and can be poisonous if ingested or even touched. According to the U.S. Poison Control Center, household cleaners are responsible for about 10% of all toxic exposures. So are all “green” cleaning products safe for you and the environment? And how do you know if that “natural” cleaner really is free of harmful toxins? Here are some quick tips to clean your way to a safe and healthy home:

  • Watch for generic terms such as “fragrance”, which can conceal ingredients that may cause allergies and other health effects.
  • Consult GoodGuide to see if your product of choice contains any chemicals of high risk, such as triclosan, alkyl phenol ethoxylates or ammonium quaternary compounds.
  • Choose products that are efficiently packaged in recyclable containers.
  • Look for cleaning products whose formulations have been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment program or GreenSeal.
  • You can always make your own cleaners. For example, vinegar and baking soda will unclog a drain.
  • Read more about issues with household cleaners here.
As an added bonus, watch GoodGuide co-founder Dara O’Rourke test some of the most popular “green” cleaners:
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100 Calories of Sugar

Posted on April 5, 2012 by

This past Sunday, 60 Minutes aired an eye-opening piece about the harmful effects sugars can have on our body. Especially striking was the recommended limit for added sugars issued by the American Heart Association: 100 calories of added sugar per day for women (150 calories for men). We wondered what 100 calories of added sugar really meant when it came to dietary habits. Our findings are presented in the infographic below.

(PS – Sugar isn’t the only thing to consider when trying to eat a balanced diet. It’s just a pretty big piece of the puzzle since we eat so much of it.)

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March Good News Roundup

Posted on March 29, 2012 by

The consumer’s power to influence business was highlighted in the news this month, further exemplifying that they will be the ones to really drive change. GoodGuide was also mentioned frequently as an important tool for empowerment, as shown in some of this month’s highlights:

New York Times “Is It Safe To Play Yet?” Profiling parents who go through extreme lengths to ensure their children are living in homes free of chemicals and toxins, GoodGuide is listed as a prominent resource.

Triple Pundit “What 4 Global Trends Will Drive 21st Century Investing?” GoodGuide’s increasing popularity is used as an example of how the demand for ‘good’ is becoming an important trend this year.

Wall Street Journal “How Product Sustainability Matters To Consumers” This video features GoodGuide co-founder Dara O’Rourke at the WSJ Eco:nomics conference discussing why consumers are willing to pay extra money for sustainable products.

Ireland:AM “Beauty: Top 4 Apps” Recognized internationally, GoodGuide was featured as one of the best beauty apps because of the extensive information it provides about the safety of popular grooming products.

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Do You “Like” The Climate?

Posted on March 28, 2012 by

Facebook helps us reconnect with old friends, find weekend plans and remember birthdays. Now, it can even help fight climate change. With GoodGuide’s new “Like” The Climate app, Facebook is an important tool in preserving the health of our plant. Now, you can instantly discover if the brands you support share your concern with climate change. This is an essential resource for anyone aiming to reduce their individual impacts on the environment.

In minutes, the app will analyze all of the brands you and your friends “like” on Facebook and reveal if they have good or bad climate change records. Shocked that your sister likes five brands that are polluting the environment? Nudge her to “unlike” the offenders. Proud that your best friend only likes brands working to reduce carbon emissions? Salute him/her on their wall. By sharing this valuable information, you will be educating your friends and family about the brands we should be supporting and those we should be avoiding. Who ever thought you could help save the planet with a click of a button?

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Better Food for a Better World

Posted on March 27, 2012 by

What better way to start the day than to chat about food? GoodGuide teamed up with Greennovate, Roots of Change, Practically Green and EatingWell for a Twitter party about how our daily meal choices affect not only our bodies, but also the environment and society. Together, we compiled a list of easy ways we can change the way we interact with food and create a healthier world. We even came up with some new Practically Green actions to get you started!

Where is the best place to purchase food?

  • Shop the perimeter of the grocery store (fresh produce) and avoid the aisles (packaged food).
  • Visit your local farmer’s market so you can actually meet the people growing your food.
  • Join a CSA with other people in your household or office.
  • Plant your own garden! Food in grocry stores has traveled around 1,300 miles on average, which really adds up.

What are tips for cooking at home more often?

  • Set an attainable goal to cook at least one meal per day or a few days a week.
  • Plan your meals ahead of time and make just one weekly grocery trip.
  • Host a dinner party to share sustainable cooking ideas with friends and family.
  • Post favorite meals (with pictures!) on your fridge for inspiration.
  • Take turns with co-workers cooking a weekly meal for the whole office.

What are the issues with consuming too much meat?

  • You save more water by not eating 1lb of meat than you do by not showering for 6 months!
  • A meal of fruits, vegetables, and grains generates 24 times less greenhouse gas emissions than 6 ounces of conventionally raised beef.
  • Cutting meat usually means getting more fiber, folic acid, vitamins C and E, potassium & magnesium.
  • Partcipate in Meatless Mondays and aim to give up meat at least once a week.

What can you do with leftovers?

  • Bring for lunch the next day.
  • Freeze ends of vegetables and make stock.
  • Casseroles, quesadillas, and soups are easy dishes that you can integrate leftovers into.
  • Start a compost bin!

What labels/certifications should you look for when choosing food?

  • No additives/preservatives and organic certification.
  • Check out NRDC’s labeling guide
  • The less complicated ingredients, the better.
  • Labels are important, but go straight to the source and meet the farmer who produced your food!
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