1. Natural
skincare products Look for natural ingredients in your family's skincare products. When buying shampoo, bubble bath, cleansers, hand sanitizers, hand soap and sunscreen, avoid parabens, synthetic colours and fragrances, sulfates, sodium laureth, and alcohol. There are lots of chemical-free alternatives proven to be equally as effective as their traditional counterparts plus they're hypo-allergenic and biodegradable too, so they don't upset the natural balance of the ecosystem. The all-natural Kids 3-in-1 Shampoo, Bubble Bath & Body Wash from Taslie is tearless and an economical option for little ones (refills available). Cleanwell hand sanitizer and Cleanwell foaming hand soap are free of triclosan, benzalkonium chloride and alcohol making them completely kid-safe, even if accidentally ingested. They've also been lab proven to kill 99.99% of germs on contact with a patented blend of essentials oils that harness the natural antiseptic power of thyme. For sunscreen, one of the best natural options for both adults and kids is Soleo Organics.
2. Greening everyday items
Reduce the amount of waste you generate by investing in quality eco-friendly alternatives to everyday items. Reduce your use of plastic wrap and foil for food preparation and storage by choosing a reusable, non-toxic alternative like eco food covers. Made of 100% food-safe silicone, these BPA-free food covers stretch to fit almost any size bowl or container and are oven-, microwave-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe. For lunch on the go, try a handy sandwich wrap you can use again and again. When shopping, Envirosax designer shopping bags are the most useable reusable shopping bags around. They fold down to the size of a piece of sushi so you can pop a couple in your bag or glove compartment and never go without. Trade in plastic
produce bags for the irresistibly quirky organic cotton reusable produce & bulk bags decked out with original illustrations of toothy tomatoes, sleepy carrots, smiling toast and more.3. Say goodbye to poison plastic
You know that new shower curtain smell? That smell is polyvinyl chloride, otherwise known as PVC or vinyl and is referred to as the poison plastic. PVC contains harmful chemicals, including phthalates, lead and cadmium which can be toxic to a child's health. Phthalates and other toxic additives can leach out or evaporate into the air over time (off-gassing) causing potential danger to children. Some of these chemicals can cause developmental damage as well as damage to the liver and central nervous, respiratory, and reproductive systems. PVC has even been linked
to autism. A recent Swedish study published in Scientific American found that infants or toddlers who lived in a bedroom with vinyl or PVC flooring were twice as likely to have autism five years later than those with wood or linoleum floors. In addition to shower curtains and flooring, PVC is found in everything from mini-blinds to lunch bags. As an alternative to PVC shower curtains, this PVC-free EVA shower curtain features funky green frogs, and for lunch bags, you can't beat the insulated neoprene cow lunch bag.4. BPA, no way
Bisphenol-A (BPA) has got a lot of bad press of late and rightly so - stay away from it. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastic, which is the material most plastic water bottles, baby bottles and food containers are made from. Recent research has shown the chemical, which mimics the hormone estrogen and is a known developmental, neural and reproductive toxicant, can leach from bottles or containers into the contents. Animal studies have linked low levels of BPA to
hyperactivity, learning disabilities, early onset of puberty, increased diabetes risk, age-related neurodegenerative diseases, and certain cancers, including breast cancer. So play it safe and turn to alternatives like non-leaching stainless steel. The nesting trio of non-leaching stainless food storage containers is a great alternative to standard plastic containers. Instead of plastic dishes for kids, try the chic-looking stainless steel divided food tray. Watch out for more and more BPA-free plastics coming on the market, like the all-in-one Goodbyn lunch box or the fruit guard, ideal for protecting soft pears and peaches and the brainchild of three Vancouver emergency room doctors.5. What's your product made of?
Choose products made of eco-friendly and sustainable materials and lower any possible negative impact on the environment. These adorable hand puppets are made of recycled wool sweaters. Bamboo is considered nature’s most sustainable and naturally regenerative resource. It's grown without fertilizers, pesticides or insecticides and is biodegradable. Plus it's hypoallergenic and softer than the softest cotton on the market - perfect for baby. Both the bamboo fitted crib sheet and bamboo cable knit swaddle blanket come in bright rainbow colours so there's no need to sacrifice style for sustainability.
Visit lavishandlime.com to start greening your world today! Lavish & Lime ships all across Canada and beyond. These are just some of the many baby steps we call can take to live life a little greener. If you have any ideas about greening your world, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!
