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Aug 1, 2008 4:44 pm US/Eastern
Green Scene: Babies Going Green
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
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This sippy cup uses a small amount of plastic to keep babies safe.
CBS
Everything from sippy cups to toys has come a long way environmentally in recent years, especially with concerns over products made in China.
Kristina Ferrari operates a baby boutique in Center City Philadelphia, and one of her main goals is to find eco-friendly and healthy merchandise.
"I can relate to all the parents that come in here," Ferrari said. "Hey, I don't want my kids drinking out a cup that could potentially be carcinogenic."
So throughout the store "genes," you'll find some of the latest baby toys and accessories that have gone green: organic chew toys for infants, tea sets made of 100% recycled material, and molding clay so natural, it's no big deal if it's ingested.
Some of the clothing has a green twist as well. Ferrari showed us clothes made of 100% recycled vintage concert T-shirts and vintage materials.
And while the look of cribs hasn't changed much over the years, the way some are made has. For example, they're made with sustainably harvested woods. The paint used is either low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
"When you get the crib out of the box, you're not going to smell any of that," said Ferrari. "You could put it right in your nursery and feel comfortable, if you're pregnant, being in there or having your newborn in there. You're not getting any of that off-gassing."
There's even a new sippy cup on the market for parents concerned about the effects of plastic.
"It's made of stainless steel. It's brand new to the market, and we've literally had a waiting list on it for like three months," said Ferrari. The small amount of plastic used on the cup is BPA-free and contains no phthalates.
Ferrari says, slowly but surely, manufacturers are listening to customers concerns. She expects a lot more where this came from in the near future.
"I hope eventually we wouldn't have to necessarily point out that something is low-VOC paint or no-VOC paint. It should be a no-brainer and a given that it would be," said Ferrari.
Related Links:
www.shopgenes.com/
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