Green Kid Birthday Party Ideas!
Planning your child’s birthday party can be a rewarding endeavor. But, have you considered adding a little “green” to the party as well? Here are a few easy tips on creating an eco-friendly kid’s birthday party:
1. GIFTS: Instead of gifts, ask family and friends to donate to your favorite eco-friendly charity or local outreach. If your child does receive gifts, be sure to recycle the wrapping paper or save gift bags to be reused later.
2. TABLEWARE: Purchase birthday themed, reusable plates, cups and napkins that can be used every year instead of disposable. Not only is it better for the environment, you will be creating a fun family tradition!
3. INVITATIONS: Choose online invitations instead of traditional paper. (This will save you money as well!) If you do choose traditional invitations, opt for ones printed on recycled paper.
4. DRINKS and FOOD: Avoid single serving drinks such as juice boxes or bottled waters. Use large pitchers of juice or water instead. Serve fresh fruits and veggies instead of packaged snacks.
5. GAMES: Opt for board games, musical chairs, hopscotch, charades, relay races or other games that require little or no supplies (and promote exercise as well!)
With a little thought and preparation, your child can have a fun (and green) birthday party with memories that will last a lifetime!
Have you thrown a green party for your child? We would love for you to share it on our facebook page and encourage others!
Interested in finding out more about eco-friendly businesses in Massachusetts? Visit the GoGreen Web Directory!
Four Advantages to Cloth Diapers
We all know cloth diapers are better for the environment than disposable, but here are four OTHER reasons to try cloth as well:
1. Cloth is more comfortable ! Disposable diapers are made of stiffer materials such as paper and plastic making them less comfortable to move around or sleep in than a soft cotton cloth diaper.
2. Cloth diapers promote earlier potty training! Unlike a disposable diaper, cloth diapers make it easier for a child to understand the feeling of “going potty” thus making potty training easier.
3. Cloth diapers save money! The average baby will go through between 7,000 to 9,000 disposable diapers before being potty trained. Not only do these fill up our landfills, it will cost the average parent between $2000- $3000. Cloth diapers typically cost a family around $350 (plus a minimal cost of electricity and water to wash the diapers), making them much more affordable.
4. Cloth diapers reduce diaper rash! Because cloth diapers are more breathable and do not contain all the chemicals of a disposable diaper, many children who wear cloth diapers experience less diaper rash.
Of course, we still recommend cloth diapers for another very important reason: THE ENVIRONMENT!
Did you know:
- Disposable diapers are the third most common consumer product in landfills today.
- A disposable diaper may take up to 500 years to decompose.
- One baby in disposable diapers will contribute at least 1 ton of waste to your local landfill.
Interested in finding out more about cloth diapers? Visit Cutie Booties or Loveybums for more information!
Be sure to visit the GOGREEN Web Directory for more information on all your local green businesses in Massachusetts!
SOURCES:
http://www.cottonbabies.com/clothdiapers.php#environmentalimpactofdiapers
Winter Gardening = Organic Seeds
How do you keep organically gardening through the winter? SEED CATALOGS! I’m like a guy waiting for the sports page! I get a little giddy going to the mailbox hoping there is a seed catalog peering back at me. But, what about organic seeds? Are they worth the extra cost? You may think it doesn’t matter where you buy your seeds, as long as you care for your garden organically. But, in fact, seed is as vital of a component to an organic garden as how the plants are raised! So, let’s start the 2012 garden off on the right foot and learn why buying organic seed is important!
Definition: Organic seeds are made organically, meaning the seeds are achieved by natural processes, without using any chemicals anywhere during production. They are grown and handled by certified organic farmers. And by law, organic seeds cannot be genetically engineered.
There are many advantages of organic seed.
Good for the Environment
In conventional seed production, pesticides and fungicides are applied at higher levels than allowed in growing food. Plus, the organic seeds themselves have not been pre-treated with fungicides intended to prevent mold or other fungi from growing on the seeds. Think about all the pollution you are preventing entering soils and water systems.
Good for the Smaller Businesses
With organic seeds, you aren’t supporting a corporation that profits from its genetically engineered crop businesses/operations. There have been many consolidations of seed-companies and as a result it’s difficult to determine if the company is somehow owned by Monsanto or Syngenta. By buying organic seeds, you are more than likely supporting local, regional seed systems.
Good for Taste
Organic seeds for tastier veggies! Chemicals can interfere with the natural balance of the foods and wreck their taste. Yum – I love the taste of taste!
Good for Plants
Seeds produced organically will yield plants that are more adapted to, and more likely to thrive under, organic growing conditions. And for a bigger bonus, if you select a company in your region, they will know what grows and does well in your region. Meaning your seeds are practically guarantee to work well in your zone.
Where to begin your 2012 garden? Check out the links:
Siskiyou Seeds
Uprising Seeds
High Mowing Seeds
Seeds of Change
Seed Savers Exchange
Johnny’s
Turtle Tree Seed Biodynamic Seed Initiative
You can also experiment with saving your seeds (might be a good idea to look for open-pollinated veggies). We always save our pumpkin seeds and grew a 3.5 pound pumpkin this past summer. In 2010, we grew two gourds from seeds of decorative gourds bought at a big box. I will dive into this topic in the next post – stay tuned!
New Member Spotlight: Lynnfield Green Technologies
The GoGreen Web Directory would like to welcome LYNNFIELD GREEN TECHNOLOGIES!
Lynnfield Green Technologies develops and markets products for cleaning and sanitizing that eliminate or significantly reduce the need for toxic chemical cleaning and sanitizing chemicals. Their products have appeal at the high end for institutions such as hotels, schools, correctional facilities and homes.
For example, the Toucan-eco technology takes tap water and ordinary table salt to create the worlds finest green cleaning/ sanitizing liquid. The Toucan-eco uses ECA (Electro-chemical Activation) technology to transform tap water and salt into a very effective combined sanitizer and cleaning agent.
The containers are filled with drinking water and a minimal amount of table salt, then placed on a base station which activates the solutions. The activation process takes less than 3 minutes.
We asked Pat Lucci, Managing Director of Lynnfield, to tell us more about it:
1. What makes Lynnfield Green Technology unique?
We are a small consultancy of unusual professionals who have backgrounds in product development, science and marketing. We help companies to conceive and develop products for green cleaning and sanitizing.
2. Your company has developed a revolutionary product called Toucan-eco Technology that converts tap water and table salt into a sanitizer and cleaning agent. How can Toucan-eco technology be used by small eating establishments and other small businesses that require clean, sanitary environments?
Toucan-eco can be used in many ways. Here are a few examples:
ACIDIC (sanitizer/cleaner) WATER:
- Clean windows.
- Clean and sanitize television remote controls, phones, clocks
- Clean mirrors.
- Clean and sanitize bathroom fixtures.
- Clean and sanitize doorknobs and banisters.
- Clean and sanitize house keeping carts.
- Clean and sanitize bathroom floors.
- Use in carpet cleaning machines to sanitize.
- Use in portable misters to deodorize and sanitize.
- Clean and Sanitize Tubs, Sinks, Toilets Effective on Soap Scum
- Kitchen Replaces all Sanitizers on Line, 3 compartment sink, and most all applications. Counters, Cutting Boards, Kitchen Equipment, etc
- Front of the house Tables, Bar area, Hand Sanitizing for wait staff and all public facing employees Front desk, and Public Areas, Lobby etc
- Health Club Area Including Exercise Equipment
- Food Sanitizing; poultry, fish, fruit, and veggies kills bacteria and extends shelf life
- Use diluted solution with cut flowers to increase the shelf life of the flowers.
For more information on Massachusetts green businesses, visit the GO GREEN WEB DIRECTORY!
GoGreen Web Directory HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2011
Looking for unique and eco-friendly gift ideas for friends and loved ones? Try one of these amazing gift ideas from our green members at the GoGreen Web Directory!
1. Give the gift that keeps giving all year long with a subscription Edible South Shore.
2. Who wouldn’t love the gift of relaxation with a gift certificate from Sacred Space Healing Center.
3. Give the gift of CLEAN with SoBerry Clean chemical free, all natural soapberry soapnuts for your laundry.
4. How about a beautiful gift basket full of Green Koala all natural soaps and soy candles?
5. For the man in your life, how about a gift certificate to Eco Zone Mobile Car or Green Automotive ?
6. Give the gift of beauty with a gift certificate to Hair Consultants Plus organic hair care facility.
7. Add beauty to anyone’s home with environmentally responsible furnishings from Circle Furniture or Celedon Road.
8. Give the gift of FREE WATER with a Great American Rain Barrel.
9. A Zipar membership is perfect for a student or someone who lives in the city.
10. How about an organic cotton T-Shirt with a fun light hearted character from Groovy Green Bean?
Find all these Massachusetts green businesses and more at the GOGREEN WEB DIRECTORY!
