Tell Santa to get the lead out Ryan McVay/Getty Images
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Green America (formerly "Co-op America") is a not-for-profit membership organization founded in 1982 with the following mission in mind:
"To harness economic power
The new issue of RealGreen, the Green America newsletter, offers two helpful articles for those of you on the verge of last-minute Christmas shopping. To follow are some tips gleaned from these articles:
Beyond Lead: Toxins in Toys
- Avoid painted toys in general, due to lead risk. In particular, avoid imported painted toys or any painted toy made before 1978 (before lead paint was banned in toys, residential structures, and hospitals. Finding lead-free toys has never been easier.
- Avoid PVC plastic and instead, choose toys made of alternative materials, including FSC-certified wood and natural fabric.
- Avoid Bisphenol-A (or polycarbonate #7) in baby bottles and "sippy" cups. Choose glass or polyethylene (#1, #2, #4 recycling symbols) or polypropylene (#5) instead. This buying guide should help.
WATCH VIDEO: Gifts for the Outdoors Lover
Sweatshop-Free Clothing
- Buy Fair Trade.
- Buy less clothing.
- When in doubt, visit Responsible Shopper.
