This week communities across the world are celebrating Earth Day.  But long after Earth Day has passed we at Dandelion will still be doing everything we can to protect our planet.

We chose the dandelion as our namesake because it’s hardy but also adaptable.  We believe that, as caretakers of our planet, it’s crucial to adapt to meet our environmental challenges.  In every decision we make we consider how we can become even more green.

So we’ve committed to observing Earth Day 365 days a year.  Here are some of the ways we meet that commitment:

Organic cotton and bamboo fabrics.

We believe that the fabrics closest to your baby should be closest to nature.  Our toys, clothing, and bags are made with certified organic cotton certified organic bamboo.  Using organic cotton means less pesticide use and a safer product for your baby.  Bamboo is a sustainable and renewable resource requiring no pesticides.

Corn-based plastics.

Our teethers and natural tableware are made with cornstarch instead of petroleum-based plastic.  It has has no BPA, no phthalates, and no PVCs. The materials we use are biodegradable, and unlike petroleum based products, corn is a renewable and sustainable resource.  Our corn-based products require significantly less fossil resources, and generate far fewer green house gases than conventional plastic.

Corn and bamboo fiber filling.

We choose corn fiber filling instead of synthetic filling for our toys because it is both natural and washable.  Corn filling retains its loft and does not clump, like cotton filling can.  In our new handcrafted line we use bamboo filling, another sustainable choice.

Low impact dyes.

We use fiber reactive dyes. Fiber reactive dyes are also called “low-impact” dyes due to their low-impact on the environment.  They have a significantly higher dye absorption rate (70-80%), which means less rinsing and much less dye runoff in the water: hence, a “lower impact” on the environment. Low-impact dyes typically have no heavy metals and don’t require mordants.

Eco-friendly packaging.

Our amazing packaging is eco-friendly!  Each item comes in a custom designed card or sleeve, and “locks” into place using the product’s unique features. No twist ties.  No plastics.  No cellophane wraps. Just 100% recycled paper and vegetable ink.  And you can make the next eco-logical choice… recycle it again at home!  Our sleeve system also reduces the overall size of the package.  A smaller package size means less fuel is used for transportation. Less fuel + less waste= less impact on our environment.

Going green at our offices.

At our offices we’ve reduced our energy usage, provided staff reusable drinking containers, and use recycled paper products.  And we’re always looking for new ways to work green!

Supporting green charities.

We are proud members of 1% for the Planet. As a member, we contribute one percent of revenues to approved non-profit environmental organizations including the Nature Conservancy and the Ocean Conservancy.  We’re a partner of carbonfund.org and members of the Organic Trade Association and the Natural Products Association.

 

 

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