Monthly Archives: August 2010
Back To School: CHEJ’s’ PVC-Free Guide
| August 15, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Uncategorized |
“The Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) has created this third-annual Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies to empower you to make smarter, healthier shopping choices for a toxic-free future. This guide lists the most common back-to-school supplies made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) plastic and suggests safer PVC-free alternatives.”
Be sure to check out this great guide to help you keep PVC out of your kids backpacks!
Back To School: Homeschool Edition
| August 14, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Uncategorized |
This is a recycled post from last year but thought it would be useful to some. Plus we all love recycling right. 
One way to green your homeschooling is to buy your curriculum used. Most homeschool groups and co-ops will have book sales often. This is more affordable, greener and you can ask the family that used it what they thought of it.
A lot of homeschooling can be done on the computer, which will cut down on paper. You can use junk mail as scratch paper. And art projects can often come from the recycle bin as well.
Recycling is easier with homeschooling as if you already do so in your home your kids will know what to do and it will be seamless.
You are already at school when you wake up so not transportation issues. When going on field trip try and carpool with other homeschool families.
Lunch can easily be waste free. By making home cooked meals, using real dishes and cloth napkins. Kids can also learn to compost food scraps.
Things like worm composting, visiting a recycling center, starting a garden and so much more can be great ways for your kids to learn science and also learn how to be more eco-friendly.
Many homeschool families are members of homeschool groups or co-ops. You can help green those by recycling at events, having green workshops for the kids, going on eco-friendly field trips, and more, there are countless ideas.
What are your green homeschooling tips?
Back To School: Twitter Party
| August 12, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Uncategorized |
When: Sunday, August 15th at 8:00 p.m. eastern time
Where: On Twitter, we recommend you use TweetGrid to keep up with the party.
To learn about using TweetGrid for Twitter parties check out their how-to video.
Hashtag: #ecoback2school
What is a Hashtag?
How to Join:
- RSVP in the comments with your Twitter name. (You don’t have to RSVP to join in the fun but you can only win a prize if you RSVP)
- Follow @Retrohousewife5 and @Litterfreelunch
- Use the Hastag #ecoback2school in your tweets.
- Be on Twitter at 8 p.m. eastern time!
Sponsor:
Prizes:
Reuseit Recycled PET EarthTote grocery set from Reuseit
Billboard Backpack* from TerraCycle (color of bag will vary).
The Green Teen by Jenn Savedge
Remember to RSVP below to have a change to win the prizes above! You also must be present at the party to win.
Disclaimer: The prizes come from the listed store and not from me. I was paid to host this party but all views stated by me (@retrohousewife5) are my honest views. Litter Free Lunch and Lisa Sharp are not responsible for the content at the Twitter party. Also if you buy The Green Teen by Jenn Savedge from my store I earn a small percent of the sale.
*The bag from TerraCycle is made of vinyl, normally I say stay away from vinyl but I do like that TerraCycle is keeping billboards out of the landfill. I recommend only adults and teens use this bag and don’t eat off of it or anything like that.
Back To School: School Supplies
| August 12, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Uncategorized |
We have already talked about backpacks and lunch supplies, now it’s time to talk about the rest of your kids school supplies. Places like Staples are offering more and more eco-friendly options, your locally owned stores may carry some as well. If you can’t find these items locally I have included many options in my store.
Paper and Notebooks
Make sure to also choose recycled and unbleached tissues and paper towels.
Pencils and Pens
Look for pencils and pens made from recycled materials. These have become popular and easier to find. Look for plain wooden pencils without paint and coatings. If your kids want less plain pencils seek out eco-friendly options that use recycled materials in place of paint for the designs.
Binders
Binders are normally made of toxic PVC, skip those and opt for cardboard instead. Not only are they safer for you and the planet, they can be recycled when you are done with them.
Art Supplies
Look for school glue which is water based and safer than super glue and other glues. Also look for crayons made from soy wax, natural clay (most clay is made of PVC), water based paints, and other more natural options. If nothing else look for water based products and stay away from scented products.
Markers
Stay away from dry-erase and permanent markers, which can contain harsh solvents. Also stay way from scented markers as they often contain phthalates and also encourage children to sniff them. For highlighters look for a pencil highlighter.
Hand Sanitizer
This is not an item that was on a supply list for most of us as kids but is common place now. Most hand sanitizers contain toxins like triclosan, triclocarban and/or synthetic fragrance. Opt for ones free of these things.
If nothing else remember to stay away from scented products, avoid extra plastic, look for water-based products, and go as basic as you can. Less frills can often mean less waste and less toxins (this is not always true but often is).
*Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post, this is my honest opinion. I was given some review products in the post from a few companies listed. I earn a small percent of products bought from my store. For more info please read my full disclaimer.*
Back To School: Backpack Giveaway *Closed*
| August 11, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Uncategorized |
Did you know there are toxins hiding in your kids backpack? Ecogear thankfully has a great line of backpacks free of PVC and other toxins. You can read more about their backpacks on my post from last year.
The awesome people of Ecogear want to offer one of their newest bags the Ecozoo Rolling Backpack to one lucky reader.
These backpacks are sure to make your kids happy, they come in four different animals/styles. Since they roll no worries of the bag being to heavy for your child.
1. Post your e-mail!!!!! Every time people forget, you can’t win if you don’t leave an e-mail address. (if you have a blogger account that has your e-mail that works as well, or if you fill it out in the info, just somewhere please!)
2. Go to Ecogear and tell me what other product you like on the site.
3. Enter by August 24th at 11:59 p.m.
It’s open to anyone in the continental US.
*This giveaway is sponsored by Ecogear. The prize comes from them. I was not paid for this post, however I have received a product for a review. These are my honest views on the products.
Back To School: Twitter Party!
| August 11, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Uncategorized |
To finish up the Back To School Eco-Friendly Style event we will be having a Twitter party this Sunday (time TBA). Litter Free Lunch will be a sponsor as well as maybe a few others.We will have lots of great prizes to help you green your school year.
So mark your calendar for Sunday! It will be loads of fun.
Back to School Review: Litter Free Lunch
| August 10, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Uncategorized |
About Litter Free Lunch
Sticking with the theme of waste-free lunches I wanted to share some info on a great company, Litter Free Lunch. Litter Free Lunch was started by two moms that wanted it to be easier to make a “litter free lunch” for their kids. Their products come in great kid-friendly styles as well as styles that will fit other members of the family as well. They carry everything from napkins to lunch bags.
Reusable Sandwich Bag in prints
Green Organic Napkins, set of 5
The napkins are a great size for lunch and are machine washable. I have used and washed mine several times and they still look great. I have a set of the green ones but they come in many colors and styles, including ones that are great for kids.
Other big pros for me are that they are made in the US and use OEKO-TEX standards for the dyes.
The reusable sandwich bag is also machine washable and made of 100% cotton with a nylon liner. I have used this several times as well and I like it a lot more than other ones I have tried. The size is great, it’s a bit bigger than some which is helpful. It also stays closed well and is easy to clean.
The only con I can find would be if you are trying to be plastic free, the liner for the sandwich bag is plastic. It’s bpa-free and reusable but it is still plastic. You will have to weigh your options. For young kids these can be easier to open for them and have other pluses as well. If you do want to go plastic free Litter Free Lunch does carry stainless steel containers like the LunchBot.
Overall I think Litter Free Lunch is a wonderful store that will help you green your lunches this year. They truly care about the environment and families. I hope everyone will check them out.
*Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post, this is my honest opinion. I was given review products. For more info please read my full disclaimer.*
Back To School: Have a Waste-Free Lunch + Coupon Code
| August 9, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Uncategorized |
The average child generates 67 pounds of trash in a year, just at lunch! That’s a lot of trash. By making your child a waste-free lunch kit you will help save the planet and save money.
To make your own kit here are some things you will need.
There are some great options for reusable lunch bags out there. There are bags to fit everyone’s needs and style. Make sure you get one that is free of toxins like lead, PVC, BPA and phthalates.
Disposable plastic food bags are not only bad for the environment but are like throwing money away. Save that money and use reusable options instead. When picking out the containers you want to look for stainless steel, glass or at least BPA-free plastic.
Another item you will need is a reusable bottle. Bottled water sales fell 5% last year and these bottles are helping that number go down even more. Sadly this does mean cheap bottles with things like BPA are all over the place. The best way to know you have a safe bottle is to go with a good quality stainless steel bottle. There are also glass bottles with silicone sleeves that are a good safe option.
Some other things to look for are cloth napkins and silverware. Stainless steel or bamboo work great for reusable silverware, you can even just use some silverware from home or buy a special set for lunch. If you can sew it’s easy to wipe up a cloth napkin or you can buy ones in cool colors and designs.
If you don’t want to try and piece together a kit there some great options that come with everything you need. They make going green easy! So be sure to look into that option as well.
Reuseit.com and my store are both great place to find these safe waste-free lunch products and more.
One of my favorite waste-free lunch companies is offering my readers discounts on their products! Check out Citizenpip for great kits and supplies. Use the code retro10 to get 10% off!
*Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post, this is my honest opinion. I was given some review products in the post from a few companies listed. I am a Reuseit.com Ambassador as well as an affiliate. I earn a small percent of products bought from Reuseit.com or my store. For more info please read my full disclaimer.*
Pictures are curious of Reuseit.com and Citizenpip.
Back To School: Eco-Friendly Style
| August 9, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Uncategorized |
Welcome to this year’s back to school event! There will be posts helping you learn to green this school year, giveaways and even a Twitter party. After this week long event you should be ready to have a greener school year.
If you have posts about having a greener school year feel free to share your links!
The Truth Behind Picken’s Plan
| August 6, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Uncategorized |
Living in Oklahoma I get to hear a LOT about T. Boone Pickens. You know the oil man who has a plan to get us to a new energy future? So why is someone who made so much off of oil talking about renewable energy? The answer, water.
Yup, nothing to do with energy but all to do with water. This video from Zaproot pretty much sums it up.
So Pickens has found a sneaky way to get water rights and make people think he is environmental. This is greenwashing at it’s finest. This is why you should always research things, even if they seem like a good idea.
If you want to learn more about water rights, the selling of water and other water issues check out Blue Gold: World Water Wars it can be found my store or Netflix (right now you can stream it).
Full Discloser: If you buy Blue Gold: World Water Wars from the link in this post I earn a small percent of the sells (very small! haha), however that is not my reason for promoting the film!
