NEW ENERGY IN HOME MANAGEMENT

A greener planet begins under the kitchen sink; BigGreenPurse.com urges women to spend more on earth-friendly products
Marilyn Gardner, April 12, 2007 (Christian Science Monitor)

WHO
Diane MacEachern

WHAT
BigGreenPurse.com, intended to put the enormous financial power of the homemaker’s budget (average $18,000/year) to work healing the environment

WHEN
On-going

WHERE
The website is available at the stroke of a key; it represents Ms. MacEachern’s national campaign.

WHY
- Organic, locally grown food: pesticide-free, improving water quality, species protection, and health.
- Energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs: efficiency reduces energy consumption.
- Fuel-efficient cars: direct impact on air quality.
- Nontoxic cleansers: water, baking soda, distilled vinegar, and common liquid soap produce clean bathrooms and kitchens with toxic chemicals.
- Shade-grown coffee: to renew the rain forest.
- Phthalate-free cosmetics: Phthalates are plasticizers in some perfume, nail polish, deodorant, etc., linked to health problems.

QUOTES
MacEachern: "Women spend 80 cents of every dollar in the marketplace…We could be the most powerful force for economic and environmental change in the 21st century if we focused our money where it could make the biggest difference. If a million people did that, it would have a $1 billion impact…Women love the idea that they have that much power in their purse…It can get them a future they want to leave to their kids – clean water, clean air…You start with the products that make the most difference to you…"