2011 August | Inhabitots

BPA Ban on Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups Approved in California

by Jennifer Chait, 08/31/11

If you live in California, then today is an awesome day for your green family. Yesterday, the California State Senate voted to approve a ban on the toxic plastics chemical bisphenol A (BPA). Renee Sharp, head of EWG’s California office, says, “Today’s action by the Senate is further proof that the interests of California’s children can have a voice in Sacramento.” The legislation to ban BPA in baby products was sponsored by Environmental Working Group and authored by State Assembly member Betsy Butler (D-Marina Del Ray) and State Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills). Co-sponsors of this law include Consumers Union, Black Women for Wellness, and Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles. The Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act (AB 1319) is now heading back to the Assembly for a final vote later this year, but the news is promising. The new legislation would ban BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups made or sold after July 1, 2013, plus will require manufacturers to use the least toxic alternative substance for these products.

+ Environmental Working Group

Lead image ©Cylonka via sxc.

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER: Win an Eco-Friendly Back-to-School Kit Worth $90!

by Julie Seguss, 08/31/11

The first day of school is quickly approaching. Is your tot stocked up on supplies and ready to go? We’re here to help! We scored some amazing eco-friendly back-to-school supplies and now we’re giving $270 worth of swag away to three lucky winners. Each $90 back-to-school prize package includes a monkey Ecozoo backpack from Ecogear, a BPA- and phthalate-free Skip Hop Bento Mealtime Kit, a set of Clementine Art Natural Soy Crayons, and a $25 gift certificate to shop Ethical Ocean’s amazing selection of eco-friendly back-to-school supplies and gear. Read on to find out how to win one of the three kits, and in the meantime, you can use promo code ‘BackToSchool’ to get 10% off your green school supply order from Ethical Ocean through September 13! You’ll find everything from recycled pencils and notebooks to Fair Trade soccer balls and waste-free lunch kits – check out our favorites in our list of must-have green school supplies.

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Finn + Emma’s Wooden Baby Play Gyms Blend Beautifully With Adult Decor

by Marni Fogelson-Teel, 08/31/11

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Should Schools Ban Brown Paper Bags, Ziplocs and Other Disposable Lunch Items?

by Jennifer Chait, 08/31/11

As an eco-minded parent, you’re likely already on board with reusable lunch gear. However, do you think that all disposable lunch items should be banned? It’s already happening in some areas. According to a story in The New York Times, many schools are very strongly encouraging parents to use reusable, compost-friendly and recyclable goods, such as reusable lunch bags, water bottles, containers, food wraps and real, not plastic, silverware. Some schools are so dedicated to waste-free lunches, The New York Times reports, that school administrators have made reusable lunch gear a real requirement and will even purchase reusable lunch gear and sell it to school parents at cost. As happens with most green issues, folks are divided about the push to pack waste-free lunches.

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Exquisite, Interactive Wooden ‘Gween’ Toys Engage and Delight Tots

An abundance of green toys cross our radar at Inhabitots, but the 'w' in new Gween Toys must stand for 'wow,' because that was our exact reaction when we first laid eyes on these exquisite, thoughtfully and sustainably designed toys for tots. Designed to encourage interactive play via stacking, counting, and color-coordinated constructing, this collection of five handcrafted toys are easy on the eyes, the earth, and your wallet.