Parabens are a group of chemicals that can be found in shampoos, commercial moisturizers, shaving gels, cleansing gels, personal lubricants, topical/parenteral pharmaceuticals, spray tanning solution, toothpaste and are also used as food additives. Parabens have been a source of controversy as studies have shown they can mimic the hormone estrogen, which is known to play a role in the development of breast cancers and can inhibit development of the male reproductive system.
Recycling is the reprocessing of old materials into new products, with the aims of preventing the waste of potentially useful materials, reducing the consumption of fresh raw materials, reducing energy usage, reducing air (from incineration) and water (from landfilling) pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions as compared to virgin production.
A rechargeable battery, also known as a storage battery, is a battery that can be restored to full charge by the application of electrical energy. Rechargeable batteries eliminate the need for endless batteries and keep dead conventional batteries out of land fills.
Products described as solar-powered use the sun as an energy source, converting sunlight into electricity.
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a hormone-disrupting chemical considered to be potentially harmful to human health and the environment. It has been found that scratched and worn polycarbonate baby bottles can leach this chemical into liquids.
Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a reduced impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production.