I would love to hear from you out there....how you are infecting, impacting and inspiring others with your green behaviors...
Just a quick update from me...although the cleaning products at this point do not seem to be up for discussion or change at my school (state mandated cleaning laws)....in the past week alone...we set up recycling bins in the classrooms (I can't believe it wasn't happening before...) and several fellow teachers actually asked where I had purchased my stainless steel water bottles (they go through a lot of water throughout the day and are excited to eliminate all the plastic water bottles)...two teachers actually placed their orders online that day!!
Lastly....I have spied several neighbors that set up retractable clothes lines....very fabulous....I love it!
All these little baby steps are important, inspiring...and motivating to do more....
Remember....even the changes that you think may be so small and easy (like bringing your own stainless steel water bottle or coffee mug) may inspire someone else who needed to be awakened....
Any stories out there?...share!
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Hi - One thing that is big in my neighborhood, that is so unbelievable to me, is the constant use of "OFF". Yes, we do have a very big problem with mosquitoes. But, I am talking about spraying kids with Off with DEET. I truly thought that DEET had been banned a few years ago. Maybe I imagined that or maybe it was just in MA. But, DEET is a poison. In my opinion, it is definitely not OK to spray it on our kids, or ourselves. I really do not know how to tell people that they are spraying such a dangerous chemical on their kids. Everyone who I have seen doing this are really great parents who obviously just don't know about the dangers of DEET. But, I do not want to be the know-it-all mom who tells everyone else what to do. SO, I am hoping that soon people will notice my Burt's Bees all-natural citronella spray and ask me why I use it:)
PS - I have also hired an organic lawn care service to try to help us with our grass. (Current situation is that we have no grass. We have patches of weeds growing on clay). He is going to aerate (sp?), spread a layer of organic compost, and seed. He says that a healthy yard of grass will automatically choke out weeds. I am so hoping that this works. I really do not want to use any traditional weed killers. But, if this fails, I don't really know what else to do.
PSS - Recently went to the "Big Apple" in Wrentham, MA. It's an apple orchard. They had signs up saying that they use "Integrated Pest Managemnt". I did not know what this was before I started reading your blog.....so thanks. I felt so smart :)
I also recently ordered Klean Kanteens for all family members (I like the various size and color choices-- avoids fights between kids, they each have their own color and no one can steal mine). When I ordered them from www.reusablebags.com, I noticed Wrap-N-Mat (reusable sandwich wrappers that are small placemats when you open them) which looked interesting and had good reviews. So, those are on order too.
And, my daughter now likes the smell of the tea tree oil I use on her bugbites...because she knows it really helps. Actually, the only bug spray we have in the house is one with DEET...so, I don't use any spray and unfortunately the kids get eaten alive at times. I'll definitely try the Burt's Bees spray-- I hadn't seen that one. Thanks.
Through reading your website, I ordered one of the "laptop" lunch box kits for my 7 year-old daughter (with her approval, of course). She LOVES it, and I love not using all those baggies. I used to buy sandwich bags by the case at the wholesale club, but now I use maybe two a month. It's great! She loves the colors and the compartments. It's a great visual for your child when she or he opens the box. I was worried that stuff would slosh around, but it doesn't. I HIGHLY recommend it. I would also recommend getting at least one extra set of containers. That way, you can use one and wash the other. Love it, love it, love it.
You've got a great blog here! I've seen lots of little things changing too - people using reusable grocery bags who didn't before, reusable water bottles, and plenty of "green" shirts. It's so encouraging!
Anyway, I just ran into your website while browsing through some green parenting blogs, and I thought you might be interested in hearing about a campaign to make Disney more environmentally friendly. I'm working with the Center for Health, Environment and Justice on their Disney Go Green! Campaign, which is fighting to get green cleaning products in Disney parks, hotels, and restaurants, where children and workers face a great deal of exposure to toxics. We've learned that the only Disney facility that uses green cleaners is the Animal Kingdom. As much as we support this initiative to protect the animals from toxins, we feel that visiting children and company employees deserve the same level of consideration. Next week on October 29th, CHEJ is having a National Day of Action for the campaign, so we're looking to spread the word!
I wondered if you'd be interested in hosting a green cleaning party (maybe a green-themed Halloween?) or even helping us spread the word about the campaign through your blog. There's a great deal of background information on our website (www.chej.org/disney), but I'd be happy to answer any questions. Thanks for your time!
Rachel
Intern, Childproofing Our Communities Campaign
CHEJ
rvoss@chej.org
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