Tag: eco-friendly

  • Better for one, better for all

    Better for one, better for all

    Reusable cups that help curb the spread of microplastics

    The problem with plastic

    Microplastics have also been found in soil ecosystems, potentially compromising crop health. Because microplastics can release harmful pollutants, we are seeing worldwide effects of the damage they can do to our oceans, lands, and air—and the materials we consume from those sources.

    The human cost

    As devastating as microplastics are for Mother Earth, they also pose a significant threat to human health. These particles find their way into our bodies through various channels, including food like seafood and honey, bottled water, and even the air we breathe. Microplastics have been found in human blood, breast milk, livers, and kidneys.

    While we are still learning about the effects of microplastics on human health, the initial research has been alarming. A 2023 study found that microplastics “can interfere with important biological processes in the human body and can cause disruption of the endocrine, immune system; can have a negative impact on mobility, reproduction and development; and can cause carcinogenesis.”

    A 2025 report from the University of New Mexico Health Sciences found that microplastics in human brains have increased 50 percent over the past 8 years, and dementia patients had 10 times as many microplastics present as the general population.

    Better for one, better for all

    One company that is stepping up to tackle the plastics problem is Better for All. Better for All has developed a reusable and biodegradable cup that is designed to replace single-use plastic cups.

    Their solution to the problem of single-use plastics lies in PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), a material that is reusable and non-toxic, can sustain heat up to 212 F, and is at-home compostable. This unique material is known as a biopolymer, which is a biomaterial made by living fermentation microorganisms.

    The main stage

    According to one watchdog publication, an average stadium uses 800,000 plastic cups for a year’s worth of concerts, and 571,659 cups throughout an NFL season. The Oak View Group, which founded a sustainability network that includes sites like the Prudential Center, Dodger Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and Citi Field, says that their members “currently divert an average of 32 percent of their waste through reusing, recycling, and composting.”

    With the addition of Better for All’s compostable cups, venues can see a major change in their microplastics contribution, without asking attendees to alter their behavior (or their favorite gametime beverage). The next time you see your favorite artist play a concert, or root for your home team at a game, you may be able to cheers to something pretty impressive—sustainability.

    By Laura Bolt

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine
  • 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

    2021 Holiday Gift Guide

    2021 Holiday Gift Guide

    with Basil Bandwagon Natural Market

    Happy Holidays! We have gifts for everyone on your list this holiday season – kids, parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, pets – you name it!

  • RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 4/3/19

    RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 4/3/19

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Buddha Teas: Lavender & Ginger Root
    Fountain of Health CBD Smaller Bottles: Tropical Mango, Unflavored, Mint Chocolate, & Blood Orange
    kin+kind pet care: Waterless Bath, Flea & Tick Spray, Itchy Dog Shampoo, Deep Clean Dog Shampoo, Clean Ears, and Hip & Joint Supplement
    Genius Juice Whole Coconut Smoothie: The Original & Turmeric
    Maggie’s Organics Cush Footies (socks)
    Nantucket Spider: Extra Strength Tick, Summer Camp, & Adult
    NatureZway: Bamboo Toilet Paper
    Olivina Men: Shave Cream, Body Moisturizer, All-In-One Body Wash, Shave Gel, Charcoal Face Scrub, and 2-in-1 Shave Prep and Beard Oil
    Oxylent 5-1 Multivitamin Supplement Drink Packets: Sparkling Blackberry Pomegranate, Sparkling Berries, & Sparkling Mandarin
    Desert Essence Toothpaste: Pink Himalayan Salt
    Que Bottle
    Stasher Reusable Storage Bags
    Yooga Superfoods: Strawberry, Blueberry, Vanilla Bean, & Sea Salt Chocolate
  • Clean Up Your Self Care Routine With These 12 New Product Lines

    Clean Up Your Self Care Routine With These 12 New Product Lines

    By Jenna Kohler, MA, Certified Health Coach

    What you put IN your body can make a big difference in your overall wellness. Most of us are well acquainted with that notion by now; however, many folks aren’t aware that what you put ON your body can make a big difference too.  The tissues that make up our bodies are absorbent and internalize what we come in contact with.  Those of us who have had negative reactions to products we’ve used on our bodies know very well the effects of internalizing something our body doesn’t like. Others who haven’t experienced this may be taking for granted their body’s ability to process many of the harsh chemicals and toxins that are frequent additives in conventional or ‘drug store’ skin and beauty care products.

    At Basil Bandwagon Natural Market, we take great care in curating product lines that are both safe AND effective. We hand-select products from companies that care about your wellbeing, the wellbeing of our community environment, and the wellbeing of our planet. Recently, you may have noticed many new products landing on our shelves in our health and beauty aid aisles. We want to take a moment to introduce some of these wonderful new product lines with you. These are just a few of the reasons why these products have made it through our rigorous vetting process and we’re certain there will be a few you’ll be eager to try!

    Opas Soap

    Now carrying shampoo, conditioner, lotion, & bar soap at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market!

    About Opas: “Our products have antique and vintage-inspired qualities as recipes from the Naturalism and Renaissance era. We practice sustainability and composting and our products are completely eco-friendly from our ingredients to our packaging.”

    Carina Organics

    Now carrying shampoo, conditioner, lotion, hand soap, body wash, & hair spray/gel at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market!

    About Carina: “We are present in every step of the product-making process. Our ingredients, including alfalfa, chamomile, echinacea, nettle, red clover and a variety of Botanical Tree Essences, are hand-selected and harvested throughout the Pacific Northwest. This helps to ensure the use of only the healthiest and highest quality extracts and essences.”

    Schmidt’s Naturals

    Now carrying deodorant & bar soap at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market!

    About Schmidt’s Naturals: “Everything we produce is manufactured without harming any animals, and we never purchase ingredients from suppliers that test their products on animalsSchmidt’s is committed to staying certified vegan and cruelty-free. Schmidt’s Naturals products are always free of aluminum, propylene glycol, SLS, PEG, parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrance, artificial flavor, artificial colorants, and artificial sweeteners.”

    Dirt Bag

    Now carrying face masks at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market!

    About Dirt Bag: “The women-owned, women-founded company was named ‘Dirt Bag’ because it suited the product, which uses a dry blend of ingredients analogous to dirt, and also because it serves as a reminder that good things can come out of some very bad circumstances for women. Sustainable, all-natural ingredients.  No animal testing.  100% Eco-Friendly.

    Botanical Therapeutic

    Now carrying shampoo, conditioner, body wash, & hand cream at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market!

    About Botanical Therapeutic: “We have chosen a healthier approach to manufacturing self-care products. Since Carina’s inception in 1972, replacing chemical and synthetic ingredients with natural and organic plant extracts, essences, and oils has been central to our focus and philosophy.”

    Dr. Gingers

    Now carrying the dental care oil pulling line at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market!

    About Dr. Gingers: “Dr. Ginger’s research, as well as testimonials from people she knew and treated, confirmed the notion that oil pulling does indeed offer substantial benefits to oral and overall health. No harmful chemicals.  Dr. Ginger’s uses detoxifying Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate (an amino acid from coconut oil) in lieu of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (an irritating surfactant).”

    Oral Essentials

    Now carrying the dental care teeth whitening line at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market!

    About Oral Essentials: “You shouldn’t have to choose between a product that is good for you, and a product that actually works. For us, that meant formulating products that we can feel good about putting in our bodies. No ‘DO NOT SWALLOW’ labels, no irritating bleaches, no compromises. We are the first ever dentist-formulated, naturally-derived, clinically-tested, certified non-toxic oral care company in the world, and you know what? We think it’s about time!”

    Ancient Olive Soap

    Now carrying bar soaps at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market!

    About Ancient Olive: “Ancient Olive soap is perhaps the oldest and purest soap in the world, made of 100% olive oil and a high concentration of laurel oil. It is renowned for its skin-nourishing, wrinkle-fighting vitamins A and E from olive oil and its natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties from laurel.”

    Green Goo

    Now carrying first aid salves/balms, foaming hand soap, & bar soap at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market!

    About Green Goo: “We are leaders in the commercialization of no-compromises natural body care products. Our mission to provide safe, natural and effective products extends into our philanthropy, as we continue to donate products to military, maternity and child care, and animal care organizations both here and around the world.”

    Earth Mama Organics

    Now carrying baby body care product line, mommy body care product line, body wash, & deodorant at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market!

    About Earth Mama Organics: “We formulate easy-to-use herbal products to support mamas and babies through the entire miraculous birth process, from pregnancy through postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, baby care, and even the loss of a baby. We honor plant wisdom that has been passed down from great-grandmother to grandmother to mother to daughter; we combine that wisdom with the safety and assurances of contemporary evidence-based research.”

    Purple Prairie Botanicals

    Now carrying bar soap, & lotion at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market!

    About Purple Prairie Botanicals: “Purple Prairie Botanicals has always believed in the protection and sustainability of our natural world and the delicate systems which balance all life as we know it. This planet produces all of the products we share with you. When purchasing our raw materials, we only work with American companies that lead the industry in environmental stewardship and adhere to strict principles and protocols that ensure fair treatment and compensation for the people involved.”

    Attitude

    Now carrying body wash, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, & hand soap at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market!

    About Attitude: “All of our products are worry-free – 100% safe for your family and the planet, and free of cancer-causing chemicals, mutagens and endocrine disruptors. That’s why we question everything. And we invite you to do the same.” We have an insatiable need to innovate, inspire and improve. We are as much scientists as explorers, roaming the Earth and our homes looking for new ways to not only Live Consciously, but live better.

  • 10 Quick & Easy Ways to Reduce the Carbon Footprint in your Kitchen

    10 Quick & Easy Ways to Reduce the Carbon Footprint in your Kitchen

    1. Make Your Own Bulk Fermented Food.

    Cultures for Health and Basil Bandwagon

    Yogurt, sourdough bread, kefir, kombucha… these are all delicious, healthy foods that can be beneficial for your gut health. Unfortunately, if you are purchasing them on the regular, you’re disposing of a lot of packaging. While much of it is recyclable, an even better option would be to avoid the packaging all-together by making your own batches in home and storing them in your own glass reusable containers. Check out our Cultures for Health starter cultures, available in our refrigerated section.

    2. Use your favorite hot/cold beverage bottle.

    Hydroflask and Basil Bandwagon

    We <3 Hydroflask. Their bottles can hold hot or cold beverages, making them perfect for year-round enjoyment of iced tea, water, hot tea, or coffee – whatever fits your fancy. Plus they come it your favorite color, whatever that may be.

    3. Stash the kids’ snacks in stainless.

    Kid Basix and Basil Bandwagon

    Safesnacker made by KidBasix is BPA and phthalate free and the perfect size for a portion of fruit, veggies, or homemade granola. They’re easy to open and close, and are a mess-proof way of tossing in lunchboxes or backpacks.

    4. Stop buying plastic wrap.

    Bee's Wrap and Basil Bandwagon

    Reuseable food wraps like BeesWrap is not only functional, but beautiful as well. Pretty patterned cloth made in Vermont with beeswax, organic cloth, tree resin, and jojoba oil is great for wrapping cheese, lemons, greens, or covering plates or bowls of food.

    5. Buy high efficiency laundry detergent.

    A 64 fluid ounce bottle of Biokleen can clean up to 128 loads of laundry. It’s tough on dirt, but gentle on the earth. Less packaging for more uses of product = improved sustainability.  Recycle the container when you’re done, or use it as a watering can for your plants! The built-in spout makes it perfect for this use.

    6. Ditch fabric softener sheets.

    Woolzies and Basil Bandwagon

    Woolzies dryer balls made from 100% pure New Zealand wool are hypoallergenic and provide a 100% natural source of reusable fabric softener. They claim to reduce drying time by 25% and last for up to 1,000 loads!

    7. Start a compost bin.

    Worried about the stink? Purchasing or making an appropriate bin with a Classic Kitchen Basics charcoal filter can eliminate smells that might prevent you from doing this sustainable practice, which reduces your waste and feeds your garden!

    8. Buy bulk herbs, snacks, powders and grains.

    Buying in bulk from our amazing selection of Frontier Coop goods eliminates the need for excessive packaging AND saves you money. Win/win! Did you know? At Basil Bandwagon, you can purchase bulk items with your own reusable containers? Our cashiers will deduct the weight of your container from your purchase.

    9. Use compostable coffee filters and sandwich baggies.

    We realize that some disposable items make life easier. What you can do to reduce your footprint is to purchase from sustainable companies focused on creating compostable, natural products like these from If You Care.

    10. Use your own bags!

    Forget ‘paper or plastic’: use re-useable! We know how easy it can be to forget these bags during your shopping trips – so leave a handful in your car, and keep one handy in your purse.