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!

Come on in today and tomorrow and pick up something nice for your Pop – how about a sweet laptop sleeve made from an old wetsuit?

Or that hemp messenger bag he’s been eyeing?

Certified organic, all-natural ingredients – Enough said?

Certified fair-trade – some, but not all of their ingredients are fair-trade, but Dr. Bronner’s (the company itself) is.    They pay their employees well, with good benefits, and they cap executive pay at five times the lowest wage.  If only all companies were this way!  Read about it on their website.

100% post-consumer recycled plastic containers

4th- and 5th-generation family-owned and run

I could go on with all the reasons Dr. Bronner’s is my choice of soap for life.  It works great, it smells great, and I don’t have to wonder if I could have made a better choice for the health of the planet or my family.  If all products were made with the care and concern that Dr. Bronner’s castile soaps are, by companies as genuinely good as this one, wouldn’t the world be a much better place?

Check out this great video about a punk rocker, false positive drug tests, and natural soaps: “Soap, Drugs, and Rock and Roll”

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

Our distributor raised the price on our tumbling composters as of the first of the year.

We are offering a SPECIAL deal through February 16th.  We are taking pre-oprders for an early March shipment. We will give you the tumbling composter at the old price of $229 plus another 7.725% off! Basically tax free!  Payment due before February 15th. We will accept a non-refundable deposit of half with the second half due at time of pick up.

Composting is easy! Not only does it cut down on our contributions to the landfill, but it creates beautiful, dark, rich, soil that is perfect for those flower beds, gardens and indoor plants. Take advantage of this deal!

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!

We’ve got several new Christmas tree ornaments,  organic cotton onesies for baby, recycled cotton blankets and scarves…

Luscious new bamboo towels for bath, baby, and kitchen…stuffed animals made from recycled plastic, greeting cards, water bottles, lots of awesome from Reno Upcycle, glassware, and more!  Plus we’ve got new messenger bags, wallets, and laptop sleeves on the way.

While you’re here, you can stock on on your own dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, and trash bags too!

Green Toys – We now have the Recycling Truck, Dump Truck, Tea Set, EcoSaucer, Gardening Kit, and Cookware Set

Candles – A new shipment of Himalayan soy candles to warm your winter evenings!

NEW – Fuzz That Wuzz – awesome stuffed animals made from 100% recycled PET plastic!

Bamboo bunnies and ducks too!

Bamboo Utensils – Great for office, camping, anywhere disposable forks and spoons are used.
Recycled PET carrying pouch!

I Am Not a Paper Cup – Yes, it looks like a paper cup, but it’s reusable ceramic with silicone lid.  So cool!

Local soap – Campbell’s soaps are made right here in town.  Four varieties to choose from, all delicious.

Tree-Free cards and journals – a variety of boxed Christmas cards, regular greeting cards, gift bags, and journals, all made from sustainable sources and recycled paper.  Even cards with wildflower seeds embedded that you can plant!

That’s all for now, more to come soon, I’m sure!

Baggie Dryer – Baggies are great and convenient.  I use them for snacks, leftovers, storing small items, etc. I reuse and wash mine now as well. Of course a few can’t be salvaged, but I have not had to buy baggies in over 6 months. Plus, those Hello Kitty baggies that Lola had to have, are getting reused over and over as well!

Preserve Tableware – Made from 100% recycled plastic – I use these every weekend. They can go in the dishwasher – taking less room than my ceramic plates!  No more paper plates!  REUSE again and again.

Water bottles – water is good for you.  How many plastic water bottles have you bought over the past month?  Put your $ towards a cool reusable one.  We even carried a filtered water bottle….you can have refreshing, great tasting water anywhere!

Gasket Covers – These outlet and switch draft stoppers can save you $.  Drafty outlets can account for up to 20% of the air leakage in your home. They are easily installed.

Permanent coffee filters – available in a #4 cone and basket style,  you can reuse these over and over again!

Oil Misters – non-stick spray is great, but why not use your own choice of oil and know what you are cooking with?  No aerosol or air pollutants here!

Sandwich Mats and Snack Sacks – these washable and reusable items are great for lunches and snacks on the go. No need for plastic containers or baggies.  Variety of colors and patterns available.

Drying racks – hang your clothes to dry! We have a variety of clothes dryers available. Save money by saving energy!

Diva Cup – It’s a monthly occurrence and supplies are needed…why not invest in something that is safer for you and reusable?  Guaranteed to save money with this product!

Changing  your personal and household products to greener products  is not only good for the environment, but healthier choice for you. Our skin absorbs up to 60% of what we put on it. Choosing these products can help reduce allergens, exposure to toxins, and save you money by saving your health.  We think you are worth it!