June 18, 2008
Organic Baby News is the free, monthly newsletter distributed by Organic Baby Resource, the practical guide to organic baby care. The June issue is all about plastic.
You've probably encountered the headlines about the toxins in major brands of plastic baby bottles and toys. However, you may not have had time to digest all of the information or figure out your next steps. No worries. In this issue we'll get you up to speed and point out some resources to help you make the best choices for your baby.
In This Issue:
- Feature Article: Test Your Plastics Knowledge
- Product Review: Born Free™
- Green Parenting Tip of the Month
- Website of The Month
Feature Article: Test Your Plastics Knowledge
Do you know all you need to about plastic? If your baby uses plastic bottles, food storage containers, toys and teethers you may want to know more.
Test your awareness by taking this True or False quiz.
Questions:
1. BPA stands for Big Plastic Accessory. T or F
2. Phthalates are chemicals used in plastic products to make them soft and pliable. T or F
3. The safest plastics have a number 2, 4, or 5 on them surrounded by a triangle. T or F
4. Plastic is biodegradable. T or F
5. Heating foods in plastic containers causes harmful chemicals to leech into the foods. T or F
6. There are no concerns about storing your family's food in plastic containers, cling wrap and freezer bags. T or F
7. Refilling plastic bottled water containers for multiple use is a good practice. T or F
8. Plastic has had some positive impacts on the environment. T or F
9. Plastic bottle liners may leach chemicals into formula or breast milk.
T or F
10. Many of the foods available in grocery stores are packaged in plastics that should cause us concern. T or F
Get the answers and rate yourself here.
Product Review of The Month: Born Free™ Bottles and Sippy Cups
I am fortunate to have learned about BPA before introducing my daughter to her first set of bottles. A family friend sent me an article and told me to order Born Free ™. I'm glad I did.
The company sells a full line of BPA-free plastic bottles, nipples, trainer cups and drinking cups. They are easy to use and my daughter has never had a problem alternating from the bottle to the breast.
I recommend these bottles to parents looking for a safe alternative to conventional plastic bottles. For the parent who prefers glass, they have recently introduced a line of glass bottles. Read the full product review here.
Green Parenting Tip of the Month: Paper vs. Plastic
"Paper or plastic?" If you are the primary grocery shopper in your home you are probably asked this question at least once a week. When I started becoming more earth conscious I requested paper bags, assuming it was a more eco-friendly choice.However, this article makes it clear that both choices use vast amounts of natural resources and energy for production and recycling.
The machinery required to turn trees into paper uses large amounts of fossil fuel and water. It also involves building roads to make natural forests accessible.
Plastic is a by-product of refining oil and accounts for 4% of the world's oil production. While it is able to be recycled, the burning of plastic uses lots of electricity and emits toxins into our air supply.
Even with the best intentions, a vast majority of paper and plastic bags end up in landfills. Therefore, a more sustainable choice for carting our groceries is reusable bags.
A good reusable bag will cost between $2 and $6, hold up to 40 lbs., and last for years. While carrying bags back and forth may require us to form new habits, having sacs in the trunk can make our lives easier in other ways. The bags can be used for unplanned trips to the farmers market, library or park.
So if you're looking to have a big impact on the planet, by doing something small, consider saying, "neither," to your grocery bagger and using a bag of your own.
Website of The Month: Safemama.com
Now that you know more about plastics, should you toss all of your baby products in the trash? You could do that, but first stop by Safemama.com. This blog puts a safety rating on all of the tools you rely on to care for your baby.They call brand name manufacturers of everything from high chairs to baby food companies to determine what type of plastics were used in the product and packaging. See if your products are listed for extra peace of mind.
Thank you for reading Organic Baby News. I hope you enjoyed it!
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Until the next time,
Erika
Organic Mom and Publisher
http://www.organic-baby-resource.com