Step 2 Toys: Made in USA

I was at my oldest’s friends house at a birthday party for her youngest.  When he opened a darling motorcycle and I saw Made in USA on the box, I was shocked.  How sad is that?  The company is Step 2.

I have perused their website and, surprise of surprises, they actually have what kind of plastic they use and information on where their items are manufactured right there in the FAQ’s.  That is so rare.

Their toys are made from low density polyethylene.  Polyethylene is #2 in recycling lingo.  It is BPA-free and PVC-free.  It is considered a safe plastic.

The majority of what they produce is made here in the USA.  They do freely admit that some small parts are made in China and then review their safety guidelines.

Some of the items are available for free shipping from Amazon and they have a store finder on their site.

Their bouncers are made from phthlate-free PVC.

Published in:  on April 22, 2009 at 4:43 AM Comments (2)
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BPA: What’s the Big Deal?

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been in the news quite a lot recently. You can see BPA-free stickers on quite a number of items now, thankfully.

Why is this such a hot topic? BPA is a synthetic estrogen. This is in can linings, baby bottles, false teeth, polycarbonate bottles, compact disks and many more items. This chemical has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and even diabetes.

The media uproar started when BPA in baby bottles was found leaching into the contents. But this issue goes so much farther into our lives than baby products.

BPA FAQ by a pro-BPA company.

http://www.bisphenol-a.org/about/faq.html

Here are some other very interesting articles discussing the health and evvironmental impact of BPA.

Environmental Health News

WebMD

Our Stolen Future

Canada becomes the first country to ban BPA in some items.

Published in:  on March 27, 2009 at 4:01 AM Leave a Comment
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Plastic Tutorial

When you buy something plastic, you typically can find a recycling number on the bottom of the item. That number is very useful in avoiding the more toxic plastics.

  • #1 PETE or PET (polyethylene terephthalate): This is used in most clear beverage bottles like bottle water, soda, etc. These are considered safe for single use.
  • #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene): used for milk and water jugs, opaque food bottles.These are considered safe to refill or reuse.
  • #3 PVC or V (polyvinyl chloride): used in some cling wraps, shower curtains, and some soft bottles. This is the most toxic plastic from production to disposal. Avoid this plastic.
  • #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene): used in food storage bags and some bottles.This is considered a safe plastic.
  • #5 PP (polypropylene): used in rigid containers, including some baby bottles, and some cups and bowls. Condsidered safe.
  • #6 PS (polystyrene): used in foam containers, take out cup lids, and clear take out conatiners. Some plastic cups and utensils. This may leach into food that it touches. They are estrogenic and disrupts normal hormonal functioning. It is also a carcinogen. Avoid.
  • #7 is the “other” plastic but is usually polycarbonate. This is used in 5 gallon water jugs, personal reusable water bottles and many other items. Polycarbonate has BPA as a base. Avoid this plastic.

The less plastic you use, the better off you are.

Use reusable grocery bags, stainless steel or glass water bottles, and never use plastic to reheat food or drink.

Published in:  on at 3:51 AM Comments (1)
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Plastic Ocean

Watch this video and read this article.

rrr

Published in:  on March 26, 2009 at 10:59 PM Leave a Comment
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