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Jun 14, 2023

Tee Cee’s Tips for Monday, June 5

Dear Readers , Last week we answered a question about how to reduce waste while

Dear Readers, Last week we answered a question about how to reduce waste while raising a baby — a topic too big for just one column — so here's Part 2 with more tips on raising baby Zero Waste to reduce waste and save money:

Buy second hand: Little ones grow so quickly and move into different developmental stages with different needs, you’re constantly updating clothes, toys, books, and other items associated with childcare, like strollers and high-chairs. Buying second hand childcare products reduces the amount of material buried in landfills, reduces the demand to create new products from virgin natural resources, and saves you a lot of money over the years! Of course, when your kiddo outgrows one stage of life, please consider donating gently used products to keep them in circulation for another child. There are some great thrift stores in our area devoted entirely to kids, check out Eco-Cycle's Tour de Thrift for more info at ecocycle.org.

Go for glass: It may seem counterintuitive to give a baby any object made of glass, but glass baby bottles are almost indestructible and in fact are more durable than plastic and tend to last longer. Plastic bottles are more prone to developing scratches, which can become breeding grounds for bacteria. And unlike plastic, there is no concern of toxicity with glass. After your baby outgrows it, glass baby bottles can be given to another child or recycled.

Make your own baby food: Much of what you eat can simply be blended for baby by following guidelines available on multiple parenting sites. Not only will you dramatically reduce the amount of baby food packaging waste you generate, you’ll find your food bill is lower.

Opt for silicone products: There are a lot of plastic baby products, but one type of plastic stands above the rest: silicone. While silicone is not recyclable, it is a non-toxic and durable material that can be washed and continuously reused until your baby grows out of it. Try using silicone nipples on glass baby bottles, silicone sippy cups, and silicone utensils and food containers when you’re on the go.

Finally, remember to go easy on yourself! Raising a baby is difficult, so it's important not to feel guilty or stressed if you’re not 100% Zero Waste 100% of the time. Perhaps the most important sustainability tip is to manage stress and live in the moment.

— Tee Cee

Learn more ways to raise kids in a Zero Waste household at ecocycle.org or call Eco-Cycle at 303-444-6634 or email [email protected].

Correction: A recent "Dear Tee Cee" article on biochar mistakenly said House Bill 23-1069, the bill to study the effects of using biochar to plug oil and gas wells, did not make it through the legislative session. In fact, this bill was signed into law! Thank you to Longmont's own Representative Karen McCormick for sponsoring this forward-thinking legislation.

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