Most baby items contain a lot of plastic: Plastic rattles, plastic bottles, polyester clothes – and yes, plastic diapers.
But plastic materials can emit phthalates which can potentially disrupt the endocrine system and be detrimental to human health. Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics for a softening effect.
This post was sponsored by Kudos. All thoughts and opinions are my own; for more information, please see my disclosure policy.
For babies, phthalates can lurk in items like teethers, squeeze toys or bath books. And the problem lies when baby goes to suck or chew on these items, or puts their hands in their mouth after handling them. Even just crawling on the floor where dust and synthetic carpet fibers are can increase exposure.
Babies are especially sensitive to harmful chemicals because their bodies and brains are still developing. According to a recent study, children’s exposure to phthalates adversely affected their levels of reproductive hormones, anogenital distance and thyroid function.
Unfortunately plastic can be hard to avoid with a newborn, especially with disposable diapers needing plastic to be efficient. And being a new parent is already hard enough without tacking on shame or guilt.
However, there are steps you can take to reduce baby’s plastic exposure. You don’t have to do all of these, but even trying just one non toxic swap helps!
rethink your diapers
Many diaper components are made up of plastic, giving it that waterproof quality mothers need to get through the day.
Reusable cloth diapers are a great option, but they’re not always accessible due to how expensive they are. Plus, not everyone has a laundry machine in their homes, making washing them more challenging. And if you utilize daycare, some centers may not accept cloth diapers due to concerns about sanitation and storage space.
Disposables tend to be cheaper and easier to find, but they’re not all created equal. It’s best to prioritize brands that minimize the amount of plastic in their products.
That’s where Kudos comes in, the first disposable diaper brand with a 100% cotton liner. To be clear, Kudos still have plastic in them (like all disposable diapers), but they’re the first to switch out the plastic topsheet (i.e. that inner liner of the diaper) for cotton. The liner matters because it’s the part touching your baby’s most sensitive area.
Their U.S. sourced cotton is dry processed without water, chemicals, or process heat. This ensures it’s breathable and hypoallergenic for baby.
Best of all, Kudos was designed by a mom (and an MIT engineer) who understands no one wants their baby exposed to harsh chemicals. For that reason, the brand’s diapers are made without lotions, fragrances, natural latex, parabens, and phthalates.
On top of this, Kudos are OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified, use FSC certified wood pulp for their cores, and are Totally Chlorine Free (TCF).
Lets break down why each of those matter:
- OEKO TEX STANDARD 100 certified means every component of the product has been tested for harmful substances, and found safe for human health.
- FSC certified wood pulp means the wood pulp Kudos sources for the core of their diapers comes from sustainably managed forests.
- Totally Chlorine Free (TCG) means there is no chlorine used to bleach the diapers (a process done to make diapers appear whiter and cleaner). Chlorine bleaching leaves behind toxic residue or chemical by-products called dioxins which the World Health Organization (WHO) warns can harm children’s reproductive and immune systems.
Plus, Kudos diapers are designed for strong overnight performance with award-winning and patented DoubleDry absorbency. Aka, two absorption layers instead of the usual one, allowing for 12+ hour absorbency! Comfort without sacrificing efficiency.
RELATED: 7 Best Non Toxic Diapers For Babies
be selective with toys
Many baby toys, from rattles to activity toys, are made from plastic. Most babies explore the world by putting things in their mouths, so it’s important to prioritize plastic-free toys when possible.
If you can, choose toys made from wool, natural fabrics, or natural rubber when possible. Some examples include cotton plushies, wooden play blocks, and natural rubber teethers. For plushies, just make sure the insides are also stuffed with natural materials (like cotton or wool), instead of plastic foams.
For tummy time, try to use non toxic tummy time mats and play gyms. Even just using a soft natural fiber blanket works. Lalo and Lorena Canals both create play rugs and mats made with polyester-free materials.
For when baby gets a little older, it’s also a good idea to rethink other art supplies too. Many crayons, paints and markers contain plastic and other synthetic ingredients. Try to look into beeswax crayons and plant-based paints when possible.
You can make edible fingerpaint for six month olds using cornflour and natural food coloring. That way, if baby gets any in their mouth, it’s no problem!
Woodlark also has some wonderful natural DIYs safe for kids, like homemade chalk and naturally dyed playdough. These DIYs are suitable for slightly older children, so it can be good to save for later down the line.
choose natural fibers
Many baby clothes are made from synthetic fabrics like polyester, rayon blends, and fleece. These are man-made materials, aka plastic, and not natural fibers.
Whenever possible, opt for better fiber options, such as organic cotton, hemp and wool. Check thrift stores and clothing swaps to cut down on costs and give clothes a second life (babies grow fast after all).
Train yourself to look for certifications like GOT (Global Organic Textile Standard) and OEKO-TEX, as this ensures fewer chemicals were used to treat the clothes.
Try to avoid confusing labels such as cotton blends (usually a mix of polyester and cotton), soft touch/ultra soft (refers to finishing processes), and bamboo (heavily processed through chemicals).
Obviously, people are going to gift baby a ton of clothes. So if you can’t fully avoid synthetics, make sure to wash it before first wear using gentle, fragrance-free detergent. And immediately replace once the fabric tears or shows signs of break down.
This also pertains to rugs and baby blankets: Whenever possible, try to choose natural fibers like cotton or wool over synthetic materials. This will further reduce baby’s exposure to microplastics.
don’t heat up plastic
A new study shows that plastic baby bottles, when heated or shaken, release microplastics into the liquid. Because of this, bottle-fed infants around the world may be consuming more than 1.5 million particles of microplastics per day on average.
Consider switching to glass baby bottles if you can. If that’s not an option, rethink your bottle preparation routine. Try heating up formula in a glass container, letting it cool, then transferring it to a plastic bottle.
Avoid using the microwave to heat up both breastmilk and formula, as this can lead to pockets of superheated water next to the plastic, triggering more microplastics to shed.
If you’re up to solids, consider making your own baby food and storing them in upcycled glass jars you can reheat without issue. Just steam or boil fruits and vegetables, then puree them in a blender before transferring them to airtight containers (ideally glass).
For your sanity, you can also consider freezing homemade baby food in silicone molds, then reheating on the stove in a pot. Souper Cubes makes 100% FDA food-grade silicone molds and their ‘cookie tray’ is perfect for freezing breastmilk or solids in small increments. Their lids are also BPA-free.
So, how are you reducing baby’s plastic exposure? Let me know in the comments!
And, a huge thank you to Kudos for sponsoring this post. Be sure to visit Kudos.com to get their hands on their 100% plastic-liner free diapers!
The post Tips For Reducing Plastic Exposure With a Baby appeared first on Going Zero Waste.
Curating a conscious home is a thoughtful process involving much consideration — who made my products, how they were made, and what are they made from — and this guide aims to support you on your journey towards finding ethical and sustainable home decor you truly love.
What is Sustainable Home Decor?
Sustainable home decor includes any home decor that is made in a way that takes into consideration both the makers and the planet. Sustainable home decor will be ethically made using eco-friendly and natural materials. Eco-friendly decor will also be produced using sustainable supply chain practices. This includes using renewable energy and recycled or compostable packaging.
While there are numerous sustainable home decor brands, some of which are featured below, first consider what’s already been made in order to prevent contributing to new waste. Secondhand, used, or DIY home decor options are typically more sustainable than buying new.
What is Ethical and Fair Trade Home Decor?
Ethical and Fair Trade home decor is produced in a way that adheres to Fair Trade standards and is, ideally, Fair Trade Certified. Fair Trade means paying artisans and makers a fair, living wage and providing ethical working conditions. Ethical home decor also includes supporting goods made by artisans using traditional heritage techniques and art forms. Many cultures around the world are at risk of losing their age-old artisanal crafts forever in the age of mass manufacturing.
It’s important to note that sometimes a major brand may use an “eco” fiber while still supporting irresponsible labor practices, and excessive production amounts that inevitably lead to a lot of waste. This is not true sustainability in my mind!
Most artisan-made home decor is ethically produced and directly supports the makers. However, it’s important to check if a brand or marketplace is transparent about their business practices to ensure they are ethical or Fair Trade.
Where Can You Find Sustainable Home Decor?
In terms of environmental sustainability, looking secondhand and vintage is always a great first place to look for sustainable home decor.
But if you’ve scoured those options and haven’t found what you’re looking for and/or if you’re looking to financially support artisans and traditional crafts around the globe, this shopping guide is designed for you. You’ll discover many brands with artfully designed and artisan handmade goods for furnishing any space among this list of decor brands.
All of the brands in this guide use natural and/or recycled fibers and avoid the use of virgin synthetics like polyester; however, some brands do use materials that are not the most environmentally-friendly option on the market, such as conventional cotton.
And of course, I wanted to choose brands that followed slow, thoughtful production practices, prioritizing artisan handmade over factory labor and quality over quantity.
So without further ado, here are my favorite small-batch, artisan-made, and ethical home decor brands.
Note that this guide includes affiliate links — as always, we only curate brands vetted for sustainability that we love (and that we think you’ll love too).
1. Urban Natural
Categories: Accent Pillows, Tabletop, Lighting, Wall Art & Mirrors, Blankets & Throws
Eco-friendly home retailer Urban Natural is on a mission to curate high-quality furniture (and other home goods) built with quality and free of toxic chemicals. Urban Natural carries several sustainable home decor brands, including artisan brands Ethnicraft and Jaipur Living as well as ethically USA-made brands Farmhouse Pottery and East Fork.
2. GOODEE
Categories: Pillows, Lighting, Wall Decor, Planters, Baskets, Blankets, Candles
GOODEE is an ethical marketplace featuring numerous sustainable artisan brands and designers. You’ll find a variety of beautifully crafted home decor goods to suit a wide range of styles. Goodee is a Climate Neutral and B Corp Certified company. They publish an annual impact report so you can easily ensure their business practices align with your values.
Our favorite brands on Goodee are Texidors, Baba Tree, Makaua, and Tensira.
3. Healthier Homes
Categories: Rugs, Lighting, Tabletop, Baskets, Wall Decor & Wallpaper
Founded after years running an award-winning healthy home building firm and publishing a book by the same name (Healthier Homes) this retailer is a go-to online destination for finding non-toxic home goods. The eco-friendly home decor on Healthier Homes is primarily made with natural materials like clay, cotton, seagrass, mango wood, and bamboo,
4. Will & Atlas
Categories: Baskets, Tabletop
Will & Atlas is a women-owned small business making most of their homewares from plant materials like jute, palm leaf, and hogla grass. Their natural fiber baskets are flexile but sturdy built to hold blankets, pillows, laundry, magazines, toys, or just to stand alone as a decor piece. You’ll also find jute coasters and placemats in their tabletop collection.
The brand is committed to ethical practices, partnering with nonprofit fair trade artisan groups in Bangladesh and craftspeople in the U.S. to build long-lasting production relationships.
5. Ten Thousand Villages
Categories: Baskets, Pillows, Throws, Candles, Wall Art, Planters & Vases
Founded 80 years ago, Ten Thousand Villages is the original fair trade store. Throughout the decades, the nonprofit business has continued their commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, as well as sustainability.
As a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization, with artisans around the world from under-resourced communities. Most of the products they carry are made from recycled, upcycled, and natural materials.
6. MagicLinen
Categories: Curtains, Kitchen Linens
Linen is an exceptional material for home decor — there’s a reason we say “kitchen linens!” It’s natural, beautiful, and is often high quality.
I purchased a set of linen curtains from Magic Linen one year ago and they remain one of my favorite home decor pieces. The fabric they use meets the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, meaning its been tested for harmful substances.
7. Passion Lilie
Categories: Pillow Covers, Table Linens
Passion Lilie is a fair trade fashion and lifestyle brand with ethically made home decor, too. The Fair Trade Verified brand has handwoven cotton blankets, organic cotton kitchen linens, unique ornaments, and hand-dyed throw pillow covers.
Each piece is made by Passion Lilie’s partners in India who pay living wages and ensure a safe working environment. Beyond this, the brand supports efforts to enable artisans to continually develop their skills and creates opportunities for community development.
8. 54kibo
Categories: Throw Pillows, Wall Hangings & Artwork, Mirrors, Baskets, Rugs, Lighting
A destination for modern African artisanal decor, 54kibo curates a stunning selection of ethically made home decor. The pieces on 54kibo are made with time-honored techniques using locally sourced materials with rich histories. The designs are exceptional, but the stories behind them make the pieces beautiful additions to your home beyond the surface.
9. The Citizenry
Categories: Baskets, Planters & Vases, Tabletop, Wall Decor, Mirrors
The Citizenry partners with artisans around the world, ensuring safe conditions, fair wages, and offering grants to their artisan partners so that they can expand their businesses.
Their online collection features small-batch artisan-made home goods made from locally-sourced and natural materials like palm leaves and indigo dyes.
More Sustainable Home Guides:
Sustainable Furniture Brands to Furnish a Conscious Home
Best Eco-Friendly and Zero Waste Kitchen Products
Easy Swaps for a Low Waste, Sustainable Bathroom
The post 9 Beautiful Places to Source Ethical and Eco-Friendly Home Decor appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
9 Beautiful Places to Source Ethical and Eco-Friendly Home Decor
Take a look at why hemp is heralded as a hero material and discover 14 hemp clothing brands that have tapped into its sustainable potential.
The exploration of fabrics has always been a starting point for sustainable innovation in fashion. After all, fabrics provide tangible proof that change is possible while having a direct impact on the environment in one way or another. Plus fabrics are responsible for an outsized proportion of a fashion brand’s carbon footprint and overall environmental impact, including biodiversity loss and pollution.
So, What is Hemp Fabric?
Hemp is a bast fiber produced from the cannabis sativa plant, where every part of the plant can be utilized for over 25,000 industrial uses including clothing, biofuel, bricks, paper, and textiles.
Contrary to its popular association, hemp is actually the sober sister to marijuana. Unlike its recreational sibling that’s grown for its psychoactive THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) properties, hemp contains less than 0.3% THC, a value that was the driving force behind the legalization of hemp production in the 2018 Farm Bill. So while you can’t really get high from hemp, you can definitely enjoy its material benefits — which are plenty!
What is Hemp Clothing?
The simple answer is that hemp clothes are garments made from hemp fabric! But the important caveat here is that most hemp clothes on the market today are not made from 100% hemp fabric. They are usually blended with other fibers, like cotton.
At this point, hemp fabric manufacturing is not at the scale or technological level that the manufacturing of cotton (the most popular natural material) is, making 100% hemp clothing more expensive to produce. Also, pure hemp fabric is also known to be quite stiff until a couple dozen washes later, so blending it with a fiber like cotton can make it softer and easier to wear on the offset.
100% hemp fiber content clothing does exist, it’s just rare at this point. Though we do think this will change with more sustainable material investment happening in the textiles industry.
Is Hemp Clothing Comfortable?
It depends! The softness of hemp clothing will vary based on how the fabric was produced and if it is blended with other fibers like cotton or lyocell. Pure hemp clothing can be rougher than cotton, but hemp is known to get softer with every wash.
Also, since hemp is a natural bast fiber that comes from the softer parts of the plant’s stalk or stem, it is softer than the coarser leaf fibers.
Can Hemp Clothing Protect From The Sun?
A lesser known benefit of hemp clothing is that it can reportedly even help shield you from harmful UV rays. According to skin cancer research, a fabric’s UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) value is a number that coincides with the fraction of UV rays it allows to pass through and hit your skin — the higher the UPF number, the better the protection.
Research claims that hemp has a UPF of >50 (according to European standards) due to natural pigments and lignin within the fibers, which act as UV absorbers.
Is Hemp Clothing Sustainable?
There are a lot of benefits to hemp clothing. But don’t just take our word for it, we’ve listed some of hemp’s most impressive sustainable qualities below:
1. Hemp is not resource-intensive
Hemp can be grown under a variety of agricultural and ecological conditions and has a capacity to grow rapidly.
Hemp clothing vs. cotton: With a high yield of 250% more fiber than cotton, hemp requires less land to grow, has no need for harmful pesticides or chemicals, and needs as little as 1/3rd of the water compared to conventional cotton. (Though individual use cases may vary based on the region that each of the crops are grown.)
2. Hemp is a restorative plant
Growing hemp can also help contribute to the maintenance of soil quality, courtesy of its anchored roots which prevent soil erosion and nutrient loss.
In fact, research shows that hemp can be used to restore contaminated soils through ‘phytoremediation’ — a process that has proven successful in the early 90s when industrial hemp was planted in some of the polluted Ukrainian regions near the Chernobyl disaster where much of the land was rendered useless. The experiments showed that hemp helped remove radioactive elements from the soil.
3. Hemp can absorb carbon more than other plants
Hem can act as a carbon sink. According to a Cambridge University researcher, a hectare of hemp can absorb between 8-15 tonnes of CO2, giving hemp plants a vital role in reversing carbon emissions.
Impressed yet? Ahead, discover 14 brands that have some of the best takes on this sustainably versatile fiber.
Note that this guide includes affiliates. As always, all brands meet very high standards for sustainability and are brands we love that we think you’ll love too.
Where to Find Sustainable Hemp Clothing
1. Patagonia
Have an outdoor adventure coming up? Run for the hills in some of Pa