Recycled Crayons for Valentine's Day

On a recent trip to the supermarket, I took a stroll down the valentine aisles.  Holy Canoli, that’s a lot of garbage is all I have to say about the experience.

The good news, amongst the THREE aisles full of valentine-y JUNK, I located 3 different boxes of eco-conscious Valentine cards (the little classroom trading cards).  Each had a different earth message, one was about saving the rain forests, another was about recycling, and the third was about animals.  They were labeled as using recycled paper and soy based inks.

I still wasn’t convinced to buy them.

We like to make our Valentines around here… it goes hand in hand with our handmade holidays theme.  In the past we’ve made heart shaped playdough, used pencils to anchor a paper greeting, and made traditional doily heart cards.

This year, we’ve decided to reuse all the (hundreds) of crayons we have laying around the house.  I purchased a heart shaped silicon mold (which we will use for all kinds of projects and goodies).  It was $8.00.  Since I have four school aged children, it was less expensive than packages of paper cards.  I opted for silicon because its much easier to push the new crayons out… and easy to clean. (You can find molds and tins at thrift stores and yard sales.)

Next, we simply removed the wrappers and broke up all the scrap crayons we had.  Then when placed them into the mold, baked at 200 degrees F for about 20 minutes and allowed to cool.  The trick for me was to place the mold onto a cookie sheet, this helped prevent spillage when moving.  Once the crayons reached room temperature (about 30 minutes), I popped them out and started the next batch.

For the “card”, we are cutting heart shapes from scrap paper… cereal boxes make great firm backing, then we cut another piece that has one clean side and glue them together (printed sides facing in).

If you want to get really fancy, tear up a bunch of scrap paper and use it to decoupage the cardboard hearts (mix glue & water, and simply paint each torn piece of paper to the backing, overlapping for desired look). I don’t recommend the decoupage option if you have to make a lot of cards… it is a bit messy and time consuming, but the finished look is adorable!

Then we wrote on the back of each heart and attached a crayon to the center using a piece of rolled tape. The good news is… not only are these cards recycled, they are also recyclable!  The crayons will hopefully get used down to nubs and then can be melted into new shapes, the paper cards can go right into the recycling bin.  Another tip is to include a short how to paper so that parents can make their own crayons in the future.

Have a Happy Eco Valentine’s Day!

Photo Credit: Yours truly.  The card on the left is a cereal box backing with decoupage scrap paper, the card on the right is a cereal box backing with Sunday comics on the front.

Related Posts:

• Entertaining Kids: Part II
• Passive Aggressive Notes to My Husband for Valentine’s Day
• Share the Love on Valentine’s Day: Adopt an Animal
• An Open Letter To My Husband On Valentines Day
• Expecting? Joyful Announcements That are Kind to the Earth

Recycled & Fun Valentines to Make With Your Kids is a post from: Eco Child's Play

GREENWASH ALERT!

1.  Small Steps Recycled Paper Products

Marcal Small Steps motto is “Paper from paper, not from trees”.

For over five decades, Marcal has been saving trees and reducing landfill by making its paper products from recycled paper.  Marcal uses paper collected from curbs in residential neighborhoods in cities and towns across America; from the small blue baskets in office buildings, unwanted junk mail, and waste from printers; all in an effort to do something good.

Small Steps makes:

• Recycled Everyday Napkins
• Recycled Hypoallergenic Facial Tissues
• Recycled Dinner Napkins
• Recycled Paper Towels

Would I buy these products? No, even though purchasing recycled paper products is a “small step”, removing these unnecessary products from our homes is better step for the environment. I shamefully admit to buying recycled paper towels, but I seek out unbleached ones and they last in our home a very long time (except when paper towel loving grandparents visit).  We occasionally buy facial tissues too, but this is pretty rare.  Cloth napkins are so much nicer than paper ones.

Editor’s note:  Thanks to one of our readers who commented below, we were alerted this may be greenwashing on the part Marcal.  The EPA asked the company to pay $1 billion for pollution clean up of a New Jersey river, and the company filed bankruptcy.  Small Steps may be a genuine effort by the company to go green, or it may be simply greenwashing in an attempt to change the polluting image of the company.  Given the company quote above that they have been saving trees for five decades, I strongly suspect greenwashing.

2.  Derma e Very Clear Natural Facial Products for Problem Skin

Whether you are a teenager or an adult like me that sometimes has blemishes, natural treatments for problem skin are the way to go.  Using Tea Tree, Willow Bark, Rosewood, Lavender, and Chamomile, these products are soothing to the skin while still addressing blemishes and break outs. All of these products are made in the USA.

• derma e Very Clear Problem Skin Moisturizer: “Derma e Clear Skin 3 Problem Skin Moisturizer is a daily moisturizer that provides a proper balance between moisture and oil, thus preventing clogged pores and bacterial infection while hydrating the skin.”
• derma-e Skin Care Very Clear Cleansing Scrub: “Derma-E Very Clear Cleansing Scrub 4 Oz. Removing dead skin cells to unclog pores is essential for healthy, balanced and clear skin. This gentle yet effective scrub utilizes Aloe and Apricot Kernel Meal to exfoliate skin. Used once or twice a week, this formula will help draw out impurities, resolve bacteria and stimulate new cell growth for clean, clearer skin.”
• derma e Very Clear Spot Blemish Treatment: “Unburden your skin of bothersome blemishes with derma ® Very Clear Spot Blemish Treatment. It uses natural extracts and oils to reduce harmful bacteria and pore-clogging oil without causing dryness, peeling, or irritation.”
• derma e Very Clear Problem Skin Cleanser: “Punishing your acne-prone skin isn’t the answer. derma ® Clear Skin 1 Problem Skin Cleanser uses effective, natural antibacterial agents combined with skin-soothers to reduce excess oil and harmful bacteria without irritating your skin.”

Would I buy these products? Yes, they are priced similar to other natural beauty products ($10-$20), and although I cannot vouch for the claims, when I have a breakout, I am willing to try anything.  Also, these products have low scores on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database ranging from two to three.

3.  Leather Work Gloves for Children

My son is a little helper. From the garden to the woodshed, he’s out there with us doing all of the chores of country living. We have bought several pairs of cotton work gloves in the past, but these gloves never fit right, get lost, aren’t like Mommy and Daddy’s, don’t last, are not very protective, etc. It seems only fair to give children real tools, like leather work gloves.

Young children want to help you carry garden clippings, clear brush and weeds, and do other work in the yard. Sturdy, well–fitting leather gloves protect their hands and help them grip tools firmly.

Would I buy this product? Yes, I actually did. I bought a pair of these gloves for my five-year-old son and am very happy with their quality.  Plus, they only cost about $5.00.  Of course, if you are a vegan, you would want a cloth alternative.

4.  My Professional Workshop Wooden Toy Tool Bench by HaPe

Might as well continue the working theme! This tool bench is my son’s absolutely favorite place to hang out when playing.

Big building projects call for big workbenches and that’s the idea with My Professional Workshop. The 78-piece set includes an abundance of screws and wood pieces to construct things with the hammer, screwdriver, vice, and ruler.

We’ve reviewed several toys by HaPe in the past, and all of them have been extremely well made and of high-quality.

Would I buy this product? Yes, I actually did.This is a big ticket item (about $100), and as a parent, I have always been hesitant to shell out the big bucks not knowing if it is really a toy my child would play with or not.  For my son, this toy was worth every penny. We’ve had our workbench for two years now, and the interest has not worn off. We have added other tools to it along the way, and it consistently promotes extended creative play.

5.  Glob It On:  Natural Paint Colors Made From Organic Plant Extracts

Every child’s art supply comes with the assurance that it is “non-toxic”, but I have often questioned how true this statement really is; however, I don’t question the toxicity of Glob It On Paints!  This may be one of the coolest products we have reviewed in a long time.  Made from organic plant extracts, Glob comes in powder form that you mix with cold water to the desired consistency.

Finally, eco-friendly paints made from natural ingredients. Created with a focus on sustainability, these water-based paints and pigments are biodegradable.
GLOB™ is made from colors found in nature.  Our botanically crafted products are colored by fruits, vegetables, flowers and spices.

The vibrant pigments in GLOB™ have been used by different cultures throughout the ages in artists’ paints and body products.

Using cosmetic and food grade ingredients, our products are truly non-toxic.

GLOB™ paints are unmatched in quality and environmental synergy.

The colors are truly vibrant, and the paint mixes up easily.  I enjoyed painting with our Glob samples .  Mixed up paint needs to be stored in the refrigerator, because they are truly all natural, but you can easily just mix up a little at a time based upon your needs.

Would I buy this product? Yes!  Yes!  Yes!

Disclosure:  The products described above were sent to us as free samples, unless noted differently in the review.  Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given.  No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews.  The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Related Posts:

• Green Toys: Recycled Cardboard Paintable Schoolhouse Promotes Creativity
• Happy Fun Dough Colored with All Natural Plant Extracts
• Cute, Cuddly Maggie’s Organic Stuffed Penguin Made From Fabric Scraps
• Organic Plushies by miYim at Target
• Earthwise Kids Organic Gift Set: Comfortable, Practical, Sustainable, and Educational

5 Green Products: Greenwashed Recycled Paper Products to Natural Paint Colors Made From Organic Plant Extracts is a post from: Eco Child's Play

This year many people are trying to be more earth conscious but one major problem that many come up against during the holidays is how to wrap gifts in an eco-friendly manner.

According to Gift Bags Gone Green every year Americans spend more than $5 billion dollars on gift wrap, bags, and tissue paper- and the majority of that ends up in landfills.

If you want to be eco-friendly you definitely don’t want to contribute to that huge pile of gift wrap that ends up in landfills. So what do you do?

Get Creative and Go DIY with Your Green Wrappings

One way to wrap presents greenly is to do reuse what you already have.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of green wrapping you can make use of unique items you have around your home that can be transformed into fun holiday wrapping paper, such as the comic section of newspapers, colorful and unique pages from magazines, old maps or paper you make yourself.

Brown or white package paper can be completely transformed with stamps, paint, markers, stickers or anything else you may have laying around the house. Have the kids use finger paint and stamp their little hand prints on the paper. Grandparents are sure to love such heartfelt wrappings.

Plain cardboard boxes and paper bags can also easily be transformed into fun gift bags and boxes with markers, paint, crayons or whatever art supplies you have.

Another great way to integrate green into your gift wrap is to make the present part of the package by wrapping one gift with another gift.

Are you giving a blanket as a gift? Put another present inside the blanket, and use the blanket as the wrapping. Tie it with a ribbon, and you are all set. Roll up sweaters, and stick items like socks and underwear inside. Tie gifts up with curtain tiebacks, shoelaces or hair ribbons. That way everything is part of the gift, gets used, and does not get thrown away.

If you are handy with a needle and thread you could make your own reusable cloth gift bags to wrap up your green gifts with any fabric you have on hand, even old t-shirts and blue jeans would make fabulous fabric gift bags.

Reusable Fabric Gift Bags

If you don’t have time to sew your own bags or maybe you just don’t sew you could consider purchasing pre-made fabric gift bags and wraps.

Fabric gift bags are stylish, beautiful, washable and reusable. There are bags in all sizes, shapes and colors that can be reused over and over again every year.

Gift Bags Gone Green has created fun and funky fabric gift bags that are washable and reusable. They have some very cute holiday prints available.

Small bags start at just $5.99 and extra large bags are $13.49. A whole set of bags that includes one of each size is $45.99.

www.giftbagsgonegreen.com

Lucky Crow also has some wonderful, reusable cloth gift bag collections including some made from organic cotton. They offer prints and solid colors with plenty suitable for holiday giving.

Extra small bags are $4.49; extra large bags are $13.49

www.luckycrow.com

Ecorations sell beautiful fabric gift bags, pouches, sacks, and fabric wraps that can be reused year after year. They even offer the giant, 100% organic cotton Santa sack which can hold quite a few gifts. This heavy duty cotton bag is something that can be cherished by children for generations. I know my little guy is going to love finding a Santa Sack filled with goodies just for him.

Pricing starts at just $5.99 and goes up from there

www.ecorations.com

Wrap it Green

Tied fabric, creative gift boxes, and reusable gift bags are all wonderful eco-ways to save trees and have a fun, green Christmas, but they may lack a little of that old fashioned holiday magic the kids really look forward to.

Nothing says Christmas morning like the sound of wrapping paper being torn from gifts. If you have children you can’t really give up wrapping paper altogether (at least my family can’t) but you can still be green while wrapping gifts in paper. You just have to choose the most eco-friendly wrap possible by choosing companies that make gift wrap from recycled paper and eco-conscious inks.

Fish Lips Paper Designs is an eco-friendly wrapping paper company based in Florida. All of their gift wraps are designed, printed and packaged right here in the USA on 100% DE-INKED recycled paper (with a minimum of 50% PCW) using non-toxic soy inks.

Fish Lips wrapping papers are available for resale in individual sheets (22″ x 33.75″) or “rolls” of 2 sheets.

Retail prices are $4 for a gift wrap sheet and $8 per two sheet roll

www.fishlipspaperdesigns.com

Earth Presents produces 100% recycled and recyclable gift wrap products. Their wrapping paper and gift tags are made out of 100% post-consumer recycled paper that is processed chlorine free. Vegetable-based inks are used so that the paper is eco friendly and fully recyclable. Matching ribbons and bows are made from recycled plastic bottles!

Gift wrap is $6.00 for two 24″ x 36″ sheets

www.earthpresents.com

Earth Love’n Paper Products sell gift wrap and gift tags/cards that are printed on 100% post-consumer waste and processed chlorine free and printed with vegetable based ink. They sell several lovely winter holiday designs including some for Hanukkah.

Two 24×36 inch pieces of paper sell $4.75 for flat sheets, $5.35 for a roll

www.earthloven.com

Paper Source has a beautiful line of recycled gift wrap. The PS Green Choices line has a cute selection of holiday patterns printed on Eco-White, 100% recycled paper made with a minimum of 30% post-consumer waste.

They also scrap book paper sized sheets and lovely Christmas greeting cards as part of their PS Green Choices line.

Wrapping paper sizes and prices are $2.25 for a flat sheet -size – 19 1/2″ x 27″and $7.95 for a roll. A roll contains 2 sheets – 26 1/2″ x 39″

www.paper-source.com

There are many ways to wrap in eco-style and the most important thing is that you put an eco-conscious effort into making the holidays greener this year. These are just some of the green wrapping options available. Think creatively and you could probably come up with some fun, green ways to wrap your gifts this year.

[This post was written by Wenona Napolitano.]

Related Posts:

• Wrap it Green: Eco-Friendly Ways to Wrap Your Holiday Gifts
• Give the Kids a Personalized Santa Sack Full of Gifts

Your Guide to Wrapping Green This Holiday Season is a post from: Eco Child's Play

I think it’s happened to us all- the kid gets a hold of a pen or marker or even some paint…and it refuses to come off the skin even when scrubbing so hard you practically take the skin off. And we know that is neither is fun for the parent nor the child.

Finally someone, parents of course, invented a safe, natural product that “gets stuff off your skin”, Removeez.

Removeez is dermatologist tested and approved, cruelty free, and free of parabens, phthalates, and PPGs.

It uses a homeopathic blend of aloe, bee pollen, calendula, Hawaiian white ginger, and red clover blossom-when combined you have a formula that can be massaged into the skin to dissolve the unwanted stuff that’s there.

It works on ink, temporary tattoos, permanent markers, Band-Aid gunk, paint, sap, grease, tar and more.

I had the opportunity to try this stuff and was amazed. It worked. It took permanent ink off. Really.

It also worked to get the remnants of a temporary tattoo off.

Like my husband said, “Every parent should have this product.” I agree.

As an avid art and crafter we always end up with stuff on our hands. This is going to be great to have.

Easter is always interesting-I think little hands get more color than the eggs. I wonder how good it will work on egg dye?

And our annual “make your own Christmas card family night is coming”, this will be a hand saver.

Removeez comes in four natural scent combos:

Removeez – Coconut/orange

Removeez – Lavender/orange

Removeez – Eucalyptus/orange

Removeez – Clove/orange

[This post was written by Wenona Napolitano.]

Related Posts:

• No Related Posts

Something Every Parent Should Have: Removeez is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Here’s a fun book you may enjoy. It could inspire you with new ways to teach your child about living green. Or it may make a great gift for another parent that you know who could use some help in the eco-department.

Grow Your Own Tree Hugger: 101 activities to teach your child how to live green by Wendy Rosenoff is full of activities, crafts and recipes that can easily teach children about the environment and about being green without being preachy.

Some of the activities sound like so much fun your kids won’t even know they’re learning.

A few of the activities in Grow Your Own Tree Hugger: 101 activities to teach your child how to live green are: basket weaving from twigs found in the yard, gift wrap made from maps and sheets of music, craft stamps made from wine corks, memory jars, and an old favorite tie dying old clothes into something fun and new.

There’s also some yummy recipes: King Cake Surprise, edible dominoes, fruit salad in a watermelon, moon phase sugar cookies and sunflower gelato cake.

I’ve read a lot of ”green your kid” books and this one has to be one of the best- it makes everything fun. Which is great because when it comes to kids serious doom and gloom isn’t going to win you any points.

[This post was written by Wenona Napolitano.]

Related Posts:

• Family Games Night With Eco-Friendly Playing Cards
• Like Organic Milk in Kraft Dinner: Eco-Idealism and Finding Your Balance
• Easy Going Green Flashcards Teach Parents and Children
• San Francisco to Launch a Do Not Mail Registry?
• I Hate Writing a Negative Review

Grow Your Own Tree Hugger: 101 Activities to Teach Your Child How to Live Green is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Practically Green: Your Guide to Ecofriendly Decision-Making by Micaela Preston is exactly what it says, a practical guide to going green.

This is one of the best green books I have read, probably because it isn’t all preachy and because I am a big DIY girl I just love the 30+ DIY projects included in this book.

If you are a regular reader of green parenting blogs then the Mindful Momma is probably on your to-read list. That’s new author Micaela Preston.

She has offered up insightful and fun green tips, musings and how to’s for awhile now and now in practically Green you get the best of them in a book you can have within arms reach at all times.

Not only are there DIY projects there are also yummy recipes, easy to understand charts, and copy and clip green shopping guides. This book takes the guesswork out of going green.

Each chapter is broken down into “Buy It” and “Do It” sections and yes while I realize buying stuff isn’t the greenest answer when you do need to purchase something at least make the green choice and that’s where so many people get confused. They wonder “what’s green”, “what’s the greenest of the green”, “if there’s not a green option is there a better option at least”. This books helps with that.

And it’s all packed into one cute little green book printed on recycled paper )of course).

So if you’re looking for the latest in green reads check out this handy little book for moms and anyone else who is thinking about being green.

Some of the DIY projects I really lover are the  crayon cupcakes- this is a great way to make use of leftover broken crayon pieces and the felted bunny is too cute…and the cloth napkins well that’s just something we should all have more of and now I have directions on how to make my very own. Cool.

Practically Green: Your Guide to Ecofriendly Decision-Making will make a great stocking stuffer too if you know someone who needs a little green nudge.

[This post was written by Wenona Napolitano.]

Related Posts:

• A Review of the Eco-Positive Children’s Book: The Legend of Honey Hollow
• Finding SAFER Products for Our Children
• Natural Parenting Books: The Natural Child
• Book Review: Firestorm

Practically Green by Micaela Preston is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Clementine Art offers safe and natural art supplies for kids: soy crayons, soy crayon rocks, markers, paint, modeling dough and glue. all made with safe, natural, non-toxic ingredients. Perfect for little budding green artists.

The holidays are coming fast and I’m on the look out for fabulous stocking stuffers and gifts for my kids. They always need new art supplies so when I came across Clementine Art I was intrigued. It’s great to find new green companies that cater to kids.

My little guy loves the soy crayon rocks. They are easy for him to hold and use without breaking. The soy crayons have a unique shape that is a perfect fit for little hands to hold easily. I can’t wait to try out some of their other products like the natural finger paints.

I love that Clementine Art makes “professional-quality and earth-friendly art supplies with pure, simple ingredients.”

The natural modeling dough is simply made from flour, water, salt, soybean oil, cream of tartar, natural colors (tumeric, annato, and spinach), potassium sorbate and citric acid.

The soy crayons and crayon rocks contain kosher soy wax, mineral pigments, beeswax, carnauba wax, vegetable stearic acid, calcium carbonate (chalk), natural Brazilian rosin and titanium dioxide.

Their other products are made with other similar, all natural ingredients plus they offer full disclosure of what their products contain.

Clementine Art products are currently available at Whole Foods Markets. I hope soon that they will also have an online store or be available at other green stores online.

[This post was written by Wenona Napolitano.]

Related Posts:

• No Related Posts

Clementine Art: Natural Art Supplies for Children is a post from: Eco Child's Play

I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas: Gifts, Decorations, and Recipes that Use Less and Mean More by Anna Getty is a great book to help you get a head start on greening the winter holidays.

I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas is a fabulous book full of tips, expert advice, crafts, recipes, decorating ideas and directions and pretty much everything you need to make the holidays more eco-friendly.

I really like this book. The holidays are always a little bit stressful no matter how well you plan or prepare. When money is an issue it can get really stressful. One thing I really adore about I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas is that so many of the crafts for gifts and decorations are made with items I have lying around the house. So I can make decorations and gifts without spending a dime.

The crafts I love the most are the: decorated matchboxes (page 70-71), the salt dough ornaments (page 90-91) these are so very country Christmas I love them, the old fashioned cranberry and popcorn garland (page 104-105), the cute little twig stars (page 106-107), t-shirt potholders (page 134-135) of course I’ll pass this on to my mom since I don’t sew, the vintage button clutch (page 136-137), and the bottle cap refrigerator magnets that are so super cute for kids to make (pages 142-143).

And the recipes sound so yummy: roasted acorn squash soup with Parmesan and crispy sage, stuffed mushrooms, artichoke dip with baked pita chips, mini apple strudels with brown sugar whipped cream, pumpkin gnocchi with browned sage butter, pumpkin butter and tamari roasted pumpkin seeds, chai hot cocoa with whipped cream…and so many more.

Now this is just a sampling of the crafts and recipes this book has to offer in addition to all the amazing advice that doesn’t preach but offers honest and traditional old fashioned style charm to help return Christmas to the love and joy that it originally was.

This book can help you have the type of Christmas you’ve always dreamed of without the stress and hassle and worry of commerical sparkle and false joy.

This book hit stores today so grab a copy and get a headstart on your greenest Christmas ever.

[This post was written by Wenona Napolitano.]

Related Posts:

• Green Kids’ Gifts on a Budget: Eco-Friendly Presents and Stocking Stuffers for Under $30
• Greening Christmas One Tradition at a Time: Advent Calendars

Get a Head Start on the Holidays with I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Sneaky Green Uses for Everyday Things: How to Craft Eco-Garments and Sneaky Snack Kits, Create Green Cleaners, Remake Paper into Flying Toys, Assemble … a Robot Recycle Bin with Everyday Things is a fun and fabulous book for people that love to create their own gadgets.

This book is almost like a science project book. Both my older kids are checking it deciding which fun gadgets and experiments they want to try.

If you do homeschooling this might be a great book for you to get since it is full of green projects, experiments and even some crafty fun.

Not only are their gadgets and gizmos to create, there is some great information in this book like explaining the basics of energy, gas saving tips, plastic recycling, and energy conservation tips.

Some of the really cool projects in the book are: a solar powered motor, a solar cooker, a nuclear energy simulator, an ethanol demonstration, an oil refinery demonstration, an easy electric motor, a hydrogen power demonstration, a solar power generator and so much more.

I know some of these projects sound daunting but most of them use things you have lying around the home like: batteries, paper clips, tape, wire, water, pots and pans, and cardboard. Super great science experiments for the kids. My daughter is getting ideas for her next science fair, perhaps creating an exhibit showcasing alternative energy sources like solar, ethanol and electric using these simple experiments.

For the less scientific crowd there are simple projects made from cardboard boxes, paper and a few other items like the recycle bin sorter, a fun robot recycle bin (great way to make recycling fun for the kids), a flying disk, a mini boomerang, a mouth flapper, a book safe and other easy and fun projects. 

I love that this book isn’t just green and fun, it is also very educational.

[This post was written by Wenona Napolitano.]

Related Posts:

• No Related Posts

A Review of Sneaky Green Uses for Everyday Things by Cy Tymony is a post from: Eco Child's Play

One Small Step was founded by a mom who needed alternatives for her daughter’s lunches. Renata Bodon’s daughter’s school requires waste free lunches.

That led to One Small Step, an online resource for reusable, eco-friendly, stylish, and environmentally safe lunch products and food wraps with no BPA, no phthalates, and no PVC.

In addition to eco-lunch containers, reusable sandwich wraps, and environmentally friendly lunch bags One Small Step also carries eco backpacks, EcoStaplers, and Greenciles (pencils) for your back to school needs.

What’s green for our planet = more green in your wallet.

“Not only are the products found at One Small Step healthy for the environment, they can give a family’s bank account a much needed boost as well. Consider the fact that waste-free lunches cost one-third less than lunches served in disposable products. The average disposable lunch costs approximately $4.02 per day and the average waste-free lunch costs about $2.65 per day — that’s a savings of over $240 per child per year! “

“If we educate our children on a waste-free lifestyle, they will educate their friends and families, ultimately helping the environment,” states Bodon. To encourage organizations to get on board, One Small Step donates 10 percent of gross sales back to partnering schools and non-profits.

One Small Step is a company that offers everyone the chance to take just one small step to change the world. And as with everything else one step often leads to another and another.

Check them out for your green back to school needs. I am liking the eco-friendly stationery set. You get a whole starter pack for $13.00. That’s less than just one eco-notebook from some stores. It contains a recycled paper notebook, pens, highlighter, recycled pencils and an eco-stapler.

Eco-cool for back to school.

[This post was written by Wenona Napolitano.]

Related Posts:

• No Related Posts

Back to School with One Small Step is a post from: Eco Child's Play