Books:

If books are not supplied by the school, you may want to try used options. Check the bookstores early for prime choice.

http://www.ecampus.com/

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.tmcc.edu/

http://www.asunbookstore.com/

Backpacks:

If the bag from last year is still strong, reuse it! Green options would be a second-hand bag or bags made from recycled materials. There are a number of nice messenger bags and backpacks made from biodegradable canvas, recycled rubber, billboards, seat belts, and more. Locally, check EcoReno or La Terre Verte for some green options.

Clothing:

Used is always a great option. Tons and tons of clothes end up in the landfill every year and take a VERY (we are talking hundreds of years) long time to degrade. Not only are there some great consignment stores in our area, but you can actually sell your gently used clothes to some of them! What a way to make money and save money!

Look for textiles that are eco-friendly and biodegradable including organic cotton, bamboo, and wool.

http://www.onceuponachild.com/

http://www.platoscloset.com/

http://www.junkeeclothingexchange.com/

Supplies:

When buying filler paper, notebooks and copy paper, look for paper with recycled content. The higher the content the better. You any also look for non-chlorine bleached paper products as chlorine is an environmental contaminant; it also leaves the byproduct dioxin, a known carcinogen.

When choosing other supplies such as rulers, binders, pens and pencils, choose products with the least packaging and those made from recycled materials.

LUNCH:

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but we also want to allow our kids healthy choices for snack and lunch. Eating local food and in season is a very sustainable practice, supporting your own community agriculture and reducing your carbon “food”print. A focus on a healthier diet can also reverse the growing trends of obesity, early-onset diabetes, and hypertension, among other chronic diseases, in children and teens.

If you packing a lunch to go, think about your products that you are using to pack your lunches. Are they degradable? Reusable? Contain a lot of packaging? If you are choosing store bought foods, choose those with less packaging. Think about all the waste you can avoid if you package your own food instead of individually packaged products. When packing, choose containers that can be reused instead of thrown away after one use. Sandwich wraps and snack sacks that are washable are a great and fun alternative to traditional plastic baggies. If you choose baggies, try washing and reusing them for future reuse. Lunch bags or totes are also a grand idea for reuse. Reusable water bottles are a great way to keep hydrated. Up to 80% of plastic water bottles end up in the landfill and are not recycled!

Whatever you choose, always remember REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE and have fun hitting the books!

Pick up some of your personal products or those of your children.  Find parabens? Methylparabens?  Propylparaben? Any others?

Parabens are a class of chemicals used to preserve cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. They are also found in food additives. They are absorbed through the skin and digestive tract. In studies,  parabens are found to mimic estrogen.  According to the Breast Cancer Fund,  ”Measurable concentrations of six different parabens have been identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors. The particular parabens were found in relative concentrations that closely parallel their use in the synthesis of cosmetic products. Parabens have also been found in almost all urine samples examined from a demographically diverse sample of U.S. adults.”

What can you do? How do you avoid parabens? READ LABELS.  Parabens are found in a variety of products. Try to avoid if possible. If not, how far down on th ingredient list are they? Ingredients lists start with the highest concentration to the lowest. Parabens that sit at the bottom of the ingredient list would be a better choice. Just being aware can help you avoid them!

* To hold hair ties and barrettes: Between the cat, myself and my daughter, our hair accessories are always all over the place! Hair band hold tight around the outside and barrettes snap in to the top! Voila! All is one place!

*Organize electrical cords: Who doesn’t love a little organization? Simply fold the cord and slide tube over. This may not work for LARGE cords unless you have a large tube.

*Protect important documents: Have a hope chest? Slide diplomas, birth certificates, and marriage certificates into paper tubes to protect them.

*Starting seedlings: With Spring around the corner, why not start your own seeds? Cut into TP tubes into two piece and paper towel tubes into four. Set in container, touching to hold each other up. Fill each with compost, soil, or starter for seedlings and then plant seeds. When they are ready to plant, plant the tube, making sure to bury completely in soil.

*Gift Wrapping/Shipping: Place gift inside roll and wrap tootsie roll style. Be more green and use newsprint, old sewing patterns, or magazine pages to wrap the gift.  They can be used as padding for shipping or to keep those fragile items in place.

*Kindling: Use to get that warm fire going!

*Kid’s Crafts: If nothing else,. kids can tape two together for a great pair of binoculars! Need to dram a prefect circle?

*Organization: When placed upright cardboard tubes can help with storage  for a variety of items: crayons, socks, jewelry, beads, crafts and more!

Reusing is fun and inventive. Before throwing that some thing into the trash - take a look at it and see what you can reuse it for!

Bamboo Heart Shaped Cutting Board. It was even ‘Made with Love.”

Heart print reusable shopping bag.  You could even put more goodies inside!

Bubble Bath.  Who wouldn’t love a bubble bath with a glass of champagne? This brand comes without all the nasty chemicals!

Stuffed Bear. Made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, these bears will hug back.

Candles. To accompany that bubble bath! These soy candles have a clean burn, are non toxic, and burn longer than paraffin wax candles!

Greeting cards.  Nothing says ‘I love you’ more that the words themselves. Check out our plantable cards!

Telephone wire bracelets. These Fair Trade bracelets make a statement! Beautifully handcrafted!

Heart Backpacks. Made from biodegradable canvas and recycled plastic bottles, these bags scream love for the owner and the planet!

We have so many GREAT ideas!  Great toys and gifts for kids, moms, dads, and all of those that you love!

Too many gifts to buy? Hug the ones you love!

]]> http://main.goecoreno.com/2010/02/valentines-day-we-love-you/feed/ 0 http://main.goecoreno.com/2010/02/phthalates-the-omnipresent-toxin/ http://main.goecoreno.com/2010/02/phthalates-the-omnipresent-toxin/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:47:02 +0000 marct http://main.goecoreno.com/?p=1479 There are about 82000 chemicals in use in the US with 700 new ones added each year.  Only 650 are monitored by the Toxic Release Institute (program through the US Environmental Protection Agency or EPA). Only 200 have been tested for toxicity and only FIVE have been banned throught the Toxic substances Control Act. ¹

Phthlates are just one of many known toxic chemicals found in a variety of products. Mainly used as a plasticizer, phthalates mimic hormones and in animal testing, have been proven to cause reproductive and neurological damage.  They are EVERYWHERE from vinyl flooring, plastic bottles, shower curtains, food packaging, lubricants, adhesives, toys, shampoos, deodorants and so much more.

You may not find phthalates right in the ingredient list, although some products are labeled “phthalate free.” There are a number of different phthalates. Here are a few:

• DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate) and DEP (diethyl phthalate) are often found in personal care products, including nail polishes, deodorants, perfumes and cologne, aftershave lotions, shampoos, hair gels and hand lotions.
• DEHP (di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) is used in PVC plastics, including some medical devices.
• BzBP (benzylbutyl phthalate) is used in some flooring, car products and personal care products.
• DMP (dimethyl phthalate) is used in insect repellent and some plastics (as well as rocket propellant).
• Fragrance  is also another term that you should be wary about as it  can denote a compound that may include phthalates.
  (Taken from The Daily Green)

So how can you avoid phthalates? Look for products that are labeled “phthalate free,” avoid plastics 3 and 7 as they are more likely to contain phthalates and read labels and ingredients. Although the EPA is taking steps to put these on the concern list, it will take time. The best defense you can take is being educated and aware!

¹Slow Death by Rubber Duck, Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie 2009

More information including locations and hours, what is and isn’t accepted, and contact information at www.ewasterecyclingcenter.com

What’s up with compostable plastics?

Bamboo Utensil Set: Held in a convenient case made from recycled PET material, this set includes a fork, spoon, knife and chopsticks.  $12.29

Wallets:  We have two varieties in stock currently. Wallets made from billboards and some made from inter tubes. Stylish an perfect for any age. $25.95 – $56.00

Recycled Glassware: From vases to platters to carafes, we have a variety of 99% recycled glassware in stock.  $4.50-  $47.00

Baggie Dryer: We all know someone who refuses to throw away those plastic bags. These baggie dryers are a HUGE hit and work great! $19.99

Compost Keeper: Available in recycled green plastic, white ceramic and stainless steel, these are a perfect accessory for anyone that composts!  $9.99-$52.99

Telephone Wire Bracelets: Handmade in South Africa from discarded telephone wire, these bracelets are a stylish accessory! perfect from mom, sister or wife! Assortment of colors available. $16.99

Recycled Cotton Blankets:  Made from 74% recycled cotton, these blanket are a great gift idea!  Sock Monkey and Dog designs available. $45.00

Bamboo Kitchen Towels: so pretty and sturdy, these towels are great for the kitchen and bath. They are 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton.  Throw in one of our hand or dish soaps to complete the gift! $7.oo

Stuffed Animals: These fabulous stuffed toys are made from recycled plastic bottles. Cats, dogs and bunnies available. Softer than you would think! $15.00-39.00

Green Toys: All made from recycled milk jugs, these green toys are a huge hit!  Tea set, cookware set, gardening set, eco-saucer, dump trucks and recycling trucks available. $9.99-39.99

Filtered Stainless Steel Water Bottle: Perfect for anyone. Stop buying bottled water with this purchase. Replaceable charcoal filter that lasts up to 100 gallons of water. Reduces up to 99.99% of  contaminates. Perfect for home, school, travel, office and the great outdoors! $46.99

Gift Certificate:  Give the gift of green for anyone. EcoReno carries a variety of household and personal products for throughout the year.

Happy Holidays to all of you. Don’t forget to recycle your Christmas Tree after the holidays!

Artificial trees seemed like a good response. You buy it once and use it over and over again. Even greener, buying it used. Artificial trees are mostly made with PVC plastic, a petroleum by product that leaches dioxin. Dioxin is very toxic. Manufacturing site is also something to consider. Was your tree made and shipped overseas?  That’s a big carbon foot print. And when all is said and done and the artificial tree is ready to move on, it eventually ends up in the landfill.

Plantable tree. I love this idea. Buy a tree in a pot and you can plant it after the holiday. Trees are great! Yet if you desire a large Christmas tree, how big can the tree really be in a pot? After 3 years, I would have nowhere to put another tree – although they could be  a gift. Trees should be planted because they are appropriate for you and your home/yard- so running out to buy something just because you can  plant it  might not be the wisest choice.

Farmed trees fill vacant lots all around town. Trees can be grown with harmful pesticides and other dangerous chemicals. Organic would be a good choice – avoiding the toxic chemicals. But do think about the carbon footprint, an organic tree shipped from Maryland versus a non-organic farmed tree from California.

Chop your own tree. My first response to this was an absolute no, but with further investigation, it has become clear that this is a sustainable choice. Organic in the sense that no one has purposely fertilized my tree of choice with harmful chemicals.  Cutting your own tree helps manage our forests by thinning small trees in overstocked areas.  You need a permit! Permits are available through the BLM and USFS.   Use this link for office locations, hours and further information.

Lastly, skip a tree.  Decorate your home inside and out. Place ornaments on a houseplant. Make your own tree. Be creative – you might start a holiday tradition! Check out these creative ideas:

Happy Holidays!