It’s a truth universally acknowledged that parents (in general) don’t enjoy packing school lunches day after day. I’m no exception. Keeping things interesting, organized and fresh can be challenging for us time-poor caregivers, which is why I appreciate products that make things that little bit easier.

I’ve long been a fan of the Goodbyn lunchboxes – mostly because they offer an attractive and toxin-free solution to packing a healthy, waste-free lunch. My son has been using a Goodbyn Bynto for three years and I can honestly say we both love it because it’s sturdy, easy to use (and clean), and it can store a surprising amount of food without being too bulky to carry in his schoolbag.

Recently Goodbyn introduced it’s newest lunchbox – the Hero. What’s different? There is one large bento-style container with three handy compartments for keeping food separated. In addition, the set comes with two extra smaller containers that are leak-proof and perfect for packing things like yogurt and dips. These also fit inside the larger container to keep the whole set neat and tidy. Easy, versatile and very practical.

Now, if all you need is a little inspiration for what to put in your trusty Hero lunchbox, the Goodbyn website has some handy hints and recipe inspiration. Yay!

It’s also worth noting that Goodbyn lunchboxes are completely recyclable. All of the pieces are made of #5 polypropylene and #2 high-density polyethylene, and can be placed in your municipality’s recycling container. That is, if you ever want to part with it – and I can’t see that happening in our house…

View our complete range of Goodbyn lunchboxes and other eco-friendly products for helping you pack a waste-free lunch at Itty Bitty Greenie.

By Donna MacMullin

Creative Communications, Graphic Design, Communications, Blogging, Copywriting, Content Management

Why, you ask? Well for one, it gives you a chance to discover some pretty cool businesses – many of them offering exclusive discounts to hunters for the month of September. Best of all, there are more than $10,000 worth of prizes up for grabs for hunters who find the most icons, find them the quickest or simply those hunters who win the daily prize draw.

As part of Itty Bitty Greenie’s sponsorship, we’re offering hunters 15% off storewide and one lucky winner will receive one of our very popular Goodbyn lunchboxes.

If you haven’t yet registered for the hunt, click here to submit your details and get the low down on all the rules.

We hope you enjoy our mini hunt – there are four clues hidden throughout the site. If you get stuck, make sure you pop across to the Itty Bitty Greenie hints page on the nappy forum.

Be warned though – joining the hunt is very addictive…

And now, your first clue:

Twinkle twinkle eco star,
How I wonder what you are…
Lighting up the world so keen,
in all the colours, not just green

Click here to go back to the Itty Bitty Greenie eco-shop, so you can search for the rest of the clues on our product pages!

You’re never too young to start earth-friendly living, and for those who like to create a dialogue with their children about the importance of loving mother earth, we have some great gift ideas for you that are sure to inspire conversation and good greenie fun.

1) I Can Save the Earth storybook, made from 100% recycled paper and printed with soy inks (RRP $11.50)

2) Green Toys Recycling Truck, made from recycled plastic (RRP$ 54.95)

3) “Environmentally Trendy” Organic T-shirt from Well Spotted brand (RRP $34.95)

4) Goodbyn eco-friendly lunch box (RRP $44.00)

5) Taslie head-to-toe organic moisturizing lotion, made with biodegradable packaging (RRP $16.95)

6) Reusable bowl & spoon set made from corn, BPA and phthalate free and eco-friendly (RRP $14.95)

7) Kids Konserve Nesting Trio of Stainless Steel food containers (RRP $29.95)

8)  Eco-Charging Station playset, made from sustainable rubber wood (RRP $ $39.95)

By Donna MacMullin

Creative Communications, Graphic Design, Communications, Blogging, Copywriting, Content Management

OrganicKidz stainless-steel baby bottle

Canada led the way by banning the it from childrens’ products, and now regulators around the world are starting to invest money into researching the potential health risks from bisphenol-A, or BPA, a widely used chemical component of plastic bottles and food packaging.

In a shift of position, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in January it had “some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behaviour and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children,” and would join other federal health agencies in studying the chemical in both animals and humans.

The government will spend $30-million on BPA research in humans and animals, to take place over 18 to 24 months.

Read the full New York Times article here.

In the meantime, parents are wise to choose feeding products that are BPA-free, and here are some of our favourite ones for children:

Green to Grow have award-winning baby bottles in glass or toxin-free plastic, along with some pretty cool accessories. Their packaging is made from post-consumer recycled cardboard & soy dyes. Plus, there is a lot of great information on their website about the dangers of BPA.

Goodbyn lunchboxes are BPA-free and come with a matching drink bottle AND …stickers so your kids can personalize theirs. The bento-style design eliminates the need for extra waste (bye-bye plastic wrap!), which is definitely eco-fabulous.

OrganicKidz has made the world’s first stainless-steel baby bottles. They’re unbreakable, dent-reistant and free from BPA, PVC and pthalates – plus, the gorgeous designs (pictured) are sure to inspire parent-envy in your playgroup!

By Donna MacMullin

Creative Communications, Graphic Design, Communications, Blogging, Copywriting, Content Management