The Green Parent

Currently, about 25% of the garbage in the U.S. is recycled, but experts estimate that 65% of our garbage could be recycled. Recycling options vary by city or county, but most areas collect office paper, cardboard, magazines, newspaper, aluminum, plastics, glass (colored or clear), steel, yard trimmings, tires, batteries, and building materials. Use this chart [...]

Materials 8 Toilet Paper Roll Tubes 1 Paper Towel Roll Tube 1 long board or box Recycled Aluminum Foil Recycled Paper (I used scrap pieces of red, orange, and yellow recycled construction paper) Non Toxic Paints (I used blue and white) Non-Toxic Glue This craft is eco-friendly because it recycles items that you probably already [...]

With Halloween fast approaching, I am dedicating this week’s blog entries and newsletters to helping you prepare for a Green Halloween. I’ll give you the scoop on the costumes, decorations, pumpkins, and treats that provide scary amounts of fun without frightening the planet. Ready to get started? Check out these ideas for greening your kids’ [...]

Recycling is a great way to keep stuff out of the landfill and reduce the need for new materials. And if you are lucky enough to live in a community that heavily supports (or even mandates) recycling, the task may be as simple as remembering which stuff to put in the recycle bin. But for [...]

Many parents rely heavily on pre-packaged and disposable goods when packing lunches. Sure, they’re convenient, but what is the cost of this convenience? Much of the trash generated in the American home comes from the packaging on the food we buy. According to Wastefreelunches.org, each school-age child who packs a disposable lunch generates 67 pounds [...]