For parents who are trying to set an example for their new baby, going green is the way to go. Not only are you helping the environment by supporting socially responsible companies, but you’re also providing a non-toxic surrounding for your baby. Parents can choose baby products that are are safe for both their child, and the environment. One of the items that they may use frequently, and for long periods of a time, would be a stroller.

Strollers have become a expression of a parent’s lifestyle offering luxurious styles and endless gadgets and features. Eco Friendly Stroller manufacturers such as: Maclaren Baby, Stokke, UppaBaby and Orbit Baby are starting to catch on to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach by minimizing their carbon footprint from the design of the product to the way it’s shipped to their customers.

The Orbit Baby G2 Stroller is arguably the greenest stroller on the market right now for their dedication in providing the safest materials for your baby, as well as leaving behind a greener world. Their organic fabric materials are treated with safe flame retardants that does not include toxic brominated and chlorinated chemicals, like PBBs and PBDEs. Also, PVC-free materials such as the rain shield can be used without exposing them to PVC related fumes and chemicals. And finally, the packaging for the stroller is designed for efficient transportation and minimal waste (without bleach, plastic windows, or oily dyes).

(above) Features wise Orbit Baby has a patented hub ring for a 360-degree rotation for your baby to face front, rear and even side views during the stroll. The hub ring is also available in the car seat base for parents to save their backs while buckling their baby into the seat.

And at the end of the day, collapsing the stroller only requires a one-hand fold.

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Everyone loves to listen to music outdoors. Barbecues, basketball and numerous other activities are best enjoyed with your favorite tunes. Unfortunately, problems with batteries and outlets often create difficulties. When the music stops, the party stops. For those who want to avoid this problem, check out the Eton Soulra. The Soulra is a solar-powered sound system for the iPod and iPhone. (more…)

Although fit for queen bees, today’s collection shows no signs of royal wedding nonsense in sight – just easy, breezy pieces to keep you sustainably chic.

(above) Ifugao Swing Top by Eairth @ Juno & Jove – $135 free shipping til May 3rd.

(above, L to R) Pretty summer frocks made of sustainable materials @ BTC Elements $158 and $136

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• Gotta say I’m pleasantly surprised…House Budget Chair Ryan Backs Cutting Oil Subsidies – reuters
• Monster Alabama Tornado Spawned by Rare ‘Perfect Storm’ – natgeo
• If left to be managed by the ‘biz-friendly’ Florida Governor and state legislators the Everglades will perish…U.S. Judge says EPA, not Fla., Must Lead Glades Fix – newsvine
• Too bad they’re so darn expensive…Super Fruits: Tropical Blueberries Extremely High in Healthful Antioxidents, Study Says – sciencedaily
• I do believe we need a space program – if only for our national self esteem. NASA Fuels Endeavor for Historic Last Launch – yahoo! news
• PETA Releases iPhone App With Action Alerts – ecorazzi
• Cock block. (via: Jmmy Fallon) NJ Town Limits When Roosters, Hens Can Hook-Up – myway

It’s estimated that Americans discard 400 million units of electronic trash annually. That’s a massive amount of toxic – and often reusable – components, chemicals and hardware heading for the landfill.

One company helping to reduce that e-waste is uSell, a new website that specializes in turning consumers’ used cell phones into cash.

The process is straightforward: You go to the uSell website and type in your phone’s model number. Subsequently, you’re shown what the phone is worth (newer phones are worth exponentially more). You then supply your email and mailing addresses – once you’ve completed the process, uSell sends you a free return mailer. You can also return multiple phones for more cash.

I recently received two complimentary pairs of Okabashi shoes for the purposes of this no-strings-attached review:

For consumers looking to support a zero-waste based company with every step they take, Okabashi’s a shoe in – their collections are 100% recyclable and they contain 30% recycled material. (more…)

Designer Benjamin Caldwell and his BRJ Designs create unique furniture that emphasizes both form and materials. His Binary Collection (pictured above + below) is constructed from the recycled remains of obsolete computers and electronics.

The pieces are constructed entirely of recycled motherboards, computer chips, hard drives, computer screens and assorted salvaged detritus of the information age.

BRC will have a booth at the upcoming ICFF show in NYC May 14th – 17th.

My job often takes me on client visits to self-storage facilities. These visits are ones I particularly look forward to because it seems I always walk away from them having learned something new and interesting. One trend I’ve begun to notice in recent visits is the way people are now incorporating eco-friendliness into their packing and storage methodologies. I’m seeing a lot of new products and a lot of good ideas. Many of them are not only practical but amazingly resourceful as well. Here are just a few examples:

Biodegradable packaging materials:
Plastic bubble wrap and polystyrene peanuts are slowly becoming things of the past. Now I see a different kind of peanut that’s starch-based and biodegradable. This peanut has proven itself to be a very effective packing solution and you can dispose of it by simply dissolving it in a sink! And for cushioning applications, the plastic bubble wrap is slowly giving way to paper-based protective wraps which are not only biodegradable but in many cases consist of completely recycled content. A new packing product on the market known as MycoBond is made from crop waste materials which have been inoculated with a mushroom treatment. This product is particularly efficient compared to traditional foam packing material because it requires much less energy to produce and generates a comparatively small fraction of the carbon dioxide yielded by foam.  (more…)

This one’s for all you style-obsessed, proud iPhone 4 owners … why not protect your precious little baby with a natural wood case and make it stand out in a crowd? Made of renewable bamboo, this handcrafted case is laser engraved – giving it the lifelike surface detail of an M1 digital camera.

It’s very slim, weighs in at 22g and doesn’t crash your phone. On the downside – it’s made in Hong Kong (well that iPhone wasn’t assembled in the USA, either). Still, the shipping is cheap.

You’ll definitely be the talk of your local Starbucks or Apple store when you whip-out your phone.

$34.99 @ signimade’s Etsy shop