Feature/General
Shopping for a Better Planet
By Liz Conroy
Nov/Dec 2009

Toys often bring joy to our children. Some toys bring toxins, too. Certain items are downright scary, such as when lead was discovered in candy, children’s jewelry and toy trains imported from Mexico and China.

Today, consumers are increasingly aware that some plastic products leach toxins such as “phthalates” and “Bisphenol-A” (BPA). Concern continues to grow regarding plastics and the chemicals used in them. These plastic products come from many countries, including the U.S.
Along with safety concerns for children, adults may wonder about the safety of certain toys for the planet, too. When we toss plastic toys and toys with lead away – where is away? It’s still somewhere on Earth. Discarded toys wind up in landfills where harmful chemicals from these products may seep into the ground, water and soil.

Fortunately, quality toys are available for parents who want to bring joy to their families without toxins. In addition, well-made toys can be passed down through the generations. Mother of two and local businesswoman Sandy Cederbaum values her children’s best toys: “My grandfather made beautiful wooden blocks. My son will play with them and ask me to tell stories about my brothers. It means something to him to play with the same toys that they had.”

Cederbaum researches all items before she gives them to her children. With her husband, she learned about safe, high quality products, including many available in the Athens area. They created the Internet store, ASmallGreenFootprint.com, to offer products to those seeking quality items, but without time to do research.

“Everything we offer involves my asking a ton of questions,” Cederbaum says. “One of my first thoughts is: ‘Would I want my child to put that toy in her mouth’? Then I want to know the impact of my purchase on other people and the environment. When I buy locally, I know that my purchase helps people in this community and answers another question: ‘How far did something travel to get to us?’”

The couple offers wood toys created from sustainably harvested trees. They choose organic cotton and hemp products. Cederbaum knows that many parents don’t have time to ask lots of questions. “People care, but it can be overwhelming,” she says. “My goal is to save someone else the time.” Her research on alternatives to plastic products, for example, revealed that sturdy glass straws are child-safe. “They’re pretty and have a lifetime guarantee. The kids love them. But who would ever think of a glass straw?”

The Cederbaums offer opportunities to see their products at the upcoming Green Life Expo at The Classic Center, Jan.29-30, 2010.

In nearby Oconee County, Rebecca Almy and her husband also carefully research each product for their Watkinsville store, The Natural Baby. When their son was born last year, Almy sought cloth diapers and related products, but the search was a challenge. “It was difficult to find the products we wanted; there just wasn’t a lot of good information on cloth diapers.” In 2009, they opened their store to share their products with others who wanted healthy, safe items, too.

Almy enjoys talking with people about how products work and why she chose them. She’s pleased to explain that each item is responsibly made and environmentally friendly. “Everything we sell, we personally endorse,” she says. Their products are long-lasting and save money over time. “Products such as cloth diapers save money when disposables are no longer used, and they’re healthier for the baby,” she says. “But it’s a big shift for many people to think about reusing diapers, so I’m always happy to talk to customers.”

Back in Athens, Full Bloom - Pregnancy and Early Parenting Center is a resource center offering classes for parents and families as well as high quality products related to pregnancy, birth and parenting. Founder Pat Nielsen – formerly a Maternal Child Educator at ARMC – happily describes their growing retail space: “We have herbal products and breastfeeding clothing, including nursing bras – Bravado Designs Nursing Bras. We sell cloth diapers, accessories and baby-wearing items.” She says it’s important to carry a baby close, especially during the first few months: “Wearing the baby is where the baby is happier.”

Liz Conroy is a freelance writer in Athens.