Christian Siriano with Aveda EarthLust water bottle

Catwalks for Water

BY raintees

September 29, 2011

The fashion industry isn’t always so nice to the environment with all the pesticides and chemicals sprayed on our cotton, the formaldehyde used to finish off our jeans, and the millions of pounds of water used the in manufacturing process.

Luckily for us, a greater amount of designers than ever before have opted to become more environmentally conscious in recent years and Rain Tees is always interested in learning about them and working together to support a healthier earth.

This year Aveda announced that for their sixth fashion week in a row they would be promoting their own eco fashion based initiative – CatWalks for Water – and partnered with Christian Siriano’s runway show among others for the Spring/Summer 2012 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Aveda, The Art and Science of Pure Flower and Plant Essences, has had one mission ever since its founding in 1978 — to provide industry professionals with products that would be of great service to their clients, and friendly to the earth. They’ve done just that through their hair care, skin care, makeup, and lifestyle products, putting them at the forefront of environmental sustainability. This made it no surprise that a company so focused on staying green would partner with fashion’s greatest week of events.

In an effort to stay as green as possible, Aveda collaborated with designers to reduce the environmental impact of their runway shows, and with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to supply free tap water at various New York City locations. Among the designers who chose to work with Aveda were Jason Wu, and Project Runway winner Christian Siriano.

The four steps Aveda established to advocate for a greener fashion week include:

1. Providing limited edition EarthLust water bottles backstage at shows, each designed with the signature of the participating designers. This in turn replaced the use of plastic water bottles, and increased the usage of NYC tap water.

2. Abolish the use of fur in designs.

3. Provided organic and/or locally-sourced food to fashion show staffs.

4. Printed show invitations and programs using paper that is at least 20% post-consumer recycled.

Aveda especially capitalized on their water efforts, working closely with the DEP on providing free tap water at stations throughout Manhattan.

Guests were able to refill their EarthLust water bottles, or own reusable water bottles, with NYC tap water at a total of six “Tap Water on the Go” locations.

Their goal was to reduce the amount of waste that comes from the use of plastic water bottles. For those of you shocked at their decision to use tap water, the Environmental Protection Commissioner, Cas Holloway, expressed that New York City actually has some of the best drinking water in the world! Holloway was ecstatic to work with Aveda on increasing awareness of this fact, and on the clean water system used by the DEP.

Here’s a little fun fact about Aveda’s efforts — ever since they began their CatWalks for Water program some seasons ago, they’ve helped prevent about 7,300 plastic water bottles from being thrown away in practically-filled landfills.

To go along with their pro-environment fashion week activities, Aveda also had a presence at the runway show of designer Christian Siriano. Among the guests at the show was Rain Tees’ very own founder, Beth Doane.

Aveda Global Creative Director Antoinette Beenders with Allen Ruiz and N.A. Creative Director Ricardo Dinis

Aveda’s leading hair stylist, Antoinette Beenders (pictured above), used Aveda products to create fun looks on the models. This season, Siriano’s collection was all about creating “a smart, flirtatious girl with captivating charm.” To accompany his vision, Beenders created long, wavy hairstyles for the runway.

“The hair for Christian Siriano this season is playful and looks effortless. We’ve updated the loose, beachy waves of the ‘90s with a more groomed look that’s smart, young and approachable,” she stated.

So whether you were looking to quench your thirst, or searching for products that can give you runway to everyday-ready hair, Aveda was the company of choice this fashion week, showing fashionistas that staying green is always in style.

To catch all of Aveda’s fashion week activities, visit the company’s Twitter, Flickr, Vimeo, and Facebook pages, where they posted actively during the week.

By
Maria Garcia
NYC Fashion District Fashion Examiner and Rain Tees Contributor

Posted in: Conservation, Events

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sOccket Launch!

BY raintees

September 15, 2011

Rain Tees was super stoked to get a personal invite to the swanky NYC launch of what CNN has called “Magic”, Bill Clinton has called “extraordinary”, and New York Magazine raves is, ” “Highbrow and brilliant.” So what is it? It’s a soccer ball and it’s changing the world.

Invented by an all-female group of Harvard undergraduates in 2008, including the super sweet Jessica Matthews who I happened to meet randomly in an elevator in Chelsea while working in NYC a few years ago, the award-winning sOccket is a soccer ball that harnesses energy generated during play to power small electrical appliances that are so critical to survival for many in the developing world.

The balls are made using up to 95 percent recyclable materials and can last between 3-15 years. The founders are also putting together an auction which you can learn more about here.

Two of the sOccket’s original inventors, Jessica O. Matthews, 23, and Julia C. Silverman, 22, founded the non-profit social enterprise Uncharted Play to develop fun toys that also address pressing real-world issues.

Matthews and Silverman invested thousands of dollars from their personal savings in the redesign and development of the ball that powers functional tools, such as water purifiers.

“Keeping the realities of the resource-poor child in mind, we worked very hard to develop a ball we feel can make a difference in the lives of people around the world,” said Uncharted Play Chief Social Officer and non-profit head, Julia Silverman.

For more information about sOccket and Unchartered Play, and to find out how to get your own and give one in the process, contact Zena Hanna at press(at)soccket(dot)com or visit sOccket!

By
Beth Doane
Rain Tees Founder

Posted in: Conservation, Stories

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Beauty Buys

BY raintees

September 8, 2011

I just love finding non-toxic and eco-friendly beauty buys. I figure that since I have to buy the product anyway, why don’t I just get one that’s better for my family and better for the environment? Plus, I swear I feel more beautiful using these products! Check out a few of my favorites.

Yes To Tomatoes Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner – $9

So you’ve heard of the Yes to Carrots line and you’ve seen it in your local Target or Walmart. What you don’t know perhaps is that they, like Rain Tees, support children with their Yes to Seed Fund!

They also have different Yes To’s for different hair types – not to mention a bunch of other great products as well. I personally have thin hair and am constantly looking for a product to give me the right amount of oomphf. Yes To Tomatoes definitely hits the spot (it’s in the tomatoes, I swear!) and it smells really good, while not breaking the bank or causing trauma to our ecosystem once I wash it down the drain. Check out their eco-friendly products and say Yes To…

SEPHORA Collection Mineral Foundation Compact – $22

Although it’s on the pricey side of things when it comes to foundation powder (I do have a budget, you know), it is worth it. This compact feels so unbelievably light and the best part – it’s pretty “Natural”. Sephora decided that it was high-time to put their own Seal-of-Approval on natural products and this powder definitely qualifies. Sephora’s natural seal identifies the products that pass their internal natural-beauty standards and you’ll be shocked to know that they have over 1,400 and counting!

So how does a product earn this rite of passage? The product must commit to formulate with high concentrations of antioxidants, botanicals, essential oils, fruit extracts, marine bioactives, minerals and vitamins; along with using fewer to no amounts of genetically modified organisms, parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic dyes and fragrances, or triclosan. Sounds like a tough rule to live by – but definitely worth helping our environment and those of us who like to have “natural” beauty!

PeaceKeeper Nail Paint – $8

Natural nail polish is the way to go these days – and by natural, I don’t mean with just the color.

PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics designed a nail polish line (and lip line) that does not use artificial colors or fragrances, toluene, formaldehyde, acetone, phthalates, parabens, lanolin, gluten, sulfates, or any synthetic preservatives. Considering almost all nail polishes at your local drug store have these harmful chemicals in them, PeaceKeeper is raising the bar on being natural.

On top of that, the company’s mission is just outstanding. They are the first cosmetics line to give all of its after-tax, distributable profits to women’s health advocacy and urgent human rights issues. They also insist on building a slave-labor free company, making sure that the companies they work with stateside and overseas are paying their employees fair wages. Plus (I know, can it get any better?), PK refuses to use any products that have been tested on animals and they provide 100% vegan products for animal lovers who won’t use ingredients such as carmine.

PeaceKeeper pretty much makes it to Saint-hood with their ‘cause-metics’. Not to mention, their stuff is just too cute! Check out this video too for more info!

So what eco-friendly products do you enjoy using? Post a comment of your favorite eco-line and tell us what’s so special about it.

Cheers!
-Raissa

By
Raissa Wagner
Rain Tees Contributor

Posted in: Conservation

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Energy Saving Tips

BY raintees

August 22, 2011

Looking for easy ways to save energy and expense?

Look no further.

I’ve compiled a list of a few things you can do to save even more energy and help out Mother Earth. Try these – and then add a few. Leave a comment with your favorite energy saving tip!

1. Install a programmable thermostat to keep your house comfortably warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

2. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs with the ENERGY STAR® label.

3. Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher drying cycle. Or skip the dishwasher all together and hand wash your dishes with an eco-friendly soap (Try Dr. Bronner’s Magic Pure Castile Liquid Soap).

4. Plug your electronics (TVs, DVD players, computers, etc.) into power strips; turn the strip off when the equipment are not in use.

5. Lower your water heater thermostat to 120°F or lower and take short showers instead of baths.

6. Make sure to only wash full loads of dishes and clothes.

7. Be wise when you drive. Aggressive driving, speeding, and rapid acceleration and braking wastes a lot more gasoline than you’d expect and is just bad karma too!

8. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label on home appliances and products – they meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

So what are your favorite energy saving tips? Share with the rest of the Rain Tees community here!

By
Raissa Wagner
Rain Tees Contributor

Posted in: Conservation

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Home Detox

BY raintees

August 18, 2011

Let’s detoxify your home for a healthier life! Try a few of these tips and you’ll breathe easier and feel better instantly!

1) Do you ever wake up with itchy eyes and throat, feeling like you didn’t get much sleep? Most linen, like polyester-cotton blends and permanent press, have a finish that releases formaldehyde – the probable cause for your wakefulness. Try using untreated cotton or organic cotton sheets for your bed. These sheets are sans-formaldehyde and promise a safe and comfortable night’s sleep. We like Northern Naturals and Goodnight Naturals!

2) Is new furniture in your near future? Do your research when buying pressed wood furniture, as they also contain formaldehyde (which is linked to myeloid leukemia, by the way). Make sure to air out furniture with closed doors and open windows for at least 3 hours once you’ve found the spot for it in your home. And an even better alternative? Buy used pieces that have already aired out! Just make sure they come from a smoke-free home. Try Craigslist!

3) Instead of saturating your lawn with chemicals to kill unwanted weeds, do this instead: Use a soaking hose to water the lawn, add weed-inhibiting mulch for your plants and trees, and set the mower to 3 inches (longer grass shades and stifles weeds). If you feel you must use an herbicide to kill those pesky weeds, use one made with vinegar or corn gluten meal.

4) Go for organic fruits and veggies! The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently released a study listing the most pesticide-contaminated fruits and veggies. This list can change from time to time with farming practices but currently the worst include: Apples, followed by celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, imported nectarines, imported grapes, bell peppers, potatoes, blueberries, lettuce, and kale. Choosing organic vegetables and fruits will cut more than 80% of pesticides from your grocery list!

5) Craving a late night snack? Make one at home instead. Some pre-packaged food wrappers, cartons, bags and boxes (even microwave popcorn bags!) contain oil and water-repelling chemicals that transfer to and metabolize in the body, forming likely carcinogens. The EPA is working to reduce and eliminate these chemicals by 2015; but until then, cut back on the take out and make your favorite meals at home!

6) Although the Swiffer is not organic, it can definitely help reduce toxins from your home. Chemicals have a tendency of piggybacking on dust which, as we all know, ends up in pretty much every conceivable corner of the house. Use that Swiffer and be sure to dust surfaces and floors weekly, take off your shoes and wipe your pet’s paws at the door, and change filters in your central-air system at least once a year. (On a side note: Another EWG study found that women whose breast milk contained the fire retardant Deca, linked to memory and attention problems, also had Deca in their vacuum-bag dust!)

By
Raissa Wagner
Rain Tees Contributor

Posted in: Conservation

1 Comment

A Win for Sharks!

BY raintees

July 26, 2011

After months of dialogue since the conservation group Oceana presented a bill to the Chilean National Congress, Chile has become a new leader in shark protection by unanimously passing a bill to ban the practice of shark finning from its national waters. The new ban affects 30 shark species that travel the eastern Pacific to the Southern Ocean along the Chilean coastline. Of the 30 species, 15 are specifically targeted for finning.

So what is finning and why is this important?

Finning is the act of slicing off the fins of a shark out at sea and then dumping the body (often still alive!) overboard. You can also check out our in depth look at this issue here.

Without fins sharks cannot swim and therefore no longer possess the ability to hunt for food, evade other predators, or even breathe. The fin is used in an Asian delicacy called shark fin soup. The fin itself provides no flavor to the soup but absorbs flavor from various broths and has a thick, stringy texture. The shark fin market has boomed with China and Hong Kong trading tens of thousands of tons every year, with other countries not falling far behind.

Finning is killing millions of sharks every year with a projected 38 million just in 2011 alone. With Chile passing the bill to ban finning from its national waters, we can hope that number will drop – now and the years to come. This bill is a small step towards saving our sharks and removing them from the Endangered Species List… but a step nonetheless.

By
Raissa Wagner
Rain Tees Contributer

Posted in: Conservation

1 Comment

Recycling Tips!

BY raintees

July 22, 2011

You’ve heard the old saying thousands of times: “Save the Rainforest” – but maybe you think that you live too far away to do anything that really matters. Truth be told, you’re wrong!

If you and your family have not already started recycling, you should begin. Recycling helps our society reuse what we’ve already produced; therefore reducing the demand to cut down our precious rainforests and create more products that may be harmful to our Earth.

Here are some simple tips your family can do that will help our environment.

-Use cold water in the washer whenever possible.

-Store food in re-usable containers instead of plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

-Save wire coat hangers and return them to the dry cleaners.

-Take unwanted, re-usable items to a charitable organization or thrift shop.

-Recycle everything you can: cans, glass bottles, paper products, motor oil, etc.

-Look for local recycling centers that take the items your garbage hauler doesn’t.

-Use phosphate-free laundry and dish soaps.

-Don’t leave water running.

-Install a water-saving shower head.

-Get a free energy audit from your utility company.

-Have your water heater insulated free of charge by your utility company and set it at 130 degrees.

-Turn off the lights, TV, and other electrical appliances when you leave the room.

-Lower your thermostat by one degree per hour for every hour you’ll be away or asleep.

-Turn your heat down, and wear a sweater.

By
Raissa Wagner
Rain Tees Contributor

Posted in: Conservation

3 Comments

Moksa Organics and IFAW’s Animal Action Campaign!

BY raintees

July 18, 2011

Moksa Organics is a favorite of the Rain Tees team and just recently they created their limited edition “Kilimanjaro” product line to support the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Animal Action Campaign for the endangered African Elephant. Moksa created a luxurious body bar soap and body butter using 100% certified ingredients and fairly traded ingredients of shea butter and cocoa butter from a women’s cooperative in Nigeria.

Elephants are the largest land animals on our planet, yet they are rapidly declining in numbers. In 1900, there were more than 10 million elephants worldwide. Sadly, by 1979, less than 1.4 million remained and today, fewer than 650,000 exist.

Moksa and IFAW are working to change those figures and with every purchase of a Kilimanjaro product by Moksa a designated dollar amount will be dedicated to this special IFAW fund. Help them reach their goal of $10,000 here!

Elephant in Tsavo East National Park.

In addition to relief efforts, such as relocation and securing habitats for elephants in National Parks, IFAW has also created their Animal Action Campaign for the African Elephant.

Their education program will engage 5,000,000 students, teachers and families in more than 15 countries to learn about and celebrate elephants, which are among the smartest, most social and emotional of all animals.

Elephant family on the move in Amboseli National Park.

The program will also introduce young people to the challenges that threaten the survival of this remarkable species, including habitat loss, poaching fueled by ivory trade and conflict with human communities.

Learn more about this campaign and give back here!

By
Beth Doane
Rain Tees Founder

Posted in: Conservation, News

23 Comments

Coffee Beans by Daniel Hurst Photography - Flickr

Rainforest Alliance Coffee – Seal Your Cup!

BY raintees

April 23, 2011

Love coffee? If you’re like most people, you can’t get enough! While there has been a lot of debate regarding the health benefits of coffee, there has been equal debate over the ethics of how it’s grown.

According to the Rainforest Alliance, less than 10% of the earnings that come from coffee’s 60 billion dollar industry are given to the farmers. Over the years these farmers have had to give up their lands and businesses, or have had to resort to slash-and-burn or cattle ranching techniques in endangered rainforests in order to maintain their livelihoods, which contributes to elevated levels of greenhouse gases and environmental destruction.

The Rainforest Alliance has taken steps with its Seal Your Cup program to ensure that those who choose to indulge in a good cup of java can also do it knowing they are helping the planet at the same time. Choosing from a selection of coffees from Rainforest Alliance certified farms directly supports sustainable farming as well as the families who work hard to harvest them, improving their daily quality of life and providing them with improved tools and techniques to maintain an eco-friendly business.

To date, 90,000 farms are sustainably managed every day. At least 28,500 children now have the means to go to school, and over 1.5 million farmers and their families have felt the benefits of this amazing program.

To learn more about the global impact of these efforts and how your purchase of Rainforest Alliance coffees affect the lives, lands, and livelihoods of the Seal Your Cup initiative, please visit the Seal Your Cup official site for additional information, photos, videos, and other ways you can help just by drinking a cup of coffee!

By
Erin McLaughlin
Associate Editor

Posted in: Conservation, Stories

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Plant 10,000 Trees Campaign

BY raintees

February 15, 2011

Rain Tees and Living Green Magazine have partnered together to create Plant 10,000 Trees, a collaboration aimed at planting 10,000 new trees in the Brazilian Atlantic forest that’s been destroyed through logging, oil drilling, and deforestation. Since each tree needs at least 200 square feet of open soil surface to grow, 10,000 trees means over a million square feet of healthy new rainforest!!

We’ve also teamed up with some amazing charity sponsors and celebrity supporters including actress Rosario Dawson, Latin pop-star Debi Nova, actress Jenna Dewan-Tatum, filmmaker and oceanographer explorer Fabian Cousteau, model Summer Rayne Oakes, celebrity yoga instructor Mandy Ingber, and model and activist Nick Starcevic.

Each entry for the Plant 10,000 Trees contest not only plants a tree on behalf of the entrant but also automatically enters them into a drawing for the chance to win one of ten prizes, including luxury eco baskets worth $250, or the 10,000 tree luxury eco prize worth $500!

For extra fun we designed an exclusive badge for entrants to add to their Facebook profile page to show they planted their tree.

Visit Plant 10,000 Trees today to plant your tree and help us reach our goal! You could win one of ten prizes along the way and help save rainforests while you’re at it!

The above is just a sampling of celebrity supporters we have on board! More pictures will continue to be added to the official Plant 10,000 Trees website as it continues!

By
Erin McLaughlin
Associate Editor

Posted in: Conservation, Stories

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