Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been in the news a lot lately, as governments are finally admitting this hormone disruptor is bad for humans, particularly children. Senators Charles Schumer and Diane Feinstein have just introduced a bill to ban BPA in all children's products, and the US House of Representatives is investigating the FDA's claims that BPA is safe for human consumption. Canada declared BPA a "dangerous substance".
Gone are the days when organic cotton meant hippy dippy. There are A LOT of folks using organic cotton for their baby clothes these days. So a parent can be discerning.
Astrotot now makes an organic line of baby clothes and kids t-shirts with a sense of humor. According to the press release for the new organic baby gear,
Astrotot prides itself on providing uniquely funny, insightful and expressive infant and toddler gift wear while supporting sustainable cotton farming practices and ecologically responsible printing methods....All designs are printed in-house using a revolutionary eco-friendly digital printing process and packaged in distinctive gift boxes made of recycled cardboard.
We haven't seen the shirts in-person, but on the website they look to be high quality. And "I Have a Wedgie" and "Fo'Shizzle" are pretty darn funny.
Be sure to select from the organic line, if that's what you're after; other shirts are sweat-shop-free American Apparel, but not organic.
Now through December 15th, Astrotot is offering free shipping on orders over $40.
We blogged about Arabella Miller's fun graphic kids t-shirts last month. As you'll recall, they're so organic (cotton, ink, etc.) that they're soil-certified. And, just as importantly, they're (almost) as cute as the sweet little muffin you're going to put in them. At the time, we lamented that they were only available in the U.K. Well, it's a global world. Yippee!
We especially like the new long-sleeve t-shirts, pictured here, which have a cool, retro baseball shirt look. Nice.
Shipping to the U.S. costs seven pounds. Not a bad deal when you consider that overnight domestic FedEx is about the same.
We're big fans of Blirt's wordplay designs - available in t-shirts and longsleeve t's - designed to introduce kids to the playfulness of the English language. (Check out our Blirt t-shirt review from last May.)
And, we like it that Blirt shirts are made of 100% organic cotton, using non-toxic dyes and are water-base silk-screened (a more environmentally friendly process). According to Tracy, the decision to go organic wasn't part of the original business plan until Blirt ran into some delays sourcing the shirts:
During the delays, we learned about conventional cotton farming and were dismayed to find that it is actually one of agriculture’s most environmentally destructive activities. So the decision to go organic was really a no-brainer.
We're glad to hear it, and glad to hear that that Barneys will be carrying Blirt's kids shirts and pants. Sounds like there's a market for "organic without the crunch" baby wear. Hallelujah!
The toothbrush handle is made of 100% recycled plastics, including at least 25% recycled Stonyfield Farm yogurt cups. The ergonomic, pea pod shaped handle makes it easy to grip. The nylon bristles are soft and gentle on kids' teeth and gums.
Each brush features a fun fact about one of three endangered animals: the Karner Blue Butterfly, the Utah Prairie Dog or the Grizzly Bear. And a portion of the proceeds from each toothbrush sale supports the National Wildlife Federation's efforts to protect endangered species.
As if good dental hygiene isn't a reward in itself.
You need something cheap that is easily available in bulk, and that is acceptable to children. What do kids want, if not silly toys and tasty candy? Pens and pencils, and tiny boxes of crayons, are a traditional, sort of academically focused item. You could also buy several boxes of fat markers and strew them about in baskets; if you combined all these drawing utensils, children of varying ages will be able to choose one they like. Small musical instruments like kazoos, mouth harps, and whistles could be fun, if they aren't made of toxic Chinese plastic. Stickers, temporary tattoos, and trading cards are small and cheap. You could look up a variety of knock-knock jokes at the library, pick 10, and print each one on 30 business card-sized papers. There, that's my big idea -- knock-knock jokes.
(M)ake a collection of things that you own and are ready to get rid of, like CDs, books, jewelry, trophies, trinkets, and the like. Put them in a treasure chest of your own devising and let the children choose one item each. Ooh, sparkly.
NatureMoms' article includes a list of eco-friendly Halloween candies, trick or treat bags, party treats, decorations, and Halloween costumes. Read more at NatureMoms.
Alison Rothwell just wrote in to tell us about her new company, Arabella Miller, making organic cotton t-shirts for babies and toddlers. The shirts are made of organic cotton, and even organic ink. And the designs are awesome. Check out "Puppy Love," one of our favorites, at right.
Arabella Miller is located in the UK (and, alas, doesn't currently ship to US locations), but UK orders ship for free!
Klean Kanteen Sippy Cup - BPA-Free for the Whole Family
BPA-free drinking vessels aren't just for babies and grown-ups. Check out your toddler's sippy cups to make sure they don't contain the dangerous chemical compound found in hard plastics. (Here's how to tell.)
The Klean Kanteen stainless steel sippy cup is safe and non-leaching, with no epoxy coating on the inside of the bottle. It comes with a non-leaching #5 polypropylene adaptor and #5 polypropylene sippy spout. (The Klean Kanteen Sippy Cup also works with the Avent Sippy Spouts - two of which are included - and is dishwasher safe. ) When your child outgrows the sippy spout, you can replace it with any other Klean Kanteen cap.
We're sad to say it, but summer is nearly over. If you're heading back to school, you may want to think about purchasing green and eco-friendlier school supplies this year.
A number of major retailers (including Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and Amazon) have started stocking "green" merchandise for customers who prefer eco-friendly purchasing options. Office Depot is no exception, with a whole section of their website devoted to a green buying guide.
The Buy Green site includes a description of the criteria Office Depot utilizes for selecting greener products and a a detailed FAQ that breaks down terminology for different levels of recycled content, labeling, and certifications.
Little Green Star: Organic Cotton Baby T's with a Message
Victoria Holland, co-founder of Little Green Star, just wrote to tell us about the company's line of organic cotton baby t-shirts, designed to inspire and educate -- and bring a smile to your eco-conscious face.
Shirts are emblazoned with cute graphics and statements like "Water Pollution Makes Me Crabby," "My Other Stroller is a Hybrid," and "My Dad Recycles More than Your Dad."
All shirts are printed on 100% organic cotton using non-toxic water-based ink. Too cute.
They're made of safety tested acrylic coated fabrics that are eco-friendly, are machine washable and 100% lead-free. They're also insulated, easy to clean, and resist odors from that healthy lunch you packed (that your kid left under his desk all day).
Mimi the Sardine Lunchbugs lunch bags come in three patterns - chicks, monkeys and kitties. Having trouble deciding which you like best? Pick up one of each and let your kid pick a different one each morning.
BPA-Free Camelbak Plastic Water Bottle
Props to 
BPA-free drinking vessels aren't just for babies and grown-ups. Check out your toddler's sippy cups to make sure they don't contain the dangerous chemical compound found in hard plastics. (
The green school supplies buying guide includes tips on what products are out there, and ways in which you can minimize the environmental impact of your purchases. Suggestions include 
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