As Canada Day approaches, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on what our country has had to offer to the global environmental movement. We should be proud — because Canadians have made significant green contributions to business, academia, policy, and science.

No list of Canadian greenies would be complete without David Suzuki, of course. As a television broadcaster and writer, he raised our awareness as to The Nature of Things and the problem of climate change. He has received 22 honourary degrees and The David Suzuki Foundation has become a watchdog organization that is respected around the world. His daughter Severn Suzuki is an activist in her own right who electrified the 1992 World Summit in Rio De Janeiro at the age of eleven, by making a passionate deputation demanding that children’s voices be heard as we consider how our actions determine their future.

And of course, there is Greenpeace. This Vancouver non-profit sprang out of the consciousness-raising hippie movement of the sixties and seventies. Its founders brought a media-savvy, in-your-face kind of activism to the battles against whaling, old growth clear-cuts, nuclear power, and genetically modified foods.  And Pollution Probe in Toronto created a model for public interest environmental groups that has been copied around the world.

Canadians have also been pioneers in passing tough and effective legislation that protect both our own natural world, and the planet at large.  In the 1970s, Ontario passed two pieces of legislation, the Environmental Assessment Act and the Environmental Protection Act, that are still considered to be among the toughest worldwide. More recently Ontario passed the Endangered Species Act, created a greenbelt around Toronto, and introduced The Green Energy and Economy Act.

Ontario is not the only Canadian to pioneer progressive environmental legislation. Out west in British Columbia, the very first carbon tax in North America was introduced only a year ago. And our Atlantic provinces, along with Quebec, were the first to create a Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative with their neighboring New England states.

Our federal government has also made great strides in developing technologies for a cleaner greener world. Engineers from Natural Resources Canada developed world-class software to develop renewable energy called RETSCREEN. It’s available for free download in 35 languages and is currently used by NASA, among many others around the globe.

So this Canada Day, as you fire up your barbecue and sip on your Alexander Keiths beer or your Niagara Reisling, meditate on all these achievements and be extra proud to be Canadian.

“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!

We are proud to be teaming up with Amici Camping Charity , where they have been sending thousands of underprivileged kids to camp for almost 45 years. By purchasing one of our GreenCricket camper promotions, parents save 15% on environmentally friendly camp products, AND we donate 5% of the proceeds to Camp Amici to continue their great work! Only until June 24, so act quickly!!

Camps and campers know how fragile our environment is, so make sure that you only take biodegradable, reusable or recycled product with you up North this summer.

Here are some camping essentials:

 Biodegradable Shampoo and Conditioner 

Biodegradable Dish Soap 

Parabens Free, SPF 30 Kids Sunscreen

Preserve Recycled Toothbrush (6 pack set) 

Citronella Milk Lotion (130ml) 

Have a safe and wonderful summer……and don’t forget to support Kids at Camp with Green Cricket and Camp Amici.

Susan Mey  

My favourite thing to do at the cottage can now be done guilt free!

Ever since I was kid I can remember jumping into the lake, lathering up with shampoo and conditioner and watching all the suds float around me. At the time I was completely oblivious about the damage I was doing to my giant swimming pool. As I grew up and cottagers like myself became more aware of the environment, we realized that the baths we were taking in the lake were totally polluting it. So, I was forced to go back to the traditional mode of cleansing in the shower.

But there’s good news for me and the rest of my friends up here this cottage season- we are back to the basics! Green Cricket’s new personal care line offers amazing, sudsy biodegradable shampoo & conditioner.  These products are definitely going to be a staple on my dock, as it should be for everyone that is going to enjoy the water this year.  If you are camping, boating or cottaging this year why wouldn’t you want to keep our lakes and rivers as clean as can be!

I am one of the many women that aren’t afraid to splurge when it comes to great hair. With this GC combo your hair will come out detangled, smooth and with a great glow. Promise!

You can find the shampoo and conditioner at several stores up north including the Chameleon in Bracebridge, Country Charm in Baysville, Pharmasave in Huntsville and a few more gems up here.

I can’t tell you enough about the benefits of using this line.  Give it a go for yourself this summer and dive-in!

Signed,

Your fellow cottager
Jamie Hitchon

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!”

As the father of a five-year-old the calendar is no longer divided by the twelve months or the four seasons but rather into two segments: school and camp. With the school year winding down, the past few weeks have been a flurry of registration for various sports, arts and outdoor activities to keep my little guy busy with each camp providing a list of articles to pack when we send him off. In addition to the usual items like trip t-shirts and bathing suits are a number of items that provide the opportunity to green his summer.

Sunscreen

While the importance of slathering on sunscreen (even on cloudy days) cannot be overstated, protecting your child from UV rays need not expose them to other risks. Avoid products with preservatives such as parabens, which have been linked to cancer or petroleum-based emollients such as mineral oils.  Look instead for products with milder preservatives like potassium sorbate and which contain natural softeners such as sunflower oil, jojoba oil and shea butter.

Insect Repellent

The active ingredient in most insect repellents is N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, commonly known as DEET. Identified as a contributor to seizures in a small percentage of the population, exposure to DEET may also cause skin irritation, moodiness, impaired cognitive function and insomnia. Non-toxic alternatives to DEET include eucalyptus and citronella oils, both of which have been documented to be effective in repelling insects, particularly mosquitoes.

Water Bottle

Keeping hydrated while active in the sun is critical for fun at camp. Instead of sending water and juices in disposable containers that add to waste or plastic bottles which may contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a potentially toxic additive found in many plastics, make use of an aluminum, or better yet, stainless steel bottle to reduce both what ends up in the trash and the amount of toxins in your child’s body.

For those with older children, overnight camps offer even more opportunities to be environmentally responsible, whether it be through biodegradable toiletries that lessen their impact on the lake, organic towels and wash cloths or recycled stationary your kids can use to keep in touch.  Summer always seems to go by so quickly, make sure your kids get the most out of their camp experience by keeping them green!

It is getting complicated as we steward resources used for carrying groceries and for garbage!

Waste management programs around the GTA have been in effect for some time aimed at reducing landfill burdens. We are now getting used to sorting our waste into separate containers for recyclables, compostable organics, garden waste and any remaining miscellaneous garbage. It is only the latter garbage, we are told, ends up in landfill. The Green Bin program for organic waste has received good press in The New York Times.  However with the praise comes a note of caution: The Toronto Star claims that not all authorities around Toronto are ideally set up to sort non-compostable plastic bags that are often mixed with much of the Green Bin material. As Toronto stores in June 2009 start charging customers a fee for every plastic bag used, our thoughts go again to using reusable bags or bins for our groceries. But even then, there might be a hitch. A May 2009 National Post article cites potential health risks from reusable cloth bags that touch food - so an argument is made for staying with plastic!

What should the environmental and health conscious consumer do? Here are some thoughts:

* Make full use of waste segregation available in your municipality

* Minimize plastic bags used in your Green Bin

* If required, use biodegradable plastic bags in the Green Bin for odour control

* Be aware that often there is not a perfect solution even with biodegradable plastics [see Blog (C) by Niagara College students].

Perhaps that best advice is to minimize all garbage and extra packaging in the first place.  There’s some food for thought!

A few weeks ago, Susan Mey (Green Cricket President) and I (Trevor Smith) visited Niagara College (Niagara on the Lake), where Green Cricket Expert Katie Altoft teaches.  We challenged the Environmental Management students to write a Blog on a topic of interest to them.  The three best Blogs have been chosen to be published here on our website… All entries were very good - CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS!   Please read on…

BLOG A : Making a Difference, One by One!   

How can one person make a difference by buying green products? This is often a question among people of all ages, but the real issue is taking responsibility for the environment, young or old. There is conflict in today’s generation gap with many differences in the ways green issues are viewed. Younger generations are more aware of their impact because of the attention it receives through media, education, and other sources. Some people may be influenced by the financial limitations to “going green”, but this is the only alternative if we want to live in a sustainable world. It is time to take ownership of what our actions have on the environment.

Changing our ways can be accomplished one step at a time and it’s time that we begin making the earth a safer place to live. If one person at a time makes a change towards buying “Green” products, this will increase the demand for greener products. The resulting change will be an increase in supply and therefore a reduction of costs, making the products more accessible and affordable for everyone. By purchasing just one green product, there is a message being sent to the manufacturers regarding the types of products consumers want. Don’t be discouraged, without each drop of water there would be no ocean.  Start the wave!        

[By: Heidi Littlejohn, Edith Bouchard, Jade Bowen, Lisa Hay]

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BLOG B : How Do I Green My Wedding?

With the green revolution sweeping through all of life’s phases it has finally influencing peoples decisions on wedding preparations. With the wedding season starting up some couples are curious about how to incorporate green initiatives into their day. With issues around caterers, flowers, transportation and invitations the potential impact could be larger than you think.

There are ways to reduce the impact that your wedding could have.  The food served at the reception could be made using local products.  Instead of using cut flowers to decorate potted plants will do as well and can be replanted afterwards.  Transportation from the ceremony to the reception can be done by using horse and carriage over a Limo and there are printing places that use enviro-friendly ink on recycled paper.  There are more ways to green your wedding than a few years ago.

My wife and I were married two years ago and did as much as we could then to have a green wedding.  Since we lived in a rural area the food was local and fresh and organic.  We decided to use local native plants for the majority of our decorations.  Our invitations, seating plan and guest book were made with recycled paper and recycled inks.  Ever since that day our friends keep on asking us about how they can do the same and we give them advice and direct them to companies like Green Cricket.              

[By: Terrance Gole]

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BLOG C : What is the point of something being Bio-degradable?

If packaging/product is bio-degradable but its sent to a landfill and buried, it won’t have a chance to degrade at all. This is because most bio-degradable product/packaging need sunlight (like plastic shopping bags) or oxygen (for aerobic bacterial growth) to breakdown.

Bio-degradable is a buzz word. People buy products thinking it’s better for the environment but in reality, if not disposed of properly, it is no better.

There should be a campaign to enlighten the public what is really true…

[By: Melissa Gibson, Sovi Ahoansou, Christine Spano,  Mathusha Sivakumaran.

Green Cricket Editor Note:   This blog touches on an important issue. Whereas paper breaks down in landfill, plastic is much more of a problem….that is until recently - with the advent of biodegradable plastics.  The term biodegradable means that the material is able to be broken down and composted by living organisms into simpler components that have a much reduced impact on the environment.  Plant polymers derived from corn or wheat are chosen over traditional plastics derived from non-renewable resources such as oil and coal.

It is correct that, in an anaerobic (air-locked) landfill, deprived of oxygen and the microorganisms that “eat” naturally biodegradable materials, the decomposition will be severely restricted.  However composting (Green Bin) city programs provide better opportunity for decomposition.  Check out the Maxx Air holder/BioBag system sold by Green Cricket (for under the sink storage and Green Bin disposal) as a way to maximizing the integrity of the holding container (no messy breakage) and the ultimate biodegradability of the bag and contents.

As summer has finally reached Canada, many of us turn our thoughts to the outdoors and gardening. What choices can we make to make our garden and gardening habits green?

Where is your garden?

Gardens for you may be your planter on your patio, that vegetable patch or flower garden in your yard, raised beds or even a roof top garden at your place of work.  Check out other urban roof top garden projects at University of Toronto. The Urban Agriculture Society is a campus club started to facilitate activities for a rooftop garden: http://uas.sa.utoronto.ca/about/]

What about Pesticides?

This time of year is great; going outside without a jacket, longer days, and most of all, my green lawn and blooming garden. Well, green and blooming except for those pesky weeds sprouting up. Dare I spray them? Absorbed through inhalation when being applied or through contact with treated vegetation, home pesticide and herbicide use has been identified as a key source for elevated levels of toxic substances found in humans; particularly among children with some disturbing side-effects (the most commonly used such substance in Canada, 2,4-D has been linked to male infertility and has been classified as a potential carcinogen).

Herbicides also wash off our lawns and gardens in the rain and end up contaminating groundwater and local waterways, affecting other species of wildlife. Many municipalities and some provinces (Vancouver, Halifax, Quebec and Ontario) have now banned the use of cosmetic pesticides and herbicides due to their strong link to conditions such as childhood asthma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and prostate cancer. After all, how healthy can pesticides and herbicides be when Health Canada lists over 20 points for their safe handling, including warning pregnant women to stay away from them? So how do I get rid of those pesky weeds?

Green solutions:

Green Cricket can help you with better choices. A phrase I have seen recently with regards to items is to choose products that “complement the environment”. Check out these options in our product line-up to compliment the environment in your garden by virtue of aspects screened using our “Green Cricket Criteria”:

Weed control: Pet safe biodegradable weed killer.

Soil – naturally weed-free potting soil.

Lawn patch to fill in those gaps that appeared over the winter.

Grass seed that yields a low maintenance lawn you hardly have to cut!

Fertilizer: Easy to use product made from hen manure or worm castings.

Clean up: Biodegradable recycled material leaf bags.

And…don’t forget the birds – seed varieties to keep them coming to your feeder.

Happy gardening!!

[written by Jaipaul Massey-Singh and Trevor Smith]

Well, the devil is always in the details, but it’s sure a good start. Ontario’s proposed new Green Energy Act is hoping to make a few key changes in the way that we manage energy in the province:

• It sets strict conservation targets. Conservation is always the most cost-effective to start, so this is a good angle.
• It introduces real cost pricing of energy. Right now we’re subsidizing consumption – which is NOT an effective way to foster conservation.
• It weans us off of coal once and for all by 2014. Coal is neither clean nor renewable, so this is an absolutely necessary step.
• Incentives for clean and green technology development, not status quo. We’ve been subsidizing the wrong technologies in past, so this makes amends.
• Streamlined approvals for renewable projects so that we don’t create additional costs for already expensive development projects.
• It creates mandatory requirements and priority spots for renewable energy on Ontario’s Electricity Grid. This means guaranteed consumers for energy projects and that will lower the risk for new development.
• New technology for energy storage. One of the challenges of renewable energy is that it’s not always windy or sunny when you need energy. Better storage means that we don’t need to fire up the coal plant as backup.

You’ve probably also heard a lot about the green jobs that the new Act will create. This part is a little harder to judge, given that we really haven’t seen a plan that details how the proposed 50,000 jobs will be created. Canada is not exactly a hub of green manufacturing – so we’re not likely to be building many large-scale turbine or solar panel plants to compete with Europe. Sustainability includes being able to meet our own needs locally, though, so we’ll need to get started.

Clearly Ontario doesn’t have a long track record of environmental success, but on paper, this is a very strong leadership move. In the words of the Premier, Dalton McGuinty, “Because of our Green Energy Act, our province would be greener, stronger, and in a better position to compete and win against the rest of the world. We’re going to seize this opportunity to build a better Ontario — better for jobs, better for our children, better for our planet.”

Here’s hoping that’s the case…

Check out the details of the act  http://www.greenenergyact.ca/

[written by Katie Altoft]

Editor’s Note:    At Green Cricket we are keen to raise awareness to environmental issues. We want to help our customers make intelligent choices with products they can purchase, that make best use of the earth’s precious resources. Our “Green Quality Criteria” designation is an easy way to access product specific information about how items are made and sourced, as well as their distance to market.