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Julisa vegan nail polish is made on the Gold Coast in Australia, accredited cruelty free by PETA and Choose Cruelty Free, Certified Toxic Free by Safe Cosmetics Australia and accredited palm oil free by The Orangutan Project. Available online and from selected stores.

Australian-owned and made skincare products certified cruelty-free & vegan by PETA, and certified Toxic-Free by Safe Cosmetics Australia. Based in Tasmania.

Miessence has an extensive range of certified organic products for skin, hair, body, cosmetic and oral. Available online.

Many everyday shampoos, cosmetics and other personal care products have a long list of chemicals names which most of us wouldn't recognise. In many cases these ingredients are harsh industrial chemicals, some of which have been linked to cancer, allergies, birth defects and other health issues. In Australia, cosmetics must comply with safety standards, but there is no international consensus. Some chemicals banned in Europe and the US are still considered safe by Australian authorities. These include DBP in nail polish, BHA in lipsticks, lead acetate in hair colour, and coal tar in anti-dandruff shampoos. Other chemicals, although safe in small amounts, do build up over time and this intensive long-term exposure does seem to present unnecessary health risks. These include mineral oil, DEA/TEA/MEA, D&C colours, aluminium, talc, and synthetic fragrances. Avoid known toxins. Decode the chemical nasties with the Chemical Maze app and book. Check out the Skin Deep cosmetics database with over 71,000 different products and a safety assessment of ingredients (US).

Globally, farm animal production accounts for nearly one-fifth of human-created greenhouse gas emissions. This is more than the entire transportation sector. As outlined in the United Nations report, Livestock's Long Shadow, livestock production is also a major contributor to the problems of land degradation, air pollution, loss of biodiversity, and water pollution. On average Australians eat over 70 kilograms of meat per person each year. Cut out beef from your diet and you'll save 1.45 tonnes of greenhouse gas a year. Switching from a normal sedan car to a hybrid car would reduce your annual emissions by only just over one tonne. Almost 50 per cent of all the grains grown in the world go towards cattle feed - enough food to feed 8.7 billion people. Presently 1.02 billion people, one sixth of humanity, are undernourished. Production of dairy and beef products is particularly water-intensive. The dairy sector alone accounts for one out of every 10 litres of total household water use. It takes 1,000 litres of water to produce one litre of milk. Reducing your meat and dairy consumption or, even better, committing to a vegetarian or vegan diet, is one of the most effective things you can do to reduce your environmental impact.

Whether it is medication, food, cosmetics, or other household items, various tests are performed to confirm their safety. Unfortunately, many of these tests are conducted on animals. This might include forced exposure to toxic chemicals or diseases, asphyxiation, extended physical restraint, food or water deprivation, genetic manipulation, forced feeding, and more. To make matters worse, most animals are killed at the end of the test. But is all this actually necessary? Despite putting millions of animals through this every year, it is unclear whether this approach is actually the most effective. Human biology often differs significantly from those of the animals used in testing. While animal studies can be useful as a first step, the conclusions don't carry over to humans in most cases. One study found this was true 64% of the time! This is not only a massive waste of life but needlessly expensive and time-consuming. Animal-free methods of testing product safety are being developed, including sophisticated tests using human cells and tissues (also known as in vitro methods), advanced computer-modeling techniques, and studies with human volunteers. Avoid products and companies that use animal testing. Search PETA's database of companies that do and that don't test on animals. Learn more about animal testing and find ways to take action.

Many of its materials are toxic and can leak into the surrounding ecosystem when disposed of in landfill. Further, rare earth metals are often used to make electronics in the first place, so disposing of them is a huge waste of limited resources. The usual response to this e-waste is recycling, but this has issues. These include the fact that some components cannot be recovered economically, a lack of understanding from the public of where and how to recycle electronics, and some recycling companies illegally abandoning recyclable material. One way to address this is to reuse and repair your products to maintain their life as long as possible. This means choosing durable, long-term items and learning to fix items yourself (or taking them to an independent repairer). Unfortunately, companies tend not to support this idea as it reduces their profits. Instead, many manufacturers intentionally design products with an artificially limited useful life, forcing customers to replace their products more often. Check out our entry on Right to Repair for more on how to repair electronics and other goods to extend their useful life. Purchase electronic goods from companies that are leading the industry in efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle e-waste Buy second-hand and sell or donate your unwanted goods. You can use websites like OzMobiles, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace or physical stores like op-shops and refurbished electronics stores. If your television or computer can't be reused or repaired, recycle it by taking it to an approved drop-off point.

Factory farming is a system of animal agriculture that involves an extreme level of control over animals' lives to maximise meat production while minimising cost. Unfortunately, the approaches taken in factory farming significantly reduce the quality of life for the animals involved. It also causes a number of environmental, social, and health-related issues. Despite this, there has been little effort from governments or businesses to reduce its prevalence or negative impacts. Exactly what factory farming involves will vary for different kinds of animals. There are a few overarching themes, however. The biggest one is the treatment of animals as commodities rather than living beings. This leads to money being valued more highly than the animals' welfare and basic needs. Related to this is a focus on large-scale production and efficiency. This often leads to a large number of animals being confined to small living spaces, including indoor sheds, cages, crates, or pens. Hormones and breeding practices are often used to distort these animals' bodies in the name of greater meat production at the expense of their welfare. One example is selective breeding to make chickens reach slaughter weight three times faster, causing several skeletal and cardiovascular issues. Unfortunately, these cruel, overcrowded conditions create the perfect environment for diseases to cultivate. Because giving animals a more ethical environment would reduce profit, however, these farms pump the animals full of antibiotics instead of addressing the underlying issue. When these seep into the environment, they allow microbes to become resistant, making it harder for us to fight certain illnesses. Factory farming places a significant toll on the environment. The amount of water, fossil fuels, and land used in these farms is significant and unsustainable. Animal waste and the pesticides used in the animal feed contaminate waterways to the point that some become dead zones unable to support life! Due to long hours, exposure to disease, and simply the nature of the work itself, workers at factory farms are more likely to suffer from physical and psychological problems. Further, these environmental and health impacts more greatly affect the rural communities surrounding these farms compared to other populations. This list of problems is only scratching the surface. Still, I'm sure you are already wondering how to avoid contributing to this cruel practice. What you can do: Learn more at Voiceless You can stop the problem at its source by reducing or eliminating animal products from your diet. This isn't always easy, so try to remember it is a gradual process. Animals Australia is a great place to go for more tips. If you continue to eat animal products, look for those which are independently certified by organisations like the RSPCA. The ethical standards for these items are higher, although far from perfect. If buying meat, Sustainable Table's Ethical Meat Suppliers Directory will help you find butchers offering free range and organic meat. Find cafes and restaurants serving higher welfare food near you at RSPCA's Choose Wisely website.

The three main sources of microplastic in marine environments are: 1) consumer products such as cosmetics, 2) breakdown of larger plastic material, and 3) the shedding of synthetic fibres from textiles by domestic clothes washing. To reduce the amount of microplastic getting into our waterways: Avoid personal care products containing polyethylene microbeads Avoid clothing made from synthetic fibres Keep plastics, such as plastic bags and bottles, out of waterways

Today it can be found in over 1300 products including cosmetics, clothing, sports rackets, computers, and non-stick cookware. Common nanoparticles found in consumer products include silver, zinc oxide, titanium oxide and carbon nanotubes. Studies suggest nanotechnology ingredients in cosmetics pose serious health risks to the women wearing them. Nanoparticles are incredibly small, measured in nanometres (nm), or one-billionth of a meter. They are found in cosmetics, moisturisers, and some sunscreens, and are used to increase products' penetration into the skin. Concerns have been raised that if nanoparticles are absorbed into living skin cells, they could increase the risk of skin cancer. Testing commissioned by Friends of the Earth, found nanoparticles in foundations and concealers sold by 10 top name brands, including Christian Dior, Revlon, and Yves Saint Laurent. Only one of these, Christian Dior, labelled its use of nano ingredients. Companies are not legally required to test the safety of nanoparticles before using them in products, or to label their products as containing nano ingredients. More on nanotechnology in sunscreens Emerging Nanotechnologies - concerns overview

They also need to put in place practices that: maintain or improve soil health, equitably manage water, are appropriate for the local ecosystem, minimise water and ground pollution, preserve native species, prioritise animal welfare, and more. Organic products have many benefits for the environment, health, and animal welfare. Organic farms result in greater biodiversity, better soil and water quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and an overall more sustainable agricultural system. A certain level of animal welfare is also required for certified organic products. Studies show that those who eat organic have significantly lower exposure to pesticides. Organic produce also tends to have more vitamins, antioxidants, and good fats. While the evidence is still developing on whether these lead to a significant health difference, they are certainly a solid indicator. However, it is important to take care when buying organic products. Just because something is labelled as organic does not necessarily mean it is. Australian products sold locally do not need to be certified or meet the national standard to be labelled organic. Instead, companies simply need to be able to "substantiate their claims". To ensure your product is organic, you should look for certification. Examples are Australian Certified Organic, Biological Farmers of Australia, and NAASA. It should also be noted that organic foods tend to have a lower yield. This means that more land needs to be cleared to meet the same demand, bringing its own environmental issues.  Buy directly from farmers who use organic methods, or subscribe to an organic box service that delivers organic food to your door at regular intervals. You can find farmers' markets and other organic retailers in your area with Local Harvest. Choose products that are certified organic or biodynamic under one of the following labels: ACO, BFA, NAASA, Demeter. Find out which fruits and vegetables expose you to the most and least pesticides so you'll know which ones to buy organic, and which conventionally grown ones are okay when organic isn't available.

It has had a significant impact on our ocean ecosystems. 90 per cent of global fish stocks are fully exploited or overfished. Pacific bluefin tuna populations are estimated at under 4 per cent of their pre-fishing levels. Oceanic shark and ray populations have declined by 71 per cent since 1970, and around a third are threatened with extinction. The primary cause of all of this? Overfishing. There are many ways in which the fishing industry adversely impacts aquatic life. The most straightforward is fishing a population beyond a sustainable level. This means that animals are being fished faster than they're replenishing, resulting in a population decline. Aquatic life is often thrown back after being fished, usually because they are too small or not the correct species. However, even this often causes injury or death because of rapid decompression, air exposure, and the stress of being captured. The plastic from fishing equipment is another issue. 45 per cent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in weight is discarded fishing nets. This can be combated in a few ways. The most obvious is limiting how much fishing is done in the first place, particularly for species that are at risk. Government-mandated fishing quotas help, and we can do our bit by cutting or reducing our seafood intake. If you continue eating seafood, you should ensure that what you eat is sustainably sourced. Unfortunately, this isn't always easy. Manufacturers often name their products to obscure the underlying animal, such as using "flake" to describe shark. Aggregate products like fish sticks or patties also tend to include unsustainable seafood without the consumer realising. It's important to check the label and learn what products and species are sustainable choices. What can you do? Eliminate or reduce your seafood consumption. Tofu is a great protein-rich alternative. If you are concerned about omega-3, flaxseed, walnuts and algae oil are great substitutes. When buying seafood, use GoodFish: Australia's Sustainable Seafood Guide to help you find the most sustainable options. Avoid species most at risk, such as shark products, rays, bigeye tuna, and southern bluefin tuna. Choose fish lower down the food chain, such as sardines and anchovies. Look for the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) logos. These certify that the seafood production occurred in a reasonably sustainable manner.

Palm oil is in around half of all packaged products including shampoos, baking oil, chocolate, cosmetics, chips, cookies, margarine, and soaps. But did you know that this simple ingredient actually contributes to a great deal of environmental degradation? The vast majority of palm oil is produced in Indonesia and Malaysia from oil palm plantations. The problem is, creating these plantations requires destruction of a significant amount of rainforest. This process takes away the habitat of countless animal species, such as orangutans, tigers, and rhinos. This is especially troubling given the biodiversity of these forests. The indigenous peoples of those lands frequently lose their homes and whole way of life. Unfortunately, palm oil production is increasing year on year. It can be difficult for consumers to know which products contain palm oil as it is usually just listed as "vegetable oils". Luckily, many companies are removing palm oil from their products or producing palm-oil-free versions. These are often clearly labelled as such. While palm oil production currently causes a great deal of damage, there are some advantages to the crop. Its yield per unit of land can be up to ten times higher than other vegetable oils. It is also plays a significant role in the Indonesian and Malaysian economies, helping the countries to develop. Given that a boycott is likely to just result in palm oil being replaced with less efficient vegetable oil crops, many suggest sustainable palm oil production as a more reasonable solution. Leading this initiative is the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) who provide certifications to growers and retailers involved in the palm oil industry. The RSPO aims to allow growers to earn a living wage while respecting human rights, conserving the natural environment, and maintaining transparency. However, many are concerned that the certification process is not strict enough. For example, land clearing and new plantings are still permissible, although there are protections for indigenous peoples and forests with high conservation values. Further, some of their certification options provide little environmental or social benefit while still allowing use of a varied form of their logo. One example is the 'mass balance' certification which still allows sustainable palm oil to be mixed with conventional palm oils. Another involves merely buying 'credits' to support growers without any assessment of the actual palm oil used in the products! Because of this confusing system, it is important to understand the different certifications (follow the link below) and check carefully when purchasing products containing RSPO certified palm oil. What you can do: Download Waza's Palm Oil Scan app to help you make an informed choice when purchasing products. See if your favourite products contain palm oil derived ingredients by checking against this list of names for palm oil. Check out WWF's Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard to see which companies are sourcing palm oil responsibly. Search our assessments database to see which companies are sourcing sustainable palm oil.

Despite the name, the 17 metallic elements are common in the earth's crust, but the techniques used to extract and refine them is labor-intensive, environmentally hazardous and increasingly costly. China is now responsible for approximately 95% of the world's rare earth mineral production, and has at least half of the world's reserves. China imposed a limit to the export of rare earth minerals in 2009, citing the need to conserve a dwindling resource and limit environmental damage from mining. The United States and others challenged the quotas in 2012 in a WTO complaint, which was upheld in January 2015 with export restrictions dropped. Australia, the third largest producer of rare earth minerals, is responsible for 2.0% of world production and has 3.9% of the world's reserves. Further information on rare earth resources in Australia, including interactive map See 'Why We Need Rare Earth Elements' (a great introduction) See 'The Global Race for Rare Earths' See 'National Security, Rare Earth Elements'

Sandblasting causes silicosis which the World Health Organization states leads to lung fibrosis and emphysema. In later stages the critical condition can become disabling and is often fatal. The International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation launched its campaign to eliminate the use of sandblasting in the garment industry in 2009. In 2010 both Levi's and H&M jointly decided to eliminate the process from their supply chains representing a major breakthrough in the campaign. Introduction to sandblasting Killer Jeans report (2016) Deadly Denim report - Sandblasting in the Bangladesh Garment Industry (2012)

To pay them a living wage, they would earn 58 cents per shirts, 4/10ths of one percent of the retail cost of the shirt. Buy second-hand clothes, or support local clothing brands which are accredited by See the Simple Plan and MTV EXIT video for 'This Song Saved My Life' See 'Behind the Swoosh' documentary and more about the fight against Nike's sweatshops at www.teamsweat.org See the Ethical Fashion Report, published by the Behind the Barcode project.