Eco-Friendly Options For Paper
3:07 PM Posted by Mommy Is Green
I'm the kind of person that works well with seeing things in front of me on paper. When it comes to planning and paying bills I need to see them written down. That's the way I work best. I've tried keeping a calendar online but it doesn't have the same effect. So I told myself that if I wanted a tangible paper product to keep track of my days and months I had to choose something eco-friendly.
My sister came to visit this week and brought me a notebook made from 80% sugar cane waste (Thank you, Jessica!). I thought that was really cool! Now I was thinking I could go out and find something eco-friendly for planning. Surely there would be something available. I received a Target gift card for doing a post so I started there.
I came across Blue Sky products. They are made with recycled paper from 60% post consumer waste and printed with soy based ink. I very much wanted the planner but it had a plastic cover. My sister reminded me that I didn't know what the plastic cover was made from so I should reconsider. The cover looked like #5 polypropylene but since I didn't know if it truly was and if it could be recycled I opted not to buy it. Instead I went with one of the hanging calendars (top photo). No plastic is even better. I figured I could see a whole month at a time and I could take the calendar down to write on it then hang it back up. Hanging it would also prevent my toddler from taking it and ripping the paper. If I had a planner lying around he would destroy it for sure.
While at Target I also came across the recycled construction paper I like to get for my son. If he's going to color I prefer it to be on acid-free recycled paper. I think it goes perfect with his soy crayons. He has a lot of fun coloring. I'm happy there are eco-friendly options so my son can enjoy this activity.
I'm thrilled I was able to find the recycled paper products I needed. Otherwise, I would be going without, still trying to find a way to get truly organized.
August 28, 2010 10:27 PM
I've heard about sugar cane paper but have yet to come across any in stores... I will look in Target for the recycled paper though.
August 29, 2010 5:29 PM
Staples has the sugar cane products and not as costly as one would think. Great post Victoria!
August 29, 2010 9:14 PM
I need things written down as well but so far I've been managing with a calendar I made myself on my computer. These sure sound cool though, you always introduce me to the best green products!
September 15, 2010 10:19 AM
I am such a visual person, too. I must have my "lists" to stay organized! :)
I want to go green and am making baby steps towards that. I have a question. We have porcelain sinks in the kitchen, a light almond color. I like the way Ajax gets them so clean and gets all the tea stains off the porcelain. What is the green alternative?
September 28, 2010 11:01 AM
I enjoy making lists too and often use the backsides of all the paper my daughter brings home from school. I've started making lists in the little notepad on my cell phone, but it's not the same since I love the feeling of scribbling over each completed task.