Green Options

Phthalates are out of kiddie plastic now.  Don’t worry; you can still find the endocrine-disruptor in your makeup and shower curtains and pretty much anything that includes the term “fragrance.”

But have you thought about what they put into the new Barbie dolls instead of phthalates? It’s not like they’re making her ginormous bust size out of wood nowadays.  (Insert Ken jokes here.)

So…what exactly is in your kids’ toys now?

By now, most of the gifts are opened and we are left with piles of packaging, gift wrap, ribbons, bows and possibly a few unwanted gifts. What now?

If your family is anything like mine, among the fabulous handmade items we received (like the beaded cross necklace and crochet handbag my kids received and adore!) there are also lots of toys in cardboard and plastic packages.

You can recycle those packages, but it takes a little work on your part.

First: Separate out your wrapping paper. Any foil accent paper cannot be recycled. Use this for craft projects like Thank You cards or Decoupage. Place the rest of your paper into the recycling bin (we like to fold ours up so it isn’t all crumbled).