Weigh In: What's Your Stance On Walmart?

What is your stance on Wal-Mart? To me, Wal-Mart represents all that is good and bad with the world. As a parent, I am easily lulled by the convenience of doing all of my shopping in one place and the ability to purchase products at "affordable" prices. However, any joy I may feel from the time and money saved by shopping at Wal-Mart is more often than not squashed by the guilt of supporting a multi-national conglomerate that destroys local businesses, supports sweatshops, strong-arms small manufacturers and frequently abuses it's employees rights and privileges.

I am therefore torn by Wal-Mart's latest push to "go green." On the one hand, I am thrilled to find organic cotton clothing available to the masses. Organic produce and dairy products have never been easier to find. And Wal-Mart's plan to expand the market for CFL light bulbs has single-handedly caused a market explosion that could very well lead to a "CFL in every socket." Yet, it remains unclear whether or not these new offerings are really green or just "green-washed".

I mention all of this today in response to Wal-Mart's latest environmental move. They have recently partnered with a non-profit called the Carbon Disclosure Project in an effort to improve the energy efficiency of their stores and their supply chain. The retailer will participate in a pilot project to report all of the energy used in the manufacturing, distribution, procurement and supply of seven commonly-used household items, namely, DVDs, toothpaste, soap, milk, beer, vacuum cleaners and soda.

This seems like good news to me...a large company like Wal-Mart could potentially account for real reductions in energy use and overall greenhouse gas emissions. Yet I remain wary. What do you think?

Photo courtesy of www.freeimages.co.uk.

Good Job Suits!

There never seems to be a shortage of depressing and alarming environmental news to report. So it's nice to be able to focus on some good news for a change. Ever heard of the Montreal Protocol? Twenty years ago, a bunch of suits got together in Montreal and put together an international agreement that actually had some teeth. Their agreement, called the Montreal Protocol made real headway in banning the production and release of chemicals that damage the ozone layer. That in itself was great news for the environment. But that was 20 years ago...why mention it today? Well, yesterday, a new bunch of suits got together in Montreal and cut a deal to strengthen and accelerate the plan set up in the original agreement. Read the full story here.

Now, it's not often that the suits do the right thing, (especially when it may not add up to front page press time or a deep pocket of campaign dollars.) And just like with my children, I believe it's important to effusively praise and reward good behavior. So, I would like to say "Good Job, Suits! I'm putting up a batch of cookies for you!"

Photo courtesy of www.freeimages.co.uk.

The Great Diaper Debate

New parents are inundated with new decisions, often on topics that have never before crossed their minds; bottle or breast? paci or thumb? co-sleep or crib? Of these decisions, none is more vexing than diapers. It would seem from the great diaper debate that there is simply no eco-friendly way to diaper a child. Sure, cloth diapers are reusable and therefore lighten the landfill load. However, their need for frequent washing uses both water and energy.

Independent studies over the years have consistently come to the conclusion that there is no significant difference in the environmental impact between disposables and cloth. So what’s an eco-minded parent to do? Here are the options:

One alternative to consider is a new product called gDiapers, which combines a washable cloth pant with a biodegradable and flushable insert liner. Unlike disposable diapers, they don’t use any elemental plastics or landfill space, and they require less of the water and energy used to wash standard cloth diapers. These “hybrid” diapers are good in a pinch, but they still require paper and packaging (and midnight trips to the store for refills!)

Some parents have eschewed diapers all together and turned to a method called “elimination communication” where parents learn to “read” their baby’s cues and rush them to the potty when they appear ready to go. Inevitable messes aside, this method is unquestionably better for the environment because it doesn’t require water, energy, or landfill space. However, it is not for the faint of heart. If you can’t devote your full attention to watching your baby for “cues,” save yourself and your baby some frustration and use another method.

For those who prefer a traditional diaper, cotton diapers can take the environmental edge over disposables with some energy and water saving techniques, such as line-drying, skipping the pre-soak, and washing diapers in large loads using low temperatures. And today’s parents don’t have to go old-school with pins and plastic pants. Cotton diapers are easier to use than ever before; and, let’s face it, they are just way cuter than disposables. My pick of the bunch is Fuzzi Bunz cotton diapers...they are great looking, ridiculously soft, and a snap (literally!) to use.

Cotton diapers now come in such a wide array of styles and colors, that green parents may finally be able to put an end to the great diaper think about more important things (like sleep!).

Going Locavore

Just when you thought you had this whole eco-friendly thing figured out, (with your organic, locally grown produce and cage-free, non-genetically modified poultry,) the guy next door goes and ups the ante by growing and raising all of the food he needs to feed his family of four in his own backyard farm. Every morsel. From potatoes to chickens; from cantaloupe to rabbits. Oh, and by the way, did I mention that his "farm" is located in his 20 x 40 foot Brooklyn backyard?

Meet Manny Howard, locavore extraordinaire, or at least that is who he attempted to become. Manny is the first to admit that his experiment was far from purist; he had to cut a number of corners and shell out a load of cash ($11,000) in order to grow "barely enough to feed one grown man for a month." But while Manny's experiment may not have been an overwhelming success; it definitely made me reevaluate the potential farm in my own backyard.

Leave It At The Store!

Want to save money and the planet while reducing the clutter in your home? Try this old money saving trick the next time you are at the store...if you see an item you want, leave it at the store and promise yourself that if you really, really need it, you will pick it up the next time you shop. Do it for yourself and encourage your kids to do the same. When my eldest daughter sees a new toy at the store, she thinks her life will end if she doesn't have it. But she knows that nothing new is coming her way until the next birthday or holiday. In most cases, she will have forgotten about her "favorite" toy by the time we turn the corner!

Eco Treats For Eco Pets

Even the youngest children can help with this project...

Make a nutritious treat for the feathered friends in your neighborhood by coating a pinecone with peanut butter and then rolling it in oatmeal or sunflower seeds. Tie a 3 to 4 foot long string around the stem of the pinecone and hang it from a nearby branch. Place the feeder in easy view from one of your windows so your child can keep an eye on it.

Eco Paw Prints

Got pets? According to the Humane Society, there are currently 73 million dogs and 90 million cats in homes across the U.S. That's not to mention the birds, bunnies, ferrets, turtles, hamsters, and lizards that are also popular pets in families with children. Just like children, pets create a significant impact on the environment in the food, toys, and pet supplies used to keep them healthy and happy. Fortunately, you can reduce your pet’s ecological paw print with these quick tips:

1. Adopt: There are literally millions of animals out there in need of adoption. Save time, save money, and save the planet by adopting your next pet. (Check out Petfinder (www.petfinder.com) to search for a pet in your area.)
2. Snip Snip: Nobody wants to think about it, but having your pet spayed or neutered will prevent overpopulation and protect Fido's overall health.
3. Go Organic: Conventional pet food is made from disgusting selections of diseased and/or poor quality meat that is laden with chemicals. How long could you live on such a diet? Treat your pet to healthy natural or organic pet food.
4. Don't Buy Toys: Like children, pets are often amused with the simplest pleasures. Opt out of the consumer culture by lavishing your pet with toys that you already have around the house (I'm thinking a ball of yarn or pinecones from the back yard...NOT your bedroom slippers!)