Green Baby Gifts

If Valentine's Day is an important day for you or the one you love, try also showing a bit of extra love for the environment by carefully considering what you buy.

Here are some good for the earth Valentine's Day gift ideas!

1. Fair trade chocolate
Who doesn’t love a big heart shaped box full of various chocolates to enjoy? Your sweetheart will enjoy them even better if those chocolates come from fair trade farms. By buying fair trade, you ensure your purchase justly pays the workers involved and that the planting and harvesting of the chocolates are treated with a respectful long-term commitment to preserving the environment.

2. Organic flowers
Roses are the cliche Valentine’s Day gift. This year make them a little more special by choosing ones that were grown organically. Skip the pesticides and fertilizers that get dumped into the ground and choose flowers with a more natural beauty.

3. Jewelry for a good cause
Jewelry doesn’t have to just look good, it can be good too.  There are sites that offer hand crafted jewelry from artisans all over the world. The jewelry is fair trade and often a main source of income for families in poorer areas. Go ahead and buy several pieces!

4. Plant a tree
It might not seem romantic at first, but having a tree planted in your sweetheart’s name can be a beautiful gift. Sell it with “as the tree grows, so does our love” and you have the makings of an incredibly romantic gift that also helps the earth. You can buy a tree from a local nursery to plant yourself, or you can order a special tree be planted for your valentine and receive a certificate of planting to give.

5. Make it yourself
Of course the best gift you could give is something that you made yourself. Skip all the fancy packaging and put something together with your own two hands. Try making a basket of homemade goodies. Making the gift yourself not only makes it extra special, it often makes it the more eco-friendly option.

For additional information on improving the environment, environmental baby products, green baby gifts, washable cloth baby wipes and natural baby care, please visit: http://blog.bottoms-up-baby.com/blog/eco-friendly-baby-products
 

The bathroom is the room where we begin and end each day, with a variety of cleaning routines designed to help keep us healthy. Odd then, that the room in which we clean our teeth, our skin and the rest of our bodies is often filled with toxic chemicals and even then, not very clean itself.

Make your bathroom a greener place by following these simple tips that will help clear the air, enable low-flow and keep the toxins out of your way!

1. Low-Flow
There are many water-saving opportunities in the bathroom. By installing a low-flow showerhead, a low-flow faucet aerator, and a dual-flush toilet, you'll save thousands of gallons of water each year!

2. Recycled Toilet Paper
When it comes to using the toilets themselves, be sure you're reaching for toilet paper created from recycled sources and avoid using products made from virgin boreal forest trees. When it comes time to flush, close the lid before hitting the button to prevent the spread of bacteria around your bathroom.

3. Reusable Cleaning Products
Toilet paper is about the only "disposable" product allowed in your green bathroom, so when it comes time to clean up, avoid the temptation to reach for disposable products. That means paper towels and other disposable wipes should be replaced by reusable rags or microfiber towels for mirrors, sinks, and the like.

4. Green Cleaners
Bathrooms are notoriously small and often poorly ventilated, so, of all the rooms in the house, this is the one that should be cleaned with green, non-toxic cleaners. Common household ingredients, like baking soda and vinegar, and a little elbow grease will do the job for most everything in the bathroom.

5. Shower Yourself with a Safe Curtain
If your shower has a curtain, be sure to avoid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. The production of PVC often results in creating dioxins, a group of highly toxic compounds and once in your home, PVC releases chemical gases and odors. Go for a greener solution, like hemp, which is naturally resistant to mold, as long as you keep your bathroom well-ventilated.

6. Maintain Your New Green Ways
Once you go green, you'll want to keep it that way, so remember to do regular light maintenance—unclogging drains, fixing leaky faucets, etc.—with green in mind.

For additional information on improving the environment, environmental baby products, green baby gifts, washable cloth baby wipes and natural baby care, please visit: http://blog.bottoms-up-baby.com/blog/eco-friendly-baby-products

Many are divided on the subject of environmental impact of disposables vs. cloth but knowing that your baby will use approximately 6,000 diapers before toilet training, and that disposable diapers take 200-500 years to decompose, is certainly a key issue to ponder.

Washing cloth diapers takes water, energy, and chemicals (not to mention time), but you might want to consider the benefits of a laundering service. Some studies have found that home-washing cloth diapers has only 53 percent of the ecological footprint of disposables, and if you use a diaper laundering service that impact is halved again.

Cloth Diapers

When choosing a cloth diaper brand, go for fitted cloth diapers with Velcro or snap closures for convenience that are made from an eco-friendly material such as hemp, bamboo, or organic cotton. Use an organic wool cover that is both warm and breathable, minimizing diaper rash and cold bottoms at night. Use either removable or flushable liners and when washing, either use a laundering service or wash at home at lower temperatures.

Biodegradable Diapers

These diapers are made with plant-based plastics (also known as bioplastics), are non-petroleum based and are compostable. While these have been found not to break down under landfill conditions, there are other options to compost them such as using a composting toilet, an earthworm system, or a highly active and properly conditioned composting area.

For additional information on improving the environment, environmental baby products, green baby gifts and natural baby care, please visit: http://blog.bottoms-up-baby.com/blog/eco-friendly-baby-products
 

Vehicle emissions are responsible for the distribution of harmful gases, which include carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. Together, these gases cause ground level smog that aggravates breathing difficulties.

Reduce the emissions your car generates by following these simple tips!

1.  Don’t idle the engine: A modern car is designed to work efficiently as soon as it starts, so you don’t need to start the engine and let it warm up before you drive. Not even on cold winter mornings.

2.  Drive with windows up: If you keep your windows up, your car will be subject to less drag, which improves the aerodynamic profile of the vehicle. Therefore, cars driven with the windows up are proven to achieve much higher MPG.

3. Service regularly: This one can’t be overstated enough. If you want to make sure that your car performs at peak efficiency then you’ll have to get it serviced on a regular basis. Get the oil checked, swap out the brakes, check the exhaust etc. The idea is that a well-kept car will consume less fuel, pump out fewer greenhouse gases and also last longer, which in the long run helps the environment and your bank balance.

4. Carpool: Organized carpooling with your co-workers has quite a few advantages. You actively reduce air pollution, increase outdoor air quality by having one car on the road instead of two or more. Also, carpooling saves you money and everybody can do it – you might even form some new friendships.

5. Hybrid Options: If you’re purchasing a new car, opt for a hybrid! Not only will you be reducing emissions while you drive, you'll also be sending a positive message to the car industry by your endorsement of the ‘green’ car.

For additional information on improving the environment, environmental baby products, green baby gifts and natural baby care, please visit: http://blog.bottoms-up-baby.com/blog/eco-friendly-baby-products
 

We do our best to encourage positive change and goal-setting all year around at the Bottoms Up office, but that doesn't change the fact that a new year—and a new decade—is a great time for a fresh start.

Here are some resolutions around our office that might inspire change around yours!

1.  Find ways to recycle almost all your waste and look to buy products that can be recycled at the end of life. If it can't be recycled, find another product that can! There are choices in almost every product decision – i.e., a coffee maker can be made from non-recyclable plastics or recyclable steel.

2.  Switch to green cleaners, paints, sealers and use green materials when you renovate and do your daily cleaning. You'll reduce packaging, toxins and will improve your health by using simple products like vinegar for most of your cleaning needs.

3.  Get off the bottled water craze. The water isn't healthier but the bottles create a huge amount of waste. Bring your own reusable glass or ceramic mug and fill it up with filtered faucet water.

4.  When possible, walk to work and your meetings.  By leaving the car behind and simply walking, riding a bike, or taking public transportation, you are doing both yourself and the environment good. Not only will you save money on fuel and the general upkeep of your car but other benefits include the improved outdoor air quality and reduction of road congestion.

For additional information on improving the environment, environmental baby products, green baby gifts and natural baby care, please visit: http://blog.bottoms-up-baby.com/blog/eco-friendly-baby-products
 

It's that time of year when we make promises about how we'll change ourselves in the New Year. We look for ways to make a difference in our lives, hoping for better health. This New Year, set resolutions that are realistic, good for you and the environment like any of the three we suggest below!

1. Eliminate bottled water
Eliminating bottled water really easy to do. Simply buy a stainless steel container and fill it with tap water. If you want, filter your tap water to improve its taste, but keep in mind that most tap water is held to a higher standard of purity than bottled water.

2. Re-Usable Bags
Paper or Plastic? How about neither?! Buy re-usable cloth bags and keep them handy so that you always have them available for last minute shopping trips. Keep a couple in your vehicle, a couple at home, and maybe one that’s travel size so you never have to make that horrible decision at check out time.

3. Drive Less
If you can live without a car, do it. In most cities, the cost of a transit pass is still less than you'd shell out for insurance, gas, maintenance and car payments. Be sure to check with your school or employer, as universities often have a transit pass included in their fees, and some employers offer discounted fees for public transportation.

For additional information on improving the environment, environmental baby products, green baby gifts and natural baby care, please visit: http://blog.bottoms-up-baby.com/blog/eco-friendly-baby-products
 

Follow these simple tips to give your newborn a head start by creating a safe, healthy and non-toxic haven, free from hazards that could interfere with his or her mental and physical development.

Paint
While lead is no longer a concern in conventional paint, you should be concerned about volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - toxic fumes that release gas from common household items such as paint or a new vinyl shower curtain. Use low (or no) VOC paints and make sure that your baby’s nursery is well ventilated.

Bedding
Buy organic cotton or natural wool mattresses instead of mattresses that are treated with chemical fire retardants (such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers) that accumulate in our bodies and have been shown to affect the nervous system. Use Bamboo or organic cotton sheets and blankets.  They are environmentally sound and won't irritate your baby's sensitive skin.

Carpeting
Carpets can harbor dust mites and allergens, and new synthetic carpets can also release VOCs. Keep your baby's room carpet-free, and add an area rug for color and warmth. Carpet tiles are an eco-friendly option, since they can be used as an area rug and the tiles can be individually cleaned when necessary. If you insist on wall-to-wall carpet, go with one made of natural fibers such as wool, cotton, hemp or jute.

Toys
Make sure that your baby’s toys are made from materials that are nontoxic. Don't buy toys or teething rings made from PVC, which contain phthalates, an ingredient in plastic that can affect reproductive and developmental health.
Soft organic cotton toys are a nontoxic alternative.  If you buy wooden toys, look for wood that comes from FSC-certified forests, and paint and finishes that are nontoxic (or toys that are unpainted).

For additional information on improving the environment, environmental baby products, green baby gifts and natural baby care, please visit: http://blog.bottoms-up-baby.com/blog/eco-friendly-baby-products

 

Save natural resources — as well as late fees — by enrolling in easy, online bill-paying options with your bank, credit card companies, cable and utility providers. In fact, these days it seems that almost any company that sends you a monthly bill through the mail probably has online payment options.

Paperless billing not only saves trees; it also eliminates the fossil fuel needed to get all of those dozens of billing envelopes from them to you and back again.

Here are additional benefits for going paperless:

• Saves money on stamps
• Reduces clutter in your mailbox and your recycle bin
• Cuts down on waste by not using inks, adhesives and packaging needed to send bills by mail

For additional information on improving the environment, environmental baby products and green baby gifts, please visit: http://blog.bottoms-up-baby.com/blog/eco-friendly-baby-products
 

Whether you're off to work or for an amazing night out with friends, be sure to dress yourself in the latest eco-friendly fashions. From practical to couture, eco-friendly attire is readily available at your favorite local superstore or a chic boutique.

Here are simple tips for choosing green attire:

• Look for products made from organic materials, or that are animal free (vegetarian). Organic clothing is made from natural fibers that have been grown without any pesticides or any other toxic materials. Vegetarian products are made from durable materials similar to leather without any animals being harmed in the process.

• Try to buy clothes that have been ethically produced, or that are Fair Trade Certified. This means that the clothing you buy has been made with respect for people and the environment. Ethically produced clothing can ensure you that the people making it have been given proper work standards.

• Try out your local thrift or second hand stores to see if you can find a one-of-a-kind vintage piece. Donate some of your old pieces that haven't been worn in years to add to somebody else's collection.

Every month, Bottoms Up hosts a Fan Appreciation Giveaway on Facebook where fans have the opportunity to post on our wall and tell us why they love our eco-friendly baby wipes kit.

On the first day of the following month, all submissions are gathered and one lucky winner is selected at random and is awarded with a $25.00 gift card to use towards their next purchase from bottoms-up-baby.com.  Yesterday was that day and we are happy to announce Tamara Szogedi as the November winner of our Fan Appreciation Giveaway!

Tamara loves our reusable kit, saying:

“What I really love about Bottoms Up Baby Wipes is how organized and streamlined everything is. The all-in-one kit has EVERYTHING you need, other than the baby, of course!”

If you also love Bottoms Up Baby Wipes, become a Fan of our Facebook page and let us know! You could be our next lucky winner!

For additional information on baby safe products, natural baby care and other environmentally safe baby products, please visit: http://blog.bottoms-up-baby.com/blog/eco-friendly-baby-products

Thanksgiving may be over, but the holiday season is still in full swing and in the excitement of the holidays, it's easy to disregard the waste reduction habits we use throughout the year.  A fun holiday season doesn't have to be a wasteful one - reduce your waste by following these simple tips!

• Avoid Traffic
  If possible, start your trip a day earlier and/or return a day later to avoid heavy traffic. When a car is stuck in traffic its fuel consumption rate can be double the rate at steady cruising speeds.
   
• Go Hybrid
  If you can, leave the SUV at home and drive a hybrid or fuel-efficient conventional car instead. In addition to consuming more gas, SUVs emit up to four times more carbon than the most efficient hybrid. If you don’t own a hybrid, consider renting one. If you’re traveling solo, flying is actually better than driving any car—regardless of the distance traveled.
   
• Fly Coach
  First-class seating requires twice the space of coach and therefore produces twice the amount of carbon emissions per passenger, so always choose coach. Next, minimize the length of your trip, carbon-heavy takeoffs, landings and ground operations by flying non-stop, or the most direct route.
   
• Get on the Bus
  No matter how many people are traveling with you, a bus is a great alternative for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. A couple traveling by bus, for instance, generates between 50 and 75 percent less carbon than flying or driving (especially on trips under 500 miles). Bus fares are often cheaper than airline tickets, and many now have similar amenities.

In less than two weeks, children and child-like adults will dress up in costumes and wander the streets trick-or-treating for candy.  This Halloween, encourage your family and friends to “go green” when celebrating this year.  Here are simple tips that anyone can follow!

DECORATIONS
Think green before you break out the orange and black decorations. Natural items like pumpkins, gourds and corn husks are inexpensive, festive and can be tossed in the compost pile after the holiday to minimize waste. Reusable decorations that can be used from year to year also help save money and reduce waste over the long run.

COSTUMES
Start scouring your home or your local thrift store to find great costume ideas and supplies. Think about what you can put together from the items you already have around the house (wrap recycled cardboard in aluminum foil to make wands, swords or tiaras; or make a cape for your princess or wizard out of an old pillowcase) instead of buying new.

TREATS
Stock your treat bowl with organic, natural treats instead of the standard commercial fare to reduce kids' exposure to chemicals and preservatives.  There are many eco-friendly candies to choose from—from organic chocolate to organic lollipops—that are available online and from local organic grocery stores. These organic candies will satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your health, and they are produced using methods that don’t damage the environment.

COLLECTING TREATS
Instead of using a plastic bucket or pail, give your kids a reusable grocery bag or pillowcase for collecting candy. When your kids are done collecting treats, store it away for use next year.  If you let your kids sample candy while trick-or-treating, keep reusable baby wipes handy to clean their hands.

WALK OR CARPOOL
Rather than drive to other neighborhoods to take your kids trick-or-treating, stick close to home this Halloween and walk from house to house to reduce fuel consumption and air pollution.  If you are attending a Halloween party, use public transportation or ride your bicycle.  If traveling by car is really the only way to enjoy Halloween with your family or friends, try carpooling.

For additional green tips, ideas for green baby gifts, natural baby care and improving the environment, please visit: http://blog.bottoms-up-baby.com/blog/eco-friendly-baby-products
 

Going green at school isn’t just about student involvement. This October for Children's Health month, teachers can learn how to make eco-conscious choices in the teacher’s lounge and when designing lesson plans by following these simple tips.

Share your mini-fridge: Consider sharing a mini-fridge with the teachers down the hall instead of having your own private refrigerator that soaks up extra electricity.  Use food storage labels on your items to avoid waste and for added food storage safety

Keep your grades online: Online grade books save paper and invite parents to take a more active role in evaluating student performance

Drink Fair Trade Coffee: Introduce Fair Trade Coffee to the teachers’ lounge for an eco-conscious, humanitarian pick-me-up

Bring a mug or glass to school: Instead of pouring coffee or water into a styrofoam cup, bring your own mug or glass to school which can be washed and reused over and over again

Use recycled paper: All teachers go through a ton of notebooks and papers each year, so using recycled paper and then recycling all your files after the year is over will positively impact the environment

Insulate doors: At the end of the day, slide draft guards under your door to insulate the room and keep energy consumption down


For additional green tips, ideas for green baby gifts, natural baby care and improving the environment, please visit: http://blog.bottoms-up-baby.com/blog/eco-friendly-baby-products

October is Children’s Health Month and kids across the country are settled back into school and are learning to make a difference in the quality of the environment within their schools.  Here are a few easy suggestions you can make to your child’s school for additional environmental improvements inside and outside of the classroom.

Improving School Buses
School buses are the safest way for children to get to school. However, pollution from older diesel vehicles may cause respiratory problems, and worsen allergies and asthma in children. Encourage schools to follow the EPA's Clean School Bus initiative which helps school districts by providing resources for affordable clean fuels and technologies for older buses.

Improving the Classroom
Encourage schools to stock classrooms with green school supplies like recycled notebook binders, biodegradable corn starch pens and #2 recycled pencils.  Teachers can also teach lessons on environmental awareness by showing videos and having their students engage in interactive activities that will help them learn more about the ecology of our planet.

Improving Recycling and Waste Reduction
Children learn best when they can see tangible results from the lesson they’re being taught. Encourage schools to continue environmental education in the classroom by having teachers assign fun arts and crafts projects that will teach students hands-on lessons about recycling, reducing waste, food storage labels and food storage safety.

For additional green tips, ideas for green baby gifts, natural baby care and improving the environment, please visit: http://blog.bottoms-up-baby.com/blog/eco-friendly-baby-products