Desert Messenger

April 4, 2018 www.DesertMessenger.com 9 Are your home furnishings good for the planet & your family? BARB I' S PL A C E GREAT Home Made Take-Out Food WE'VE MOVED! ...just across the street in General Store Lot! OPEN MON THRU SAT 9 -3 Closed Sundays Call, Text, or Visit our Facebook Page Call in Orders & Delivery 928-322-2862 Daily Breakfast & Lunch Specials! NOW SERVING SHAKES! TACO TUESDAYS! 205 E. Main Street, Quartzsite 928-927-4163 Serving Breakfast & Lunch NEW HOURS! 6:30am - 2pm daily The Main Street Eatery "WHERE COFFEE IS FREE WITH EVERY MEAL" MOUNTAIN QUAIL C AFE Open 7am - 7pm 7 DAYS/ WEEK 928-927-8890 & Gift Shop 500 N. Moon Mt. Ave., Quartzsite (corner of Moon Mt. & Quail Trail) B-10, Main St. Moon Mountain X Quail Trail N Hwy. 95, N. Central • DAILY SPECIALS • Friday FISH Special • Sat. PRIME RIB • Sunday POT ROAST Enjoy our Famous Bread Pudding ! Home Style Cooking! Chicken Quesadilla Quail Burger Arizona Omelet Crepes Arizona Burger Refried Potatoes Fresh Fruit Plate ~ Free Wi-Fi ~ Ask About our Delicious Desserts! We're open Every Day! 175 W. Main St. 928-927-5585 www.sillyalspizza.com SILLY AL'S PIZZA Famous Gourmet Pizza TUES THUR FRI • 7PM • KARAOKE Serving Quartzsite Since 1987 WED • 7PM • DJ SERVING ARIZONA CRAFT BEER & GROWLERS TO GO! HAPPY HOUR 10-12 and 3:30-5:30 (StatePoint) More consumers are interested in se- lecting products that are good for the planet and their families, than ever before. While many understand what organic food is, confusion still exists when it comes to home furnishings. Simply put, what you bring into your home directly impacts the health and welfare of your family in terms of exposure to chemi- cals of concern, indoor air quality and comfort. With the deluge of products claiming to be environ- mentally sustainable, it's important to know what to look for when furnishing your home. Here are some considerations to bear in mind. • Does it contain harmful chemicals? While the EPA has phased out the use of some of the most poten- tially harmful chemicals, some chemical variations continue to be used in upholstery and fabrics. To get a sense of what's good and what may be bad, consult resources like the U.S. EPA's Chemicals of Concern List and the Living Future Institute's Red List. Re- member that while some degree of chemical treat- ment may be needed to make fabrics fi re-retardant or stain-repellent, in many instances, green manu- facturers employ minimal chemistry or have found natural solutions to achieve these results. • Am I considering all the options? Fortunately, top fabric and furniture manufacturers have developed more sustainable alternatives. For example, Milliken & Company recently launched Breathe by Milliken, an eco-elegant collection of fl uorine-free performance fabrics available in both natural and recycled poly- ester fi bers. Furniture retailers are offering sustain- ably-sourced, locally-made, and organic furniture and fabric options, while big box retailers like Target have developed sustainability scoring requirements on products to help educate and empower consumers. • Where does it come from? A sofa made from natural materials may not be a truly green choice. Consider the supply chain, too. Are natural raw materials sustain- ably grown and harvested? Are they made by compa- nies with reputations for environmental stewardship according to green manufacturing principles? • What's it made of? Select natural fi bers or materi- als like cotton or wood whenever possible. However, if you prefer man-made fi bers, ask about items made from recycled or post-consumer materials. For ex- ample, Breathe by Milliken polyester fabrics are made from recycled plastic, and each sofa upholstered in this fabric diverts 90-150 plastic bottles from landfi lls. • How long will it last? Durability is sustainabil- ity. Whether wood, molded plastic or fabric, quality household items will remain in use, rather than in the landfi ll. • What happens when I'm done with it? Opt for mate- rials that consist of recycled or reused materials and/ or those that biodegrade or can be easily recycled. • Have green claims been validated? "Greenwashing," or making untrue or inaccurate sustainability claims, is a pervasive problem across a range of industries. Opt for brands with third-party certifi cations. For example, products achieving GREENGUARD Gold certifi cation have been screened to ensure they don't contain any of the more than 10,000 chemicals com- monly known to pollute the air we breathe. Earning this certifi cation means these fabrics meet the world's most rigorous chemical emission standards, improv- ing indoor air quality and overall health. The Sustain- able Furnishings Council is another excellent con- sumer resource. For more information on sustainable interiors, visit breathebymilliken.com. Your home is your refuge. Knowing the facts about what you choose to put into it can allow you to feel better -- literally and in terms of your environmental impact.

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