Taking big steps toward baby's carbon footprint

Buyers Guide Green

By Gerri Hunt -- Kids Today, 1/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

When Barry A. Cik was tapped with the task of finding a mattress for the grandchild he was expecting five years ago, he was disillusioned when he visited retailers.

This soft, cute and cuddly child-size lamb from Noonoo doubles as a rattle. One side is bamboo and the other organic cotton. Freehand embroidered imagery is on bamboo lamb front. Eco-friendly, ethically manufactured, naturally organic and sustainable, (603) 964-4647.

As an environmental engineer with hazardous materials expertise at the master level, he was aware of the dangers of toxins.

“I knew all about vinyl/PVC, polyurethane foam, and the various chemicals contained in them, and there was no way I was going to put my grandchild to sleep within a few inches of these chemicals,” said Cik.

Doing online research, he found nothing suitable.

So he and his two sons founded Naturepedic, specializing in baby and juvenile mattresses that have no allergens or biocides; have non-toxic fire protection, waterproofing and dust-mite protection; and firm construction, per CPSC guidelines.

“At first, stores were reluctant, but consumers are coming in now and forcing stores to carry our product,” said Cik. “Consumers are doing research and finding out about potentially harmful products.”

Naturepedic is now carried in 250 stores across the country, and has won numerous awards.

“It comes down to one thing: for every decision we make, we ask, what is going to give us the highest probability of not harming the baby?” said Cik. “We believe a baby's health and safety should not be negotiable.”

Around the same time Naturepedic was getting started, Jesse Johnson co-founded Q Collection, designing healthy, environmentally-friendly adult furniture and upholstery/textiles. In 2007, Johnson, who is also CEO, launched Q Collection Junior. It is now in 100 retail stores.

Food themed bibs from Frog Kiss Designs have a 100% cotton fabric front and soft, absorbent towel backing. They are handcrafted from all new, repurposed towel remnants from their hooded towel collection, resulting in less landfill waste, $12-14, (203) 335-2298.

“We are unique, with the first cribs that have gone through third-party indoor quality process,” he said. “We have an internal checklist of things we are not willing to use, like formaldehyde and polyurethane in our paints and finishes.”

Everything they do is designed to eliminate anything harmful or toxic in the products themselves, or in the way they're made. “It is the reason we exist,” says their mission statement.

GreenGuard tests to two levels, the stricter one for children's schools, which is the level Q Collection Junior meets, although they make residential products.

“That's important for a child spending major time in a crib,” said Johnson. The furniture is made domestically, of certified wood from within 115 miles of where it is produced, and the packaging is biodegradable.

The juvenile side of the business has grown dramatically. By 2008, it was 50% of the business.

For 2009, Q Collection is debuting the Luna 3-in-1 convertible crib; the Alberto Winged Glider; and 100% organic cotton bedding in Roxy, a watermelon pink color.

“Our new collection has a lot of momentum, and we're likely to meet our sales target,” said Johnson.

For manufacturer Smart Gear, it was the opportunity and need for eco-friendly toys that spurred the business to open.

The Solare dresser/changing table from Q Collection Junior is made of certified and locally-sourced 100% hardwood ash; non-toxic, water-based materials; and no use of formaldehyde, $1,625, (212) 529-1400.

Jason Cohen and his brother, Sam, started the company in 2004, but didn't bring any products to the market until 2007. They did a lot of research, including visiting retailers and factories, attending trade shows, and talking to teachers and parents.

“Looking back at 2008, people started taking a proactive role and choosing eco-friendly products,” said Cohen. “Business is really good. Even with the economy the way it is, we've been growing every month.”

He attributes part of that success to the value of the wooden toys Smart Gear makes.

“People see wooden toys, and they see more value,” said Cohen. “You can get them Elmo, but will find they play with toys that have more value.”

 

Smart Gear uses non-toxic paints and finishes. They only use wood from replenishable sources, and even their catalogs are printed on recycled paper. Smart Gear meats EU safety standards, which Cohen said are slightly higher than US standards.

The Eco Doll House from Wonderworld for Smart Gear comes complete with room settings and family. Themes include recycling, planting trees, solar panels, bicycle and collecting rain water. Finished with water-based paint, $175, (732) 663-0000.

The company also distributes Wonder-world products, after finding they were a great match to what Smart Gear makes.

For 2009, there will be 25 new Wonderworld products, such as pull toys and pretend-play toys. And among Smart Gear's products, there will be a line of plush handmade in Turkey that is 100% organic “inside and out.”

And not only can parents reduce their baby's carbon footprint through the products they purchase for the youngster, they can teach children about the environment very early.

One of the best-sellers for the new year is the Wonderworld's Eco Doll House.

“It is off the charts,” said Cohen. “It teaches children about recycling from an early time.”

 

 

 

	The Project Table and Stool Set, part of Ecotots' Surfin Collection, is made of 100% formaldehyde-free FSC Certified birch plywood with eco-friendly, non-toxic, water-based stains, $400, (866) 490-9800.
The Keep-Me-Tidy Disposable Diaper Sacks from Classy Kid are degradable and contain the stink and airborne germs. Great for soiled or wet clothes too, $3.29, (800) 406-5010.
	Dandelion's PET Diaper Bag is made from recycled PET plastic bottles. It comes with two adjustable shoulder straps and mini straps and can be carried four different ways. Set includes Diaper Bag, changing pad and Grab-and-Go mini bag. The mini bag has room for diapers and wipes and a pouch sized to fit the changing pad, $74.99, (888) 222-3053.
The Organic Collection from Stephan Baby includes this all-natural cotton mint onesie, $16, (800) 359-2917.
	The Naturepedic No-Compromise Organic Cotton Classic mattress has organic cotton filling, nontoxic waterproofing and fire protection, seamless design and a dual firmness option, $259, (800) 91-PEDIC.
Lotus Bebe's Bamboo Baby Blanket comes in green and pink with 100% silk brown trim, $59, (800) 298-0803.
	The Animal Organic Cotton group from Raindrops Organic features embroidered items in ivory cotton and pointelle knit. Bibs and hooded towels are organic cotton, terry cloth, $9-42, (630) 968-5100.
Argington's Giza table is solid birch and birch ply, with a choice of birch, ebony or red maple (shown) finishes, $170, (718) 218-8508
	Amy Michelle's Ecobaby totes come in black and or with a world peace insignia. They are made from recycled excess fabrics blended with recycled PET bottles. The shoulder bag converts to a back pack, $75, (303) 279-0690.
The Manhattan crib from Kids Collection Organic, handcrafted by the Amish, is brown maple, and shown here in Acres stain, $1,672, (330) 893-4122.
	Little billie wall art from Olli & Lime is 3x2.5', and printed on recycled paper, $90, +44 1242 519393.
This premium Merino Wool onesie from Outside Baby is cut and sewn to fit for layering and every day wear. Machine wash and dry, 100% sustainable, $30, (541) 387-4554.
	The Cornstarch Dumbbell Rattle by Green Sprouts for i play. is PVC-, BPA-, phthalate- and lead-free. Made with EcolGreen bio-Polymer, a cornstarch-based eco-friendly plastic. Classic dumbbell shape for easy gripping, $10 (828) 254-9236.
The Natural I crib mattress from Colgate Juvenile Products has an organic cotton cover, natural cotton batting cushioning, and firm support from natural/renewable coir fiber from coconut shells, (404) 681-2121.
	This modern bookshelf from Spot On Square is painted with an eco-friendly, non-toxic paint on your choice of eco-conscious materials: bamboo, FSC certified birch or painted recycled/reclaimed MDF in white, $499-625, (800) 308-0046.

The Registry of Sources for Green products can be found online at www.kidstodayonline.com.