A few months ago, in an effort to green up my health and beauty products, I ran across National Geographic’s The Green Guide. The site included a handy wallet-sized guide called The Dirty Dozen in Personal Care Products, which allows me to pick products that don’t contain harmful chemicals.

Then last week, my issue of Whole Life Times included a tear-out seafood guide. It lets me know what to avoid eating, due to contamination or unsustainable fishing practices.

This got me thinking…what other guides are out there, which would help me make decisions on the spot, in the store, when I don’t have fast access to online information?

Since The Green Guide’s personal care wallet guide was so good, it seemed like a logical place to start. Little did I know that I was about to hit the mother lode. With guides on everything from home renovations to eggs (yes, eggs), you might need a bigger wallet to contain all of the information. But a few guides in particular caught my eye:

Plastics: As it turns out, not all plastics are created equal. So though it’s better not to use plastic at all, some are worse choices than others. For example, if you see #3 PVC on the bottom of a container, avoid it. Not only is PVC not recyclable, but it releases carcinogens and hormone disrupters when it’s made or incinerated. PVC can also leach chemicals into food – especially hot, fatty foods – so don’t reheat left-overs in it. Instead, look for the recycling codes #1 PETE, #2 HDPE, #4 LDPE and #5 PP on the bottom of containers. Even better? Glass, metal, paper, or ceramic.

Household Cleaners: This one will be obvious to anyone who’s ever gotten a snoot full of Tilex. Conventional cleaning products contain lots of fragrances and petroleum-distilled chemicals that vaporize into the air, known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These can cause breathing problems and asthma, and contribute to higher levels of toxicity inside homes. The wallet guide lists specific products in many categories that are better choices.

Toys: With all of the news about lead paint in children’s toys made in China, this should be at the forefront of parents’ minds. Again, PVC makes the list of things to avoid – instead look for natural elements, like organic cotton and unfinished sustainable wood. My favorite surprise in this category? LEGO. They are PVC and phthalate-free, and you can still get a bucket of them for ten bucks. Who says going green has to cost an arm and a leg?