Let’s face it - if you could have someone come into your home, for a small (but seriously affordable) fee, jumpstarting the way you clean and green your home - would you do it? Of course you would! Reading green is one thing, but actually putting your home to the test is completely different. Thankfully, there’s someone who can help you walk the eco-walk.
This month’s “Mommy Go Green” Blog Tour presents Green Irene, who really want to be your personal green makeover consultant! For only $99, and one to two hours of your time, a local Green Irene representative will come to your home and walk you through the many ways you can save money, health and peace of mind, including
- water conservation
- energy conservation
- reducing harmful chemicals with greener cleaning products
- tax credits, rebates and incentives in your area
- indoor air quality
- overall carbon footprint.
If you’re in the market to outfit just one part of your home, Green Irene also offers specific kits that present a wonderful bottom line - a lot more cash in your pocket! Their EZ Bulb Swapout service does just that - brings in a Green Irene specialist to help replace your energy-sucking, carbon-spitting incandescent bulbs with energy efficient, long-lasting CFL bulbs in every shape and size. You might think this isn’t much of a torturous task. But, have you counted how many bulbs your home has? According to the Green Irene website, replacing ONE 75-watt incandescent bulb will save you $80 alone in New York City. Multiply that by all your bulbs, and your mouth is guaranteed to drop! CFL bulbs also release much less heat, saving you in cooling costs as well.
If you’re psyched about Green Irene coming to your home, or if you have a passion for eco-ing everything and want to spread the good green word, you too can become a Green Irene Eco-Consultant! This is a growing business with great opportunities for both consultants and clients. And in this economy, any little bit helps. Check out the FAQs for becoming an Eco-Consultant. Your community will thank you!
Chanukah begins on Sunday night! For eight days and nights, Jewish families worldwide will celebrate the wonderous story of Judah and the Maccabees, and recreate the miracle of the little jug of oil that was supposed to burn for one day, instead lasting for eight days and nights.
Jewish Treats, the blog for the National Jewish Outreach Program, asked yesterday, “Chanukah - What’s the Mitzvah?” (mitzvah is a good deed. )While we’re supposed to be merry and eat yummy, fattening foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and jelly doughnuts fried in oil, lighting Chanukah candles is the most important aspect. Not only are we obligated to light candles on the menorah for eight nights, but we’re supposed to publicize it as well. This is why we’re taught to leave our menorahs in a window, where someone from the outside can see it and share in the beauty and glow of the candles.
Last year, a bit of controversy arose from burning Chanukah candles. A group who called themselves “Green Hanukkia” were asking people to burn one less candle for Chanukah. They stated that, since one candle burns about 15 grams of carbon dioxide (a tiny amount on it’s own), collectively it creates a significant CO2 release. Let’s just say that the idea of compromising the most important part of Chanukah did not sit well with many people - and while I’ve tried to search for this group’s efforts this season, I have not been able to find any sign of them.
Green Hanukkia did spark something, however - how can one make Chanukah greener regarding candles? One way to green your Chanukah is to use beeswax candles instead of regular paraffin wax - they burn cleaner and come from a renewable energy source. I asked my six year-old daughter about the candle controversy yesterday, since she’s been eating and sleeping Chanukah for weeks. What about an electric menorah? Wouldn’t that be easier? I knew the answer was no, since you’re essentially replacing CO2 with wasting energy from the plug-in version. She explained it a different way, and very clearly. An electric menorah is not valid for Chanukah (my words), and that you’re not “doing Chanukah the right way” (her words) if you don’t burn candles. So there!
There are many other ways to make your Chanukah more sustainable, while still basking in the glow of holiday. GreenYour, a wonderful new eco-site, has a thorough and truly inspiring article about greening Chanukah, from composting dinner to presents to yes, the candles. While I don’t agree with everything they feature (I believe that Chanukah bushes are in no way part of the Chanukah celebration, for example), it’s a great resource for rounding out your Chanukah celebrations.
I did it! This year, I designed, ordered, addressed AND mailed all my holiday cards out on time. While I was particularly timely, many people we all know are not. Can holiday greetings be saved? I say, yes it can! Here are two e-greeting sites you may find yourself going back to again and again, without even stepping foot into a crowded post office!
First, I checked out the “anti-slideshow” video site animoto and haven’t stopped making fun, 30-second vids to send to friends and family. They are simple and totally economical to create. 30 second videos are free, full length videos are $3 each, and an annual subscription is $30 for unlimited, full length videos. Upload your pics, arrange them, add music and put the rest into animoto’s hands! It’s like magic - no two videos are alike, with funky accents and movements, all set to the pics you choose. The tricky part is figuring out how many pictures you can use for the video, but you can edit it quickly and easily. Check out their holiday page for a demonstration of how you can both give - and get - animoto!
Babymomento also features stunning, animated e-cards that you completely personalize. For around $30, you can send unlimited holiday cards with pictures of your choice, in clean-lined and modern designs that don’t harm any trees. They’re probably the classiest e-cards I’ve ever seen, and not just for the holidays. They also have birth announcements that are guaranteed to arrive right after the baby! The process is simple - order and pay for your design, send in your pics, proof the card and viola! It’s all yours to send to anyone, anywhere. If I wasn’t such a stationary fan, I’d be all over this - but I’m already thinking they’ve won me over for next year.
And if you’re reading this thinking you should have done cards, than click on over!
Last week, I had written a brief tidbit about the horrific problems handmade toy manufacturers and crafters are facing with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), set to take effect in 63 days. However, after receiving many emails and concerned questions about the situation, I wanted to expand on this issue, and especially the urgency of getting the word out.
After the “Summer of the Chinese Lead Toys 2007,” the uproar from advocacy groups and parents rightly brought attention to toy manufacturing problems and a need for strict changes. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) responded with the CPSIA, which was passed swiftly and easily.
There were grave, terrible oversights, however. There were no specifics of what or whom constitutes a toymaker. Therefore, the $4,000 per toy (!!!) testing fee required will absolutely and tragically put every cottage industry toymaker in the US, Canada and Europe out of business. Every. Single. One. Not only that, toys produced without this mandatory testing will be considered illegal, and subject to punishment. Can you imagine? Every wooden car your little boy loves, every knitted doll carried around by your daughter - even children’s handmade accessories, such as hairclips and belts - will be considered ILLEGAL. That’s like taking a large portion of the inventory offered on Etsy and throwing it away. Gone. This also trickles down to local merchants dedicated to selling handmade toys; local workers and craftsmen who put their heart into every product; even blogs dedicated to bringing you unique products you don’t have to buy at a big box monster store. These will all be obsolete.
So, here’s what you need to do, step by step:
Go to the Handmade Toy Alliance to get the full rundown of this urgent situation.
Read about their Proposal to improve the CPSIA, including exemptions for products entirely made from natural materials, or whose gross revenues are less than one million dollars per year.
Find out more ways to help, including writing your Congressperson or Senator (a handy sample letter is provided, but feel free to write your own choice words).
Send a message directly to the CSPC.
Pass this on - email to friends, family, classmate’s parents, local businesses, anyone you can think of. This is too important to ignore!
UPDATE - Shortly after I posted, The Smart Mama contacted me via Twitter (@thesmartmama) regarding misinformation about CPSIA timing and third party testing. While she does believe this legislation will involve many consequences for toymakers, she also sees some alternatives. She also breaks down the CPSIA by talking about existing inventory and new products, which fare differently under the CPSIA.
If you’re on Twitter, you can see what’s being discussed about the CPSIA by searching for and using the hashtag #cpsia
Snow is starting to make an appearance around the country this week, which means new boots and snow shoes are either being broken in for the first time this season or people are running out to find the right shoes! I’m a big fan of KEEN footwear, and their just-launched website where you can buy shoes, bags and gear directly from them is a definitely go-to place for winter (and summer, but let’s talk snow for now). Here’s what I love most about KEEN - their products are top quality, stylish and beyond that, they take great pride in being responsible not only with their products, but for the planet and community as well. Here are some green points about KEEN I think you’ll appreciate:
*KEEN’s shoeboxes are made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste;
*Their awesome line of Harvest Bags features recycled shoe manufacturing components, such as rubber and aluminum;
*KEEN shoes use either water-soluble glues or vulcanized rubber instead of glue;
*Natural cotton (grown without pesticides) are used instead of treated canvas;
*KEEN uses leather only recommended by the Leather Working Group, a watchdog for environmentally safe tannery practices;
*Their successful social efforts, including the KEEN Hybrid.Stand campaign, where sustainability entrepreneurs were awarded (collectively) $125,000 for their humanitarian and eco-efforts! And don’t forget to visit KEEN’s HybridLife community page, where you can read about and nominate people and groups who “Stand Out” and make a difference worldwide.
So, how does all of this wonderful information translate to you, dear readers? This week, one very lucky commenter can win ANY one item from KEEN! ANYTHING - shoes for you, your little one, your better half, a bag, anything. Comes right on time, doesn’t it? Here are the rules - leave a comment here with an answer to this: What KEEN item would you love to give/get for the holidays? Please visit KEEN and leave the item name in your comment. This contest will be open until next Sunday, December 14th until midnight, PST. One winner will be chosen at random; open to US residents only.
For an added bonus, use the code TEENSYGREEN for free shipping now through December 14th! Good luck!
This contest is now CLOSED! Thanks to everyone for entering!
The clock is ticking! Less than three weeks to both Chanukah and Christmas! Have you done your shopping yet? While there are an amazing amount of steals and deals out there, I don’t use them as a guide to gifts. Health concerns about toys and the debate over mass produced vs. handmade gifts still prevail. Here are some links to various articles about toy safety, toymakers, where to go for a wealth of handmade goodies, and more! Have a great weekend, everyone!
It may not be making major headlines right now, but lead and other toxins are still showing up in toys, and not just from China. Greenbiz.com highlights the results of testing 1,500 toys for the toy watchdog HealthyToys.org.
My post for Brita’s “Filter For Good” blog this week discusses how to have a handmade holiday this year! Forget toxins, it’s easy to find unique, high quality, and enduring gifts for all family members. And don’t forget to take the Handmade Pledge - you’re not only helping yourself, but the many men and women crafting their way to a memorable gifting season.
PVC, BPA, organic, fair trade - Not sure how to find something safe when shopping for toys? National Geographic’s Green Guide has a comprehensive article outlining how to find the most natural toys. With product comparisons, shopping tips, and a breakdown of all the new toy safety lingo!
Save the toymakers! The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is a great idea for imported toys from China, but has left smaller toymakers and crafters in the US, Canada and Europe in a terrible bind. The outrageous fees of mandatory toy testing will likely run most specialty toymakers out of business. Take a minute to read this very important piece, and tell Congress to save handmade toys!
As much as I adore LeapFrog’s products, they are admittedly, not very green (aside from the cute green color, but you know what I mean). Encased in plastic, with no known method for recycling (so far as my research has taken me), it didn’t take me long to find a green twist to this enormously popular toy.
Not every toy my kids have is eco-friendly, although we try much harder now to make very conscious decisions about what we (and what we can influence) other people to buy for them. As they get older, the gadgety stuff is tougher to get away from, but for things like art products, blocks, dolls and more, there couldn’t be a better time to be a kid these days!
For battery operated toys, rechargeable batteries are green in more ways than one. First, you’ll save a ton of green by providing reusable batteries instead of disposable. You can use them in anything requiring batteries, from handheld video games to flashlights to the new talking doll that totally creeps you out. Rechargeable batteries come in alkaline form, lithium ion (LI-ion) or Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH). There are differences with these, including price, charging speed and what kind of products the batteries work well in. Green batteries is a great place to start researching batteries and chargers. You can also check out this article from MetaEfficient, about the best rechargeable batteries for 2008.
Now you have no excuse to “forget” to replace the batteries in the obnoxiously loud toy your kids cried about for a year! Happy shopping!
