Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day. Please think how we can make a better world for the next generation and actively make changes for the betterment of the environment. Would be grateful for any good recommendations you have to share. There's sadly so much wastage in the medical field, partly due to the need for supplies to be sterile and partly because none of their products are recyclable, but despite this, and along with our nurses, we're all working to make our home a greener place in as many areas as we can. For more info on Earth Day, click here and join the A Billion Acts of Green initiative. Some of our road tested eco picks follow.

Diapers & wipes

Think about it: Non biodegradable diapers we use today will be sitting on landfill sites for the next 500 years. Finally a high-performance disposable diaper from Naty (even for Reuben who's never had a solid poo in his life due to medication) has come to the US. No oil-based plastics against your baby's delicate skin, 100% Chlorine-free diaper - does not contribute to dioxin pollution, natural, breathable high performance diaper. Absorbent pulp from sustainably harvested Scandinavian forests. Their money goes into research and development with promotion based on word of mouth rather than advertising, so if you like the product, continue to spread the word. And, the diapers look a lot cuter than having Elmo stare out at you from the top of toddler pants.

Paint

Just decorated Reuben's bedroom in "Midwest Spring" in the waterscape collection by Freshaire. These paints offer eco packaging, colour chips, dyes, cans (100% recycled materials), no VOCs, no chemical odour (Reuben slept in the room the same day). Thanks Kristina for helping me paint! Family friendly-Earth friendly paints at last.

Laundry detergent

Seventh Generation: This one really works, even in cool water.

Quick tips

• When brushing your teeth, turn off the faucet/tap until it's time to rinse. Likewise, when washing hands.
• Turn off lights when leaving a room
• Don't leave the car running when you're picking someone up
• Recycle - recycle - recycle
• Instead of rinsing your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, wipe them down with a cloth instead. And on that note, have your dishes airdry in the dishwasher rather than heat dry
• At the supermarket, put your fruit and vegetables directly in your basket or cart rather than filling one of those plastic bags
• Use your plastic shopping bags for trash bins
• Buy fresh rather than frozen products which require greater energy to transport and freeze
• Eat locally grown foods where possible
• Use recycled toilet tissue (Green Forest, Seventh Generation etc)
• Buy organic produce when available and when possible financially

We're still trying to source a dishwasher detergent that actually works. Any comments or suggestions?