Fall is most definitely in the air. As Carol Bishop Hipps put it, it's “the mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter.”
I hope you all take the time go out and enjoy this most splendid season. Getting outside and into nature is an important part of keeping everyone in your family happy and healthy. In fact, a University of Illinois study found that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were able to raise their attentiveness scores simply by taking a walk outside. Not surprisingly, walks in natural settings had an even more significant impact than walking on city streets.
Being in nature can benefit your whole family's mental, emotional, and physical well-being, so here are some ideas to get you and your whole family outside this fall.
Visit a farm. Check out LocalHarvest.org for farms near you.
Try a hay or corn maze.
Go apple picking or search for the perfect pumpkin. Check out pickyourown.org to find a pick-your-own farm near you.
Go on a hay ride.
Jump in the leaves.
Create artwork from the leaves, acorns, and pine cones available in your yard or a nearby park. Click here for fall craft ideas and directions.
Round up the neighborhood for a game of touch or flag football.
Play outdoor games like freeze tag, Red Rover, hopscotch and Kick The Can.
Fly a kite.
Visit a local park.
Plant a tree. Many people don't realize that planting isn't just a springtime activity. The fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs as well as flower bulbs like daffodils, crocus, and tulips.
Visit the zoo. Fall (and even winter) is a great time to visit the zoo. Summer's heat keeps many animals hidden in their cool, shady spots. Cooler temperatures mean more animals roaming about for easy viewing.
Visit state and national parks in your area. Many offer great family-friendly activities.
Go on a nature expedition at a local park, in your yard, or around your neighborhood. Bring along binoculars, a magnifying class, and a journal (young children can draw pictures of what they see) and teach your kids how to observe, enjoy and appreciate nature without disturbing it.
Make a nature journal. Have your kids decorate a notebook they can carry with them to note what they observe when they're outside. Even young kids can keep a nature journal by drawing what they see.
Explore the wonderful world of bugs. Check your local library for books about bugs and then head outside with a magnifying glass to see what you can find and identify.
Learn about birds. Check out some library books or use the online bird guide from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Then get outside with some binoculars and that nature journal and see what you can find.
Set up an outdoor scavenger hunt. The Love The Outdoors website offers a great guide to setting up your own scavenger hunt for kids, along with a few sample lists to get you started.
Have a picnic (even if it's in your own yard).
Start an outdoor hobby together. The options are limitless – biking, fishing, hiking, canoeing/kayaking, horseback riding, etc.
Build a fort. Use these simple directions from wikiHow or get fancy with these instructions from This Old House.
Go letterboxing. Letterboxing is an outdoor activity that dates back to the 1800s. It combines elements of orienteering, hiking, art, and puzzle solving. Participants search for letterboxes hidden in public places, such as parks, by following clues from a catalog or web site. These letterboxes usually contain a notebook and a rubber stamp. Finders stamp their personal journal with that stamp to record their find and then leave their personal stamp in the letterbox's log book. Your own local parks and recreation department may have a program or you can check out one of the many web sites available to help you get started. If you'd prefer a more high tech treasure hunt involving gps tracking, try geocaching.
Learn about the solar system. Kidsastronomy.com has several great resources you can check out before heading outside to connect the constellations together.
Showing posts with label Green Kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green Kids. Show all posts
Making Your Child's School a Green School
What better contribution can you make to your child's school than to help make it a green school? After all, a green school is a healthy school and a healthy school is more conducive to learning.
According to the American Lung Association, schoolchildren miss more than 14 million school days a year because of asthma exacerbated by poor indoor air quality. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), poor indoor air quality can reduce children's ability to perform mental tasks involving memory, calculations, and concentration.
While some environmental factors can be an impediment to learning, others can help bolster learning. Studies show that students in classrooms receiving the most daylight during the school day perform up to 20% better on math tests than children in classrooms with artificial lights.
There's also schools' environmental impact to consider. According to the EPA, 50% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed when machines are turned off. Imagine what's happening in schools! Now factor in all the faucets left on by small children, the paper carelessly wasted by students of all ages, and the countless recyclables being tossed in the trash and that is one major carbon footprint.
Green schools strive to reduce their ecological footprint, while making the school environment more conducive to learning and all around healthier for students and staff.
Here are some ways you can help green up your child's school.
Pack lunches in reusable containers to avoid plastic and reduce trash.
Have your child walk, bike, or ride the bus to school. Alternatively, you can organize a carpool.
If driving, don’t idle your car at the school's pick-up/drop-off area.
Ask your child's teacher if the school has a formal policy about unplugging computers and turning off lights at the end of the day and during down times like lunch and recess.
Volunteer to make signs for your child's teacher reminding children to turn off the faucet when they're done washing their hands.
Donate an air-cleaning plant to your child's classroom. NASA spent two years testing 19 different house plants for their ability to remove common pollutants from the air. The most effective plants were proven to be philodendron, English ivy, spider plants, dracaena, weeping fig, golden pothos, peace lily, Chinese evergreen, bamboo or reed palm, and snake plant.
Offer to help your child's teacher with green projects and activities, such as nature walks (children can keep a journal of what they observe), making recycled crafts like milk carton birdhouses, growing plants in the classroom, planting a tree outside the school, or starting a recycling program.
Be an example for other families. Check out Raising a Green Kid to learn more.
Ready to go bigger? Organize a group for these green school initiatives.
Start your school's PTA or Wellness Committee (any school receiving federal funding for lunch programs is mandated to have one) on a get green campaign or establish a separate Green Team or Eco-Committee. The Green School Initiative offers a variety of resources to get you started.
Take the individual measures you've taken to a school-wide level. Encourage all parents to pack waste-free lunches and carpool. Install air-cleaning plants throughout the building and develop an energy conservation policy for the entire school.
Implement a no-idling policy for all cars and buses.
Seek out transportation companies with bio-diesel, clean diesel, natural gas or hybrid school buses.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED or fluorescent ones. Consider the installation of skylights.
Start a school recycling program.
Opt for eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products. Many of the products used to clean school buildings contain toxic chemicals that pollute the air and threaten children's developing respiratory systems. Look for products with the EcoLogo or Green Seal label (a list is available at greencleaning.ny.gov/Products.asp), use micro-fiber mops and cloths, and convert to high efficiency equipment such as HEPA vacuum cleaners.
Convert to environmentally-friendly school and office supplies. At the very least, try to avoid products made of PVC or #3 plastic.
Go to epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html for a free Tools for Schools Action Kit. The step-by-step guide shows schools how to carry out a practical plan to improve indoor air problems at little, or no, cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff. The kit provides best practices, industry guidelines, sample policies, and a sample IAQ management plan.
Make sure school grounds are maintained using Integrated Pest Management to reduce the use of chemical pesticides.
Consider a garden as a school-wide project. A school garden can be used in a variety of lessons – from art to science.
Remove vending machines and any other sources of processed foods from your lunch room. Promote fresh produce instead. This may involve that school garden or a CSA or Food Co-op program available from local farmers.
Green your school events. Cut back on disposable paper products and opt for reusable decorations.
For fundraisers, try selling energy efficient light bulbs, crafts made from recycled materials, or experiences instead of wrapping paper or candy.
Green up the curriculum. Earth Day Network's national GREEN Schools Campaign, in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and The Clinton Foundation, offers a variety of resources, including free K-12 environmental lesson plans and activities.
The Earth Day Network's goal is to green all U.S. schools within a generation. Help make that goal a reality by helping to make your child's school a green school.
According to the American Lung Association, schoolchildren miss more than 14 million school days a year because of asthma exacerbated by poor indoor air quality. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), poor indoor air quality can reduce children's ability to perform mental tasks involving memory, calculations, and concentration.
While some environmental factors can be an impediment to learning, others can help bolster learning. Studies show that students in classrooms receiving the most daylight during the school day perform up to 20% better on math tests than children in classrooms with artificial lights.
There's also schools' environmental impact to consider. According to the EPA, 50% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed when machines are turned off. Imagine what's happening in schools! Now factor in all the faucets left on by small children, the paper carelessly wasted by students of all ages, and the countless recyclables being tossed in the trash and that is one major carbon footprint.
Green schools strive to reduce their ecological footprint, while making the school environment more conducive to learning and all around healthier for students and staff.
Here are some ways you can help green up your child's school.
Pack lunches in reusable containers to avoid plastic and reduce trash.
Have your child walk, bike, or ride the bus to school. Alternatively, you can organize a carpool.
If driving, don’t idle your car at the school's pick-up/drop-off area.
Ask your child's teacher if the school has a formal policy about unplugging computers and turning off lights at the end of the day and during down times like lunch and recess.
Volunteer to make signs for your child's teacher reminding children to turn off the faucet when they're done washing their hands.
Donate an air-cleaning plant to your child's classroom. NASA spent two years testing 19 different house plants for their ability to remove common pollutants from the air. The most effective plants were proven to be philodendron, English ivy, spider plants, dracaena, weeping fig, golden pothos, peace lily, Chinese evergreen, bamboo or reed palm, and snake plant.
Offer to help your child's teacher with green projects and activities, such as nature walks (children can keep a journal of what they observe), making recycled crafts like milk carton birdhouses, growing plants in the classroom, planting a tree outside the school, or starting a recycling program.
Be an example for other families. Check out Raising a Green Kid to learn more.
Ready to go bigger? Organize a group for these green school initiatives.
Start your school's PTA or Wellness Committee (any school receiving federal funding for lunch programs is mandated to have one) on a get green campaign or establish a separate Green Team or Eco-Committee. The Green School Initiative offers a variety of resources to get you started.
Take the individual measures you've taken to a school-wide level. Encourage all parents to pack waste-free lunches and carpool. Install air-cleaning plants throughout the building and develop an energy conservation policy for the entire school.
Implement a no-idling policy for all cars and buses.
Seek out transportation companies with bio-diesel, clean diesel, natural gas or hybrid school buses.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED or fluorescent ones. Consider the installation of skylights.
Start a school recycling program.
Opt for eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products. Many of the products used to clean school buildings contain toxic chemicals that pollute the air and threaten children's developing respiratory systems. Look for products with the EcoLogo or Green Seal label (a list is available at greencleaning.ny.gov/Products.asp), use micro-fiber mops and cloths, and convert to high efficiency equipment such as HEPA vacuum cleaners.
Convert to environmentally-friendly school and office supplies. At the very least, try to avoid products made of PVC or #3 plastic.
Go to epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html for a free Tools for Schools Action Kit. The step-by-step guide shows schools how to carry out a practical plan to improve indoor air problems at little, or no, cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff. The kit provides best practices, industry guidelines, sample policies, and a sample IAQ management plan.
Make sure school grounds are maintained using Integrated Pest Management to reduce the use of chemical pesticides.
Consider a garden as a school-wide project. A school garden can be used in a variety of lessons – from art to science.
Remove vending machines and any other sources of processed foods from your lunch room. Promote fresh produce instead. This may involve that school garden or a CSA or Food Co-op program available from local farmers.
Green your school events. Cut back on disposable paper products and opt for reusable decorations.
For fundraisers, try selling energy efficient light bulbs, crafts made from recycled materials, or experiences instead of wrapping paper or candy.
Green up the curriculum. Earth Day Network's national GREEN Schools Campaign, in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and The Clinton Foundation, offers a variety of resources, including free K-12 environmental lesson plans and activities.
The Earth Day Network's goal is to green all U.S. schools within a generation. Help make that goal a reality by helping to make your child's school a green school.
Give Greener Toys This Holiday Season
When you give a child a gift of course you want to see their face light up in excitement as they beg to play with it right away. If it can engage their imagination and enrich their mind, all the better. But not all toys are created equal and even some of the most popular, highly sought after toys out there this holiday season can be harmful to children and the environment.
Toys considered “greener” pose no health risk for children (especially the very young ones who put things in their mouths), are made of sustainable materials, and are manufactured in way that produces less environmental waste and pollution. Here's what to look for when shopping for greener, safer toys this holiday season.
Start by taking into consideration the toy's durability. What fun is a toy that only lasts a short time? Plus, parts that break off easily can be dangerous. A multi-faceted toy that can be used in multiple ways (think blocks and simple dolls and cars) is more likely to engage a child's imagination and will last longer than a gadget toy that only performs one function.
Crafts are another great way to get kids using their imagination. Give the little artist in your life a few simple supplies like non-toxic paints and glue, scissors, and recycled paper and watch what masterpieces they create.
Avoid toys made with polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC or vinyl). PVC releases toxins into the environment through every step of its life cycle – from manufacturing to disposal. Many PVC toys also contain phthalates, hormone-disruptors with strong links to cancer. Opt for plastic-free toys made of wood, cloth, wool, or paper instead.
Avoid metal kids' jewelry and toys with small metal pieces or magnets. These items are perpetually being recalled due to lead content or paint. Despite all the recalls, a study by the Center for Environmental Health found that many of these products still on shelves are also tainted with lead. Even if lead is not an issue, there are still other toxic metals, such as cadmium, antimony and barium, being used to make imported kids' jewelry.
Toys made of wood, on the other hand, are a great idea. Wood toys last much longer than plastic ones and, so long as they are not treated or painted, are safer for young children to chew on. Toys made of bamboo are a particularly good option because bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that requires no pesticides and little water.
Thanks to its excessive use of pesticides, cotton is considered the world's dirtiest crop. Not exactly the what you want your little ones snuggling up with. When selecting fabric toys, like stuffed animals, opt for ones made from organic and naturally-dyed cotton, bamboo, or wool.
It's one thing to say avoid toys made with PVC or painted with lead paint and another to actually try and figure out how those toys on the shelves are made. Toys today do not include an ingredient list on their labels, which can make the shopping process difficult, and worrisome when you consider that about one third of the 1,500 toys tested by the Ecology Center contained medium to high levels of toxic chemicals. Fortunately, the Healthy Stuff Project by ecocenter.com provides a tremendous resource for conscientious toy shoppers. The site provides consumers toxic chemical information on over 8,300 products, including toys and other children's products. Each product tested is given an overall rating, as well as an individual chemical rating for cadmium, chlorine, lead, arsenic, bromine, mercury and, for some product categories, tin.
Today even companies like Amazon and Toys R Us have an Eco-Friendly or Green Toy category. By supporting these toy makers we can help increase the demand for safer, greener toys until the day when all toys are green toys.
Happy Holiday Shopping!
Toys considered “greener” pose no health risk for children (especially the very young ones who put things in their mouths), are made of sustainable materials, and are manufactured in way that produces less environmental waste and pollution. Here's what to look for when shopping for greener, safer toys this holiday season.
Start by taking into consideration the toy's durability. What fun is a toy that only lasts a short time? Plus, parts that break off easily can be dangerous. A multi-faceted toy that can be used in multiple ways (think blocks and simple dolls and cars) is more likely to engage a child's imagination and will last longer than a gadget toy that only performs one function.
Crafts are another great way to get kids using their imagination. Give the little artist in your life a few simple supplies like non-toxic paints and glue, scissors, and recycled paper and watch what masterpieces they create.
Avoid toys made with polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC or vinyl). PVC releases toxins into the environment through every step of its life cycle – from manufacturing to disposal. Many PVC toys also contain phthalates, hormone-disruptors with strong links to cancer. Opt for plastic-free toys made of wood, cloth, wool, or paper instead.
Avoid metal kids' jewelry and toys with small metal pieces or magnets. These items are perpetually being recalled due to lead content or paint. Despite all the recalls, a study by the Center for Environmental Health found that many of these products still on shelves are also tainted with lead. Even if lead is not an issue, there are still other toxic metals, such as cadmium, antimony and barium, being used to make imported kids' jewelry.
Toys made of wood, on the other hand, are a great idea. Wood toys last much longer than plastic ones and, so long as they are not treated or painted, are safer for young children to chew on. Toys made of bamboo are a particularly good option because bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that requires no pesticides and little water.
Thanks to its excessive use of pesticides, cotton is considered the world's dirtiest crop. Not exactly the what you want your little ones snuggling up with. When selecting fabric toys, like stuffed animals, opt for ones made from organic and naturally-dyed cotton, bamboo, or wool.
It's one thing to say avoid toys made with PVC or painted with lead paint and another to actually try and figure out how those toys on the shelves are made. Toys today do not include an ingredient list on their labels, which can make the shopping process difficult, and worrisome when you consider that about one third of the 1,500 toys tested by the Ecology Center contained medium to high levels of toxic chemicals. Fortunately, the Healthy Stuff Project by ecocenter.com provides a tremendous resource for conscientious toy shoppers. The site provides consumers toxic chemical information on over 8,300 products, including toys and other children's products. Each product tested is given an overall rating, as well as an individual chemical rating for cadmium, chlorine, lead, arsenic, bromine, mercury and, for some product categories, tin.
Today even companies like Amazon and Toys R Us have an Eco-Friendly or Green Toy category. By supporting these toy makers we can help increase the demand for safer, greener toys until the day when all toys are green toys.
Happy Holiday Shopping!
A Green Halloween
It's October. Time for visions of ghosts and goblins (plus costume parties and candy) to start dancing in our heads. Halloween can be a fun and exciting time for children and adults alike. But you don't need to spend a fortune on plastic décor, cheap costumes, and processed foods to have a great time. A Green Halloween is healthier, costs less, and has less of an environmental impact than a traditional Halloween, without sacrificing any of the holiday fun. Check out how to make this Halloween a green one.
The Treats
The processed food industry uses over 6,000 different synthetic chemicals (check out Food Additives to Avoid). Do your trick-or-treaters (and their parents) a favor and opt for healthier options that, at the very least, do not contain hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated oils or artificial coloring. Organic and fair-trade treats with limited salt, sugar and caffeine are an even better idea. You may be surprised by the number of healthier, greener options on the market today. A few options include fair-trade chocolates, organic dried fruit, granola bars, or candy made with fruit juice and natural colors.
Also, try handing out less. Back in the day we had to work for our candy – walking a couple hours to fill our little plastic pumpkins. Now with so many households handing out full-size candy bars or fist-full amounts of minis, kids can be done filling their basket after a single block. What's the fun in that?! Hand out just one or two pieces of good quality, healthier candy. Encourage friends and neighbors to do the same.
You could even forget the sweets all together and offer non-candy treats like a small toy made from recycled plastics, pencils, tattoos, crayons, coloring books, or stickers.
You can also think green when you are the one doing the trick-or-treating. If you already own a plastic pumpkin for carrying candy, use it year after year rather than buying a new one. If not, craft your own tote from a pillowcase, basket, or other already-owned item that goes with the costume. If possible, walk to where you trick-or-treat rather than drive. Older children can do reverse trick-or-treating and collect donations for charities like UNICEF, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, or the Red Cross. Or, skip the trick-or-treating and organize a neighborhood party instead.
Costumes
Forgo costumes and accessories made of plastic, especially soft vinyl/ PVC which offgases dangerous chemicals and cannot be recycled. Instead, opt for costumes made from all-natural materials such as cotton, silk, and wool. Check thrift stores or even around your home for clothing and other materials you can use to craft your own unique costume.
Carefully consider the makeup you use as well. Many cosmetics, even the ones labeled “nontoxic”, contain mercury, lead, pthalates, parabens, and/or other harmful chemicals.
In fact, last year the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found lead in every makeup sample it analyzed. Look for eco-friendly makeup or make your own with food-based ingredients. Simply check online for recipes.
Decorating
Halloween is the second biggest holiday for the sale of décor after Christmas. Instead of spending money on plastic pumpkins and skeletons, look around for items you already own, check thrift stores, and scour online sites like Freecycle for items you can use to make your own Halloween decorations. You can use old clothes, newspaper, and leaves to craft a scarecrow or decorate with natural items that can be composted like leaves, apples, pumpkins, gourds, and hay bales.
Candles can provide the just-right spooky glow, but traditional paraffin candles can produce some pretty scary toxins when burned. The American Lung Association and the EPA have warned consumers that using paraffin candles can decrease indoor air quality. Opt for organic soy or beeswax candles scented with essential oil with non-lead wicks instead.
Parties
Start your Halloween party on the right, green note by sending invitations electronically, via email, Facebook, or a site like Evite. You'll save paper and money and make it easier for people to respond.
When it comes to any type of party, the worst environmental offender is usually all the disposable plates, cups, utensils, napkins, and tablecloths. Instead of buying paper or plastic tableware, offer reusable options. If you don't have enough at home, you can always check out thrift stores for an eclectic mix of tableware you can use for future parties. Reusable plastic cutlery and compostable paper plates are another option.
The principles of eating green apply to party food as well. Prepare as much as you can at home and opt for local and organic when possible. Reduce waste by filling pitchers with beverages rather than offering bottled or boxed drinks.
Some of the most fun party games and activities require little or no materials. Just a few options to consider: limbo, hula-hoop contest, musical chairs, dancing, dunking for apples or trying to bite apples hanging from strings, building scarecrows from recycled materials. Have guest bring candy wrappers for crafts such as candy wrapper wallets, belts, picture frames, bracelets and purses (just search “candy wrapper purse” online for ideas).
Finally, make recycling easy for guests by placing clearly labeled recycling bins in a convenient location everyone can reach.
Now, go out and enjoy your Green Halloween!
The Treats
The processed food industry uses over 6,000 different synthetic chemicals (check out Food Additives to Avoid). Do your trick-or-treaters (and their parents) a favor and opt for healthier options that, at the very least, do not contain hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated oils or artificial coloring. Organic and fair-trade treats with limited salt, sugar and caffeine are an even better idea. You may be surprised by the number of healthier, greener options on the market today. A few options include fair-trade chocolates, organic dried fruit, granola bars, or candy made with fruit juice and natural colors.
Also, try handing out less. Back in the day we had to work for our candy – walking a couple hours to fill our little plastic pumpkins. Now with so many households handing out full-size candy bars or fist-full amounts of minis, kids can be done filling their basket after a single block. What's the fun in that?! Hand out just one or two pieces of good quality, healthier candy. Encourage friends and neighbors to do the same.
You could even forget the sweets all together and offer non-candy treats like a small toy made from recycled plastics, pencils, tattoos, crayons, coloring books, or stickers.
You can also think green when you are the one doing the trick-or-treating. If you already own a plastic pumpkin for carrying candy, use it year after year rather than buying a new one. If not, craft your own tote from a pillowcase, basket, or other already-owned item that goes with the costume. If possible, walk to where you trick-or-treat rather than drive. Older children can do reverse trick-or-treating and collect donations for charities like UNICEF, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, or the Red Cross. Or, skip the trick-or-treating and organize a neighborhood party instead.
Costumes
Forgo costumes and accessories made of plastic, especially soft vinyl/ PVC which offgases dangerous chemicals and cannot be recycled. Instead, opt for costumes made from all-natural materials such as cotton, silk, and wool. Check thrift stores or even around your home for clothing and other materials you can use to craft your own unique costume.
Carefully consider the makeup you use as well. Many cosmetics, even the ones labeled “nontoxic”, contain mercury, lead, pthalates, parabens, and/or other harmful chemicals.
In fact, last year the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found lead in every makeup sample it analyzed. Look for eco-friendly makeup or make your own with food-based ingredients. Simply check online for recipes.
Decorating
Halloween is the second biggest holiday for the sale of décor after Christmas. Instead of spending money on plastic pumpkins and skeletons, look around for items you already own, check thrift stores, and scour online sites like Freecycle for items you can use to make your own Halloween decorations. You can use old clothes, newspaper, and leaves to craft a scarecrow or decorate with natural items that can be composted like leaves, apples, pumpkins, gourds, and hay bales.
Candles can provide the just-right spooky glow, but traditional paraffin candles can produce some pretty scary toxins when burned. The American Lung Association and the EPA have warned consumers that using paraffin candles can decrease indoor air quality. Opt for organic soy or beeswax candles scented with essential oil with non-lead wicks instead.
Parties
Start your Halloween party on the right, green note by sending invitations electronically, via email, Facebook, or a site like Evite. You'll save paper and money and make it easier for people to respond.
When it comes to any type of party, the worst environmental offender is usually all the disposable plates, cups, utensils, napkins, and tablecloths. Instead of buying paper or plastic tableware, offer reusable options. If you don't have enough at home, you can always check out thrift stores for an eclectic mix of tableware you can use for future parties. Reusable plastic cutlery and compostable paper plates are another option.
The principles of eating green apply to party food as well. Prepare as much as you can at home and opt for local and organic when possible. Reduce waste by filling pitchers with beverages rather than offering bottled or boxed drinks.
Some of the most fun party games and activities require little or no materials. Just a few options to consider: limbo, hula-hoop contest, musical chairs, dancing, dunking for apples or trying to bite apples hanging from strings, building scarecrows from recycled materials. Have guest bring candy wrappers for crafts such as candy wrapper wallets, belts, picture frames, bracelets and purses (just search “candy wrapper purse” online for ideas).
Finally, make recycling easy for guests by placing clearly labeled recycling bins in a convenient location everyone can reach.
Now, go out and enjoy your Green Halloween!
The ABC’s of Being Green
Always remember the three Rs . . . Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Every piece of advice about being green resonates back to at least one of these basic tenets.
Bike or ride the Bus instead of driving.
Clean green with homemade cleaning solutions made from simple and natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.
Donate goods you can’t recycle or sell. Freecycle is a great online nonprofit that helps you to donate to people in your community.
Eat produce from the Environmental Working Group’s 15 Cleanest Fruits and Vegetables in place of produce from the Dirty Dozen list.
Filter your tap water with a home filtration system instead of buying bottled water.
Go outside! Turn off the TV and video games and let your kids explore outdoors. Check out state and national parks in your area and the variety of family friendly activities most of them offer.
Hit the local library or used book store for books, CDs, and DVDs instead of buying them new.
Install timers to automatically adjust your thermostat when you’re sleeping and out of the house.
Juice up your cell phone with a car charger. Or, when using the computer, charge your phone using the USB port. Both options will save energy compared to using a wall plug.
Keep rain water for a variety of non-potable uses, such as watering plants or washing your car, by installing a rain barrel.
Launder your clothes with ½ to ¾ of the manufacturer’s suggested amount. You’ll cut down on waste and get your clothes cleaner.
Make the most of each car trip by combining as many errands as you can. Save time and gas.
Nurture your skin with personal care products that are safe for your health and the environment.
Opt for energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs.
Purchase energy-efficient appliances to replace your old ones as they wear out.
Quit topping off your gas tank. It’s bad for your health and the environment (click here for details).
Recharge your batteries instead of using disposable batteries.
Shower instead of taking baths. Try to keep it to 5 to 10 minutes.
Toss food scrapes and yard refuse into a compost bin to make your own organic, nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Utilize what you already have before buying anything new. Don’t just “shop your closet”. Shop your entire home. Go a step further and organize a swap (of clothes, shoes, and accessories; or home goods; or kid toys; or books and movies) with your friends.
Visit farmers’ markets in your area and support local farmers while getting super-fresh, locally-produced food.
Wash with fragrance-free soap. Opt for fragrance-free body wash, hand soap, shampoo, and moisturizer to avoid chemicals that are harmful to your health and the environment.
X April 22nd on your calendar. It’s Earth Day. Visit earthday.org to volunteer for events organized in your community or get together with friends for a community clean-up of your own.
Yank out your stash of reusable shopping bags whenever you go shopping.
Zap away less energy by unplugging appliances, like toasters and coffeemakers, when they’re not in use. “Standby usage” accounts for anywhere from 6% to 26% of a homes' electricity use.
Bike or ride the Bus instead of driving.
Clean green with homemade cleaning solutions made from simple and natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.
Donate goods you can’t recycle or sell. Freecycle is a great online nonprofit that helps you to donate to people in your community.
Eat produce from the Environmental Working Group’s 15 Cleanest Fruits and Vegetables in place of produce from the Dirty Dozen list.
Filter your tap water with a home filtration system instead of buying bottled water.
Go outside! Turn off the TV and video games and let your kids explore outdoors. Check out state and national parks in your area and the variety of family friendly activities most of them offer.
Hit the local library or used book store for books, CDs, and DVDs instead of buying them new.
Install timers to automatically adjust your thermostat when you’re sleeping and out of the house.
Juice up your cell phone with a car charger. Or, when using the computer, charge your phone using the USB port. Both options will save energy compared to using a wall plug.
Keep rain water for a variety of non-potable uses, such as watering plants or washing your car, by installing a rain barrel.
Launder your clothes with ½ to ¾ of the manufacturer’s suggested amount. You’ll cut down on waste and get your clothes cleaner.
Make the most of each car trip by combining as many errands as you can. Save time and gas.
Nurture your skin with personal care products that are safe for your health and the environment.
Opt for energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs.
Purchase energy-efficient appliances to replace your old ones as they wear out.
Quit topping off your gas tank. It’s bad for your health and the environment (click here for details).
Recharge your batteries instead of using disposable batteries.
Shower instead of taking baths. Try to keep it to 5 to 10 minutes.
Toss food scrapes and yard refuse into a compost bin to make your own organic, nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Utilize what you already have before buying anything new. Don’t just “shop your closet”. Shop your entire home. Go a step further and organize a swap (of clothes, shoes, and accessories; or home goods; or kid toys; or books and movies) with your friends.
Visit farmers’ markets in your area and support local farmers while getting super-fresh, locally-produced food.
Wash with fragrance-free soap. Opt for fragrance-free body wash, hand soap, shampoo, and moisturizer to avoid chemicals that are harmful to your health and the environment.
X April 22nd on your calendar. It’s Earth Day. Visit earthday.org to volunteer for events organized in your community or get together with friends for a community clean-up of your own.
Yank out your stash of reusable shopping bags whenever you go shopping.
Zap away less energy by unplugging appliances, like toasters and coffeemakers, when they’re not in use. “Standby usage” accounts for anywhere from 6% to 26% of a homes' electricity use.
Making Your Own Microwaveable Popcorn
Making your own microwaveable popcorn at home is an incredibly easy way to avoid chemicals (used to create “flavor” and to coat the microwave bags) and save money.
Simply buy a bag of kernels (less than $3 at the grocery store) and a stack of brown paper lunch bags (I bought 50 bags for a dollar). Place a handful of kernels in the bag, fold over the opening of the bag a few times, and pop in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes until the popping slows down. Pour on some REAL butter or olive oil and your favorite toppings – salt, Parmesan cheese, cinnamon and sugar, chilli powder . . . let your imagination soar. Give the bag a hardy shake to distribute the flavor and enjoy.
It's that easy. Plus, it works out to about 8 cents a bag. Why overpay for fake butter popcorn when you can have the real deal at home at a fraction of the cost?
Simply buy a bag of kernels (less than $3 at the grocery store) and a stack of brown paper lunch bags (I bought 50 bags for a dollar). Place a handful of kernels in the bag, fold over the opening of the bag a few times, and pop in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes until the popping slows down. Pour on some REAL butter or olive oil and your favorite toppings – salt, Parmesan cheese, cinnamon and sugar, chilli powder . . . let your imagination soar. Give the bag a hardy shake to distribute the flavor and enjoy.
It's that easy. Plus, it works out to about 8 cents a bag. Why overpay for fake butter popcorn when you can have the real deal at home at a fraction of the cost?
Reducing Your Exposure to PBDEs
You may never have heard of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), but chances are you have them in your bloodstream. PBDEs are commonly used flame retardants that have been found in everything from human breast milk to birds’ eggs. Multiple studies link these bioaccumulative chemicals to neurodevelopmental deficits in children, lowered testosterone levels in men, reduced fertility in women, and thyroid disruption. In 2010, after years of study, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed that PBDEs are bioaccumulative and toxic to both humans and the environment and began working on a voluntary phase out of the chemicals by the end of 2013.
The phase out is a good first step, but the fact of the matter is that many of the products containing PBDEs will remain in use for a long time. Plus, PBDEs can be stored in the body for years. There are, however, steps you can take to help minimize your exposure.
The phase out is a good first step, but the fact of the matter is that many of the products containing PBDEs will remain in use for a long time. Plus, PBDEs can be stored in the body for years. There are, however, steps you can take to help minimize your exposure.
- A recent study of PBDEs in the workplace shows that hand washing may be people's first and best line of defense. The study tested 31 adults working in 8 different office buildings around Boston. PBDEs where found in every work space (think carpeting, chairs, computers, etc.) tested, including the one newly constructed building included in the study. Despite such prevalence, workers who washed their hands at least four times a day had lower levels of PBDEs on their skin and blood levels of PBDEs that were about three times lower than people who washed their hands less frequently. The study made the important discovery that people aren’t coming into contact with PBDEs by inhaling them, but rather they're absorbing them through their skin or eating them. So, regardless where you work, make sure to lather up often throughout the workday.
- PBDEs are prevalent in homes as well. They are most commonly found in polyurethane foam products (i.e, carpet padding, mattresses, pillows, couches, etc.) and electronics. And again, there are measures you can take to minimize your exposure.
- Inspect furniture, pillows, car seats, and any other household items containing foam. Replace anything that's lost its shape or appears to be breaking down. Make sure foam remains completely encased in protective fabric. This is especially important for items made before 2005. U.S. manufacturers stopped using PBDEs in foam furniture in 2005, so new foam goods are unlikely to contain PBDEs.
- Use a HEPA filter vacuum. HEPA filters are designed to trap very small particles, picking up pollutants, dust, and allergens that would normally remain in the air. A trademarked HEPA filter (beware "HEPA-type" or "high-efficiency" filters) removes at least 99.97% of dust, smoke, lead, mold, and PBDE particles.
- Never reupholster foam furniture. Even if they don't contain PBDEs, they may contain other less studied fire retardants with potentially harmful effects.
- Take care removing old carpet. Try to keep the kicked up dust and fabric particles contained and to a minimum. When done, vacuum with a HEPA filter vacuum and mop to remove as many particles as possible. Wear protective clothing and shower afterward.
- Shop wisely. When buying something new check what type of fire retardants may have been used. Avoid products with brominated fire retardants. Opt for less flammable fabrics and materials, like wool, silk, leather and metal.
- Keep young children from touching and mouthing electronics and appliances likely to contain PBDEs. This includes remote controls, cell phones, and TV components.
- Purchase electronics from companies that have committed not to use PBDEs. The following companies have publicly committed to phasing out all brominated fire retardants: Acer, Apple, Eizo Nanao, LG Electronics, Lenovo, Matsushita, Microsoft, Nokia, Panasonic (from mobile phones and computers), Phillips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony-Ericsson, and Toshiba.
- Make sure everyone in your household washes their hands with soap and water before eating.
- Check the tag on those footsie pajamas. Children are exposed to PBDEs not only from wearing flame resistant sleepwear, but also from mouthing the fabric. Opt for pajamas made of natural fibers with tags stating “must be snug fitting” and “not flame resistant.”
Greener, Safer Kids' Toys
Every parent hopes to provide the best for their child. Parents want to give children toys that will entertain and enrich their minds, not ones that can harm them and the environment we work so hard to protect for them.
Toys considered “greener” are safer for children (especially the very young ones who put things in their mouths), are made of more sustainable materials, and are manufactured in way that produces less environmental waste and pollution. Here's what to look for when seeking greener, safer toys for your child.
Start with the best toy of all . . . imagination. Your home is already stocked with things your child can play with. Add a wooden spoon to a few pots and pans and you have a drum kit. Old clothes make for a great dress up session. A little creativity is all you need to act out your favorite fairy tales. And never forget the endless possibilities a cardboard box holds.
Crafts are another great way to get kids using their imagination. A few simple supplies like non-toxic paints, glue and scissors can help your little artist transform boxes, paper rolls, used paper and cardboard, pine cones, rocks, leaves, and such into their own masterpiece. Before throwing anything away think of how you might be able to use it in an arts and crafts project. If you're not particularly crafty, there are plenty of books at the library full of ideas. Put together an “invention box” with paper holders, bottle caps, leftover bits of ribbon and yarn, left over art supplies, etc. and see what your child's imagination comes up with.
Who needs toys when you have the whole great outdoors to play with? A University of Illinois study found that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were able to raise their attentiveness scores simply by taking a walk outside. Being in nature can benefit your whole family's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. You can plant a garden together, go on a nature walk right in your own neighborhood, hit the playground, or play something as simple as tag or hide and seek.
When you are looking to purchase toys consider buying used. There are great deals to be found in thrift stores and on eBay, Craigslist, and Freecycle. Many consignment stores will check for recalls for you or you can check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission web site yourself before making a purchase. Buying secondhand toys saves you money and helps keep perfectly good toys out of landfills.
When purchasing new toys, take into consideration the toy's durability and longevity. You want toys that are solidly constructed so you don't have to buy a replacement after a short time. A multi-faceted toy that can be used in multiple ways (think blocks and simple dolls and cars) will last much longer than a gadget toy that only performs one function. Long lasting toys save you money and cut down on trash.
Avoid toys made with polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC or vinyl). PVC releases toxins into the environment through every step of its life cycle – from manufacturing to disposal. Many PVC toys also contain phthalates, hormone-disruptors with strong links to cancer. Opt for plastic-free toys made of wood, cloth, wool, or paper.
Avoid metal kids' jewelry and toys with small metal pieces or magnets. These items are perpetually being recalled due to lead content or paint. Despite all the recalls, a study by the Center for Environmental Health found that many of these products still on shelves are also tainted with lead. Even if lead is not an issue, there are still other toxic metals, such as cadmium, antimony and barium, being used to make imported kids' jewelry.
Toys made of wood, on the other hand, are a great idea. Wood toys last much longer than plastic ones and, so long as they are not treated or painted, they are safer for young children to chew on. Toys made of bamboo are a particularly good option because bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that requires no pesticides and little water.
Thanks to its excessive use of pesticides, cotton is considered the world's dirtiest crop. Not exactly what you want your little ones snuggling up with. When selecting fabric toys, like stuffed animals, opt for ones made from organic and naturally-dyed cotton, bamboo, or wool whenever possible.
It's one thing to say avoid toys made with PVC or painted with lead paint and quite another thing to actually try and figure out what toys are made of. Toys today do not include an ingredient list on their labels, which can make the shopping process difficult and worrisome for parents. Especially when you consider that about one third of the 1,500 toys tested by the Ecology Center contained medium to high levels of toxic chemicals. Fortunately, sites like GoodGuide.com and HealthyStuff.org provide a tremendous resource for conscientious toy shoppers.
The scientists from GoodGuide.com have analyzed data taken from numerous sources and rated toys based on environmental, social, and health attributes. You can use this online database to view the top- and bottom-rated toys in various toy categories or look up a specific item. If your item is included in the database (and it is a good-size database), it will let you know if the item contains lead, mercury, chlorine, or other unwanted chemicals.
HealthyStuff.org has tested thousands of toys since 2007. This online database, created by the nonprofit The Ecology Center, is based on research conducted by environmental health organizations and other researchers throughout the U.S. and includes information on over 8,300 products. Each product tested is given an overall rating, as well as an individual chemical rating for cadmium, chlorine, lead, arsenic, bromine, mercury and, for some product categories, tin.
Once you find a company that offers green, safe toys you and your child like, stick with them. Today even companies like Amazon and Toys R Us have an Eco-Friendly or Green toy category. They wouldn't do so if there wasn't a market for it. By continuing to demand safe toys for our children we can continue to increase this market until the day when all toys will be green toys.
Toys considered “greener” are safer for children (especially the very young ones who put things in their mouths), are made of more sustainable materials, and are manufactured in way that produces less environmental waste and pollution. Here's what to look for when seeking greener, safer toys for your child.
Start with the best toy of all . . . imagination. Your home is already stocked with things your child can play with. Add a wooden spoon to a few pots and pans and you have a drum kit. Old clothes make for a great dress up session. A little creativity is all you need to act out your favorite fairy tales. And never forget the endless possibilities a cardboard box holds.
Crafts are another great way to get kids using their imagination. A few simple supplies like non-toxic paints, glue and scissors can help your little artist transform boxes, paper rolls, used paper and cardboard, pine cones, rocks, leaves, and such into their own masterpiece. Before throwing anything away think of how you might be able to use it in an arts and crafts project. If you're not particularly crafty, there are plenty of books at the library full of ideas. Put together an “invention box” with paper holders, bottle caps, leftover bits of ribbon and yarn, left over art supplies, etc. and see what your child's imagination comes up with.
Who needs toys when you have the whole great outdoors to play with? A University of Illinois study found that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were able to raise their attentiveness scores simply by taking a walk outside. Being in nature can benefit your whole family's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. You can plant a garden together, go on a nature walk right in your own neighborhood, hit the playground, or play something as simple as tag or hide and seek.
When you are looking to purchase toys consider buying used. There are great deals to be found in thrift stores and on eBay, Craigslist, and Freecycle. Many consignment stores will check for recalls for you or you can check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission web site yourself before making a purchase. Buying secondhand toys saves you money and helps keep perfectly good toys out of landfills.
When purchasing new toys, take into consideration the toy's durability and longevity. You want toys that are solidly constructed so you don't have to buy a replacement after a short time. A multi-faceted toy that can be used in multiple ways (think blocks and simple dolls and cars) will last much longer than a gadget toy that only performs one function. Long lasting toys save you money and cut down on trash.
Avoid toys made with polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC or vinyl). PVC releases toxins into the environment through every step of its life cycle – from manufacturing to disposal. Many PVC toys also contain phthalates, hormone-disruptors with strong links to cancer. Opt for plastic-free toys made of wood, cloth, wool, or paper.
Avoid metal kids' jewelry and toys with small metal pieces or magnets. These items are perpetually being recalled due to lead content or paint. Despite all the recalls, a study by the Center for Environmental Health found that many of these products still on shelves are also tainted with lead. Even if lead is not an issue, there are still other toxic metals, such as cadmium, antimony and barium, being used to make imported kids' jewelry.
Toys made of wood, on the other hand, are a great idea. Wood toys last much longer than plastic ones and, so long as they are not treated or painted, they are safer for young children to chew on. Toys made of bamboo are a particularly good option because bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that requires no pesticides and little water.
Thanks to its excessive use of pesticides, cotton is considered the world's dirtiest crop. Not exactly what you want your little ones snuggling up with. When selecting fabric toys, like stuffed animals, opt for ones made from organic and naturally-dyed cotton, bamboo, or wool whenever possible.
It's one thing to say avoid toys made with PVC or painted with lead paint and quite another thing to actually try and figure out what toys are made of. Toys today do not include an ingredient list on their labels, which can make the shopping process difficult and worrisome for parents. Especially when you consider that about one third of the 1,500 toys tested by the Ecology Center contained medium to high levels of toxic chemicals. Fortunately, sites like GoodGuide.com and HealthyStuff.org provide a tremendous resource for conscientious toy shoppers.
The scientists from GoodGuide.com have analyzed data taken from numerous sources and rated toys based on environmental, social, and health attributes. You can use this online database to view the top- and bottom-rated toys in various toy categories or look up a specific item. If your item is included in the database (and it is a good-size database), it will let you know if the item contains lead, mercury, chlorine, or other unwanted chemicals.
HealthyStuff.org has tested thousands of toys since 2007. This online database, created by the nonprofit The Ecology Center, is based on research conducted by environmental health organizations and other researchers throughout the U.S. and includes information on over 8,300 products. Each product tested is given an overall rating, as well as an individual chemical rating for cadmium, chlorine, lead, arsenic, bromine, mercury and, for some product categories, tin.
Once you find a company that offers green, safe toys you and your child like, stick with them. Today even companies like Amazon and Toys R Us have an Eco-Friendly or Green toy category. They wouldn't do so if there wasn't a market for it. By continuing to demand safe toys for our children we can continue to increase this market until the day when all toys will be green toys.
2nd Annual National Kids to Parks Day on Saturday, May 19th
The 2nd Annual National Kids to Parks Day is coming up on Saturday, May 19th. The National Park Trust created the day to encourage children and their families to discover and enjoy parks in their community. Their goal is to “inspire healthy outdoor recreation and to cultivate future park stewards.” National Kids to Parks Day is also officially in support of the First Lady's Let's Move Outside! initiative.
Visit the Kids to Parks Day's web site to make the Kids to Parks Day pledge, find parks and related events near you, and/or download a resource toolkit so you can plan an event of your own.
Go outside, breathe some fresh air, get some exercise, and show your kids why preserving our parks is so important!
Visit the Kids to Parks Day's web site to make the Kids to Parks Day pledge, find parks and related events near you, and/or download a resource toolkit so you can plan an event of your own.
Go outside, breathe some fresh air, get some exercise, and show your kids why preserving our parks is so important!
Getting Your Whole Family Outside This Spring
Today marks the first day of Spring. What better way to celebrate than to get your whole family outdoors? Being in nature can benefit your whole family's mental, emotional and physical well-being, so here are some ideas to get your whole clan outside this Spring.
Play outdoor games like freeze tag, Red Rover, hopscotch and Kick The Can.
Toss a Frisbee around.
Play catch.
Organize a neighborhood baseball, tag football, basketball or soccer game.
Color with sidewalk chalk.
Splash in puddles.
Jump rope.
Fly a kite.
Invest in a bocce, horseshoe, or croquet set.
Visit state and national parks in your area. Many offer great family friendly activities.
Go on a nature expedition at a local park, in your yard, or around your neighborhood. Bring along binoculars, a magnifying glass and a journal (young children can draw pictures of what they see) and teach your kids how to observe, enjoy and appreciate nature without disturbing it.
Make a nature journal. Have your kids decorate a notebook they can carry with them to note what they observe when they're outside. Even young kids can keep a nature journal by drawing what they see.
Explore the wonderful world of bugs. Check your local library for books about bugs and then head outside with a magnifying glass to see what you can find and identify.
Learn about birds. Check out some library books or use the online bird guide from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Then get outside with some binoculars and that nature journal and see what you can find.
Plant a tree.
Grow a garden together.
Build and/or decorate a bird house.
Set up an outdoor scavenger hunt.
Go camping.
Build a sand castle.
Have a picnic even if it's in your own yard.
Start an outdoor hobby together. The options are limitless – biking, skating, fishing, hiking, canoeing/kayaking, horseback riding, tennis, etc.
Build a fort. Use these simple directions from wikiHow or get fancy with these instructions from This Old House.
Go letterboxing. Letterboxing is an outdoor activity that dates back to the 1800s. It combines elements of orienteering, hiking, art and puzzle solving. Participants search for letterboxes hidden in public places, such as parks, by following clues from a catalog or web site. These letterboxes usually contain a notebook and a rubber stamp. Finders stamp their personal journal with the stamp to record their find and then leave their personal stamp in the letterbox's log book. Your own local parks and recreation department may have a program or you can check out one of the many web sites available to help you get started. If you'd prefer a more high tech treasure hunt involving gps tracking, try geocaching.
Learn about the solar system. Kidsastronomy.com has several great resources you can check out before heading outside to connect the constellations together.
Play outdoor games like freeze tag, Red Rover, hopscotch and Kick The Can.
Toss a Frisbee around.
Play catch.
Organize a neighborhood baseball, tag football, basketball or soccer game.
Color with sidewalk chalk.
Splash in puddles.
Jump rope.
Fly a kite.
Invest in a bocce, horseshoe, or croquet set.
Visit state and national parks in your area. Many offer great family friendly activities.
Go on a nature expedition at a local park, in your yard, or around your neighborhood. Bring along binoculars, a magnifying glass and a journal (young children can draw pictures of what they see) and teach your kids how to observe, enjoy and appreciate nature without disturbing it.
Make a nature journal. Have your kids decorate a notebook they can carry with them to note what they observe when they're outside. Even young kids can keep a nature journal by drawing what they see.
Explore the wonderful world of bugs. Check your local library for books about bugs and then head outside with a magnifying glass to see what you can find and identify.
Learn about birds. Check out some library books or use the online bird guide from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Then get outside with some binoculars and that nature journal and see what you can find.
Plant a tree.
Grow a garden together.
Build and/or decorate a bird house.
Set up an outdoor scavenger hunt.
Go camping.
Build a sand castle.
Have a picnic even if it's in your own yard.
Start an outdoor hobby together. The options are limitless – biking, skating, fishing, hiking, canoeing/kayaking, horseback riding, tennis, etc.
Build a fort. Use these simple directions from wikiHow or get fancy with these instructions from This Old House.
Go letterboxing. Letterboxing is an outdoor activity that dates back to the 1800s. It combines elements of orienteering, hiking, art and puzzle solving. Participants search for letterboxes hidden in public places, such as parks, by following clues from a catalog or web site. These letterboxes usually contain a notebook and a rubber stamp. Finders stamp their personal journal with the stamp to record their find and then leave their personal stamp in the letterbox's log book. Your own local parks and recreation department may have a program or you can check out one of the many web sites available to help you get started. If you'd prefer a more high tech treasure hunt involving gps tracking, try geocaching.
Learn about the solar system. Kidsastronomy.com has several great resources you can check out before heading outside to connect the constellations together.
Green Tip of The Day
Make being green a family initiative. Kids can help sort recycling and rip up old clothes and linens for cleaning rags. Have them sort through clothes and toys they've outgrown and then accompany you to donate them to a charity. Teach your kids to shut off lights and toys when not in use and to turn off the water when they brush their teeth. Explain why these are such important habits to keep and give them plenty of kudos when they act green all on their own. Click here for more tips on Raising a Green Kid.
Give Greener Toys This Holiday Season
When you give a child a gift of course you want to see their face light up in excitement as they beg to play with it right away. If it can engage their imagination and enrich their mind, all the better. But not all toys are created equal and even some of the most popular, highly sought after toys out there this holiday season can be harmful to children and the environment.
Toys considered “greener” pose no health risk for children (especially the very young ones who put things in their mouths), are made of sustainable materials, and are manufactured in way that produces less environmental waste and pollution. Here's what to look for when shopping for greener, safer toys this holiday season.
Start by taking into consideration the toy's durability. What fun is a toy that only lasts a short time? Plus, parts that break off easily can be dangerous. A multi-faceted toy that can be used in multiple ways (think blocks and simple dolls and cars) is more likely to engage a child's imagination and will last longer than a gadget toy that only performs one function.
Crafts are another great way to get kids using their imagination. Give the little artist in your life a few simple supplies like non-toxic paints and glue, scissors, and recycled paper and watch what masterpieces they create.
Avoid toys made with polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC or vinyl). PVC releases toxins into the environment through every step of its life cycle – from manufacturing to disposal. Many PVC toys also contain phthalates, hormone-disruptors with strong links to cancer. Opt for plastic-free toys made of wood, cloth, wool, or paper instead.
Avoid metal kids' jewelry and toys with small metal pieces or magnets. These items are perpetually being recalled due to lead content or paint. Despite all the recalls, a study by the Center for Environmental Health found that many of these products still on shelves are also tainted with lead. Even if lead is not an issue, there are still other toxic metals, such as cadmium, antimony and barium, being used to make imported kids' jewelry.
Toys made of wood, on the other hand, are a great idea. Wood toys last much longer than plastic ones and, so long as they are not treated or painted, are safer for young children to chew on. Toys made of bamboo are a particularly good option because bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that requires no pesticides and little water.
Thanks to its excessive use of pesticides, cotton is considered the world's dirtiest crop. Not exactly the what you want your little ones snuggling up with. When selecting fabric toys, like stuffed animals, opt for ones made from organic and naturally-dyed cotton, bamboo, or wool.
It's one thing to say avoid toys made with PVC or painted with lead paint and another to actually try and figure out how those toys on the shelves are made. Toys today do not include an ingredient list on their labels, which can make the shopping process difficult, and worrisome when you consider that about one third of the 1,500 toys tested by the Ecology Center contained medium to high levels of toxic chemicals. Fortunately, the site HealthyStuff.org provides a tremendous resource for conscientious toy shoppers.
HealthyStuff.org is an online database created by the nonprofit The Ecology Center. The site provides consumers toxic chemical information on over 8,300 products, including toys and other children's products. Each product tested is given an overall rating, as well as an individual chemical rating for cadmium, chlorine, lead, arsenic, bromine, mercury and, for some product categories, tin.
Today even companies like Amazon and Toys R Us have an Eco-Friendly or Green Toy category. By supporting these toy makers we can help increase the demand for safer, greener toys until the day when all toys are green toys.
Happy Holiday Shopping!
Toys considered “greener” pose no health risk for children (especially the very young ones who put things in their mouths), are made of sustainable materials, and are manufactured in way that produces less environmental waste and pollution. Here's what to look for when shopping for greener, safer toys this holiday season.
Start by taking into consideration the toy's durability. What fun is a toy that only lasts a short time? Plus, parts that break off easily can be dangerous. A multi-faceted toy that can be used in multiple ways (think blocks and simple dolls and cars) is more likely to engage a child's imagination and will last longer than a gadget toy that only performs one function.
Crafts are another great way to get kids using their imagination. Give the little artist in your life a few simple supplies like non-toxic paints and glue, scissors, and recycled paper and watch what masterpieces they create.
Avoid toys made with polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC or vinyl). PVC releases toxins into the environment through every step of its life cycle – from manufacturing to disposal. Many PVC toys also contain phthalates, hormone-disruptors with strong links to cancer. Opt for plastic-free toys made of wood, cloth, wool, or paper instead.
Avoid metal kids' jewelry and toys with small metal pieces or magnets. These items are perpetually being recalled due to lead content or paint. Despite all the recalls, a study by the Center for Environmental Health found that many of these products still on shelves are also tainted with lead. Even if lead is not an issue, there are still other toxic metals, such as cadmium, antimony and barium, being used to make imported kids' jewelry.
Toys made of wood, on the other hand, are a great idea. Wood toys last much longer than plastic ones and, so long as they are not treated or painted, are safer for young children to chew on. Toys made of bamboo are a particularly good option because bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that requires no pesticides and little water.
Thanks to its excessive use of pesticides, cotton is considered the world's dirtiest crop. Not exactly the what you want your little ones snuggling up with. When selecting fabric toys, like stuffed animals, opt for ones made from organic and naturally-dyed cotton, bamboo, or wool.
It's one thing to say avoid toys made with PVC or painted with lead paint and another to actually try and figure out how those toys on the shelves are made. Toys today do not include an ingredient list on their labels, which can make the shopping process difficult, and worrisome when you consider that about one third of the 1,500 toys tested by the Ecology Center contained medium to high levels of toxic chemicals. Fortunately, the site HealthyStuff.org provides a tremendous resource for conscientious toy shoppers.
HealthyStuff.org is an online database created by the nonprofit The Ecology Center. The site provides consumers toxic chemical information on over 8,300 products, including toys and other children's products. Each product tested is given an overall rating, as well as an individual chemical rating for cadmium, chlorine, lead, arsenic, bromine, mercury and, for some product categories, tin.
Today even companies like Amazon and Toys R Us have an Eco-Friendly or Green Toy category. By supporting these toy makers we can help increase the demand for safer, greener toys until the day when all toys are green toys.
Happy Holiday Shopping!
A Green Halloween
It's October. Time for visions of ghosts and goblins (plus costume parties and candy) to start dancing in our heads. Halloween can be a fun and exciting time for children and adults alike. But you don't need to spend a fortune on plastic décor, cheap costumes, and processed foods to have a great time. A Green Halloween is healthier, costs less, and has less of an environmental impact than a traditional Halloween, without sacrificing any of the holiday fun. Check out how to make this Halloween a green one.
The Treats
The processed food industry uses over 6,000 different synthetic chemicals (check out Food Additives To Avoid). Do your trick-or-treaters (and their parents) a favor and opt for healthier options that, at the very least, do not contain hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated oils or artificial coloring. Organic and fair-trade treats with limited salt, sugar and caffeine are an even better idea. You may be surprised by the number of healthier, greener options on the market today. A few options include fair-trade chocolates, organic dried fruit, granola bars, or candy made with fruit juice and natural colors.
Also, try handing out less. Back in the day we had to work for our candy – walking a couple hours to fill our little plastic pumpkins. Now with so many households handing out full-size candy bars or fist-fulls of minis, kids can be done filling their basket after a single block. What's the fun in that?! Hand out just one or two pieces of good quality, healthier candy. Encourage friends and neighbors to do the same.
You could even forget the sweets all together and offer non-candy treats like a small toy made from recycled plastics, pencils, tattoos, crayons, coloring books, or stickers.
You can also think green when you are doing the trick-or-treating. If you already own a plastic pumpkin for carrying candy, use it year after year rather than buying a new one. If not, craft your own tote from a pillowcase, basket, or other already-owned item that goes with the costume. If possible, walk to where you trick-or-treat rather than drive. Older children can do reverse trick-or-treating and collect donations for charities like UNICEF, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, or the Red Cross. Or, skip the trick-or-treating and organize a neighborhood party instead.
Costumes
Forgo costumes and accessories made of plastic, especially soft vinyl/ PVC which offgases dangerous chemicals and cannot be recycled. Instead, opt for costumes made from all-natural materials such as cotton, silk, and wool. Check thrift stores or even around your home for clothing and other materials you can use to craft your own unique costume.
Carefully consider the makeup you use as well. Many cosmetics, even the ones labeled “nontoxic”, contain mercury, lead, pthalates, parabens, and/or other harmful chemicals.
In fact, last year the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found lead in every makeup sample it analyzed. Look for eco-friendly makeup or make your own with food-based ingredients. Simply check online for recipes.
Decorating
Halloween is the second biggest holiday for the sale of décor after Christmas. Instead of spending money on plastic pumpkins and skeletons, look around for items you already own, check thrift stores, and scour online sites like Freecycle for items you can use to make your own Halloween decorations. You can use old clothes, newspaper, and leaves to craft a scarecrow or decorate with natural items that can be composted like leaves, apples, pumpkins, gourds, and hay bales.
Candles can provide the just-right spooky glow, but traditional paraffin candles can produce some pretty scary toxins when burned. The American Lung Association and the EPA have warned consumers that using paraffin candles can decrease indoor air quality. Opt for organic soy or beeswax candles scented with essential oil with non-lead wicks instead.
Parties
Start your Halloween party on the right, green note by sending invitations electronically, via email, Facebook, or a site like Evite. You'll save paper and money and make it easier for people to respond.
When it comes to any type of party, the worst environmental offender is usually all the disposable plates, cups, utensils, napkins, and tablecloths. Instead of buying paper or plastic tableware, offer reusable options. If you don't have enough at home, you can always check out thrift stores for an eclectic mix of tableware you can use for future parties. Reusable plastic cutlery and compostable paper plates are another option.
The principles of eating green apply to party food as well. Prepare as much as you can at home and opt for local and organic when possible. Reduce waste by filling pitchers with beverages rather than offering bottled or boxed drinks.
Some of the funnest party games and activities require little or no materials. Just a few options to consider: limbo, hula-hoop contest, musical chairs, dancing, dunking for apples or trying to bite apples hanging from strings, building scarecrows from recycled materials. Have guest bring candy wrappers for crafts such as candy wrapper wallets, belts, picture frames, bracelets and purses (just search “candy wrapper purse” online for ideas).
Finally, make recycling easy for guests by placing clearly labeled recycling bins in a convenient location everyone can reach.
Now, go out and enjoy your Green Halloween!
The Treats
The processed food industry uses over 6,000 different synthetic chemicals (check out Food Additives To Avoid). Do your trick-or-treaters (and their parents) a favor and opt for healthier options that, at the very least, do not contain hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated oils or artificial coloring. Organic and fair-trade treats with limited salt, sugar and caffeine are an even better idea. You may be surprised by the number of healthier, greener options on the market today. A few options include fair-trade chocolates, organic dried fruit, granola bars, or candy made with fruit juice and natural colors.
Also, try handing out less. Back in the day we had to work for our candy – walking a couple hours to fill our little plastic pumpkins. Now with so many households handing out full-size candy bars or fist-fulls of minis, kids can be done filling their basket after a single block. What's the fun in that?! Hand out just one or two pieces of good quality, healthier candy. Encourage friends and neighbors to do the same.
You could even forget the sweets all together and offer non-candy treats like a small toy made from recycled plastics, pencils, tattoos, crayons, coloring books, or stickers.
You can also think green when you are doing the trick-or-treating. If you already own a plastic pumpkin for carrying candy, use it year after year rather than buying a new one. If not, craft your own tote from a pillowcase, basket, or other already-owned item that goes with the costume. If possible, walk to where you trick-or-treat rather than drive. Older children can do reverse trick-or-treating and collect donations for charities like UNICEF, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, or the Red Cross. Or, skip the trick-or-treating and organize a neighborhood party instead.
Costumes
Forgo costumes and accessories made of plastic, especially soft vinyl/ PVC which offgases dangerous chemicals and cannot be recycled. Instead, opt for costumes made from all-natural materials such as cotton, silk, and wool. Check thrift stores or even around your home for clothing and other materials you can use to craft your own unique costume.
Carefully consider the makeup you use as well. Many cosmetics, even the ones labeled “nontoxic”, contain mercury, lead, pthalates, parabens, and/or other harmful chemicals.
In fact, last year the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found lead in every makeup sample it analyzed. Look for eco-friendly makeup or make your own with food-based ingredients. Simply check online for recipes.
Decorating
Halloween is the second biggest holiday for the sale of décor after Christmas. Instead of spending money on plastic pumpkins and skeletons, look around for items you already own, check thrift stores, and scour online sites like Freecycle for items you can use to make your own Halloween decorations. You can use old clothes, newspaper, and leaves to craft a scarecrow or decorate with natural items that can be composted like leaves, apples, pumpkins, gourds, and hay bales.
Candles can provide the just-right spooky glow, but traditional paraffin candles can produce some pretty scary toxins when burned. The American Lung Association and the EPA have warned consumers that using paraffin candles can decrease indoor air quality. Opt for organic soy or beeswax candles scented with essential oil with non-lead wicks instead.
Parties
Start your Halloween party on the right, green note by sending invitations electronically, via email, Facebook, or a site like Evite. You'll save paper and money and make it easier for people to respond.
When it comes to any type of party, the worst environmental offender is usually all the disposable plates, cups, utensils, napkins, and tablecloths. Instead of buying paper or plastic tableware, offer reusable options. If you don't have enough at home, you can always check out thrift stores for an eclectic mix of tableware you can use for future parties. Reusable plastic cutlery and compostable paper plates are another option.
The principles of eating green apply to party food as well. Prepare as much as you can at home and opt for local and organic when possible. Reduce waste by filling pitchers with beverages rather than offering bottled or boxed drinks.
Some of the funnest party games and activities require little or no materials. Just a few options to consider: limbo, hula-hoop contest, musical chairs, dancing, dunking for apples or trying to bite apples hanging from strings, building scarecrows from recycled materials. Have guest bring candy wrappers for crafts such as candy wrapper wallets, belts, picture frames, bracelets and purses (just search “candy wrapper purse” online for ideas).
Finally, make recycling easy for guests by placing clearly labeled recycling bins in a convenient location everyone can reach.
Now, go out and enjoy your Green Halloween!
Getting Your Whole Family Outside This Fall
Tomorrow marks the first day of autumn, my favorite season. As Carol Bishop Hipps put it, it's “the mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter.”
I hope you all take the time go out and enjoy this most splendid season. Getting outside and into nature is an important part of keeping everyone in your family happy and healthy. In fact, a University of Illinois study found that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were able to raise their attentiveness scores simply by taking a walk outside. Not surprisingly, walks in natural settings had an even more significant impact than walking on city streets.
Being in nature can benefit your whole family's mental, emotional, and physical well-being, so here are some ideas to get you and your whole family outside this fall.
Visit a farm. Check out LocalHarvest.org for farms near you.
Try a hay or corn maze.
Go apple picking or search for the perfect pumpkin. Check out pickyourown.org to find a pick-your-own farm near you.
Go on a hay ride.
Jump in the leaves.
Create artwork from the leaves, acorns, and pine cones available in your yard or a nearby park.
Round up the neighborhood for a game of touch or flag football.
Play outdoor games like freeze tag, Red Rover, hopscotch and Kick The Can.
Fly a kite.
Visit a local park.
Plant a tree. Many people don't realize that planting isn't just a springtime activity. The fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs as well as flower bulbs like daffodils, crocus, and tulips.
Visit the zoo. Fall (and even winter) is a great time to visit the zoo. Summer's heat keeps many animals hidden in their cool, shady spots. Cooler temperatures means more animals roaming about for easy viewing.
Visit state and national parks in your area. Many offer great family friendly activities.
Go on a nature expedition at a local park, in your yard, or around your neighborhood. Bring along binoculars, a magnifying class, and a journal (young children can draw pictures of what they see) and teach your kids how to observe, enjoy and appreciate nature without disturbing it.
Make a nature journal. Have your kids decorate a notebook they can carry with them to note what they observe when they're outside. Even young kids can keep a nature journal by drawing what they see.
Explore the wonderful world of bugs. Check your local library for books about bugs and then head outside with a magnifying glass to see what you can find and identify.
Learn about birds. Check out some library books or use the online bird guide from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Then get outside with some binoculars and that nature journal and see what you can find.
Set up an outdoor scavenger hunt. The Love The Outdoors website offers a great guide to setting up your own scavenger hunt for kids, along with a few sample lists to get you started.
Have a picnic (even if it's in your own yard).
Start an outdoor hobby together. The options are limitless – biking, fishing, hiking, canoeing/kayaking, horseback riding, etc.
Build a fort. Use these simple directions from wikiHow or get fancy with these instructions from This Old House.
Go letterboxing. Letterboxing is an outdoor activity that dates back to the 1800s. It combines elements of orienteering, hiking, art, and puzzle solving. Participants search for letterboxes hidden in public places, such as parks, by following clues from a catalog or web site. These letterboxes usually contain a notebook and a rubber stamp. Finders stamp their personal journal with that stamp to record their find and then leave their personal stamp in the letterbox's log book. Your own local parks and recreation department may have a program or you can check out one of the many web sites available to help you get started. If you'd prefer a more high tech treasure hunt involving gps tracking, try Geocaching.
Learn about the solar system. Kidsastronomy.com has several great resources you can check out before heading outside to connect the constellations together.
I hope you all take the time go out and enjoy this most splendid season. Getting outside and into nature is an important part of keeping everyone in your family happy and healthy. In fact, a University of Illinois study found that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were able to raise their attentiveness scores simply by taking a walk outside. Not surprisingly, walks in natural settings had an even more significant impact than walking on city streets.
Being in nature can benefit your whole family's mental, emotional, and physical well-being, so here are some ideas to get you and your whole family outside this fall.
Visit a farm. Check out LocalHarvest.org for farms near you.
Try a hay or corn maze.
Go apple picking or search for the perfect pumpkin. Check out pickyourown.org to find a pick-your-own farm near you.
Go on a hay ride.
Jump in the leaves.
Create artwork from the leaves, acorns, and pine cones available in your yard or a nearby park.
Round up the neighborhood for a game of touch or flag football.
Play outdoor games like freeze tag, Red Rover, hopscotch and Kick The Can.
Fly a kite.
Visit a local park.
Plant a tree. Many people don't realize that planting isn't just a springtime activity. The fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs as well as flower bulbs like daffodils, crocus, and tulips.
Visit the zoo. Fall (and even winter) is a great time to visit the zoo. Summer's heat keeps many animals hidden in their cool, shady spots. Cooler temperatures means more animals roaming about for easy viewing.
Visit state and national parks in your area. Many offer great family friendly activities.
Go on a nature expedition at a local park, in your yard, or around your neighborhood. Bring along binoculars, a magnifying class, and a journal (young children can draw pictures of what they see) and teach your kids how to observe, enjoy and appreciate nature without disturbing it.
Make a nature journal. Have your kids decorate a notebook they can carry with them to note what they observe when they're outside. Even young kids can keep a nature journal by drawing what they see.
Explore the wonderful world of bugs. Check your local library for books about bugs and then head outside with a magnifying glass to see what you can find and identify.
Learn about birds. Check out some library books or use the online bird guide from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Then get outside with some binoculars and that nature journal and see what you can find.
Set up an outdoor scavenger hunt. The Love The Outdoors website offers a great guide to setting up your own scavenger hunt for kids, along with a few sample lists to get you started.
Have a picnic (even if it's in your own yard).
Start an outdoor hobby together. The options are limitless – biking, fishing, hiking, canoeing/kayaking, horseback riding, etc.
Build a fort. Use these simple directions from wikiHow or get fancy with these instructions from This Old House.
Go letterboxing. Letterboxing is an outdoor activity that dates back to the 1800s. It combines elements of orienteering, hiking, art, and puzzle solving. Participants search for letterboxes hidden in public places, such as parks, by following clues from a catalog or web site. These letterboxes usually contain a notebook and a rubber stamp. Finders stamp their personal journal with that stamp to record their find and then leave their personal stamp in the letterbox's log book. Your own local parks and recreation department may have a program or you can check out one of the many web sites available to help you get started. If you'd prefer a more high tech treasure hunt involving gps tracking, try Geocaching.
Learn about the solar system. Kidsastronomy.com has several great resources you can check out before heading outside to connect the constellations together.
Making Your Child's School a Green School
What better contribution can you make to your child's school than to help make it a green school? After all, a green school is a healthy school and a healthy school is more conducive to learning.
According to the American Lung Association, schoolchildren miss more than 14 million school days a year because of asthma exacerbated by poor indoor air quality. A major contributor to that poor air quality is the toxic chemicals in the cleaning products used to clean schools. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), poor indoor air quality can reduce children's ability to perform mental tasks involving memory, calculations, and concentration. While some environmental factors can be an impediment to learning, others can help bolster learning. Studies show that students in classrooms receiving the most daylight during the school day perform up to 20 percent better on math tests than children in classrooms with artificial lights.
There's also schools' environmental impact to consider. According to the EPA, 50 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed when machines are turned off. Imagine what's happening in schools! Now factor in all the faucets left on by small children, the paper carelessly wasted by students of all ages, and the countless recyclables being tossed in the trash and that is one major carbon footprint.
Green schools strive to reduce their ecological footprint, while making the school environment more conducive to learning and all around healthier for students and staff.
Here are some ways you can help green up your child's school.
Pack lunches in reusable containers to avoid plastic and reduce trash.
Have your child walk, bike, or ride the bus to school. Alternatively, you can organize a carpool.
If driving, don’t idle your car at the school's pick-up/drop-off area.
Ask your child's teacher if the school has a formal policy about unplugging computers and turning off lights at the end of the day and during down times like lunch and recess.
Volunteer to make signs for your child's teacher reminding children to turn off the faucet when they're done washing their hands.
Donate an air-cleaning plant to your child's classroom. NASA spent two years testing 19 different house plants for their ability to remove common pollutants from the air. The most effective plants were proven to be philodendron, English ivy, spider plants, dracaena, weeping fig, golden pothos, peace lily, Chinese evergreen, bamboo or reed palm, and snake plant.
Offer to help your child's teacher with green projects and activities, such as nature walks (children can keep a journal of what they observe), making recycled crafts like milk carton birdhouses, growing plants in the classroom, planting a tree outside the school, or starting a recycling program.
Be an example for other families. Check out Raising A Green Kid to learn more.
Ready to go bigger? Organize a group for these green school initiatives.
Start your school's PTA or Wellness Committee (any school receiving federal funding for lunch programs is mandated to have one) on a get green campaign or establish a separate Green Team or Eco-Committee. The Green School Initiative offers a variety of resources to get you started.
Take the individual measures you've taken to a school-wide level. Encourage all parents to pack waste-free lunches and carpool. Install air-cleaning plants throughout the building and develop an energy conservation policy for the entire school.
Implement a no-idling policy for all cars and buses.
Seek out transportation companies with bio-diesel, clean diesel, natural gas or hybrid school buses.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent ones. Consider the installation of skylights.
Start a school recycling program.
Opt for eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products. Many of the products used to clean school buildings contain toxic chemicals that pollute the air and threaten children's developing respiratory systems. Look for products with the EcoLogo or Green Seal label (a list is available at greencleaning.ny.gov/Products.asp), use micro-fiber mops and cloths, and convert to high efficiency equipment such as HEPA vacuum cleaners.
Convert to environmentally-friendly school and office supplies. At the very least, try to avoid products made of PVC or #3 plastic.
Go to epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html for a free Tools for Schools Action Kit. The step-by-step guide shows schools how to carry out a practical plan to improve indoor air problems at little, or no, cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff. The kit provides best practices, industry guidelines, sample policies, and a sample IAQ management plan.
Make sure school grounds are maintained using Integrated Pest Management to reduce the use of chemical pesticides.
Consider a garden as a school-wide project. A school garden can be used in a variety of lessons – from art to science.
Remove vending machines and any other sources of processed foods from your lunch room. Promote fresh produce instead. This may involve that school garden or a CSA or Food Co-op program available from local farmers.
Green your school events. Cut back on disposable paper products and opt for reusable decorations.
For fundraisers, try selling energy efficient light bulbs, crafts made from recycled materials, or experiences instead of wrapping paper or candy.
Green up the curriculum. Earth Day Network's national GREEN Schools Campaign, in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and The Clinton Foundation, offers a variety of resources, including free K-12 environmental lesson plans and activities.
The Earth Day Network's goal is to green all U.S. schools within a generation. Help make that goal a reality by helping to make your child's school a green school.
According to the American Lung Association, schoolchildren miss more than 14 million school days a year because of asthma exacerbated by poor indoor air quality. A major contributor to that poor air quality is the toxic chemicals in the cleaning products used to clean schools. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), poor indoor air quality can reduce children's ability to perform mental tasks involving memory, calculations, and concentration. While some environmental factors can be an impediment to learning, others can help bolster learning. Studies show that students in classrooms receiving the most daylight during the school day perform up to 20 percent better on math tests than children in classrooms with artificial lights.
There's also schools' environmental impact to consider. According to the EPA, 50 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed when machines are turned off. Imagine what's happening in schools! Now factor in all the faucets left on by small children, the paper carelessly wasted by students of all ages, and the countless recyclables being tossed in the trash and that is one major carbon footprint.
Green schools strive to reduce their ecological footprint, while making the school environment more conducive to learning and all around healthier for students and staff.
Here are some ways you can help green up your child's school.
Pack lunches in reusable containers to avoid plastic and reduce trash.
Have your child walk, bike, or ride the bus to school. Alternatively, you can organize a carpool.
If driving, don’t idle your car at the school's pick-up/drop-off area.
Ask your child's teacher if the school has a formal policy about unplugging computers and turning off lights at the end of the day and during down times like lunch and recess.
Volunteer to make signs for your child's teacher reminding children to turn off the faucet when they're done washing their hands.
Donate an air-cleaning plant to your child's classroom. NASA spent two years testing 19 different house plants for their ability to remove common pollutants from the air. The most effective plants were proven to be philodendron, English ivy, spider plants, dracaena, weeping fig, golden pothos, peace lily, Chinese evergreen, bamboo or reed palm, and snake plant.
Offer to help your child's teacher with green projects and activities, such as nature walks (children can keep a journal of what they observe), making recycled crafts like milk carton birdhouses, growing plants in the classroom, planting a tree outside the school, or starting a recycling program.
Be an example for other families. Check out Raising A Green Kid to learn more.
Ready to go bigger? Organize a group for these green school initiatives.
Start your school's PTA or Wellness Committee (any school receiving federal funding for lunch programs is mandated to have one) on a get green campaign or establish a separate Green Team or Eco-Committee. The Green School Initiative offers a variety of resources to get you started.
Take the individual measures you've taken to a school-wide level. Encourage all parents to pack waste-free lunches and carpool. Install air-cleaning plants throughout the building and develop an energy conservation policy for the entire school.
Implement a no-idling policy for all cars and buses.
Seek out transportation companies with bio-diesel, clean diesel, natural gas or hybrid school buses.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent ones. Consider the installation of skylights.
Start a school recycling program.
Opt for eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products. Many of the products used to clean school buildings contain toxic chemicals that pollute the air and threaten children's developing respiratory systems. Look for products with the EcoLogo or Green Seal label (a list is available at greencleaning.ny.gov/Products.asp), use micro-fiber mops and cloths, and convert to high efficiency equipment such as HEPA vacuum cleaners.
Convert to environmentally-friendly school and office supplies. At the very least, try to avoid products made of PVC or #3 plastic.
Go to epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html for a free Tools for Schools Action Kit. The step-by-step guide shows schools how to carry out a practical plan to improve indoor air problems at little, or no, cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff. The kit provides best practices, industry guidelines, sample policies, and a sample IAQ management plan.
Make sure school grounds are maintained using Integrated Pest Management to reduce the use of chemical pesticides.
Consider a garden as a school-wide project. A school garden can be used in a variety of lessons – from art to science.
Remove vending machines and any other sources of processed foods from your lunch room. Promote fresh produce instead. This may involve that school garden or a CSA or Food Co-op program available from local farmers.
Green your school events. Cut back on disposable paper products and opt for reusable decorations.
For fundraisers, try selling energy efficient light bulbs, crafts made from recycled materials, or experiences instead of wrapping paper or candy.
Green up the curriculum. Earth Day Network's national GREEN Schools Campaign, in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and The Clinton Foundation, offers a variety of resources, including free K-12 environmental lesson plans and activities.
The Earth Day Network's goal is to green all U.S. schools within a generation. Help make that goal a reality by helping to make your child's school a green school.
The ABCs of Being Green
It's back-to-school time. So, here's a quick refresher on the ABCs of Being Green to help you make this upcoming school year the greenest yet.
Always remember the three Rs . . . Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Every piece of advice about being green resonates back to at least one of these basic tenets.
Bike or ride the Bus instead of driving.
Clean green with homemade cleaning solutions made from simple and natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.
Donate goods you can’t recycle or sell. Freecycle is a great online nonprofit that helps you to donate to people in your community.
Eat produce from the Environmental Working Group’s 15 Cleanest Fruits and Vegetables in place of produce from the Dirty Dozen list.
Filter your tap water with a home filtration system instead of buying bottled water.
Go outside! Turn off the TV and video games and let your kids explore outdoors. Check out state and national parks in your area and the variety of family friendly activities most of them offer.
Hit the local library or used book store for books, CDs, and DVDs instead of buying them new.
Install timers to automatically adjust your thermostat when you’re sleeping and out of the house.
Juice up your cell phone with a car charger. Or, when using the computer, charge your phone using the USB port. Both options will save energy compared to using a wall plug.
Keep rain water for a variety of non-potable uses, such as watering plants or washing your car, by installing a rain barrel.
Launder your clothes with ½ to ¾ of the manufacturer’s suggested amount. You’ll cut down on waste and get your clothes cleaner.
Make the most of each car trip by combining as many errands as you can. Save time and gas.
Nurture your skin with personal care products that are safe for your health and the environment.
Opt for energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs.
Purchase energy-efficient appliances to replace your old ones as they wear out.
Quit topping off your gas tank. It’s bad for your health and the environment.
Recharge your batteries (you’ll, of course, have to buy the rechargeable kind) instead of using disposable batteries.
Shower instead of taking baths. Try to keep it to 5 to 10 minutes.
Toss food scrapes and yard refuse into a compost bin to make your own organic, nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Utilize what you already have before buying anything new. Don’t just “shop your closet”. Shop your entire home. Go a step further and organize a swap (of clothes, shoes, and accessories; or home goods; or kid toys; or books and movies) with your friends.
Visit farmers’ markets in your area and support local farmers while getting super-fresh, locally-produced food.
Wash with fragrance-free soap. Opt for fragrance-free body wash, hand soap, shampoo, and moisturizer to avoid chemicals that are harmful to your health and the environment.
X April 22nd on your calendar. It’s Earth Day. Volunteer for events organized in your community. Can’t find any organized volunteer opportunities in your area? Get together with friends for a community clean-up of your own.
Yank out your stash of reusable shopping bags whenever you go shopping.
Zap away less energy by unplugging appliances, like toasters and coffeemakers, when they’re not in use. “Standby usage” accounts for anywhere from 6% to 26% of a homes' electricity use.
Always remember the three Rs . . . Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Every piece of advice about being green resonates back to at least one of these basic tenets.
Bike or ride the Bus instead of driving.
Clean green with homemade cleaning solutions made from simple and natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.
Donate goods you can’t recycle or sell. Freecycle is a great online nonprofit that helps you to donate to people in your community.
Eat produce from the Environmental Working Group’s 15 Cleanest Fruits and Vegetables in place of produce from the Dirty Dozen list.
Filter your tap water with a home filtration system instead of buying bottled water.
Go outside! Turn off the TV and video games and let your kids explore outdoors. Check out state and national parks in your area and the variety of family friendly activities most of them offer.
Hit the local library or used book store for books, CDs, and DVDs instead of buying them new.
Install timers to automatically adjust your thermostat when you’re sleeping and out of the house.
Juice up your cell phone with a car charger. Or, when using the computer, charge your phone using the USB port. Both options will save energy compared to using a wall plug.
Keep rain water for a variety of non-potable uses, such as watering plants or washing your car, by installing a rain barrel.
Launder your clothes with ½ to ¾ of the manufacturer’s suggested amount. You’ll cut down on waste and get your clothes cleaner.
Make the most of each car trip by combining as many errands as you can. Save time and gas.
Nurture your skin with personal care products that are safe for your health and the environment.
Opt for energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs.
Purchase energy-efficient appliances to replace your old ones as they wear out.
Quit topping off your gas tank. It’s bad for your health and the environment.
Recharge your batteries (you’ll, of course, have to buy the rechargeable kind) instead of using disposable batteries.
Shower instead of taking baths. Try to keep it to 5 to 10 minutes.
Toss food scrapes and yard refuse into a compost bin to make your own organic, nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Utilize what you already have before buying anything new. Don’t just “shop your closet”. Shop your entire home. Go a step further and organize a swap (of clothes, shoes, and accessories; or home goods; or kid toys; or books and movies) with your friends.
Visit farmers’ markets in your area and support local farmers while getting super-fresh, locally-produced food.
Wash with fragrance-free soap. Opt for fragrance-free body wash, hand soap, shampoo, and moisturizer to avoid chemicals that are harmful to your health and the environment.
X April 22nd on your calendar. It’s Earth Day. Volunteer for events organized in your community. Can’t find any organized volunteer opportunities in your area? Get together with friends for a community clean-up of your own.
Yank out your stash of reusable shopping bags whenever you go shopping.
Zap away less energy by unplugging appliances, like toasters and coffeemakers, when they’re not in use. “Standby usage” accounts for anywhere from 6% to 26% of a homes' electricity use.
The Farm Stay Vacation
Consider making your next family vacation a “haycation” by booking a farm stay. Already common in Europe and Australia, farm stays are garnering greater interest in the U.S. as more people are looking for ways to connect with nature, simpler times, and local food sources.
Simply put a farm stay means reserving accommodations on a working farm or ranch. The accommodations may be a room in a farmhouse or other farm building that's been converted for company; or, you may get to pick your own camping spot on the farm. The experience varies from farm to farm. Some are geared towards families with young children, while others are more adult-oriented. Some involve daily chores and activities, while others simply offer classes and demonstrations for those interested. Bottom line: You won't have to put in a full day's work as a farmhand to earn your keep.
If the thought of starting your day by gathering eggs for a a down-home breakfast and ending your day sitting in a rocking chair watching the sun set over the fields appeals to you, check out farmstayus.com or farmvisit.com for more information on booking your very own farm stay vacation.
Simply put a farm stay means reserving accommodations on a working farm or ranch. The accommodations may be a room in a farmhouse or other farm building that's been converted for company; or, you may get to pick your own camping spot on the farm. The experience varies from farm to farm. Some are geared towards families with young children, while others are more adult-oriented. Some involve daily chores and activities, while others simply offer classes and demonstrations for those interested. Bottom line: You won't have to put in a full day's work as a farmhand to earn your keep.
If the thought of starting your day by gathering eggs for a a down-home breakfast and ending your day sitting in a rocking chair watching the sun set over the fields appeals to you, check out farmstayus.com or farmvisit.com for more information on booking your very own farm stay vacation.
Greener, Safer Kids' Toys
Every parent hopes to provide the best for their child. Parents want to give children toys that will entertain and enrich their minds, not ones that can harm them and the environment we work so hard to protect for them.
Toys considered “greener” are safer for children (especially the very young ones who put things in their mouths), are made of more sustainable materials, and are manufactured in way that produces less environmental waste and pollution. Here's what to look for when seeking greener, safer toys for your child.
Start with the best toy of all . . . imagination. Your home is already stocked with things your child can play with. Add a wooden spoon to a few pots and pans and you have a drum kit. Old clothes make for a great dress up session. A little creativity is all you need to act out your favorite fairy tales. And never forget the endless possibilities a cardboard box holds.
Crafts are another great way to get kids using their imagination. A few simple supplies like non-toxic paints, glue and scissors can help your little artist transform boxes, paper rolls, used paper and cardboard, pine cones, rocks, leaves, and such into their own masterpiece. Before throwing anything away think of how you might be able to use it in an arts and crafts project. If you're not particularly crafty, there are plenty of books at the library full of ideas. Put together an “invention box” with paper holders, bottle caps, leftover bits of ribbon and yarn, left over art supplies, etc. and see what your child's imagination comes up with.
Who needs toys when you have the whole great outdoors to play with? A University of Illinois study found that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were able to raise their attentiveness scores simply by taking a walk outside. Being in nature can benefit your whole family's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. You can plant a garden together, go on a nature walk right in your own neighborhood, hit the playground, or play something as simple as tag or hide and seek.
When you are looking to purchase toys consider buying used. There are great deals to be found in thrift stores and on eBay, Craigslist, and Freecycle. Many consignment stores will check for recalls for you or you can check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission web site yourself before making a purchase. Buying secondhand toys saves you money and helps keep perfectly good toys out of landfills.
When purchasing new toys, take into consideration the toy's durability and longevity. You want toys that are solidly constructed so you don't have to buy a replacement after a short time. A multi-faceted toy that can be used in multiple ways (think blocks and simple dolls and cars) will last much longer than a gadget toy that only performs one function. Long lasting toys save you money and cut down on trash.
Avoid toys made with polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC or vinyl). PVC releases toxins into the environment through every step of its life cycle – from manufacturing to disposal. Many PVC toys also contain phthalates, hormone-disruptors with strong links to cancer. Opt for plastic-free toys made of wood, cloth, wool, or paper.
Toys considered “greener” are safer for children (especially the very young ones who put things in their mouths), are made of more sustainable materials, and are manufactured in way that produces less environmental waste and pollution. Here's what to look for when seeking greener, safer toys for your child.
Start with the best toy of all . . . imagination. Your home is already stocked with things your child can play with. Add a wooden spoon to a few pots and pans and you have a drum kit. Old clothes make for a great dress up session. A little creativity is all you need to act out your favorite fairy tales. And never forget the endless possibilities a cardboard box holds.
Crafts are another great way to get kids using their imagination. A few simple supplies like non-toxic paints, glue and scissors can help your little artist transform boxes, paper rolls, used paper and cardboard, pine cones, rocks, leaves, and such into their own masterpiece. Before throwing anything away think of how you might be able to use it in an arts and crafts project. If you're not particularly crafty, there are plenty of books at the library full of ideas. Put together an “invention box” with paper holders, bottle caps, leftover bits of ribbon and yarn, left over art supplies, etc. and see what your child's imagination comes up with.
Who needs toys when you have the whole great outdoors to play with? A University of Illinois study found that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were able to raise their attentiveness scores simply by taking a walk outside. Being in nature can benefit your whole family's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. You can plant a garden together, go on a nature walk right in your own neighborhood, hit the playground, or play something as simple as tag or hide and seek.
When you are looking to purchase toys consider buying used. There are great deals to be found in thrift stores and on eBay, Craigslist, and Freecycle. Many consignment stores will check for recalls for you or you can check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission web site yourself before making a purchase. Buying secondhand toys saves you money and helps keep perfectly good toys out of landfills.
When purchasing new toys, take into consideration the toy's durability and longevity. You want toys that are solidly constructed so you don't have to buy a replacement after a short time. A multi-faceted toy that can be used in multiple ways (think blocks and simple dolls and cars) will last much longer than a gadget toy that only performs one function. Long lasting toys save you money and cut down on trash.
Avoid toys made with polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC or vinyl). PVC releases toxins into the environment through every step of its life cycle – from manufacturing to disposal. Many PVC toys also contain phthalates, hormone-disruptors with strong links to cancer. Opt for plastic-free toys made of wood, cloth, wool, or paper.
Avoid metal kids' jewelry and toys with small metal pieces or magnets. These items are perpetually being recalled due to lead content or paint. Despite all the recalls, a study by the Center for Environmental Health found that many of these products still on shelves are also tainted with lead. Even if lead is not an issue, there are still other toxic metals, such as cadmium, antimony and barium, being used to make imported kids' jewelry.
Toys made of wood, on the other hand, are a great idea. Wood toys last much longer than plastic ones and, so long as they are not treated or painted, they are safer for young children to chew on. Toys made of bamboo are a particularly good option because bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that requires no pesticides and little water.
Thanks to its excessive use of pesticides, cotton is considered the world's dirtiest crop. Not exactly the what you want your little ones snuggling up with. When selecting fabric toys, like stuffed animals, opt for ones made from organic and naturally-dyed cotton, bamboo, or wool whenever possible.
It's one thing to say avoid toys made with PVC or painted with lead paint and quite another thing to actually try and figure out what toys are made of. Toys today do not include an ingredient list on their labels, which can make the shopping process difficult and worrisome for parents. Especially when you consider that about one third of the 1,500 toys tested by the Ecology Center contained medium to high levels of toxic chemicals. Fortunately, sites like GoodGuide.com and HealthyStuff.org provide a tremendous resource for conscientious toy shoppers.
The scientists from GoodGuide.com have analyzed data taken from numerous sources and rated toys based on environmental, social, and health attributes. You can use this online database to view the top- and bottom-rated toys in various toy categories or look up a specific item. If your item is included in the database (and it is a good-size database), it will let you know if the item contains lead, mercury, chlorine, or other unwanted chemicals.
HealthyStuff.org has tested thousands of toys since 2007. This online database, created by the nonprofit The Ecology Center, is based on research conducted by environmental health organizations and other researchers throughout the U.S. and includes information on over 8,300 products. Each product tested is given an overall rating, as well as an individual chemical rating for cadmium, chlorine, lead, arsenic, bromine, mercury and, for some product categories, tin.
Once you find a company that offers green, safe toys you and your child like, stick with them. Today even companies like Amazon and Toys R Us have an Eco-Friendly or Green toy category. They wouldn't do so if there wasn't a market for it. By continuing to demand safe toys for our children we can continue to increase this market until the day when all toys will be green toys.
Toys made of wood, on the other hand, are a great idea. Wood toys last much longer than plastic ones and, so long as they are not treated or painted, they are safer for young children to chew on. Toys made of bamboo are a particularly good option because bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that requires no pesticides and little water.
Thanks to its excessive use of pesticides, cotton is considered the world's dirtiest crop. Not exactly the what you want your little ones snuggling up with. When selecting fabric toys, like stuffed animals, opt for ones made from organic and naturally-dyed cotton, bamboo, or wool whenever possible.
It's one thing to say avoid toys made with PVC or painted with lead paint and quite another thing to actually try and figure out what toys are made of. Toys today do not include an ingredient list on their labels, which can make the shopping process difficult and worrisome for parents. Especially when you consider that about one third of the 1,500 toys tested by the Ecology Center contained medium to high levels of toxic chemicals. Fortunately, sites like GoodGuide.com and HealthyStuff.org provide a tremendous resource for conscientious toy shoppers.
The scientists from GoodGuide.com have analyzed data taken from numerous sources and rated toys based on environmental, social, and health attributes. You can use this online database to view the top- and bottom-rated toys in various toy categories or look up a specific item. If your item is included in the database (and it is a good-size database), it will let you know if the item contains lead, mercury, chlorine, or other unwanted chemicals.
HealthyStuff.org has tested thousands of toys since 2007. This online database, created by the nonprofit The Ecology Center, is based on research conducted by environmental health organizations and other researchers throughout the U.S. and includes information on over 8,300 products. Each product tested is given an overall rating, as well as an individual chemical rating for cadmium, chlorine, lead, arsenic, bromine, mercury and, for some product categories, tin.
Once you find a company that offers green, safe toys you and your child like, stick with them. Today even companies like Amazon and Toys R Us have an Eco-Friendly or Green toy category. They wouldn't do so if there wasn't a market for it. By continuing to demand safe toys for our children we can continue to increase this market until the day when all toys will be green toys.
Activities To Get Your Family Outside
Sometimes there is no better salve to what ails you than nature. Getting outside and into nature is an important part of keeping everyone in your family happy and healthy. In fact, a University of Illinois study found that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were able to raise their attentiveness scores simply by taking a walk outside. Not surprisingly, walks in natural settings had an even more significant impact than walking on city streets. Being in nature can benefit your whole family's mental, emotional, and physical well-being, so here are some ideas to get your whole clan outdoors.
Fly a kite.
Play outdoor games like freeze tag, Red Rover, hopscotch and Kick The Can.
Color with sidewalk chalk.
Visit state and national parks in your area. Many offer great family friendly activities.
Go on a nature expedition at a local park, in your yard, or around your neighborhood. Bring along binoculars, a magnifying class, and a journal (young children can draw pictures of what they see) and teach your kids how to observe, enjoy and appreciate nature without disturbing it.
Make a nature journal. Have your kids decorate a notebook they can carry with them to note what they observe when they're outside. Even young kids can keep a nature journal by drawing what they see.
Explore the wonderful world of bugs. Check your local library for books about bugs and then head outside with a magnifying glass to see what you can find and identify.
Learn about birds. Check out some library books or use the online bird guide from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Then get outside with some binoculars and that nature journal and see what you can find. You can even take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count than takes place every February.
Grow a garden together.
Build and/or decorate a bird house.
Set up an outdoor scavenger hunt.
Go camping.
Play in the snow. Build a snow man. Make snow angels. Mix food coloring and water in spray bottles or bowls and snow paint.
Build a sand castle.
Have a picnic (even if it's in your own yard).
Start an outdoor hobby together. The options are limitless – biking, skating, fishing, hiking, canoeing/kayaking, horseback riding, tennis, etc.
Build a fort. Use these simple directions from wikiHow or get fancy with these instructions from This Old House.
Go letterboxing. Letterboxing is an outdoor activity that dates back to the 1800s. It combines elements of orienteering, hiking, art, and puzzle solving. Participants search for letterboxes hidden in public places, such as parks, by following clues from a catalog or web site. These letterboxes usually contain a notebook and a rubber stamp. Finders stamp their personal journal with that stamp to record their find and then leave their personal stamp in the letterbox's log book. Your own local parks and recreation department may have a program or you can check out one of the many web sites available to help you get started. If you'd prefer a more high tech treasure hunt involving gps tracking, try Geocaching.
Learn about the solar system. Kidsastronomy.com has several great resources you can check out before heading outside to connect the constellations together.
A Plea to 'Be Straw Free'
Milo Cress, a fourth-grader from Burlington, Vermont, is encouraging all of us to say, “No straw, please” next time we eat out. The nine-year old is the founder of the BeStrawFree Project which focuses on cutting down on the five hundred million disposable straws American use every day. Milo's encouraging restaurants to ask customers if they would like a straw instead of putting one in every drink, but you can be proactive and let your server know you'd prefer your drink without a straw. At home, if you really want to use a straw, there are reusable steel, glass, and bamboo options available.
Hats off to Milo for bringing awareness to a very simple action we can all take to be greener.
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