The Green Parent: A Kid Friendly Guide to Eco Friendly Living

I have yet to meet a kid who does not like pizza. So it’s no wonder that pizza is the ultimate family favorite and easy dinner fallback. According to American Heritage Magazine, 93% of Americans eat pizza at least once a month. That’s pretty much right on target around my house, maybe even a bit more if work and school schedules get hectic. With all that pizza, I couldn't help but wonder if I was serving up the most eco-friendly pie. Here's how to green your pizza:

DIY It: If it’s a distance to your local pizza place, make your own pizza at home. (Better yet, let your kids make it.) You'll save money on the pie and on the gas (not to mention saving the planet)

Plan It: O.K., I know pizza delivery is tempting, but unless your favorite spot delivers their pizza by bike or hybrid, avoid these unnecessary driving miles by picking up your pizza on the way home from school or work.

Order It: Speaking of pizza places that delivery by bike or hybrid, each of these pizzerias are going the extra mile to go green, (using organic ingredients, eco-friendly cleaners, recycled products, and in some cases…bikes and hybrids for deliveries.) So if you’re lucky enough to live near one, be sure to stop in for some planet-saving pizza.

Pizza Fusion: With a motto like “Saving the Earth One Pizza at a Time,” you just know you can feel good about the pizza at Pizza Fusion. There are currently 22 Pizza Fusion locations across the U.S. Check out their site to see if there’s one near you.

Galactic Pizza: Galactic Pizza serves up “Pizza with a Conscience” in uptown Minneapolis.

Amici’s Pizza: Amici’s Pizza in Berkley, Michigan recently received green restaraunt certification from the Green Restaurants Association.

Veg It: Stick with cheese and veggies when dressing up your pizza. These ingredients are healthier for you and for the planet. (For more info, check out this old post on the environmental impact of eating beef.)

Recycle It: Your cardboard pizza box is recyclable, but only if it’s clean. Grease/cheese/sauce covered cardboard really shouldn’t get tossed in with the recyclables as it could contaminate the whole lot, so tear those sections off and recycle the rest.

Reuse It: Pizza boxes make excellent craft (and unusual) craft supplies. Here are a few cool ideas to try:

Felt Box: Use non-toxic glue to cover the inside of the pizza box top with felt. Cut out assorted felt shapes and store them inside the box. Voila! A traveling felt kit!

Portfolio: Use pizza boxes to store your child’s art projects. The size is perfect for holding all sizes of artwork and it fits neatly under the bed. (Let kids jazz them up with stickers, markers, recycled paper, cut outs from old magazines, and paints. )