TOOLS FOR GREEN GIVING.

Resources for eco-awareness and action

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Three million diapers pour into U.S. landfills each year, where they will likely linger for over a century. Nature Boy and Girl offers an environmentally minded alternative. It uses less raw materials than conventional and its product is 70 compostable, thanks to the waterproof, breathable cornstarch-based backsheet that completely degrades in only 45 days. That doesn't affect the diapers' performance, though. Independent lab tests demonstrate the diapers have superior absorption speed, capacity, wicking ability and dryness when compared to major brands. Bags of 20 to 30 diapers, depending on the size, retail for about $8.

But why not "pamper" Mom, too? Bella Mama has created a line of natural products especially for pregnant women, that are lanolin-, petroleum- and chemical-free. Sunflower seed oil-based pregnant belly oil, foot salts to soothe aching feet and an herbal sitz bath for healing the body after childbirth are three of the six items available individually, or collectively in gift boxes ($29.92 and $49.95). CONTACT: Bella Mama, [phone], www. bellamama.com; NatureBoy and Girl, (887)NORSEAN, www.naturalboyandgirl.com.

--Jennifer Bogo

LIKE A FISH IN WATER

Fishing around for a gift for that sportsman in your family? A "fish friendly" tagging kit will provide him or her with an ecologically friendly twist to fishing. Instead of killing the fish and thus depleting the ecosystem, fishermen can tag and release them. If the tagged fish is later recaught, the original tagger will be sent a complete historical report. Furthermore, the information will be added to a national database on migratory patterns, preferred habitats and growth rates for each species, and this will eventually help in effective fishery management. Kits cost $12; refill tags are $5. CONTACT: Fish Unlimited, [phone].

--Hillary Young

FABRIC OF OUR LIVES

"The touch, the feel of cotton" is much more than a commercial message to the people behind each step of Maggie's Functional Organics. The fibers for Maggie's wide array of certified organic cotton items have been cultivated using only sustainable farming methods. Everything--from button-down dress oxfords, t-shirts, camisoles and underwear to aprons, tote bags, baby clothes and bedding--is not only touchably soft, but completely safe for both you and the environment. A longtime supporter of both U.S.- and Peruvian-grown organic cotton and yarn, Maggie's will soon support a worker-owned sewing cooperative in a hurricane-devastated area of Nicaragua as well. It seems the company's organic cotton gloves with two-sided grips ($10) have a valuable function far beyond the garden. CONTACT: Maggie's, [phone], www. organicclothes.com.

--J.B.

COLOR ME NATURAL

Always wanted to be a natural redhead? Now's your chance. In Logona Herbal Hair Colors, plant materials like walnut shells, chamomile, roasted acorn, rhubarb root and organically grown henna coat and strengthen each strand of hair, replacing the harsh chemicals in conventional products that attack your tresses. A new-and-improved formula has the added benefit of jojoba and wheat protein to condition hair as it colors. Essential oils are used to nix any harsh smells and algae extract converts it into an easily applied gel. No synthetics, preservatives or fragrances are used, and each batch is tested to ensure against agricultural chemicals and heavy metals. One 3.5-ounce package ($8) should be enough to color shoulder-length hair. CONTACT: Logona, [phone], www.logona.com.

--J.B.

PAINT IT ON

Some women would feel naked without color on perfectly manicured fingernails. But many don't know the true price of painted beauty, according to a recent Environmental Working Group report. The industrial chemical dibutyl phthalate, a potential cause of birth defects, is in about a third of nail polishes now on the market.

Enter Earthly Delights, a nontoxic, water-based nail polish that peels right off for quick, convenient color changes. No solvents like toluene or hardeners like formaldehyde are in these tiny bottles, making the polish appropriate for even children, pregnant women and people with allergies. And there's no need to sacrifice style, because the company offers metallic, neon, glow-in-the-dark and scented shades ($2). But just in case you're still applying that conventional polish, you might want to pick up a bottle of Naked Nails, Earthly Delights' non-toxic, corn-and soy-based polish remover. CONTACT: Earthly Delights, [phone], www.earthlydelightsusa.com.

--J.B.

WHAT'S YOUR DAMAGE?

Need extra inspiration to carry out that Earth Day resolution this year? A little number-crunching just might do the trick. The Personal Climate Change Calculator (online at www.americanforests.org) will show just how much carbon dioxide your actions--from driving to work to mowing the lawn--produce over the course of a year. It will then count up the number of trees it would take to pull that greenhouse gas back out of the atmosphere naturally, and take you to the American Forests Global ReLeaf program web page, where you can pay to have them planted in a damaged ecosystem. Offsetting the amount of electricity it would takes to heat the average U.S. apartment, for instance, adds up to 12.6 trees, or $13 in planting costs.

--J.B.