Just when we thought that bamboo was the perfect eco-fabric: sustainable, green and a wonderfully soft, we hear some disturbing contrary opinions. It is often the case that things seem too good to be true or things look good on the surface but can be misleading.

We haven’t given up on bamboo – but it does require a careful look because as is often said, “the devil is in the details”.

Bamboo crop:

Did you know that there are more than 1000 species of bamboo? It happens to be one of the most renewable resources on earth and one of the fastest growing - it grows at a remarkable rate of four feet a day. Practically all the bamboo comes from China. It is a renewable and sustainable resource that requires low amounts of water, and does not require artificial pesticides or fertilizers … It is also fully biodegradable. A great feature is that bamboo is abundant in many rural areas where economic development is limited, so it can provide significant social benefit.

The bamboo fibres, correctly described as “rayon from bamboo” produce clothing which is soft and durable especially when combined with organic cotton. The hollow fibres of bamboo give it remarkable breathing properties and so it is able to absorb moisture for greater comfort.

The Concerns:

From forest to closet it is all about supply chain…one needs to be concerned not only with the links in the chain but also the process at each step.

Farming - Bamboo is grown in plantations and in general is free from concerns but we might want to ensure the farming processes used are organic.

Processing - Harsh chemicals, such as caustic soda, may be used to break down the bamboo fibres. It is important to know how carefully the process is controlled and whether the harmful compounds are allowed to escape into the environment. Caustic soda is approved for use in textiles under the Global Organic Textile Standard. The key issue is whether the chemicals are recycled or disposed of appropriately.

Fabrication - Although the bamboo fibres are acceptable and “green”, the blending fabric may not be (such is cotton or synthetics that are not organic).

The Mark - Check for a certification mark that signifies material sourcing, process details and testing completeness.

Along the way companies make choices in how to do things. As a consumer you have a choice too. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Editors note (Trevor Smith):

Green Cricket bamboo products from our supplier Guats are made from “Tenbro” fibres. Tenbro fibre is certified to the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 which guarantees thorough testing throughout the supply chain, from raw material through intermediate processes to end product fabrication. The testing is for substances and chemicals, regulated by law and known to be harmful to health.

All process parameters are carefully controlled and 100% of the caustic soda is recycled.

As earth’s population continues to grow, more people are beginning to understand the impact of feeding six-billion hungry mouths. Harmful pesticides and modern farming methods contribute to both global warming and the overuse of natural resources, meaning it’s increasingly important to wonder about the future of this planet. Part of the solution lies in choosing eco-friendly products. This will reduce the impact of your carbon footprint and help sustain earth’s resources.

Best of all, Green Cricket (www.greencricket.ca) has you covered. Regular cotton is one of the world’s most important crops and accounts for 16% of global pesticide use. On the other hand, our adult and baby clothing is made from organically grown cotton, leading to healthier soil and cleaner air. It’s the same with our coffee which we import from various organic suppliers around the world. The flavour is superb and there is far less damage to the soil than with conventional methods.

Again, as we look towards the future, it is imperative to choose products that will help sustain our natural resources. Green Cricket has plenty of eco-friendly options, including chemical-free cleaners, biodegradable leaf bags and stainless steel water bottles. Each is designed to keep our world clean, while recycling material whenever possible. With Green Cricket, it’s easy to make these choices and keep earth healthy for generations to come.

[written by Dan Levine]

Almost four months after Toronto’s bag tax began, the bylaw remains controversial. While some citizens are opposed to the 5-cent cost, others are thrilled to be eliminating unnecessary waste within the city.  It’s understandable that people will worry about their wallets during a recession, but the overuse of plastic had become a major problem. Studies showed Toronto residents using about 460 million plastic bags each year, with most ending up in landfills. Knowing that, it’s tough to argue with the bylaw, which encourages the use of reusable bags and should significantly cut down on waste. Here at Green Cricket, we have you covered, with affordable bags made from recycled paper and rice. Stylish, comfortable and durable, they can be used again and again, while eliminating the need for plastic.

Even so, accurate results will be crucial to measuring the success of Toronto’s bag tax, something the city’s politicians are worried about. Despite a fine for retailers who don’t charge, Councillor Michael Walker openly questioned their commitment. “There’s not enforcement, just a twice a year blitz,” he said yesterday. “It’s not a very enviable record for a politician if they pass all this stuff and then they don’t carry through.”

Still, private companies have come forward with very encouraging statistics. Loblaw, which began charging for plastic in April, has seen a 75% reduction in the use of those bags. Along with Sobeys, Shoppers Drug Mart and IKEA, Loblaw has committed portions of the tax income to various environmental groups.

Grab a reusable bag. Save yourself the tax, and help save the environment.

[written by Dan Levine]

For individuals, transitioning to a green lifestyle can be a difficult choice. Many people worry about spending extra cash or the inconvenience of searching for eco-friendly products.

It’s understandable, but it also ignores the long-term benefits of going green. Positive lifestyle choices contribute our wellbeing, while saving money down the road.

For example, filling up a water bottle each day beats buying cases of the plastic stuff, while eco-friendly cleaners allow families to breath easier and avoid health risks.

It’s not just individuals who face these tough decisions, as governments and businesses now understand the advantages of becoming eco-friendly. The McGuinty government recently announced a $600-milllion project to green 1,000 Ontario public schools by installing energy efficient windows. Indeed it’s costly, but the plan will save money in the future, while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Students and parents should take a cue from the government and consider the years ahead when deciding what to buy. We all want a clean planet and Green Cricket makes these choices easier by offering free Toronto deliveries (over $50.00) in cars powered by natural gas. Going green is an individual choice and one that we can all afford to make.

(written by Dan Levine)

We always associate fall with back to school.

For some of us, our child is beginning school, for others a student has left to begin college or university, some are experiencing an empty nest for the first time, others are returning to take courses as mature students.

But it’s back to school for all of us as we learn more about the impact our choices are having on the environment and in turn, the effects the environment has on us.

THIS YEAR why not take another step or two more in a green direction!

For school and office there are increasingly green options: paper, pens, pencils, markers, backpacks, drinking bottles, lunch boxes.

And, if a student you know has gone off to college or university, consider sending them a care package! Fairtrade organic coffee and chocolate are good companions on those essay-writing “all nighters”!

But watch out! Greenwashing* is all around us….  Greenwash (verb): the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service

Have you seen examples of Greenwashing? Tell us about them. What specific topics are on your mind? How can companies like Green Cricket help consumers make better choices? We try to help with our Green Cricket Rating System for each product we sell.

Don’t be shy - reply to this blog - we appreciate your feedback.

———————-

*TerraChoice Environmental Marketing, a leading environmental consulting group and developer of the EcoLogo third-party certification program has developed The Six (now seven) Sins of Greenwashing.

As a Canadian living in America, I have learned many things about the differences in our cultures. There are many. Americans say that Canadians have so many more long weekends. I count 12 if you include Family Day in three provinces. In fact, Americans are correct – there are nine official holidays in America. With Civic Day and Labour Day right around the corner, you need an appropriate host(ess) gift, right?

Long weekends in Canada are precious. They usually involve family, friends, and travelling. And Canadian summers can seem so short sometimes. So when you receive the invitation to your friend’s cottage, a visit to your kid’s camp, a brunch on the beach, baby shower, wedding, or a barbeque on the back deck in the city, you want to bring a gift for the host(ess). And you know you want to make a difference and make your gift “green”. Here are my top picks from www.greencricket.ca.

1. Check out the Cottage Weekender Gift Basket. This is a perfect gift for your host(ess). Tea, reusable water bottles, chocolate, a cookbook, and Green Cricket hand lotion, hand soap and dish soap.

2. A selection of coffee and tea. Everyone needs a jolt after a big barbeque, a soothing cup of tea after a long swim or hot tub. And as the dew dries on the lawn in the early morning sunlight, nothing beats a hot cup of joe. Sweet nectar of the morning!

3. Summer brings out two nasty things – our desire for a tan (usually ends up as a burn), and bugs. Chances are that your host(ess) has a collection of preventative balms and lotions, but they may not be totally “green”. Green Cricket has screened them all. A bit of sunscreen and bug repellent will make you and your host(ess) very happy.

Have a safe and happy long weekend!

(written by David Greene)

It seems like summer will never come – but let’s hope August will be better! Make your day in the country special AND GREEN. Choose from Green Cricket’s selection of green picnic-friendly items that reflect the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. (We often instinctively go to the recycle option when reuse may in fact be the better choice.)

Start by grabbing one of our tote bags, a blanket, steel water bottle and reusable cutlery and plastic plates that don’t break and are not like paper plates that bend and drop your salad on the ground!

Brew yourself a mug of organic coffee or tea at home to take with you in the insulated “not a paper cup” mug complete with non-spill cover. Napkins made from recycled fibres are always handy too. Select your picnic food but don’t forget the snacks: mints, organic chocolate and gummy bears!

Outside means you will need sunscreen and insect repellent and it wouldn’t hurt to pack a hoodie, just in case the bugs get really bad!

And finally choose a fun book, like “Sleeping Naked is Green”, to take with you that will show you the homourous side of becoming green one step, or one picnic, at a time.

…Enjoy!

“No more pencils, No more books, No more teachers’ dirty looks”…

Do children still sing this end of school rhyme?    It is that time of year again:  school will soon be out for the summer.  Once again we are faced with the challenge of finding a gift for teacher to take on the last day.  One of the important things our children are learning both at home and at school is to care for the environment: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Often the children are the ones calling the adults to account, reminding us about the three Rs!  So, when it comes to choosing a gift, why not consider giving an environmentally friendly gift?  It is easy to go green with teachers’ gifts:  from Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance coffee (teacher will have time to enjoy a good cup of morning coffee without having to rush off to school!) to home spa items like a bath soak or a body lotion (soak away those report card writing stressful deadlines!) to a practical recycled tote bag (teachers will still need to shop during the summer!).   It is a win-win situation all round:  the children see that we are serious about the environment, the environment benefits with every green gift and the teacher receives a lovely gift!  Go ahead:  give green!

There is a great deal of discussion today about sunscreen. We know only too well that the suns rays can be harmful, at the very least, to give us a burn and, worse, with prolonged exposure, the risk of skin cancer. We look then to “cover up” – and especially we look out for our kids. We want to look for sunscreen products that are effective in protection but, also perhaps today, we are challenged to be more careful about the products we choose – its impact on our health and also whether these products are friendly towards the environment.

There are many choices…so what are the issues?

The sun produces both visible and invisible rays. The invisible (short-wave UVA and long-wave UVB) rays cause most of the problems (suntan, sunburn and sun damage). The longer the exposure over time - the worse the effects. Experts say that there is no such think as a “safe” tan. (more…)

Ever been to countries where you can be by a lake and enjoy the outdoors without the fear of being bitten by a black fly, mosquito or some other bug? Well I have, but alas that country is NOT Canada (unless of course that lake is frozen)!  After a long winter, Canadians are anxious to enjoy the outdoors – camping, the cottage, and the garden BUT without being bitten.  So, what repellents are safe for us and for the environment?

DDT used to be the answer in the mid 1900’s.   The chemical was hailed as a solution, especially in countries where mosquito-carrying diseases such as malaria were a problem.  Initially it was declared safe, but it became evident that DDT was toxic to the environment and, furthermore, mosquitoes could become immune to its effect!  In 1962, Silent Spring by American biologist Rachel Carson listed the environmental impacts of the indiscriminate spraying of DDT in the US and questioned the logic of releasing large amounts of chemicals into the environment without fully understanding their effects on ecology or human health. (Its publication was one of the signature events in the birth of the environmental movement.  Silent Spring resulted in a large public outcry that eventually led to most uses of DDT being banned in the US in 1972 and subsequently banned for agricultural use worldwide.  

Let’s talk about DEET.  The chemical is N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide. It is the most common active ingredient in many insect repellents.  It too, has been used since World War II and works to combat insects.   But prolonged exposure can give health problems and studies suggest it should be used sparingly and only where essential to avoid insect carrying diseases.

So what can you do?  Avoidance is best of course:

•  Keep away from stagnant pools of water 
• If you have a pond, add a turtle as a pet (they love mozzies!)
•  Use fragrance-free and essential oil lotions or shampoos, as some artificial fragrances attract mosquitoes
• Cover up or stay indoors at dawn or dusk

But wait! Have you tried CITRONELLA based products?

Oil of Citronella shows little or no toxicity.  When used according to label instructions, citronella does not pose health risks to people, including children and other sensitive populations.
  Oil of Citronella poses minimal or no risks to wildlife and because of the low toxicity and limited uses of Oil of Citronella, it is not harmful to the environment. It is perhaps one of our best options to enjoy Canada in bug season!! 

Cottage Testimonial from Green Cricket staff member, Jamie Hitchon :

“I did the unthinkable.  I went down to my dock with no protection and watched the black flies and mosquito’s swarm me. Then I applied the bug repellent and not one fly landed on me! I have been trying different products forever now and I am happy to say I have found one that actually works and smells good!”