BABY AND FAMILY GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING            

From diaper duty to soccer practice, raising a family is hectic. Take the guesswork out of going green with these family-friendly tips:

Ø  The chemical used in most polycarbonate plastic baby bottles is called bisphenol A, or BPA, and it has been linked to possible health problems in babies. BPA is most often found in hard clear plastics with the number 7 on the bottle. The best alternatives are tempered glass bottles and sippy cups, or softer, opaque plastic bottles, which are made from polyethylene or polypropylene (look for recycling symbols 1, 2 or 5; "good plastic" brands include Medela, Born Free and Evenflo). It's also wise to heat up milk or formula before pouring it into the bottle: Heating the filled bottle in a pan or microwave also heats the plastic, which can cause the chemicals into the bottle’s contents to transfer to the liquid.

Ø  Plastic and Styrofoam are made from petroleum and chemicals, and heating them up can cause a transfer of their toxic properties into the food. Instead, transfer your food into ceramic, Pyrex or glass dishes before microwaving. It's a simple step that makes your food healthier. (And anyway, isn't it time you got out of the habit of eating your lunch at your desk, right out of a plastic container?)

Ø  Replace that arsenal of cleaning products under your kitchen sink with one or two all-purpose non-toxic cleansers, or use all-natural pantry items like vinegar and baking soda. You can make your own cleaners with food-grade ingredients, or buy natural cleaners from your neighborhood health food store. These products clean just as well and (bonus!) can cost significantly less.  Studies show that because of the multitude of chemical-based cleaners in the average home, the air in most homes is two to five times more harmful than the air outdoors. Cleaning products actually release chemicals into the air in your home, which can result in low-grade allergy symptoms or asthma.

So as a first step to clearing the air, identify all the unhealthy products that you want to replace, then take the unused products to a local Household Hazardous Waste facility (instead of throwing the products in the garbage or pouring them down the drain, which only pollutes our landfills and waterways). Ready to take the next step? Insist that your cleaning service use these healthier alternatives when cleaning your home or office.

Ø  Coffee filters, toilet paper, tampons, diapers, napkins, paper towels and printing paper are all available in non-bleached, chlorine-free versions, which is good news for you as a consumer—and a human being. The process of whitening paper with chlorinated bleach creates dioxin, one of the most dangerous chemicals to humans. The EPA’s draft report on dioxin's health effects concludes that dioxins have the potential to produce a broad spectrum of adverse effects in humans by altering cell growth and development, causing cancer and suppressing the immune system. (A final version of the report should be released in the coming year.) The upshot? Each time a bleached paper product comes into contact with your skin, it may transfer dioxin into the blood stream. Be especially mindful of toilet paper, tampons, facial tissue and diapers because these come in contact with very sensitive areas of the body. Seek out products that are whitened without bleach (the alternative is usually hydrogen peroxide). These products are also typically made from recycled content paper.

Ø  Making recycled school notebooks is a simple crafts project you can do with your kids—all you need are two empty boxes of cereal, a three-hole punch, three metal notebook rings (available at office supply stores) and about 50 sheets of recycled notebook paper. To create the front and back covers of the notebook, cut the front panel of each cereal box into a 9" x 11 1/2" rectangle, then punch holes in each panel using the three-hole punch. Slide the paper between the covers and slip metal rings through the holes to hold it all together. Unlike a spiral notebook, this one can be reused again and again—just slide in a fresh batch of paper.

Ø  Teach kids an appreciation for growing food by enlisting them to help in the garden. Give them their own plants to nurture, let them help with weeding and watering, and teach them the basics of planting so they can actually see and taste the results of their work. Three easy, kid-friendly plant options to start with: sunflowers, carrots and pole beans.

Ø  It seems like every kid goes through a phase of unspooling the toilet paper roll when no one is looking. Teaching kids to use a responsible amount of toilet paper will keep the phase from turning into a lifelong habit of using way more than is necessary for the task: A strip of paper no longer than your forearm is a good general guideline to follow.

Ø  It's important for school-age kids to wash their hands frequently, especially during cold and flu season, but not all soaps are created equal. Anti-bacterial hand soaps may actually cause more harm than good because they kill beneficial bacteria as well as bad ones. And be sure to avoid hand sanitizers with triethanolamine, a chemical that may damage the liver and kidneys. In most cases, it's better to wash hands with good old-fashioned soap and water rather than with potentially damaging anti-bacterial chemicals.

Ø  Encourage playtime Picassos with environmentally friendly crayons made from soybean oil, a renewable resource that's natural and non-toxic—unlike the petroleum used to make traditional crayons. (One brand to look for: Prang soybean crayons.)

Ø  Studies show that when children are exposed to nature on a regular basis, they grow up to have a healthier respect for the planet and a better understanding of how their actions impact their surroundings. Make it a family tradition to participate in an outdoor cleanup each year at a nearby beach, river, waterway or park, so kids can learn how trash makes its way into our water systems and natural places. Or plan your next family vacation to include camping, canoeing, hiking or biking. Spend time discussing with kids the plants and animals in their world, and encourage them to draw pictures or take photos of the sights they see.

Ø  The average American school-age child throws away 67 pounds of packaging a year, including plastic water bottles, sandwich baggies, molded food containers, and juice boxes. Cut down on your kids' lunchtime impact by packing sandwiches, fruits, veggies and treats in reusable lunch containers, and pack those in a reusable lunch bag or tote. Plastic baggies can also be washed and reused.

Ø  Backpacks are not meant to be disposable, but somehow, kids seem to need a new one each year. Backpacks do endure a lot of wear and tear, but if your child’s backpack gets ripped or needs a new zipper, check to see if the manufacturer will fix it for free—manufacturers of high-quality packs often warranty their products.  Alternatively, take your kid's pack to a local tailoring shop for repairs: Most problems can be solved with a patch or a few stitches… if you get to them early enough.