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Concord, Massachusetts: the First U.S. Town to Ban Bottled Water

Posted by krissy on August 26th, 2010

I'm not quite sure how I missed this tidbit of news, as it came out back in April.  

Concord, Massachusetts, home to Walden Pond and the original concord grapevine, has banned the sale of bottled water starting in 2011.  The measured will only allow the sale of refillable containers of water, which could still be sold and delivered in Concord.

The effort was lead by Jean Hill, an 80-something-year old activist.  She lobbied neighbors and officials on the serious environmental consequences of plastic bottles filling landfills and creating more pollution. 

The International Bottled Water Association released this statement about the ban.   I didn't even KNOW there was an International Bottled Water Association!  Their entire website made my blood boil.   Additionally, Joe Doss, president of the IBWA said:  "We obviously don’t think highly of the vote in Concord. Any efforts to discourage consumers from drinking water, whether tap water or bottled water, is not in the best interests of consumers. Bottled water is a very healthy, safe, convenient product that consumers use to stay hydrated." [source]  Oh, okay, Mr. Doss.  ... read more

What is a Gardening Co-op?

Posted by krissy on August 26th, 2010

From our pumpkin patch a few years ago

Even though our garden is small, sometimes it's a race against time to eat everything that we grow before it rots. We do try to freeze and can things (we canned our own marinara sauce with homegrown tomatoes for the first time this week -- but that's for another blog post!). If your looking for ways to use all of your homegrown fruits and veggies and try varieties that you don't grow yourself, try a Gardening Co-Op!  Have a "gardening swap" party with your friends an neighbors. 

I love to meet with local gardeners in our neighborhood at the end of the winter, and form a co-op.  Each gardener can plan to grow different things, and then meet a few times a month to swap their fruits and veggies.  This year we had raspberries galore...wouldn't it have been fun for us to share those raspberries and get some, say, blueberries in return?  ... read more

Pure Play Kids Toy Giveaway -- almost halfway there!

Posted by krissy on August 25th, 2010

It's not too late to enter the Pure Play Kids Giveaway!  The giveaway ends on September 13, so enter and tell your friends!  All you have to do is sign up to be on a mailing list, and your name will be automatically entered in the drawing.  Your child will win one fun, natural, age appropriate toy!... read more

Green Baby Must-Haves

Posted by krissy on August 24th, 2010

As my baby just past the 9 month mark, I've been thinking of the most important green baby items that have gotten me through the last 9 months.  I wanted to share them with you, and hopefully get some more input to help other moms of babies continue to live the green life.

  • Ergo OrganicFirst and foremost, I can't live without my Ergo organic carrier.  Seriously, this is probably the best baby product I bought -- hands down.  The organic variety is 100% organic, and it only runs a little more than the non-organic Ergo carriers.  It supports your back really well.  I can walk miles upon miles with 18 pounds of baby chub cargo without being in any pain.  I like that it's organic, because Isaac tends to chew on the straps, particularly when he teethes.  Plus, the cotton is super soft.  You can get plenty of use out of this carrier, because as your baby gets heavier, it converts to a backpack carrier.   Perfect for shopping, hiking, you name it.  I have absolutely no complaints about this thing!... read more

Eating Locally at Restaurants

Posted by krissy on August 23rd, 2010

I'm going to Cambridge Brewing Company in Cambridge, Massachusetts for dinner tonight and I'm pretty excited.  Aside from their tasty beer, they serve food featuring local ingredients.  Their menu changes seasonally.  Looking at their menu right now, I'm thinking about linguini with Wellfleet clams or the local steak served with an onion marmalade made at a nearby farm.

As the knowledge spreads about the importance of eating locally, more and more restaurants are making efforts to serve local food.  Even as part of Boston's restaurant week, you can search by restaurants serving local food.  

Luckily, LocalHarvest.org, (already my one stop shop for finding farmers markets, CSAs, and more) has a function where you can search for restaurants by zip code that serve food made from local ingredients.... read more

The Not-Your-Average Recycling Guide

Posted by krissy on August 19th, 2010

We all know that standard bottles and cans are recyclable. Some items, on the other hand, are less obvious. Some items that you may think are recyclable are actually not. Some things need to be brought to a recycling center. Some things might be partially recyclable. 

Here is your guide to those items. These can vary from city to city and it can also depend on whether or not your city has single-stream recycling, so if you are unsure or have any questions, contact your city’s recycling department.
... read more

National Costume Swap Day: 10/9/10

Posted by krissy on August 17th, 2010

Halloween Costume SwapHalloween is my favorite holiday.  Last year I wrote a list of tips for how to keep your Halloween eco-friendly.   This year, there's something else you can do.    

Saturday, October 9 is National Costume Swap Day.  According to their website, "swapping half the costumes kids wear at Halloween would reduce landfill waste by 6250, equal to the weight of 2500 mid-size cars."   GROSS!

Instead, attend a swap and find a cute costume for your little one while giving someone else the opportunity to reuse one you previously bought.  

You can find a swap on their website, but right now there aren't very many.  Start your own!  You can register a swap here.  This post might seem premature (even though my local Stop & Stop had Halloween candy out last week!) but if you want to start your own swap, do so soon so people can start making their plans!  ... read more

Hip Hop for the Environment

Posted by krissy on August 12th, 2010

A few weeks ago, I heard a story on NPR about a California-based rapper called Doo Dat having some songs about the environment.  Check out this YouTube video of his song "The Dream Reborn:  My President is Green."  Some of the lyrics go:  " My President is black, but he's going green..."  His song even caught the attention of the EPA!

Doo Dat isn't the only rapper with songs about the environment.

One of the most famous rappers of today, Drake, (known better to me as Jimmy Brooks from "Degrassi" fame!) has gotten involved with Green the Block, part of The Hip Hop Caucus of Washington DC. (Check out their campaigns and events)  Drake is traveling in biodiesel buses, working with concert venues to encourage recycling, and carbon offsetting. 

Rapping about the environment isn't new.  Another well-known, rapper, Dr. Octagon has a song called "Trees" released back in 2006. Lyrics include:  "Watch your atmosphere and pesticides / Control damaging trees and roots...” 

Hip hop can be an excellent tool to engage younger folks in the importance of saving the earth.... read more

Fragrance Free Day - Friday the 13th!

Posted by krissy on August 11th, 2010

This Friday is Friday the 13th!  That's right, unlucky 13, and if Clean+Green by SeaYu has anything to say about it, it  will be one unlucky day for chemical fragrance!

Clean+Green by SeaYu has founded Fragrance Free Day, a social media event where people tell the world on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks that they’ll go "fragrance free" for the day.... read more

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