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How to Green Parties

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With the 4th of July coming up soon in our country many people celebrate with Independence Day cookouts, outdoor parties and picnics.  It is also time for social activities during warm months. Fireworks, street festivals and outdoor live music it is a very exciting time of the year, summer!  Everyone wants to spend as much time outdoors as possible!

Anywhere there is a party, there is lots of waste. You can smell the charcoal and lighter fluid as people gear up to grill out!  Soda cans, alcohol containers, plastic bottles, cups and plates fill the trash cans.   No one wants to be burdened with lots of clean up time and so disposable everything comes into play.

Plastic is such a huge issue and one that is an everyday occurrence for some people.  Let’s look at the impact that plastic has on the environment. 86% of all ocean debris is plastic.  Over 1 million seabirds or mammals die each year from plastic ingestion or entanglement. Bottle caps and plastic objects can be found inside decomposed carcass because they think the plastic is food. (source: www.mindfully.org/plastic/ocean/Trashed )

Every year Americans use enough paper and plastic cups, forks and spoons to circle the equator 300 times. That is a lot of waste!  From just American’s alone. Over 7 billion pounds of PVC are thrown away in the U.S. each year. Only 18 million pounds of that, or one quarter of 1 percent, is recycled. Chlorine production for PVC  plastic uses almost as much energy as the annual output of eight medium-sized nuclear power plants each year. ( source: http://www.cleanair.org/Waste/wasteFacts.html).

It is important to see that our convenience plays a harsh effect on nature and ultimately ourselves.

How can you Green parties?  Here are some of my suggestions:

 

  • Buy biodegradable plastic or bamboo utensils, tableware and beverage containers. Use re-usable utensils tableware and drinking containers from home.
  • Use recycled aluminum foil
  • Use eco friendly lighter fluid and charcoal or gas grills
  • Use glass containers for leftovers or biodegradable  re-usable plastic containers
  • Use cloth table cloths and napkins or recycled content products
  • Recycle / Re-use any paper or cardboard boxes
  • Buy local / Organic veggies and sustainable meats
  • Buy Green parties supplies or make your own
  • Send e-vites for invitations
  • Use digital camera
  • Make your own homemade ice-cream – everyone loves homemade ice-cream it can be fun!
  • Make your own punch from glass bottle juices and beverages. Buy a keg instead of six pack
  • If you buy soda’s, buy litter bottles and re-use the plastic when done.  Don’t forget to recycle when done
  • Use Soy Candles
  • Use natural bug repellents ( bug zappers kill even beneficial insects)
  • Use rechargeable batteries
  • Local entertainment is a great way to support our economy at home and less impact on the environment
  • Clean up when you leave the outdoor area! Leave no trace.
  • Re-use everything you can
  • Use solar lighting for decks, pools and outdoor picnic areas.
  • Decorate with natural plants and flowers.  Some are also good for insect control!
  • Don’t dump toxic liquids in the ground. Dispose of everything properly
  • BE aware of fire hazards. Take special care when you are using fire. Be prepared to put out a fire.
  • Use steel ice and beverage buckets instead of plastic
  • Eat leftovers!

It may not seem like much, but with the amount of plastic produced each year, if everyone takes these steps it can cut the amount of plastic used down and the amount of energy used to produce the plastic down by an amazing amount!  Have an Green Party and a Eco fun Summer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eco Summer Fun

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Wow it is hard to believe that Spring is almost over, soon June will be here and kids will be out of school.  This is a time of family vacations , camps and outdoor activities such as picnics and barbeques. Then the not so fun part of summer is bugs…

During the summer fun, chemicals are used and tons of waste disposed of.  It is a very important time of the year to be Eco aware.

What can a Mom do to cut down on the carbon footprint of Summer fun?  That’s a great question and one that is not as hard as you might think.   Though going 100% neutral is difficult there certainly are lots of options for Eco alternatives to the common non eco mainstream products.

Let’s start with clothing.  Some may think that organic cotton is the only option for eco clothing.  I hear that comment frequently.  Actually, organic cotton is certainly the most pure if it is undyed and fair trade.  Cotton is typically the fabric of choice since it is light weight and cool, but there are many other fabrics that fit the summer eco fashion scene.  Bamboo Viscose is light weight and cool and has a

Yala Gumdrop tunic with shorts

natural stretch to it.  It doesn’t wrinkle like cotton and dries easily.  I compare it to silk as it has the silky feeling of silk and the durability polyester ( old school) but seems to work well in the summer as you hardly know you have it on.   Our bamboo fabrics are grown in ethical manner and many are certified organic bamboo.  If your looking for an alternative to organic cotton, I suggest bamboo viscose fabrics.  Kids love bamboo clothing!  Mom’s love the durability of bamboo , wrinkle free , fast drying aspect of it.  For vacations, it is wonderful as it doesn’t need ironing and it can be rolled up in the suitcase and ready to go when you arrive.   I love bamboo  for many reasons, but the most important part is that it doesn’t stain like cotton.  Bamboo clothing is great for any activity and great for active kids…  Mom’s  can do yoga in Bamboo clothing and still look great to head out for shopping and dinner afterwards… very versatile fabric.   Combine bamboo with cotton and you have the best of both worlds.  Our GGO Yoga Clothing ,  Yala collection and our Bamboosa Collection both offer the best quality in Eco fashion wear for infants, children and adults. Mom’s & Dad’s like it too!

 

Shoes are another way you can Green your summer footprint (pardon the pun).  So many more options these days, and a Green Mom might find it hard to go Eco in the shoe department.  If you look further you can find that Eco shoes are getting not only more fashionable, but more available in the mainstream at affordable prices.  A little bit of Eco goes a long way and a lot of Eco makes a huge difference.  Our purchasing choices play a role in what manufacturers design in the future.  Several shoe companies have used partial sustainable materials and some like our Colorful Grass Shoes and our VOS Flips are as Eco friendly as you get.  Colorful Grass Shoes are vegan shoes and are made from Hemp, Organic Cotton, Recycled Rubber, PU and Coconut buttons and made with ethical labor practices. VOS Flips are made from natural rubber and are recyclable both companies have a strong commitment to the environment, fair trade and have created shoes that are both comfortable and fashionable without compromising the environment.

Quality doesn’t have to be compromised just to be  eco friendly..  Our line of Eco Friendly shoes and Vegan Shoes we are sure you will find top of the line.  Our children’s line of shoes are non-toxic washable leather.  They are handmade and have been tested to meet the American Standart ASTM as well as the European Safety Standard EN71. Our soft soled leather shoes are chromium (VI) free (chrome-free leather) and pass all known specifications for Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and glutaraldehyde, including those for baby clothes.  The strictest of standards.  Soft soled shoes are so much better for developing feet and washable leather makes it a great plus for mom’s.

 

 

Aside from Summer eco Fashion how can you make Summer a more eco season.  Instead of using insecticide in your cabinets and drawers use our Eco tube.  It works great for counters, cabinets, dresser drawers, under dressers and sinks, behind toilets    and even in picnic baskets to keep those pesty insects away.  Our Eco tube is 100% natural and biodegradable.  Specially selected

Eco Tube

herbs are used to create this great natural pest control tube and it smells great too!  Insecticides are a huge burden on the environment as well as our health.  Natural methods to prevent and destroy insects and spiders keep those beneficial insects that we need from dying out.  Bug zappers in particular are killing all insects that are attracted to light.  Beneficial insects and birds can prey on the insects that we are killing with bug spray and zappers.  Buying bat houses, swallow houses and setting out praying mantis eggs in the spring can keep most of your pesty insects to a minimum.  Also, beneficial flowers such as marigolds not only add to the beauty of your yard and deck, they also keep insects away.

Everyone loves a cookout in the Summer! Nothing better than to have friends and family over for fun and food.  Plastic bottle and tableware and cups, Paper products such as napkins, plates, and table cloths  get thrown in the landfill.  Using re-usable and take home and wash (as you would with any dinner party) or use biodegradable products. Biodegradable is less work to clean up and you just toss them in the compost bin and go.  Many other products such as aluminum foil can be purchased that are made from recycled content, this saves the environment by not having virgin materials to produce. You can now buy eco friendly lighter fluid and charcoal for those grilling parties, no need to use toxic chemicals to get the job done.  Remember to eat left overs!  It might seem trivial, but in reality, it saves on your carbon footprint.  Meat, and Beef in particular, has a massive C02 burden on the environment, just in raising the cattle, so does pork and chicken.  So before you throw away ( remember to not put meat products in your compost) re-think and eat left-overs. It not only keeps it Green – it helps your budget too!  And least, but not last, one of the most important parts of being healthy and green, is skin care.  Summer time is the time when skin care products are used the most.  Sunscreens, moisturizers and sunburn soothing lotions, tanning products etc. are skin care products and along with pesticides are toxic to the environment as well as our health.  Remember to buy products that are free from the most common carcinogenics and most especially for your baby and older children, because their system is still developing and is sensitive to chemicals.  Please read the labels and do research on the products to avoid. Find  sunscreen that contains ingredients that are better for your health and the environment than products that contain chemicals.  For more information on the skin care products and toxicity visit Enviromental Working Group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The “Green” Trend

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I’ve read a lot of blogs and other “Green’ sites over the years since I’ve been in business (2006). I read their mission statements and ethics. There seems to be a misconception that just because “being Green” is a trend,  a “HIP” thing to do that, that seems to negate the real commitment someone has to the environmental causes. I disagree wholeheartedly!

Looking back at history you will find so many things that are now a “habit” for us all and have even become a “necessity” to us in society now that once began as a “trend”. Sometimes things have to become a trend, a Hip thing to do before the masses will follow and it then becomes a habit. Just because being Green is hip now, doesn’t mean it isn’t a necessity as well. This is why when I promote my site I state that” being green is a hip and necessary thing to do!”  This is how I came up with my trademark. It’s Hip To Be Green because of this need for being green to spread as a trend and then become a habit for society. Some trends do come and go. That doesn’t mean that they all do. I don’t feel it has to be one or the other it can be both. Green trend becomes a Green lifestyle, a Green habit and most importantly a Green mentality!

Becoming Green is not only Hip and a necessary, it also is fun, educational, inventive and thrifty as well.  There is so much that encompasses the Green movement!  Hopefully we all can agree – it is that we get there that matters  most. It really is Hip To Be Green!

 

Earth Day 2011

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Earth Day 2011 is on April 22

Earth Day is a time to reflect on the ways in which our lifestyles can be impacting the world in a negative way.  It is a time to give back to the Earth connect with nature and others that share the vision of creating a cleaner, non-toxic, thriving environment. A time for educating others on the ways in which our society has become habitual in the cycle of creating and disposing of our everyday stuff.  We all have a choice in the way we shop, the products we purchase and the way we dispose of them. It can be a fun and life changing habit change.  I think that there is a misconception that “Going Green” is difficult and costly. It is quite the contrary, it can save you money, and is just like any other lifestyle change, with time becomes easy.  The more small steps we take as a people the greater the impact on the world.  Generations of waste sits in landfills and mountainsides where trash has been dumped. Still to this day, decades later, it remains. In the USA alone 11 billion tons of solid waste are produced each year! It is time we all make a conscious decision to be responsible for our children’s future environment. As I watch all the amazing life changing events that has happened in 2011 thus far, I can image what an impact it would have on the world if we all took a stand and demanded cleaner water, cleaner air and cleaner oceans.  The events of 2010 will long remain the memories of many of us who watched as millions of gallons of oil destroyed the Gulf, destroyed the livelihood of thousands of people. Let’s make Earth Day 2011 a day of remembering our footprints on the Earth and make a choice to take action to create a more sustainable world.

There are so many ways that people celebrate Earth Day.  Festivals, local clean up crews, planting trees, music, marathons, fashion shows, tailgate markets and many more.  Finding local events in your area will help you connect with others that also share the same commitment to clean up our world.

 

Here are a few Going Green tips to help you become more Earth Friendly in your daily lives.  Feel free to add more if you have one you would like to share.

  • Treat the Earth as you would your  home.  You wouldn’t dump trash inside your house.
  • Reusable bags and drinking bottles – make sure it is recyclable and BPA free.
  • Re-use everything that is re-usable- even aluminum foil or food container etc.
  • Down-cycle I down cycle my old towels and rip them up to use as rags and it saves buying paper towels.
  • Double- duty – drinking water, when someone leaves water in a glass – I water my plants or citrus cleaner when I’m done, I pour it in my toilet to leave it fresh smelling.
  • Refuse non essential items when shopping- sale flyers  you won’t read, drinking straws you don’t use, or even a glass of water at a restaurant that you won’t drink.
  • Un-plug cell phone charges, toaster ovens, computers etc. when not in use. They still draw electricity.
  • Turn out the lights when you leave a room and only use the amount of light necessary. We use 1/3 the amount of light bulbs in our home.
  • Recycle, Recycle, Recycle take the extra time to find out where to recycle items you throw in the landfill. It is estimated that only 1/10 of recyclable products are recycled in the US.
  • Donate to Goodwill, Freecycle or any other charity that can use a still working product.
  • Have yard sales it is a great way to earn money, meet people, and get rid of stuff that someone else can use.
  • Buy used – it is one of the best ways to help cut down on the carbon footprint  it takes to produce new items.
  • Take care of what you have.  It may not seem like a Green thing to do, but it is. When we take care of what we have, we don’t need to replace it as often. Or if we do replace it, it is in good condition for someone else to use.
  • Use chemical free products whenever possible. Chemicals in our body products, make up and even lawn care end up in ground water and it does impact the environment in many ways from it’s production to the impact on our health and soil.
  • Buy Eco friendly products that are produced in a way that has less negative impact on environment.
  • Read the labels!  So many products are marketed as Green when they are not. This just furthers the issue of Greenwashing. Educate yourself on how to spot a non-green product even when the label says it’s green.
  • Get envolved in local groups that help clean up your local area.
  • Most importantly write our government and tell them you support Greener standards, cleaner energy and safer products

 

Earth Day can be a fun and educational time for families.  It can be a day of honoring the amazing planet we call home.  I hope you will enjoy Earth Day 2011 and celebrate greener efforts for the future.

 

 

 

 

 

Earth Hour

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Earth Hour began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million people and 2,000 plus businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. One year later Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with over 50 million people across 35 countries/territories joining in. Participating in the event was Sydney Harbor Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum. As they all stood in darkness it signified the hope for a cause that has continued to be crucial to us all.

 

March 2009, hundreds of millions of people and  businesses took part in Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries/territories officially switched off to show their commitment, their support for the cause making Earth Hour 2009 the largest global climate change initiative thus far.

As each year the participation has grown, March 2010 Earth Hour became the largest Earth Hour ever. Some 128 countries and territories joined the global participation of climate action. Iconic landmarks  from Asia, Europe, Africa to the Americas all switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and joined in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common, a commitment to the survival of this planet.

Earth Hour 2011 is March 26th is this weekend at 8:30 ( local time). Lets go beyond the hour and take action to further your commitment to climate change.  It is a time that I look forward to.  A time to reflect and take notice of the amount of lifestyle changes that would occur if we didn’t have electricity. It is a time to come together as a whole and make a huge impact as a proactive and concerned citizen.  It is a time to relax and do something out of the norm.  Play games , have a romantic  dinner, read or talk to someone close to you by candlelight.  It can be a time to stop the stressful pace of life and just rest and recover for one evening.  I haven’t decided what I will do for Earth Hour yet, but thinking that maybe lying on the hammock looking at the stars might be a wonderful change from my routine.  The options are endless even without power.  It is a time for us all to connect on a level of love for the earth, nature and ourselves and not get caught up in the addiction to electricity.

For decades children have  had an  addiction to technology which requires in most cases electricity.  They haven’t known anything else.  In there minds ( depending what country they live)  electricity is a never ending always available resource and I’m not sure that most children even know that it is also a luxury that some areas of the world still to this day, don’t have access .  Earth Hour can be a time to educate your children on the impact that electricity has on the environment and our lives and the price we have to pay for it.  Not only in dollar amount, but also in the lives of the people who work to keep it available to us.  The amount of natural resources it takes to have electricity in your city, and how that electricity is made in your area.  Does your city have solar or wind turbines to help with the demand for energy? Does your city use other natural resources like water or coal?  Does your city use nuclear energy? As we all read about the tragedy of Japan and the nuclear plant, lets all remember the immense impact that nuclear plants have on, not only the local people of Japan, but the world as a whole.  Are we willing to continue with this risk for the sake of creating energy or work to find cleaner and healthier ways to supply our need for energy.  It can be very educational and interesting for parents and children to take the time to learn how they get electricity into the outlets that we plug our toys,computers, appliances and t.v into.

This Saturday at Earth hour take the opportunity to make commitments to go beyond the hour and make a difference. If we all work together to cut our usage down we can make a huge impact on the world. If you have an event or would like to create one go to Meet Up.com and list your event.

Take the time to turn off your lights and make a huge impact on the world!  It can be fun!

 

 

 

 

 

Allergy Season is almost here

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This time of year people start to make plans to spring clean and get ready for outdoor activities.  In the excitement of the season so many people suffer from Asthma or allergies. It is a beautiful time of year and also can be a very miserable time of year for so many. We can’t control the pollen count, but we can take action in areas of our life that can help alleviate some of those triggers.  According to the EPA here are some indoor triggers for Asthma.

  • Secondhand Smoke
  • Dust mites
  • Molds
  • Cockroaches
  • Pets
  • Nitrogen Dioxide
  • Outdoor Air

Second to secondhand smoke Dust mites are high on the list.  Dust mites are tiny microscopic creatures that can reek havoc on your system if you are allergic to them.  It is actually the feces they leave behind that cause the reaction.  Dust mites feed off dead skin cells from humans.  They multiply at such rapid rates that it is hard to completely rid your home of them. Since much of our time is spent sleeping each day ( average 8 hours) it is helpful to have a mattresses or covering over your mattress that will keep dust mites from infesting your bedding. So that your time asleep against your bed and pillow doesn’t aggravate your allergies or sensitivities, which can lead to Asthma attacks.

If Dust mites weren’t enough of an issue there is the issue of  chemicals. Chemicals  in the materials used in  production of and in the flame retardant treatments of mainstream mattresses.  Who wants to sleep on a chemical infested bed right? Yet so much of the general public is not educated on the harmful chemicals that are in the mattresses and bedding.  Chemicals that can cause health issues. The Naturepedic company states that children who are exposed to chemical pesticide residues, which are found in traditional mattresses, are linked to higher rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Naturepedic was founded by a quarter century environmental engineer familiar with hazardous chemicals. Through in-depth research, Naturepedic has identified and selected the most natural and non-toxic materials that make sense on a practical level. All Naturepedic products follow these principles and priorities:

Priority #1: No harmful chemicals.

Priority #2: No allergenic materials.

Priority #3: Practical design (e.g. easy-to-clean waterproof cover).

Priority #4: Natural, organic and renewable materials wherever possible.

Priority #5: Third party independent testing and verification.

Naturepedic backs up its product development with scientific data. In particular, Naturepedic products are regularly tested for chemical emissions and are certified by GREENGUARD® to meet their strict standards for children.

Mattresses not only have a toxic effect on our system while sleeping but also off-gas and causes your indoor air quality to be toxic as well.  Why not put your new bundle of joy on a toxic free / dust mite free mattress so that you can rest assure that your little one is getting the best quality sleep and development possible.  Check out our line of Naturepedic products at www.mypumpkindoodle.com

Does Your Sweetie have a Green Heart

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February is here and everyone is thinking about Valentines Day!  This time of year tons of waste end up in the landfills.  Cards, boxes, gift wrap and plastic are thrown away.  It is in line after the religious holidays for waste.  How can you fill your loved ones eyes with amazement and sentiments of love and not damage the environment? We have some really wonderful Green Valentines gifts for those of you that have a Sweetie with a Green Heart!

Glass Straws make a great gift! 52 Million plastic straws are thrown away each day. Do your part to help prevent plastic from going into the landfills.  Your sweetie will love our decorative dots drinking straws!

Set of Decorative Dot Drinking Straws

We have a great selection of Eco fabric clothing and accessories  for that special someone in your life. Mom deserves a little Eco luxury!

Dad’s need a little Eco Valentines Gift too! Spring is on it’s way and Dad will love these soft and lightweight shorts for the warmer weather!

Bamboo Viscose Shorts

Have a special someone that likes to garden?  We have the perfect Eco Garden Gift! These are recyclable too!  Comes in 9 attractive colors!

Simple Herb Garden

How about your little angel wearing these adorable non-toxic soft soled shoes on Valentines day!

Soft Soled Baby Paw for Girls & Boys

Give the gift of love to your favorite Valentine and for the environment! It will mean so much more to your Sweetie with a Green Heart!  We have a wide selection of Gifts for the entire family and Pets too! Check us out! www.mypumpkindoodle.com

A New Year – A New Attitude

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I came up with my trademark “It’s Hip To Be Green” because Green to me is a state of mind.  It is a new movement that hopefully isn’t a fad, but even if it is a fad, a trend, doesn’t mean it can’t become a new attitude for the new year.  Green is growing and becoming more aware of what is beneficial to us all.  As the news continue to report the challenges of the politicians debating over Global Warming, Clean Energy and health care, and now the shooting, it draws me back into the meaning of being Green!  Sure, recycling, re-using and reducing are all very important issues, but what about our feeling and attitude towards others and the acceptance of the differences in this country and the world.  Really what makes the Green movement so viral is the compassion and commitment to the planet as a whole, not just one part of it.   Green is a state of being!  A new year is here and so many of the T.V shows are talking about making this new year a better year.  While making those new Green Resolutions think about Green as a way of life a state of being.  One that works with the harmony of nature and the cycles of the planet.  Making more green house gasses only to then have to create a weather machine to control the damage seems to be moving out of the Green way of life and more into the controlling nature just to be able to continue our old habits of polluting the planet and destroying the natural flow of life.  Its all well and great to do the 3 r’s but the major issues on this planet will take far more than the just the 3 r’s.  It will take changing our old attitude and having a new attitude of live and let live, of being aware of what is going on in the world.  Seeing the hunger, the homelessness, the species of animals dying, the neighbor that is cold and jobless.  It becomes a eye opening experience to step outside of our need to only take care of “me” and becomes a taking care of “us” mentality.

Lets worry less about what we want to  have and more about what we have!  We have an amazing planet and amazing wildlife and amazing people and cultures on this earth that is worth preserving, worth protecting.  When I see groups of people trying to prove Global Warming isn’t happening, I want to ask them this huge question ” There is  toxic water and toxic air,  homelessness and hunger, and why are we only focusing on one of the issues?” Can’t we just agree to disagree and work on the matter that we feel is most important to us. Because shooting people or even posting targets at people that don’t agree with us is just causing the major issues of the world to go untreated. It is a waste of precious time.  How many people died today from hunger while you are busy debating if Global Warming is real or not…

We teach our children to accept others as they are, we teach them to get along in school and in play, but somewhere along our growing up we lose site of this and only want to prove that our beliefs are right.  We target others that don’t believe as we do and we aren’t practicing what we are teaching our children.  A New Year a New Attitude  a Greener Attitude!

After the Holidays are over-How to be Green!

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Trees are decorated, gifts are wrapped and holiday plans made, shew glad that is done. But what do you do with all the waste when its done?  In the past we just gathered it all up and tossed it in the garbage, not even giving a thought to what happens next.  Out of site out of mind… so the saying goes. Yet decades have gone by with that mindset and where has it gotten us?  To the place where we are now with too much waste –  mounds of trash and toxic air and water.  So what can you do to reduce this impact on the planet and still enjoy your holidays? Changing habits isn’t easy but it can be fun!  After awhile you will find that it isn’t so much a hassle anymore, it will just become your new habit. Here are some great suggestions on what to do when the holidays are over:

  • Re-use wrapping papers and gift bags and bows if you can, if not recycle them
  • Use cardboard boxes for kids to be creative with and make pretend toys
  • Recycle cardboard boxes or save to use for storage
  • Recycle your live Christmas Tree by mulching it or setting out for the city to mulch- let it compost on it’s own – wild animals love it
  • Recycle plastic bags or re-use them – some people make decorations from them
  • Clean out old items clothing, coats, toys and gift them to Goodwill or Freecycle
  • Re-gift  it is the Eco thing to do!  It’s hip to be green so go for it
  • Compost your uneaten food and scraps.  Remember to eat leftovers- it saves money and the environment
  • Re-use decorations, ornaments, trimmings
  • Donate the packing peanuts to the nearby UPS Store they like them
  • Donate used Holiday cards to your local school or daycare- they make crafts from them next season
  • Save un-savable gift wrap and bows for your home craft projects, it save on buying them later – kids love it!

It is estimated that 3 Million tons of waste is created during the holiday season- that’s a lot of trash. The Religious Holiday season is the most wasteful time of the year and even more of a reason to begin with new habits of disposing of waste. This is the time of year most people put recycling on hold – and also a time when it is needed more than ever!  It really can be fun and educational and a great way to teach your children how to be Green. Even the little steps we make will add up if we all take action. Happy Holidays! www.mypumpkindoodle.com

Green Your Kids Holiday Gifts

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Black Friday is here and consumerism at it’s highest.  Huge sales and irresistible promotions. How do you shake the holiday spending drive?  I have to say it is very tempting all the commercials, sales and the rush you feel when you’ve got all your shopping done and saved money.  Part of being in the Green mindset is to realize that this is the very issue we are trying to change.  The ad’s the marketing gimmicks and the way they work on your desire to have more and more. The credit card companies and stores depend on the money they make during holiday season as it is the biggest spending time of the year.  Kids learn very early on these marketing ploys to draw us in to buy.  Commercials get to kids advertising plastic and disposable  toys that will end up in the landfill in no time, rarely are they ever passed down to another child. Children grow up more aware of the environment when they are given toys and play supplies that are more environmentally friendly.  They grow up healthier when given toys that are free from PVC and phthalates, which off gas. Some toys despite regulations, still have toxic paint on them. Children spend long hours playing with these toxic toys.

Our commitment is to the environment, and we sell toys that are not only non-toxic, but quality made and ethical, they have a lighter footprint on the environment.  Some of our toys have replacement parts.  Replacement parts are rare in the toy industry where disposable is the norm. Our Maple Landmark Toys uses sustainable wood in its handmade toys and uses non-toxic paints and finishes. They offer repair and replacements for their toys. When you buy Maple Landmark Toys you are paying for quality that can be passed down for years of use. When comparing pricing, I think you will find our Toys are very comparable to toys made of plastic that are not ethical made and are toxic.  You know the old saying” you get what you pay for”.  I think that is so true in some respects.

Name Train Set
Maple Landmark Name Train Set

Little Colorado Company is also a Green company that not only produces Green Toys in the USA but also ships it’s toys with recycled packaging inside and out. They also use only wood harvested from ethical resources and any MDF used is certified Green.  The quality of these two companies is unsurpassed.  Their commitment to children’s safety and the environment is not compromised by the quality and value you receive with these toys.  Children’s imagination is developed with pretend play and with these ethical Green Toys, you can allow your child to develop naturally without all the electronic plastic on the market that doesn’t allow for much imagination.

Little Colorado Playhouse Kit
Little Colorado Playhouse kit

Remember the cost of plastic toys on the environment and you child’s health when you purchase a gift for a child. Our toys are ethical, well made, non-toxic and affordable.  Check out our complete selection of Green Toys at www.mypumpkindoodle.com