Story of Stuff Video

We here at Manic Organic encourage conscious consuming. What does that mean? It means not buying stuff you don't need, and it means sometimes paying more in order to purchase a better made product (better conditions for workers, fewer miles traveled in transport, non-toxic dyes and safer "ingredients) that will last longer than the cheap clothing sold in malls and Walmarts.

Interested in where all of the mass-produced stuff we see filing malls comes from? Check out Story of Stuff which breaks it down with graphics and easy to understand stats. This will make you think twice about buying that cheap tshirt.

How to spot Greenwashing

You've heard of whitewashing, right? The idea that you try to cover over some bad news and make it bland and less obvious. Used mainly in business when a company is trying to cover up a bad image.

Well the same goes for green and environmental companies and products. With the uber-popularity (that shoutout was for your Ms. Vonhof!) of green products today. Companies everywhere from Walmart to Banks are jumping on the bandwagon to improve their corporate "green" image. But how can you tell if someone is actually protecting the planet, and more importantly, your health, or if they are just...well..."greenwashing"???

A fun little website was created to allow you to watch ad campaigns and spot the greenwashing yourself. You can find them online at Green Washing Index.