Green Talk™ » children

The Dirty Secrets of a Green Food Waster

Green Talk — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:48:43 +0000

A green food waster. What an oxymoron. I am not proud of what I am going to confess. As green as I think I have become, my family and I are food wasters. Our habits are hurting the Earth. How so?

Every couple of months I can’t stand the clutter or dirty drawers in my house. A year ago, I challenged Green Talk readers to clean up the clutter in their own house as I tackled my overcrowded pantry. What I found last year was a ton of empty boxes just left in the pantry. My kids can’t ~~throw out~~ recycle an empty box to save their lives.

Another year went by and lo and behold the pantry reverted back to its sinister overcrowded, messy, can’t find anything self. It is odd that a pantry would take on the same personality of my children. No matter how I try, ~~duplicates~~ triplicates of the same product show up. I swear something biological has been injected into my pantry causing duplicates and triplicates of the product to show up. Cloning at its best. Either that, a zealous husband who thinks we need a particular item or something was on “Great” sale.

To try and save money, how many of you buy in bulk? Especially if you have a large family? With currently three sets of lunches to be made each day, we are definitely part of the bulk buying sect. However, bulk buying has always back fires on us. Why? Here the usual senario.

My kids will adore a particular product. Can’t live without it. Best next thing to slice bread. I call this phase, the new food love/addiction. Evidently, the infatuation wears off, and they drop that favorite food as fast as you can say boo. The food product just sits miserable in the pantry wondering what it did to deserve this treatment. I swear I hear whimpers from all the food that has been loved once and now forgotten.

I keep warning my husband to not to give into my boys’ loves of the week. Buy one package, I tell him. Don’t get buying happy that you found something they like. They will always disappoint you, I further warn. And boom, a few weeks later, they are ready to move on without any remorse. Please, Please tell me they won’t be like this with women.

PS, so there I was this weekend. Snarling under my breath, and throwing away so many stale products. So much that it filled a VERY Large bowl. It was sickening. The waste.

So, what effect is my food wasting habits doing to the Earth besides wasting my hard earn cash?

The EPA states,

“Americans throw away more than 25 percent of the food we prepare, about 96 billion pounds of food waste each year according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Estimating and Addressing America’s Food Losses PDF) (11 pp, 101K, about PDF). Food waste includes uneaten food and food preparation scraps from residences or households, commercial establishments like restaurants, grocery stores, and cafeterias.Waste Not, Want Not: Feeding the Hungry and Reducing Solid Waste Through Food Recovery (PDF)59 pp, 1.5MB, about PDF), a joint publication of EPA and USDA, states the nation spends about one billion dollars a year to dispose of food waste.”

The sad part was that not only was this food waste a waste of money, it could have gone straight to a landfill, which would produce methane gas until it decomposed. Thank goodness for my eager composter which just opens its mouth and say “feed me.”

What about methane gas, you ask. Methane gas is one of the serious culprits causing global warming . How come you don’t know this? Methane does not have a PR agent like carbon dioxide. (You know, the old carbon footprint.) Methane gas just doesn’t get the same billing that its famous cousin, Carbon Dioxide gets.

The EPA futher states:

“The amount of food waste generated in the US is huge. It is the third largest waste stream after paper and yard waste. In 2008, about 12.7 percent of the total municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in America was food scraps. Less than three percent of that 32 million tons was recovered and recycled. The rest - 31 million tons – was thrown away into landfills or incinerators.

The decomposition of food and other organic waste materials under anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas (GHG) 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Landfills are the largest human-related source of methane in the United States, accounting for 34 percent of all methane emissions.”

Does this excuse me even though I compost? Think of all the packaging that I threw away in addition to all the food waste? If you want to drum me out of the G-club, I understand.

Lesson learned? Only buy what you intend to eat. Ask yourself when you impulsively grab something because it is on sale or you think you might use it, will I use this much or will it sit in my pantry until it expires? I know when I am in a big box store everything looks so alluring. Just remember this mantra,

Saving green that ends up in a landfill or your composter isn’t being green at all.

So Readers,

Does my household sound like yours? Do you have a avid buyer? A fickle eater? A compulsive cleaner?
How have you stopped the food waste madness at your house? What is your secret?
Maybe it is not food but personal care products or anything else? What do you struggle with that you are constantly purging?

Signed,

Tired and maybe not so green.

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Back to School Brings Up Issues of Needed Conservation

Green Talk — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:09:18 +0000

Photo by Heather Elias

This last week, my children returned to school. I was careful to re-use as many items that I had and only buy what I needed opting for items that I could recycle at the end of their lives. I had it with the typical plastic coated binder that ended up in the trash heap at the end of the school year.

I even went so far as to call out Avery Dennison,and ask them to start a take back program for their binders. (P.S. Despite my numerous emails and phone calls to my public relations contact at the Company, I have yet to receive a return phone call. I guess they just expect me to go away. For a Company like Avery who is engaging in so many sustainable efforts, they get an F in my book for public relations.)

I refused to buy new pens and pencils since we had enough to give to everyone in the town. Have you ever realized how many pencils and pens you own? They are like rabbits. Before you know it, you acquire a dozen new pens and pencils, and you have no idea where they came from. In addition, we must have 10 packages of mismatched color pencils. I take a few from each to form a set of color pencils.

My children have gotten used to using 1/2 used composition notebooks and dividers that can be reused year after year until they fall apart. As I said in a previous back to school post, there is virtue in shopping in your drawers. There just is no need to constant buy new.

When I asked my neighborhood Staples how sales were going this year with the economy, the saleswoman told me that this year has been one of their best back to school years. Who would have figured with the economy the way it is? Perhaps this is due to more children moving into the area or more kids entering the school systems? Whatever the reason, I bet most people did not need to buy all new school supplies.

Some of the blame is on the schools who create these lists. Do my children really need a separate binder for each subject? When I went to school, I had one binder for all my subjects. One teacher wanted a red notebook, so I was forced to buy a plastic one. (I buy TerraCycle cardboard notebooks that are plain colored.)

And what about the package that comes before school starts? A tons of papers that I really don’t need. The first month’s food options, a diagram of the layout of all the classes, yearly calendar, and other items that are on the schools’ website. Then there are all those forms that have to be filled out. Why can’t they just have me fill them out online. My handwriting stinks at this point in my life. I would prefer to type everything. Everyone is going the digital route. Why can’t schools? Does anyone’s school have you complete forms online? If so, does anyone know the software used?

Don’t get me wrong. Some of the paper may need to come home due to legal reason which I am not aware of, but the vast majority of them I don’t need. Point me to the website, rather bombard me with a load of paper.

With all these schools screaming about their budgets, it seems to me that they literally can’t see the forest from the trees. Perhaps if they were judicious with how much paper they send out, they could save a few bucks by being green.

Buying back to school supplies and being inundated with school paperwork are just a mere snapshot of our disregard to conserve our resources. Readers, I am giving you the space to vent now. What are some the lack of conservation issues that irks you?

This article is part of the Green Mom Carnival being hosted by Mindful Momma regarding conservation. With a diverse group of greenies, you will surely get your fill of how to appreciate Earth’s abundance.

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Green Speed Links: September 13, 2009

Green Talk — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:29:14 +0000

Watch this trailer park movie of the upcoming BagIT. It will break your heart on what are plastic consumption is doing to our animal friends. Our very own Green Mom, Beth Terry of Fake Plastic Fish, was interviewed for a segment in the film. See her account, here.

Sharing Backyards via EarthEasy’s newsletter. What is this program all about?

“Sharing Backyards encourages urban gardening by connecting those who have space to garden and are willing to share with those who would like to have a gardening space. The program makes maximum use of city space by making sure that even those who dwell in apartments, condos, and shared housing have ample place to garden. It connects neighbours of different socio-economic conditions together in a atmosphere of trust while doing something that beautifies the homeowner’s yard and provides food for everyone.”

Want to start a program in your area? See here.

Carmanah Technologies Corporation ’s Solar powered parking-lot light delivers affordable off-grid illumination. Check out the Carmanah EverGEN 1710, which was developed in partnership with frog design. According to the Company,

“Designed as a compact stand-alone lighting alternative for off-grid parking lots and other municipal, commercial or industrial areas, the new EverGEN 1710 light combines advanced motion-sensing capabilities with a range of energy saving operating profiles to ensure bright, reliable illumination whenever and wherever it’s needed.”

Intended for distribution in early 2010.

FDA to hold hearing on October 21-22 on the use of Gardsill for boys. You know the drug that is marketed as not one more? (Be serious, FDA. I guess deaths f rom this vaccine was not enough for you to open your eyes . See my article here on the subject of how scary this vaccine is.) Just because you can’t attend, doesn’t mean you can’t have your say. The public can send in comments via acip@cdc.gov. Don’t be shy, folks.

Looptworks clothing line features 20 different up-cycled clothing pieces for men and women which includes jackets, hoodies, skirts, shirts and graphic t-shirts. Each product is a limited-edition and will be numbered based on the quantity of materials that are found for each item

“Looptworks is a ground-breaking business that repurposes abandoned materials into meaningful, long-lasting and limited-edition products. By re-using the world’s pre-consumer excess, the U.S.-based company aims to rid the world of waste while inspiring a generation to reduce their impact on the planet.”

It is a very interactive site where models shows you the front and back of the clothes. Very ingenious.

Kids Konserve is now offering an insulated bag to slip into their ultra-green no waste lunch bag. It comes complete with a no sweat ice pack. See my article about this waste free company. In addition, Green Talk readers can receive a 15% off of their products until September 30, 2009. Just put in the code “greentalk.”

Readers, do you have any great green news to share? Comment away.

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A College Bound Green Bird Is Leaving the Nest.

Green Talk — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:59:53 +0000

I write this post with a heavy heart since my oldest is leaving for college this week. With new found wings, he is definitely ready to soar. But as a parent all I can hear is the following lyrics,

“Leaving on a jet plane. Don’t know when I will be back again…”

Except the next line, “Oh, Babe, I hate to go” is definitely not the case. He can’t wait to start this new adventure in his life, and jokes that he will have to peel me off him when he says good-bye. But I will be brave, having already broken down several times over the course of the week. “Don’t cry in front of him”, cautions my friends. “Let him go.”

But life will change and never return to how it was. I will never have that day in and day out contact that I have been used to for 18 years. Life will be different.

As I write this post, tears are streaming down my face, since my little boy is now a man. Where did all the years go? As I told you in my post when he voted for the first time, memories of his childhood came flooding back. I had to come to grips with the many regrets o f how each year seem to fold into another.

So why do I call him a little green bird? I am hoping everything I taught in my own journey to becoming a greener citizen has rubbed off on him. Some parents tell their kids to watch their manners and be a good person. I do too but also add to remember to recycle and think of the Earth too…I hope he remembers.

Just to make sure, we packed him with the following:

Organic sheets and comforter for cold winter nights. (eBay special for XL dorm sheets.)
Stainless steel water bottle and filter for those long study nights.
Soap nuts for laundry detergent (I told him to tell his friends that his mother is a treehugger if they give him a bizarre look. It may even be a conversation piece for him to meet girls?)
Eco-enzyme spray for stains
Sustainable picture frame with a picture all of us so if he gets lonely. He can look at it and think about the funny things his brothers say to cheer him up. Now there will be a threesome at home, not an even foursome. Boy, will the dynamics change.
Smart Strip surge protector for his room
Environmentally friendly shampoo, soaps, and other personal care products
Environmentally friendly deodorant
organic treats to keep his diabetes in check.
Used college books.
Pens and pencils from our stash rather than buying new ones.

Perhaps he will join an environmental cause?

Remember to recycle his paper and bottles?

Maybe he will follow in my footsteps and become an environmentalist?

Opt for the organic food versus the junk? (Who am I kidding.)

Not be wasteful. There are starving children all over the world.

Maybe the gardening skills he acquired may come in handy although he loathes my garden with a passion.

Maybe he will just soar and become the man he is supposed to be. A good, kind and gentle soul. That’s all I can ask. The environmental part will come later.

For now, I just have to remember not to cry.

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My Crayon Recycling Program: Symptomatic of a Bigger Problem?

Green Talk — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:39:23 +0000

Years ago my friend told me about crayon recycling. I did not get serious about this idea until I compiled a zillion broken crayons of my own. (Boys. Need I say more?) Since I coordinate recycling for cash at my school, I am always looking for green fundraising ideas or just plain good sense take back programs.

Crayon recycling seemed like a no brainer. Everyone had broken crayons. Just think, in an elementary school, how many broken crayons there are sitting around people’s houses. The recycling effort started off slow, but soon everyone was bringing in their crayons. Some brought them in Chinese food containers! Talk about a reuse idea. (No, they did not steal them from the Chinese restaurant…)

When I started to sort them out, I realized that recycling broken crayons to some meant giving me crayons you don’t want anymore. There were perfectly good crayons in the mix that looked like they fell out of the crayon box. There were also ones that were just missing their tips. All they needed was a good sharpening.

How many of the crayons were really broken? Maybe a 1/4 of the crayons. (Above is the bag of perfectly good crayons.) As I sorted through the crayons I became more and more confused. The following questions plagued me as:

Did people just want to get rid of their crayons and this was an easy method of disposal?

Did people truly think that the crayons they were disposing of were broken once they lost their tips? Or did their kids just not like the purple crayon? Harold did. Remember, Harold and the Purple Crayon? (Come on. You know that book. See a short You Tube video to refresh your memory.)

Was my crayon recycling just a small spoke in the wheel of our disposable society? People seemed to get new ones when there is nothing wrong with the old ones? Or am I reaching here and trying to be too philosophical? You can tell me. I know; Its just crayons…but…(Gently, people.)

Were these crayons bound for the trash can if I did not stage a crayon intervention? (Yes, this question made me chuckle. Thinking of myself as the crayon whisperer.)

Could people not have any idea what to do with their unwanted stuff?

I guess I just did not get it because this is not my mind set. I would have given these crayons to restaurants, churches, day care center, neighbors, etc. rather than send them to be made into new fun looking crayons or fire logs. However, the broken ones I was going to give them a new life and recycle them. I did not figure anyone would want the broken ones.

But, I have to realize not everyone thinks like me or has the time to figure out what they should do with the stuff they don’t want.

So what did I do with the crayons? I gave all the crayons, whether they were gently used, almost new or broken, to someone at a church. I was reluctant to give her the broken ones, but she wanted them all. She exclaimed that the kids would love them. (That made me feel good.)

I realized that I too needed to rethink the value of “broken” crayons. They were still usable but just needed to be sharpened. Does this mean I should throw away small pencils too?

So what are your thoughts about my crayon recycling adventure? Symptomatic of a bigger problem or its just crayons?

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Crunch Pak Sliced Organic Apples: What’s with all the Plastic Packaging?

Green Talk — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 06:25:19 +0000

Today we were at Costco to buy food for an upcoming party. As I peered into the shopping cart, I saw a Crunch Pak’s plastic container full of plastic wrapped baggies of organic apples slices. Maybe it is me, but is this an oxymoron? Individually wrapped organic apples swaddled in plastic with more plastic around it? I would not call this greenwashing but there has to be a name for it. Plasticized organic?

I took the plastic container out and looked at my husband in disbelief. When he brought it home the first time, I told him I did not want to buy them again. I was appalled at the amount of plastic used then, and have not changed my opinion about it now.

When I asked him why these apples were in the shopping cart, he explained that my youngest son loves them for his lunch box. Sure, why not. They are organic. Check Plus. Convenient. Just take them out of their plastic box and drop them in the lunch box. Check Plus, Plus! This is what we have become as a society. Convenience rules. Throw in some green’ess and you got yourself a winner.

But with all this convenience, what will our kids inherit in years to come? Plastic filled landfills that takes century to decompose? Ever drive by one? I did when we were in Florida this past month. And I can tell you that it may look beautiful with their grass hills but the smell is down right horrible. G-d bless the people who live near them.

I am on my power of one kick these days. (Asked Avery to take back their plastic binders.) So, I wandered over to the Crunch Pak’s website to leave them feedback. I wrote the following:

“My husband brought home the crunch pak one day from Costco thinking it was great for our children’s lunch boxes. It is great they are organic but with all the plastic packaging, it negates the organic status of the product.

What is going to happen to all that plastic? It will go in a landfill to decompose for centuries.

You may say well at least the kids are choosing to eat organic. True, but they could easily pack an organic apple without all the plastic.

I refuse to buy your product because of the amount of waste generated by the product as well as the natural resources exhausted (petroleum) to create the packaging. Perhaps consider an alternative packaging such as a sealed recycled cardboard for all the cut up fruit. Let the parents dole out what they want for their kids. Encourage parents to use re-usable containers.

This may not be the best idea but see
http://www.adare.com/news/fruit.html as to their soft packaging.

I look forward to hearing from you.”

I searched high and low on the internet for a recycled packaging that could be sealed. Given that everyone wants to be green these day, I am sure Crunch Pak could find a better alternative.

As I browsed their site, I saw how much they are involved in the community, proud participant in National School Lunch Program, and sponsor Team Utah Neuroscience Research in the Race Across America! Then I felt bad since it seemed like they had their heart in the right place but with the wrong packaging. Call me an old softy.

Readers, do you have an idea what kind of packaging they could use that would seal the apples for freshness which can be recycled by everyone? Recycled cardboard type packaging?

I know some of you think the whole idea of selling sliced apples is ridiculous. Others might think, come up with a solution for individually wrapped as well since many parents are going to throw them in baggies anyways. However, I am trying to stay in the middle and come up with an idea that makes everyone somewhat happier. I can live with the idea of sliced apples in one recyclable container (not individually wrapped) since I know that parents will buy them for convenience and at least their kids will be eating organic fruit.

Readers, what do you suggest? What are your thoughts about this?

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School Supplies are Environmentally Frustrating

Green Talk — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 05:31:59 +0000

In the next couple of weeks, our children will be heading back to another year of school. Think of the countless binders, pencil cases, crayons, pencils, and other paraphernalia we buy. But what I dread more than buying school supplies, is the end of the year when I have to dispose of all those beat up beyond recognition binders, folders, tabs, and other non-recyclable school supplies. What the heck do you do with the short pencil stubs?

I have four kids who have multiple teachers . Each year I purchase at least 20 binders. As each child gets older, he need one binder per subject as required by his teacher. Gone are the days of one binder with multiple subject tabs. This teacher wants a 3 inch binder, that one wants a 1 1/2 binder, and perhaps another teacher wants a folder and a binder.

At the end of the year I go through a cathartic process. I am so relieved that school is over for the year. No more agendas to sign, no more projects, studying for tests, and thank goodness, no more paper. The paper that comes home alone will smother you. So, I go through each child’s papers and we recycle everything we don’t need and keep the artwork or writing samples we like, so they can see them again when they get older.

Then I tear apart agendas and recycle the paper. Does anyone have an idea how to reuse the spiral part? I also rip out pages that were written on out of spiral and composition notebooks so the balance can be reused for next year. At the end of the process, we store everything that can be used again and the rest that can’t be recycled goes on the kitchen counter.

So, what is left on the counter? You got it. 20 or so binders bound for the trash since they have been beaten up from falling on the floor, being taken in and out of jammed backpacks, and of course, the ones slightly ripped from being pulled at in class when one of my children was bored. Half the time, I can’t even get through a full year of school without replacing a binder or two.

Over the last couple of years, I haven’t been able to just throw the binders away. Instead, I tear them apart, and recycle what I can. This year was different since I bought my older sons the TerraCycle cardboard binders. Believe it or not, 90% of the binders made it through the school year. They were a breeze to tear apart since they were cardboard. I needed help to rip the steel three ring part off the binder since they installed very tightly.

The other plastic binders were more of a problem. I bought recycled plastic content binders (see above) since the store was out of the TerraCycle cardboard binders. I figured it was better to buy them than new, virgin plastic binders. Previously, I have good luck with using some heavy duty plastic binders for more than one year. There is no rhyme or reason why. I was hoping this would be the case with the recycled content binders. Unfortunately, the recycled binders bit the dust at the end of the school year too.

The recycled binders were so hard to tear apart. They seemed to have more adhesive as well as having added plastic reinforcements inside the cover.

As you can see from the picture above, there the parts of the binders that can be recycled is in one pile and the trash is in the other pile. Where did it all go? The cardboard went into the recycling can and the steel 3 rings still sits in my pile to go to the county recycling with my fluorescent light bulbs. I probably should have called to see if I can just throw it in the aluminum can recycling. It broke my heart to throw away the floppy plastic part which was no longer had its cardboard inside. Unfortunately, I can only recycle #1 and #2 plastic bottles.

During the summer, my sadness turned to anger, and decided to invoke “the power of one” doctrine that I heard at the Jumpstart Conference when I interviewed the sustainable urban panel. One of the panelist commented that all you need is the power of one to change the world. Beth Terry of Fake Plastic Fish invoke that doctrine when she scored a major victory with Clorax to take back the Brita Filters. It is more constructive to b*tch about something, if you have solutions to go along with your complaints.

In the previous school years, I have bought plastic Avery Dennison binders. They are a big company and I thought they should have a take back program for their binders, or create eco-friendly affordable recyclable binders. By the way, I happened to love this Company. I use their labels, their fee design software, and many of the other products. They just made my life easier over the years, but I haven’t stop to think what I was using was environmentally friendly.

When I went on their website to find the name of their sustainable VP, I was taken back on how many sustainable concepts they have employed. So, I thought this idea would be easy to propose.

First, I started with customer service who directed me to the “binder” product manager. He called me back and did not seem to have any real solutions to my requests. He did direct me to their website to see their cardboard binders which has a manufacturer’s listed price starting at $9.38 for the 1 inch binders to $14.99 for the 3 inch binder. (Note, this binder has a dark outer shell versus the TerraCycle’s cover which is just plain cardboard. It is also less expensive at Staples.) I gasped when he told me the price, and said, “wow that is expensive. I did not pay that much for my TerraCycle binders.” What was he going to say except they source high quality materials.

Then I was directed to their public affairs VP who was wonderful. She patiently listened to my request. I thought this power of one idea was sweet. All you have to do is take initiative. Someone pinch me. I don’t remember if she told me she would connect me to the right people or she would look into it. All I know is that it ended positively. I was out of the gate and running.

Fast forward, three weeks later. Despite two emails and a call which told me she is on vacation until next week, I am still where I was at the end of the school year. Tearing up binders was still in my future. I am waiting for her to return and will continue my quest.

Let’s not forget about all the other school supplies. What about all the stubby pencils at the end of the year?

Or the used up markers?

Or the pens that crack?

Shouldn’t these companies take them back to reuse them in some way? Better yet, shouldn’t they make products that can be recycled? In the meantime, here are some suggestions:

If you can, buy items on the PVC free school supplies list,
Buy supplies that you can recycle such as cardboard notebooks (See Office Max or shoponlygreen.com. In addition to the TerraCycle binder, Office Max also sells a Kraft paper binder. I have not seen it yet.)
In the alternative, buy something that will last so that you can get some “wear” from them for a couple of year. My kids are still using their plastic folders. Although, I was not a fan, I needed something that would hold up. I think we are going on our fourth year with these folders.
Look what is your cabinets to be thrifty and green before you buy new.

What ideas do you have to make the end of the year’s clean-up less environmentally stressful? Have any suggestions on how to recycle pencils, markers, etc?

This post is part of the Green Mom Carnival on this month’s topic of back to school hosted by Lynn of Organicmania. Check out all the other Green Moms and Mothers of the Earth’s posts to hear what they have to say!

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Make Back to School Shopping PVC free

Green Talk — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:19:52 +0000

In a couple of weeks, the kids will be returning to school. Make this year a PVC free school supplies year. Why?

According to the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice,

“Many children’s school supplies, such as lunchboxes, backpacks and binders, are often made out of PVC—a toxic plastic that is dangerous to our health and the environment. PVC is unique among plastics because it contains dangerous chemical additives. These harmful chemicals include phthalates, lead, cadmium, and/or organotins, which can be toxic to your child’s health. What’s worse is the danger these chemicals pose- phthalates and other toxic additives can leach out or evaporate into the air over time posing unnecessary dangers to children. Over 90% of all phthalates are used to soften or plasticize PVC products – that’s over 5 million tons a year! Children are at risk from even small exposures to these toxic chemicals. That’s why it’s important to purchase PVC-free school supplies.”

So, what is a parent to do? Download the CHEJ’s comprehensive guide to PVC free back to school supplies. Here is a quick snapshot of this 14 page guide:

Explanation as to why PVC is a health concern for your child
Helpful hints on how to distinguish school supplies containing PVC from other non-PVC school supplies
A good list of PVC free school supplies. Note, not all PVC free school supplies are on the list. Check out TerraCycle’s cardboard binders for example.
A list of other toxic plastics to avoid

Instead of printing this guide, consider taking a wallet size copy to the store. Make this school year, a PVC free year for the health of your child.

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