Image courtesy of Joe Shlabotnik (Flickr)

Here is a list of 50 Common Eco-Crimes Committed By College Students from “Best Colleges Online.” 

1. Boiling unnecessary water: Overfilling your teakettle or boiling without a lid wastes energy and takes more time to get going.
2. Buying new books: Instead of buying new books, it’s more eco-friendly to buy used ones, or even rent or check out books from the library instead.
3. Throwing away pens: Cheap bulk bag pens are convenient, but wasteful. Get a refillable pen instead, and throw away just a small refill rather than an entire pen.
4. Wasting paper: Unlimited printing at the library doesn’t mean you should go crazy — print only what you absolutely need to have on paper.
5. Forgetting to turn off the tap: Turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth or washing dishes.
6. Recycle the way they say: Recycling doesn’t work if you don’t do it right. Remove caps, put the right item in the right bin so it can be processed correctly.
7. Wash full loads: Load the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads instead of half or less.
8. Writing inside the margins: You’ve probably been taught to stay neatly within the margins of your paper, but that is a wasteful practice when you’re just taking notes. Write all the way to the edge, and you may be surprised how much you can fit on each page.
9. Dumping unwanted items: When the semester’s over and students move on, students often leave behind items that they don’t really want to take with them.
10. Leaving your TV on in an empty room: If you’re not watching your TV or listening to the radio, turn them off.

To get the rest of the habits you may be able to easily modify, check out the full list. ”50 Common Eco-Crimes Committed By College Students” republished with permission from The Green Market.

Richard

Richard Matthews is a consultant, sustainable investor, writer and owner of The Green Market, a leading sustainable business blog that covers the convergence of sustainable capitalism and the global environment. The Green Market is one of the most comprehensive resources for information and tools on sustainability. Richard is a contributor to more than 50 publications including, Environmental News Network (ENN) and The Green Economy Post. Find him on Facebook and Linkedin. Follow The Green Market’s twitter feed and see the Facebook Fan Page.

Editor’s Note: Article published for information purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation or solicitation.

50 Common Eco-Crimes Committed By College Students is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

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What are the scariest attractions at Disneyland? It may not be the roller-coasters, if an environmental group’s accusations are well-founded.

The Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation filed an injunction last week that would require the Anaheim, Calfornia park to post warning signs or cover surfaces found to contain lead. According to the Los Angeles Times, Mateel had filed a lawsuit in Orange County court in April, alleging “excessive levels of lead in such commonly touched objects as the Sword in the Stone attraction,” along with brass door knobs at Minnie’s House, stained-glass windows in a door at the entrance to a beauty salon in Cinderella’s Castle” and several other locations.

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Last year, Mateel sent individuals to conduct “wipe testing” of various surfaces at Disneyland. They found that a number of surfaces contained many more times the amount of lead than that which requires a posted sign. According to the International Business Times, signs are required when “average exposure exceeds 0.5 micrograms per day.”

Disney has claimed that they have posted warning signs and are not violating California law. A Disney spokeswoman told the Los Angeles Times, “We have not seen the papers that we are told are being filed, so we cannot comment specifically. However, we believe that Disneyland Resort is in full compliance with the signage requirements.”

The research director at the Center For Environmental Health said in a press release, “It’s disappointing that a $38 billion company like Disney can’t be bothered to clean up their parks so they’re safe for children. We’re telling our supporters to send a message to Disney today: there is no place for lead poisoning at the world’s happiest place.”

Image courtesy of pnijhuis (sxc.hu)

Lead is on the list of chemicals covered by California’s 1986 Proposition 65 that requires the labeling of products or places that contain “chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.”

According to health experts, lead poisoning occurs when individuals’ blood contains 10 micrograms per deciliter. The CDC reported this summer that lead poisoning among American adults has dropped by over 50 percent in the past 15 years.

“Disneyland Attractions Contain High Levels Of Lead, Environmental Group Alleges” republished with permission from Ecoseed.

Ecoseed is a leading source for global green news, finance, and other resources in delivering green and renewable energy to mainstream business. Ecoseed’s mission is to provide global, complete, innovative, and up to date news, information, resources, and opportunities, catalyst to incorporate environmental awareness and responsibility into lifestyle, and in business practices. This world-wide platform is the place to find the latest and most relevant in-depth news and data covering the entire spectrum of the renewable energy industry and the low-carbon sector.

Disneyland Attractions Contain High Levels Of Lead, Environmental Group Alleges is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

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Have you noticed how at ease your kids are with a cell phone in their hands? Isn’t it nice that they can wander about the house and garden, surfing the Internet on their laptops? And aren’t game consoles so much better now that you haven’t got all those wires wandering all over the place? All of this is great – but there is a downside. And this is that our kids are going to be the first generation of humans to be experiencing Electromagnetic Field (EMF) pollution throughout their whole lives.

Recent scientific studies have begun to provide us with a glimpse of the resultant health problems. A study in Denmark revealed that 54% of children born of mothers who were cell phone users had behavioral issues. If the children grew up to be frequent cell phone users, that percentage rose to 80%. That’s 4 out of 5 children – a staggering figure.

75% of teenagers in the US are now using cell phones (up 45% since 2004). But cell phones are not the only emitters of EMF radiation. There are myriad other sources of EMFs in our homes and schools. WiFi routers, laptops and PCs, game consoles, smart meters and microwaves all emit EMFs. There are also external sources: TV, radio and cell towers, and high voltage power lines to name a few. These have all been linked to increased cancer risks.

EMFs are a form of energy. You can’t see them, nor can you smell them. But they are all around us, and they penetrate walls. They have many uses. We use them in our cell and cordless phones and other wireless devices, to communicate. We use them in microwaves to heat our food.

Image courtesy of prima_vera (sxc.hu)

Children are at a higher risk because they absorb more EMF radiation than adults. This is because their bodies have a higher water content, which makes them more conductive to the radiation. They are also more vulnerable because their skulls are thinner, their brains are still growing, their immune systems are still developing, and their cells are still rapidly dividing.

We can only imagine the cumulative health effects on a child who has been exposed to EMF radiation all their lives. After four decades of exposure, when we generally start to see environmental effects like tumors, the health effects will most likely be staggering. You need to start informing, and protecting, your children now.

EMF Radiation Reduction Tips For Kids

There are several things that you can do as a parent to reduce your children’s exposure to harmful EMF radiation.

1. Cell phones

Cell phones offer a convenient way to stay in touch with friends and family. But for children, the risks may outweigh the benefits. If you do buy your child a cell phone, explain to them the dangers. Encourage them to text rather than talk. Long drawn out conversations are to be avoided – they should only be talking in an emergency. If you have a cell phone, do not use your cell phone while you’re near your child.

2. Cordless phones

Cordless phones use EMFs to communicate between the handset and the base station, just like cell phones. The base station is constantly bathing your home with EMF radiation. If you do have a cordless phone, make sure the base is nowhere near your child’s bedroom. The base works a like mini cell phone tower, so try to keep it away from your children as much as possible. Better still, get rid of the cordless phone and install a corded phone. They are cheaper, and your family may thank you for it one day.

3. WiFi

WiFi is probably the greatest contributor to your child’s EMF exposure. WiFi also emits the same kind of radiation as cell phones. While cell phone the radiation is limited to the time when the phone is in use, with Wi-Fi the radiation is continuously emitted. Measurements have shown that Wi-Fi radiation can be three times stronger than EMF radiation from a cell tower!

Image courtesy of chidsey (sxc.hu)

If you have a wireless network in your home, replace it with hardwiring. If you’re unable to get rid of the wireless router, place it away from any living areas. Make sure it’s not next to, or a below, your child’s bedroom as WiFi penetrate walls. When you’re not using the wireless network, turn it off! Your children could also be exposed to WiFi radiation in their schools. “EMF aware schools” are now removing WiFi networks from their school grounds. If your child is in a school that has a wireless network, petition the schools to move to hardwiring.

4. Video Game Consoles

Newer game consoles come with wireless controllers that are a growing source of EMF radiation exposure to our kids. Wireless game controllers use WiFi or Bluetooth technology in their operation – this means they generate WiFi and Bluetooth radiation. Sony’s PlayStation 3 uses EMFs to communicate between the handheld units and the main console, as does the Nintendo Wii. For the Sony PlayStation 3, buy your child wired controllers instead of the wireless versions. I’ve yet to come across a wired hand controller for the Nintendo Wii, so make sure your child switches off the console when he or she is not using it.

5. Wireless Baby Monitors

Digital wireless baby monitors emit pulses of electromagnetic radiation directly into your baby’s bedroom. If you are a parent or a grandparent, or you have a friend that uses one of these devices, get information about alternatives such as an analog model or a webcam linked via a wire.

There are now thousands of studies attesting to the dangers of EMF radiation. And when the danger is to our children, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Our children are our future; protecting that future is the key responsibility of parents. Being informed and vigilant is ultimately the best way to be safe.

Image courtesy of just4you (sxc.hu)

EMF Exposure and Your Kids is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

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With Halloween fast approaching, it’s time to prepare for the inevitable rush of trick-or-treaters by stocking up on chocolate, adding devilish decorations to your home and choosing a creepy costume. To help you enjoy a sustainable and spooky holiday, the Rainforest Alliance has come up with five tips for a Green Halloween.

• Choose Rainforest Alliance Certified™ chocolate for Halloween treats. Farmed on over 18 million acres of tropical land, cocoa supports some five million farm families. Unfortunately, many of these cocoa farmers live in poverty and cut forests to open up fields and grow cocoa more intensively. To help support healthy farmlands, forests and wildlife habitat — as well as the well-being of farm workers and their communities — look for chocolate that features the Rainforest Alliance Certified green frog seal! Find certified chocolate here.

• 

  Image courtesy of catdesign (sxc.hu)

  Make demonic decorations from Rainforest Alliance/Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper and cardboard. FSC certified wood products come from well-managed forests that protect wildlife habitat as well as the rights and well-being of forest workers. You can find FSC certified products at Staples, Office Depot and Home Depot. Find a full list of FSC products here.

• Teach your kids where their favorite chocolate treats come from and how they impact people, wildlife and the planet. Visit the Rainforest Alliance’s Kids’ Corner! Play the online game Track it Back to learn where the cocoa in chocolate is grown and how it is harvested! Also visit our virtual rainforest, ”Living in the ChocóForests of Ecuador: The Chachi Cocoa Farmers.” (Brush up on your own knowledge about cocoa farming here.)

• Ensure your little trick-or-treaters collect candy using reusable bags!

• Make terrifyingly tasty treats with Rainforest Alliance Certified chocolate, bananas and coffee. Check out our list of “Haunted Halloween Recipes” and find out where you can find ingredients from certified farms.

The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

Green Your Halloween is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

You and your children can help. Below are some simple things you can to to encourage sustainability in schools.

Before you leap in though, be sure to get support, buy in and permission from the principal (for any ideas below that would require it), and anyone else you might need it from. Nothing will quash a program more quickly than a loud, “No!” after the fact.

1. Pack a no-waste lunch. Pack a lunch with no leftovers in food or packaging. Why use paper or plastic bags when you can substitute sustainable packaging like reusable cloth bags, stainless steel and yes, even glass containers, cloth napkins and reusable tableware. Be sure to talk with your child about the no waste goal and encourage her to bring home anything she doesn’t eat to snack on later in the day. (Include a cold pack in her lunch bag.)

2. Provide a party package. Offer teachers a box filled with reusable items for parties. Include napkins, plates, bowls, cups and flatware. If you’re especially creative, you can even include decor items. Let the teacher know that you’re willing to pick up everything after each party, take it home, clean and return. Donate extras you have at home or purchase items inexpensively at a thrift store or ask each child’s family to contribute one place setting.

3. Send reusable water bottles. Avoid buying bottled water and sending children to school with it. Instead, fill a metal bottle with filtered water each night then put it in the freezer so your child has cold water to drink throughout the day.

4. Motivate your child’s school to become a “green school.” There are many green schools initiatives across the country. Some may involve grants to schools that make changes like saving energy or creating and integrating sustainable curriculum. Talk to your school’s parent-teacher group and the principal about the importance of this type of program to the students. You can learn more at any of these sites:

• Collective Roots
• Michigan Green Schools
• EarthDay.net
• Green Schools Initiative

Or how about nominating your school for a green makeover? Enter here.

5. Set up cap recycling program. You might be shocked if you counted how many lids/caps you toss every year-twist tops and flip tops of all kinds. Unfortunately these often are not accepted in municipal recycling programs. But you can send or take them to Aveda or send them to the Caps Can Do program via Recycling is Cool. Set out a collection box, inform kids and parents and you’ll be on your way to keeping thousands of plastic caps out of landfills.

6. Volunteer to help start a garden.School gardens are catching on and for good reason. Kids tend to eat what they grow, cutting down on waste in lunchrooms and leading children down the path to healthier eating. Start small, with one class planting something that’s easy to grow like lettuce. You could even grow it in pots if the school isn’t willing to give up land (at first) for the project.

7. Set up a worm bin. Kids love worms. Worms love turning food waste into gorgeously perfect compost. It’s a marriage made in heaven. Get instructions on the internet and maybe approach the science teacher first with this idea. Worm castings fetch a pretty penny so this green project could be turned into a money maker for the school!

8. Talk to schools about using green cleaning products and limiting the use of pesticides. When you walk into a building and can smell chlorine, that’s not a good sign. There are so many strong cleaning products that do not contain harmful chemicals and that are not necessarily more expensive. Many school faculty just aren’t aware of the issues with chemically laden products used inside and out. Educate them!

9. Volunteer to do art projects using junk. So many elementary schools have lost their art instructors and teachers may be intimidated by the thought of teaching this subject. You can step in and offer to show kids how to make things from everyday objects that usually are tossed from plastic bags to bottles and cans, paper, fabric, wire, wood, styrofoam. Even if you’re not crafty yourself, the internet is paradise when it comes to sparking ideas.

10. Ask the school to use low-odor dry erase markers and dust free chalk. Offer to purchase them for your children’s teachers if cost is an issue.

Run with one or two of these ideas to help your kids and their school on the path to sustainability.

Corey and Lynn

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net

Make This the Greenest School Year Ever! is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Image by Lara604 (Flickr)

Wow…I can’t believe it’s that time again. Yesterday, I packed up their lunches in nice, new lunchboxes and put them inside their new schoolbags and sent them off with a kiss…and admittedly misty eyes.

Now that summer is over and school’s back in session, keeping the kids safe, well nourished and illness-free is my main objective. A lot of that is dictated by what’s in that little lunchbox of theirs. A new study from the University of Texas in Austin found that 98 percent of packed lunches in a study group of kids were not at the right temperature for safe eating.

Image by bandita (Flickr)

The Journal of Pediatrics reports that the team examined 700 packed lunches for kids ages 3 to 5 who attended day care. They found that parents incorrectly packed food to stay as cold or as hot as it needed to be to prevent bacteria growth, which could make kids sick. With their still-strengthening immunities, they are more susceptible to the hazards of bacteria and viruses.

The good news is there’s a lot you can do to protect them and their plates.

1) KEEP IT HOT: Soups and other hot foods should still be at 140 degrees when served. Use an insulated, BPA and thalate-free container to keep it the right temperature and to avoid leaching dangerous chemicals.
2) KEEP IT COOL: Perishables like lunch meats, anything made with mayo, cheese and other dairy products requires extra care. Also, pay attention to fresh juices and milk. Place all lunch ingredients and the lunch box itself inside the fridge the night before to get the maximum coolness and add in an ice pack to keep items chilled until lunch rolls around.
3) KEEP IT CLEAN: Before getting started, wash hands and contact surfaces thoroughly. When preparing fresh foods, use a wash like Eat Cleaner to remove unwanted residue, harmful bacteria and pesticide residue. You can also use the food-grade wash to wipe down the lunchbox down daily. Also, pack an Eat Cleaner Wipe so that they clean their hands before they eat. Bacteria can easily be transmitted to their food and often times, kids don’t get a chance to properly wash their hands before they eat.

For more tips, follow The Fit Foody, on Facebook @TheFitFoody and Twitter @eatcleanerfood, or at www.eatcleaner.com/blog. Eat Cleaner is also offering FREE GROUND SHIPPING on all orders $40 or over within the U.S. No coupon necessary. Cleaner just got a whole lot greener.

Back to School: What’s Hot, Cool, and Clean? is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

All this shopping carries with it a hefty environmental toll; half-used pencils are tossed, old clothes cast aside for trendier options, and with all this shopping comes heaps of packaging. While you can’t avoid back to school shopping altogether – kids grow out of old shoes and clothes, supplies get used and lost along the way – we can be smarter about what we buy.

Ethical Ocean, a great online store that sells thousands of fairly traded, vegan, and eco-friendly products has created a Green Back to School Shopping Guide, featuring great products that are better for the earth.  Whether you’re in the market for litterless lunch kits, school supplies, or a new backpack, they have everything you need minus the environmental damage and chemical ingredients.

Here are some of our favorite eco-picks:

Whimsey Lunch Kit: Available in pink or navy, this adorable lunch kit includes a cloth napkin, two leak-proof containers, a food cozie (perfect for sandwiches), a recycled cotton sack to tote it all, and a nametag to make sure it gets home. Plus it’s BPA-free!

Clementine Art Natural Markers:  This set of markers get their vibrant hues from plant and mineral pigments. They are free of chemical dyes and other additives, and come in recycled packaging that’s made with wind energy.

Fair World Sports Team Soccer Ball: Getting outside and active is as important as what they learn in the classroom. Let your kids kick around this ball made from polyurethane, which lacks environmentally-harmful ingredients like chlorine and lasts longer. What’s more these soccer balls are certified Fair Trade, meaning the people who made them receive a fair wage.

Not convinced going green this school year makes a difference? Consider this:

• 2 billion pencils requiring 82 million trees are used in American schools every year.  A great alternative: Pencils made from recycled newspaper.
• The average American child will throw out 67lbs of garbage from their lunches alone. Plastic bags and tin foil can be easily replaced with reusable food cozies, and in the long-run, save you money.

Want more great green ideas? Browse through the whole guide for more eco-finds!

Start their School Year Green is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Cause Haun and her husband Gang Chen are the founders of See Kai Run®, a children’s footwear company focused on offering

See Kai Run

both style and healthy comfort. After the birth of their first son, Kai, for whom the company is named, Cause became frustrated by what was available and was motivated to be a pioneer in the industry, developing kids’ shoes that were not only “fun and sophisticated” but also uncompromising in safety and support for little ones’ developing feet. Thus, in 2004, See Kai Run® was born, starting at small boutiques in the Seattle area to great acclaim and growing at an impressive rate. The shoes can now be found across the country and even the world, including in countries such as China, Israel, and New Zealand. Each of their shoe designs has received the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance, and the company now has three categories of footwear, addressing the needs of different ages: Smaller (0 to 24 months), See Kai Run (6 months to 3 years), and a new line, Kai (2 to 6 years), coming August of this year.

Here’s what one tester mom had to say:

“My son has pretty much only worn Smaller and See Kai Run shoes. The shoes really hit the mark… He seems to be so comfortable in them, and the styles are so unique without being over the top. I think my husband wishes they made dad versions! J I’m psyched to hear that they’re expanding to the bigger kid shoes so I can keep my little guy looking stylish and feeling comfy as he starts school in a couple of years!”

Here’s what Cause had to say to Modern Hippie Mag about the company, its charities, the shoes, and how See Kai Run® fits the modern hippie mentality…

What did you do before starting See Kai Run?

I have a degree in International Business and spent most of my career working with non-profit educational foundations to bring international exchange students to host families in the U.S.

How did you go about launching the company?

It was a small project at the beginning.  I had the idea to sell these great shoes to local boutiques and consignment stores in Seattle. It literally exploded across the country within months, and I thank my lucky stars every day!

What’s involved in creating shoes that look good, are made well, and are good for kids’ feet?

Ensuring they are good for kids’ feet has been figured out. Our shoe shapes are wide enough to allow the toes to fully spread out. The soles are made in a way that allows the most flexibility while protecting feet from the elements. The choice of leather uppers with leather lining makes the shoes breathable for those sweaty little feet. We make sure the collars and tongues are padded to prevent any red spots or “break-in period.” There should never be a break-in period needed for shoes!

I also believe we’ve done a very good job ensuring our shoes are made well. They have a hand-crafted quality to them, and our quality assurance program is quite rigorous. Because of that we have a very low defective rate and completely stand behind our product.

The most fun part is creating a shoe that looks “good.” I do my best to design shoes that I would want to see on the shelf and buy for my children. Part of the reason I took a chance in starting See Kai Run was that I did not see a lot of footwear on the market that appealed to me. I try to create unusual color combinations and styles to offer another choice to parents!

What are the materials used in the shoes?

We use a combination of different types of all-natural leather for the uppers and for the lining. We ensure that the meet all of the non-toxicity requirements in the U.S. and in all parts of the world, including the more stringent EU standards.

What is required to become approved by the APMA?

A lot! From their website: “The APMA Seal of Acceptance Program recognizes products which have been found beneficial to foot health and of significant value when used in a consistently applied program of daily foot care and regular professional treatment. The Seal is awarded to a product after the Committee on Podiatric Seals, a standing committee of the APMA, scientifically evaluates and determines whether the product allows normal foot function and promotes quality foot health. Additionally, evidence of usefulness and safety must be established, either by an appropriately recognized laboratory or clinical investigation, or by the product’s meeting certain physical standards applicable to materials, footwear, insoles, hosiery, equipment, or pharmaceuticals. Companies must provide research documentation, information on intended use, patents, composition, and evidence of quality control procedures for each product. A detailed scientific evaluation is conducted by each committee member on every product. The committee then sends its recommendation to the APMA Board of Trustees, which has the authorization to either accept or reject the recommendation.”

Your Smaller, soft-soled line ends at 24 months, and the See Kai Run, harder-soled line starts at 6-9 months. Why the overlap here? What do you recommend for parents when they’re looking to buy either from the Smaller or See Kai Run lines for a 6- to 24-month old?

The choice between Smaller and See Kai Run is really about the function required by your little walker or pre-walker. If your little one had not learned to walk well or is just getting started walking, Smaller is the best choice. It provides the most flexibility while those muscles are still developing. The rubber sole runs throughout the length of the shoe, with two pads poking through the suede to provide traction. The Smaller sole provides enough protection for light outdoor use. You would want to choose the See Kai Run line when your little one is spending a lot of time walking or running outdoors.

What has your charitable involvement been like?  I know you donate to Soles4Souls – How did you select Soles4Souls as one of the charities you participate in?

When I heard about Soles4Souls, I thought it was a perfect fit (no pun intended)! It is an awesome organization that started with a real, tangible need. There are 300 million children in the world who have never owned a pair of shoes. And it’s really not about comfort – it’s a matter of preventing injury and disease. Children in some parts of the world must walk through very dangerous environments.

Soles4Souls was started by a former footwear executive who knew about all the waste in the footwear industry: overstock, samples, getting put in landfills! He has grown this organization that collects unwanted footwear, both new and used, and delivers it to people who can use it. See Kai Run has donated thousands of pairs over the years, starting over four years ago. Give them your unwanted shoes (www.soles4souls.org)! J They will be put to good use!

We also donate to local organizations. One in particular speaks to me: Westside Baby (www.westsidebaby.org). They work with social service agencies around King County (where Seattle is) and collect new and used clothing and gear for children who need them. Another big focus for them is collecting diapers for babies. Fortunately, our government-assistance programs help with food for children, but unfortunately, not with the necessity of diapers. You can imagine what that would do for a struggling family to not be able to have diapers. It has a ripple effect on the family’s entire well-being.

How does See Kai Run embody the “modern hippie” way of thinking?

That’s a great question. Well, most obviously, we want to create footwear that is appealing to individuals unsatisfied with the status quo of children’s footwear, i.e., offering more sophisticated and unusual designs than what is widely available. I try to push the envelope a bit each season. We have created a great company environment – a small group of committed employees that are excited by what they do. I believe we’ve fostered this environment by encouraging our employees to truly be themselves. We’ve allowed our employees to bring their babies to work for up to one year, and that has also fostered an environment of humanity and spontaneity. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when there is a baby in your midst! And our company donates at least five percent of our profits to charities helping children.

Lastly, what do Kai and Ocean (Cause’s children) say about the shoes?  Do they have any input in the new designs?

They’ve always been around shoes. Whenever I make a comment about two colors looking nice together, Kai’s retort is, “Why don’t you make a shoe with those colors?” And Ocean is currently learning his way around Photoshop “designing” shoes. It’s fun!

Ellie

Ellie P. Campbell‘s eco-interests range from natural and organic foods to skincare products, clothing and other useful gear. She is a freelance photographer, editor, writer and graphic designer. Find her beautiful photography at www.elliepcampbellphotography.com. 

Modern Hippie of the Month: Cause Haun of See Kai Run is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Photo used under Creative Commons with attribution from Doug Wilson

As the new school year rapidly approaches it is a perfect time to re-evaluate your lifestyle of years past and start thinking about adding eco-friendly habits to your school routine.

Here are 6 green products to get you started:

1. Foogo by Thermos–This small thermos is stainless steel so there is no risk of leaching plastic. It fits perfectly into a lunch box and will keep food cold or hot. It comes in blue and pink. We use it for soup, pasta and fruit-my kids love taking it to school.
2. Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel 12 oz Water Bottle -The perfect size for a lunch box and a snack bag. They are stainless steel so there is no risk of leaching plastic. By using a reusable water bottle you are also helping reduce the number of plastic bottles that end up in landfills, sitting for years while they try unsuccessfully to decompose.
3. Cleanwell All-Natural Hand Sanitizer, Pocket Size, 1-Ounce Spray Bottles – The best option is still soap and water but most classrooms are requiring students to bring in their own hand sanitizer. Did you know that most hand sanitizers have fairly high alcohol content? This has many worried about flammability and potential misuse as an intoxicant. Two ounces of Purell is equivalent to four shots of vodka – it has 62% alcohol in it! Cleanwell products don’t contain any harsh chemicals or alcohol.
4. Reusable lunch bags-check out the different styles and designs offered on Reuseit.com. Make sure your new bag is PVC and lead free.
5. Seventh Generation, Facial Tissues-Seventh Generation doesn’t contain any harsh bleach and are hypo-allergenic, dye and fragrance free. No need to buy the individually wrapped pocket packs of facial tissue-the extra packaging materials and plastic wrap are filling up our landfills. Take out a few tissues and wrap them for your child in a reusable bag-then into the backpack they go.
6. Reusable snack bags and sandwich bags for lunch boxes and snacks-Etsy has a fantastic selection. Most of them can be thrown in the washing machine after use.

Enjoy these last few weeks of summer!

Lori

Lori Alper is the founder and editor of the blog, Groovy Green Livin. She is a green living enthusiast and lifestyle writer, consultant, mother, borderline vegan and recovering attorney. Lori is devoted to sharing and gathering information needed for living a green life. She believes that through each and every small, eco-conscious change each of us makes the world will become a healthier, safer place for us all. In her free time Lori can be found practicing yoga, pitching a baseball, running, cycling, skiing, cooking, or reading.

Send Your Kids Back to School the Eco-Friendly Way is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

courtesy stock.xchng, cienpies

With summer coming to an end and children headed back to school, now is a great time to have a discussion with your family about sustainable living and build that back to school checklist.  Going back to school is an exciting time.  It can also be a great way to introduce some fun sustainable alternatives.

If you are wondering how you can green your back to school, save some money and help the planet all at the same time, well we’ve got some tips for you!

•    Parents take the time to teach your children about sustainable living.

•    Children educate your parents on green choices.

•    Use as many of last year’s school supplies as possible.

•    Seek out recyclable canvas and cardboard binders instead of plastic.

•    Promote the use of recycled paper.

•    Use reusable water bottles instead of plastic.

•    Use a lunch box, not paper bags.

•    Reuse or donate last year’s clothes instead of throwing them away.

•    Reuse your backpack. Decorate it with cool patches.

•    Buy local and organic food for lunches.

•    Turn your computer off when you’re not using it.

•    Carpool with friends and neighbors daily to school and to school functions.

•    If you live close, ride your bike or walk to school.

At its essence, exploring sustainable alternatives is about addressing the environmental concerns of carbon, water, and energy on a smaller scale: your life.  Committing to sustainability in your personal life is holding yourself accountable for the very commitments and eco actions we are asking our leaders to make.   Additionally, it’s about leveraging your financial dollar to support credible and sustainable businesses. Greening your back to school activities is another means to vote with your financial dollar, adopt new sustainable practices in your life, and make a contribution to our world.  Take this new school year as an opportunity to explore alternatives to build and promote a more sustainable lifestyle.

Julie

Julie Urlaub is Founder & Managing Partner of Taiga Company, a sustainability consulting firm located in Houston, Texas dedicated to accelerating the integration of sustainability concepts in business. Today, Julie speaks, writes, and advises clients on a variety of issues related to the intersection between environmental stewardship, and sustainable business practices. Her writing has been featured in SocialYell’s Corporate Advice, the GreenEcomonyPost, the Business Exchange and, the ThinkGreenAlliance. Connect with Taiga Company on Facebook and Twitter. Also Find Julie on LinkedIn.

Green Your Back To School is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag