Whole green toys, diapers, clothing, bedding, bath, school supplies, and more.
What’s good for our kids is almost always good for the environment. The products and tips and suggestions in this chapter give you practical ways to substitute pure, healthy, and renewable products for products that are toxic, wasteful, non-recyclable, or energy- and land-depleting.
LEARN ABOUT IT
Chemical Awareness
Healthy Toys
www.HealthyToys.org, a nonprofit created by the the Michigan-based Ecology Center and the Washington Toxics Coalition, has compiled a database of test results for more than 1,200 toys and children’s products. Each product tested was given an overall rating of low, medium, or high as well as an individual chemical rating. The tests have found that some toys contain chemicals of concern, including heavy metals such as lead and cadmium.
An independent evaluation of the toys is necessary, says HealthyToys.org, because the presence of toxic chemicals in consumer products is perfectly legal in the United States. The only US law regarding chemicals and toys is the one restricting lead—and that law applies only to paint, not to the lead found in the product’s composition. Currently the only standard for chemicals in children’s toys is a voluntary industry standard that cannot be legally enforced.
FEATURED
Here are three of the more than 1,000 Whole Green resources you’ll find in the catalog:
EARTHOPOLY BOARD GAME
Don’t Pass Go
EarthOpoly, created and manufactured by Cincinnati-based Late for the Sky, is a fun way to encourage kids age 8 and older to think about the planet. As players move around the board, they might get sent outside to play or get hauled off to the dump…
STAINLESS STEEL BOTTLES/ SIPPY CUPS
Forget the Plastic
Finally, an earth-friendly alternative to the portable plastic water bottle for toddlers and older kids. The Klean Kanteen is made of 100 percent recyclable, high-quality,…
KUSHIES DIAPER LINERS: FLUSHABLE AND BIODEGRADABLE
Diaper Liners
These diaper liners are a good idea for both cloth and disposable diaper users. The flushable and fully biodegradable product looks like a roll of toilet paper, but you use each piece to line the diaper…
The Center for Health, Environment, and Justice has created a back-to-school guide to PVC-free school supplies. Check out the guide and the site at www.besafenet.com.
