Be a Mindful Shopper and Reduce Waste: Ideas for Parents
Ideas for Earth Friendly Products
It is no secret that our landfills are filling up at mock speed and we are running out of options to dispose of our trash. We are also learning that soon there will be more pieces of plastic in the sea than there are fish. Depressing, right?! Did you know that you can make a difference? I often feel helpless when I hear these updates, like my little efforts do not make much of a difference. But I am wrong to think that. If everybody works to make little changes in their lives, WE CAN make a difference. For starters there are big movements out there to continue to clean up the oceans. Businesses across the globe are really trying to find ways to sell more products that source materials from renewable resources and help combat our war on waste. But families and individuals can pitch in as well. It does take effort to change our wasteful habits. I am still working on it but I have got to keep at it and eventually the new less wasteful ways will become the norm. Remember what the American Cultural Anthropologist, Margaret Mead, said:
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed it's the only thing that ever has."
--Margaret Mead
So don't give up hope! We can do this if we all work together, little by little. Below are some ideas and products to get you started and please comment at the end of this post if you would like to share more ideas!
Let's start with snacks, school lunches and eating out with kids. For me, this takes some work but again, totally possible.
Repurpose Plastic Containers Since China's recycling ban we have a bit of a recycling conundrum. In my area, as far as plastic goes, we can only recycle #1 and #2 drink containers. That leaves us with a lot of plastic bins from products we as a family love. Whenever possible try not to buy plastic. Look for glass alternatives. I realize that is a tough one. I am struggling with it myself. When I do buy plastic I am really making an effort to wash and clean the containers and plastic bags to reuse them. Try this nifty little stand by FloWorks Design for drying plastic bags and other reusable items. In all honesty I cannot keep track of a matching tupperware container and it's lid, to save my life. BUT I can mix and match most of the plastic tubs that I have been washing and reusing, so hey, repurposed food storage and snack containers for the kids! WooHoo! Hey speaking of snack containers....try these alternatives to plastic wrap or ziploc bags.
Eco Friendly Snack Bags
Reusable lunch and snack bags There are some fun options out there for reusable snack and lunch bags. Check these out by Ava and Kings or these by Wegreeco or these by Bumkins.
Beeswax Food Storage Wraps This stuff is the real deal. I used to wrap my kids food in plastic wrap or ziploc bags but that is a lot of waste that just gets thrown away. Now I have begun to pack my kids lunches in Beeswax wraps and my kids love the subtle honey smell of the wraps. Check it out here.
Eco Lunch Box And then of course you can always go with the reusable lunch box with all of the different compartments. Simple and easy to clean. Check out this one by ECOlunchbox
Some Ideas for Things to Bring Along When Eating Out Eating out poses another quandary. For starters, kids LOVE straws, right!? According to the Ocean Conservancy, "Plastic Straws are among the top 10 most common items found on the beach". You can check this out and more ideas for reducing waste here. Not only are they found in the ocean and on the shore but many sea creatures ingest straws which can be very harmful. Thankfully, there is a big movement to ban straws, even Starbucks is catching on. We have been delighted to find that some of our favorite local cafes are providing biodegradable straws. If you are eating out and need a straw, and alternatives are not offered, remember to ask for your drink WITHOUT the straw and bring your own. Check out these stainless steel reusable straws by YIHONG. They even come with a handy cleaning brush!
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Biodegradable Straw! -
Biodegradable Straw!
Along with straws, to go meals often come with plastic utensils, another wasteful product. More and more we are seeing biodegradable options offered, which is great! If the alternatives are not there this set by Blulu comes with all utensils plus the stainless steel straws and cleaners! Woohoo! Or you could even use disposable bamboo utensils like these by Happy Planet. This product is also great to have on hand for birthday parties or special events.
Planning Ahead to be LESS Wasteful Try to get into the habit of keeping a tote bag or little back pack in your car with all of these supplies. Many are small enough that you can just keep a few straws and a couple utensil sets in your purse. Include other useful items like refillable water bottles as plastic water bottles are wreaking havoc in our oceans. Check out these fun options by Reduce
HEY! Who Likes Coffee!! I know I do. I think its safe to say that many parents are fueled by coffee. Whether it be tea or coffee, be sure to carry a reusable mug in your car bag of goodies. Here are some fun options.
Another item to consider replacing:
Wowe Kids Natural Organic Bamboo Toothbrush Ever wonder where toothbrushes go when we are done with them and need new ones. The trash. Can't recycle them so they are simply waste. Think of all of the people in the world throwing out their plastic toothbrushes! That is a lot of toothbrushes. Fear not! You can get this bamboo toothbrush here. These are kids toothbrushes but of course they come in adult sizes too. Bamboo is a pretty amazing renewable resource due its amazingly fast growth rate.
Ok, well folks that is a good start, I will surely be adding to this list the more I learn. Even though it takes a little work, if we all chip I believe we can make a difference to be less wasteful and work towards cleaning up this planet for generations to come.
The Spirit of Giving: 10 Ways to Inspire a Compassionate Holiday
The Holidays mean so many different things for each person or family. I think we can all agree that at the heart of this time of year, is the spirit of giving. In our family we talk a lot about the importance of not only being grateful for what we have and celebrating the importance of family and community but also to look for ways to spread some of that loving holiday spirit around to others, especially those that may struggle this time of year.
Here are a few ideas for ways to give back, get involved with your local community or even focus gift giving on something that inspires, kindness, compassion or environmental stewardship:
1.) Necessity Bags for the Homeless Organize a Holiday gathering with friends or family and ask attendees to bring “necessity items” to contribute to creating gift bags for the homeless. Some ideas for items are gloves, socks, tissues, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, toothpaste, wipes, perhaps $1-$5 in each bag. Have each guest/family focus on one item and set a goal for the amount of bags you will make(10, 20?). Have a table cleared to have items spread upon and organized into categories. You can have children help assemble if age ready for this task. Put all items into a large ziplock bag, as this bag cab be useful to a homeless person as well. Another idea is to have younger kids hand make little cards to include in bags. Once completed, you can decide to hand them out yourselves, if you know of places where they could be easily and safely distributed. You could also research a homeless shelter to donate them to.
2.) Recycled Bracelet Gifts by 4Ocean This is an inspiring organization that is working to clean up trash from the ocean. Each recycled bracelet is produced from a pound of trash pulled from the sea.
These are great gifts for people of all ages and raise awareness about environmental stewardship. Each one comes in a nice little cloth bag with information on the work the organization is doing. When I wrote this post, through worldwide support and the purchase of 4Ocean bracelets, they have removed 2,069,400 pounds of trash from the sea…and counting! Be a part of this awesome movement!! You can get them on Amazon here or directly from the organization here. Either way, you will be supporting this important work.
3.) One World Play Project Futbol Do your kids love soccer or do you know someone who does? Then purchase a One World Futbol By One World Play Project. For each ball purchased a portion of the proceeds is donated to provide play equipment to communities in need. Not to mention this ball is ultra durable and made of non-toxic materials. Be sure to let the recipient of this gift know about the One World Play Project, so they too can spread the word. Purchase on Amazon here.
4.) Gift Card from Heifer International My kids recieved a gift card from Heifer last year from their grandma. They each got $50 to spend in the Heifer International Catalog. This organization is working to end hunger and poverty world wide. Our kids got to look through the catalog and gain some perspective on the different struggles that people face around the world and then make a choice to donate their gift card money towards something that would help another family. The main categories to choose from are Animals, Empowering Women, Sustainable Farming and Basic Necessities. Check it out here.
5.) Volunteer at a Homeless Shelter or Foodbank You can help prepare or package meals for the holidays. There are a couple events in our town that we try to attend each Holiday season and I am certain that with a little research, you can find a place near you to volunteer.
For one event we helped serve Thanksgiving meals to homeless or low-income folks in our area. We also volunteered at a local homeless shelter to help prepare a meal that would later be distributed to homeless people at the shelter. My son helped peel a mountain of carrots and my daughter helped put utensils into all of the containers for distribution. Get out there and spread some love and kindness.
6.) Donate Jackets Look through your closets and collect old jackets that the kids have grown out of or that don't seem to get much use anymore. St.Vincent de Paul typically accepts donations of warm jackets when those temps start to drop come winter. Homeless Shelters are another good place to drop off jackets. Have the kids be a part of this and explain what you are doing and why.
7.) Donate Old Toys Have the kids help you clean out old, gently used toys to donate to homeless shelters or hospitals. Toys for Tots is another organization whose focus is on collecting and distributing toys to families in need. Learn more about them here.
8.) Plant a Tree in Honor of Someone Here is a lovely idea to have a tree planted in honor of someone through and organization called A Living Tribute. They will receive a beautiful card as a keepsake to commemorate the moment. What we breath in, trees breathe out. What trees breathe in, we breathe out. I’d say it’s a pretty important relationship to support. The tree will be planted on protected public land to help restore a forest. If you have children have them sit with you and make the purchase, perhaps for Grandma or Grandpa or a dear friend? Learn more here.
9.) Shop at Krochet Kids International Do some Holiday shopping at Krochet Kids and know that your purchase helps break the cycle of poverty and provide job opportunities for women in need. With your purchase you will be given information about a woman from Uganda or Peru who hand crafted the product and visit her online profile. My daughter got the Owl beanie when she was younger and NEVER wanted to take it off….sigh. Pretty hip stuff for kids and adults! Check a couple cute items I like here and here. My daughter loved her Owl beanie which you can check out here.
10.) Shop Tegu Blocks Looking for gifts for younger kids or the little builder in your family. This is another great way to shop with a conscience. These blocks are manufactured in Honduras, the 3rdpoorest nation in the western hemisphere and this company is hoping to help change that by providing job creation with a fair wage and opportunities for growth. The name is linked to the location of the toy factory in Tegucigalpa. Tegu blocks are simple and beautiful AND magnetized for extra fun building. They are made from wood and for every tree harvested for the production of the product, the company replants close to 1000 new trees. Buy on Amazon here. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of purchase page on Amazon and read a bit about the fellows that started it all.
Alright people, let’s get out there and spread some love and kindness while teaching our children about the importance of giving back this holiday season. If you are interested in more eco-minded, earth friendly Holiday gifts to promote environmental stewardship in your community, check out this post.