When it comes to baby products, sometimes less is more -- especially in terms of sustainability. But it can be difficult to pare down when you’re so excited to gear up for your new baby. There’s so many cool baby products out there! We get it, we’re parents too, and we feel the same temptations you do.
When you become a parent, though, you become increasingly aware that your footprint today will have an effect on tomorrow….and that tomorrow will include your babies, their babies and their babies’ babies. That makes frivoulous spending on all the latest and greatest baby products a little less fun.
Here at bloom, we’re proud to say that environmental sustainability has always been a pillar in the work that we do, since our founding more than 10 years ago. From our company’s manufacturing process to materials we use to the quality of our products, we think about Mother Earth every step of the way.
To help pave your path to a more sustainable life with your baby, our team has put together a quick list of things to consider when choosing products for your baby and your home.
Want to know more about our company’s commitment to sustainability? Learn about it here.
1. Buy higher quality for longer use.
It might feel difficult to wrap your head around spending extra money on gear when there’s cheaper alternatives, but consider this: investing in a high-quality brand that will stand the test of time (and may even make it to multiple hand-me-downs!) actually costs less than buying the same item again when the cheaper version inevitably breaks. Many of bloom’s products, like our fresco, can be used during multiple stages of childhood, eliminating the need for multiple products. Why buy a cradle, high chair and toddler chair when you can check them all off with one purchase?
2. Look for certified sustainable wood.
When you’re shopping for wood furniture, like cribs or dressers, take a peek at the fine print to see if the furniture was crafted from ethically sourced wood. At bloom, all of our wooden products come from abundant and fast-growing certified sustainable wood forests. Our wood range is ethically produced using baltic birch wood and beech wood. Each of our facilities in Estonia, Latvia & Vietnam has the highest standards and regulations relating to labor, safety, quality and the environment. If the company you’re considering purchasing from doesn’t list these details, you can assume there’s a reason.
3. Organic cotton is good for your baby...and the planet.
Make sure the fabrics you buy for your child’s bedding and clothing are organic. Cotton products without the organic label were likely grown using harmful pesticides and chemicals that seep into the earth. Bad for the planet and bad for your babies. Our coco go and coco lounger seat pads are always made from plush, 100% organic cotton, and we continue to grow our collection of light and breathable GOTS certified organic crib bedding.
4. Check for harmful toxins in your baby gear.
If you can’t pronounce it, it probably shouldn’t in your baby products. Many products on the market are manufactured with harmful toxins, but you might not know what to look for. At bloom, we’re totally up front that our products are independently tested and certified as being lead free, phthalate free, BPA-free, PVC free, heavy metal free, and AZO dye free. If companies aren’t telling you that, chances are they’ve got some toxins they don’t want to talk about.
5. Environmentalism extends to packaging.
One very basic way a company can show respect for our earth and its resources is to use environmentally friendly packaging -- packaging that can be recycled and won’t end up in a landfill. We make sure all of our packaging is designed to be kind to the earth: reusable, recyclable and biodegradable.
6. Ask about gear trade-in or trade-up programs. We know your baby will grow out of some of our products eventually...probably long before their lifetime of use is over. That’s why we offer a trade-in program for our bloom alma mini crib. If you’ve bought one in the last 12 months*, you can get a $200 credit toward the next crib size up...and keep the mini for your next mini! Email us for a discount code.
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Hanna Nakano is a Washington, D.C. based writer and photographer, and mother of two.
