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The Power of Your Voices Forces Change

By Kristie Turck •  Published 01/31/13 •  3 min read

Last updated on August 19th, 2022 at 10:44 pm

tideIt can be discouraging, as a parent, or just as an individual who understands that we are living in a world that is overrun by chemicals.  As time goes by, we are exposed to an infinite number of them on a daily basis.  Body Burden is a real thing, and not only on ourselves but on our planet and our families. I, first hand, know how frustrating it can be to try to live in a less “toxic” environment.  I want safer products for myself and my kids. I want the air I breathe to be clean and the water my fish come from to be free of garbage and industrial waste. Whether I can control those things or not, it’s what drives me to find ways to help myself and others.  Even if just on a smaller scale.

But I think, in general, we underestimate our power as parents and consumers.  Think back to 2007 when the majority of us, myself included, didn’t even know what Bisphenol-a was or why we should even be concerned about it. But in a few short years, we changed that.  By educating ourselves and others.  By writing to companies to ask questions. By calling product makers to find out what their packaging was made of.  We made a change.  Recently BPA was added to the California Prop 65 Warning label list as a hazardous substance.  This is groundbreaking.  We have a long way to go.  Companies are driven by consumers and money so things will not be cheery sunshine from now on.  We can’t get relaxed and forget that we will be the force of the changes we want to see made.  With our phone calls, our emails, and our dollars.

The perfect example is the recent news that the makers of Tide, (Proctor & Gamble) will be reformulating their Tide products to reduce the cancer-causing chemical 1,4-dioxane in Tide® and Tide Free & Gentle®.  Our own Lori of Groovy Green Livin was spearheading the petition campaign that garnered 78,000 signatures (mine included).  78,000 of you signed a petition and Proctor & Gamble was forced to listen.  While they are promising to reduce it by 2015, they are at least taking notice of our challenge to them to make products safer.  It’s a big step in the right direction.  Your voices were heard.  Nothing is going to be perfect but if you think your opinion won’t make a difference, you just have to look at this victory and see that you are more powerful than you think.

Thank you Lori for making this happen. We owe you a big thank you.  As for the rest of you companies harboring products with toxic ingredients… you’re next.

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