‘Tis the season when we look back on the year and make some commitments on going forward.  This year, why not include a little greening into your resolutions.  If you’re looking for suggestions, here are a few to get you started:

1) Ditch the plastic waterbottles.  If you are going to do just one thing to improve your ecological footprint, your best bang for your buck is to kick the bottled water habit.  Not only are you paying a ridiculous mark up on water, but you’re contributing billions of bottles to the planet, and all the associated greenhouse gases that come with them. Stainless steel waterbottles are reasonably priced and easy to find, and tap water is cheaper.  Save some money and the planet!

2) Go litterless at lunch.  Whether for you or the kids, its really no extra work to pack a few reusable containers instead of using plastic wrap or baggies.  One day, not a big day – 320 work days in a year – well that’s a lot of baggies in the landfill.  Consider a lunch kit – it makes packing kids lunches much easier.

3) Go green when you clean.  Our health tends to be the focus of most of our new year’s resolutions, so this is a good time to remember how closely the environment is tied to our health.  When we choosegreen cleaners for example, its not only better for the planet to choose a green cleaner, it’s also much healthier for you and your family.  Same goes for personal care products – the very same things that make a shampoo green make it easier on the body.

4) Drive lightly on the planet - We’ll explore how to save money on gas later - but you can get started simply by going lighter on the gas pedal.  Every 10 kilometres over the speed limit that you drive, costs you 10% more fuel to drive the same distance.  The two minutes that you save by speeding cost the planet and your pocketbook more than you think.

** Add your resolutions below – and check out the resolutions from my fellow Green Cricketers.

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In the aftermath of the UN’s conference on Climate change in Copenhagen last month and what seems, atfirst glance, to be the lack real progress from countries for plans and commitments to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions, we are tempted to say “Why bother?”

The magazine The Economist comments: “Faced with the undoubted grandeur of climate change, a grand response seems in order. But, to the immediate disappointment to most of those participating and watching, the much anticipated UN climate conference held in Copenhagen in December led to no such thing…” [The Economist (Leader) Dec 30, 2009]

The article goes on to comment that two positive outcomes may have been on some agreement for a process for international monitoring and also the recognition of new political structures to enable progress across developing and developed countries.

While this international debate is raging should we, the public, the consumer, the homeowner…really care?

I feel we must – individuals can make a difference - we must all strive to learn more about our environment, our lifestyle, the products we use and impact on climate change, pollution, depletion of natural resources as well as the health impacts of products we use every day.

The Green Cricket Blog can provide a forum for sharing thoughts, ideas and actions. What do you think? Do you think you can make a difference to what often seems to be a hugh issue and out of your hands? And why should we care?

In the coming weeks we shall talk more about the Copenhagen Accord, but also discuss the 5 criteria for selecting Green Cricket products that we feel support the move towards achieving a Green Lifestyle and a more sustainable world. We also want to hear from you - to understand what you think, what governs your buying and lifestyle decision choices. Post your comments!

(Trevor Smith, Editor)

I am wrapping up my fourth year living in one of the largest, most populated cities in the world. The New York metropolitan area has an estimated population of 19.75 million people, ranking it the largest city in the US, and fourth largest in the world. That’s about 5 times the population of Metro Toronto, and much more geographically constrained. It is estimated that over 80% of people who live in Manhattan bike, walk or take public transportation to work.

Living in such density makes a commitment to a green lifestyle challenging in many ways, and easy in others.

The easiest part of living green in Gotham is that I don’t need a car because the public transportation is excellent – an instant contribution to reducing my carbon footprint. The Metro Transportation Authority (commuter rail, NYC subways and buses) carries 1/3 of all the commuters in the US each day. This is an astonishing statistic. This means a lot of cars left at (or near) home. I like the MTA (note the absence of “love”), but I have a bone to pick with them about their recycling policy. While they sort recyclables from the trash bins in subway and train stations, there is no sign on the receptacles to tell consumers this fact and thereby create public awareness.

Toronto’s organic waste composting program has not reached our shores. There is no wet waste pickup in Gotham. Worse still is that most of us live in tiny shoebox-sized apartments with no yard to start composting. And rodents and cockroaches (called water bugs in New York) are a serious problem, leaving composting under the kitchen counter a magnet for unwanted visitors. But, those of us committed to composting of organic waste schlep our stinky bits to one of two places in the city as part of the Lower East Side Ecology Center community composting program. They also have occasional drop-off events for recycling of electronics and clothing.

In a city the size of New York, private interests like LESEC fill in where public interests can’t or won’t. For example, #5 plastic containers are not recyclable in New York. Neither are batteries (although, get this, it is illegal to dispose of them in the garbage). Whole Foods will take #5’s and batteries to be recycled.

While the city still has a way to go, Mayor Bloomberg is taking a leadership role in the greening of New York. Part of his plan was to pass a congestion tax, similar to those imposed in London, Stockholm and Singapore, but the boneheads in Albany said no. Instead, Bloomberg decided to increase bridge and tunnel tolls, convert major intersections like the Broadway-Fifth Avenue crossover at 23^rd Street, to parks. A major part of Broadway in Midtown was converted to bike lanes and a promenade. And bike lanes all over the city displaced car traffic lanes. In some cases, boulevards planted with gardens separate the cyclist from the parked cars and traffic. Indeed, these initiatives have frustrated car drivers’ ability to get around the city, making them think twice about using the car at all.

I will be writing more over the coming weeks on the subject of green metropolises, and share with you the thrills of what I have learned about living a green life in a major urban centre. I am in the midst of relocating to the San Francisco area and will begin to report on my findings in relation to what I learned in New York.

[written by David Greene]

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.

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*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.

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!

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  

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!

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 Crickets 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