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Ever notice that Reduce comes before Re-Use and Recycle? Reducing from the start avoids the consumption of unnecessary resources that would have been used to produce those goods or packaging.
Even recycled material has used energy in its production. It is also important to reduce our use of plastic shopping bags. Though they are recyclable, much of the less than 10% actually brought into the recycling loop are reprocessed in Asia. All the fossil fuels used in their production, transportation and recycling may be avoided. We can often hand-carry our small purchases or use a reusable bag.
No more JUNK MAIL!
 Drop by our éco-quartier office for a free “no flyer” sticker. To stop receiving addressed advertising, simply register your name with the Canadian Marketing Agency.
No more YELLOW PAGES!
Are you one of the many residents receiving an Yellow pages phonebook clearly knowing it's headed to the garbage ? Tired of seeing all these pages go straight to waste ? Then you should take your address off of the Yellow Pages delivery list. Please click here !
No more DISPOSABLE DIAPERS!
Cloth diapers have really evolved; we are not talking about square pieces of cloth fastened with pins. There is no reason to feel queasy or to see visions of you doing extra loads of laundry. The new age cloth diapers are not only easy to use; they are environmentally friendly and cost you less than disposable diapers in the long run.
If we estimate that from birth to toilet training a child will be changed seven thousand times, you will be avoiding 800 kg of waste that takes an average of 350 years to degrade from ending up in landfills. You will save an average of $2000 dollars, which includes the extra energy and detergent you will use to wash and dry the diapers. You must not forget the extra time you will save by cutting your travels to pharmacies or grocery stores to buy new disposable diapers.
By purchasing and using cloth diapers made in Québec, you are choosing a product that is locally made, reusable, durable and healthier for the environment. Even though disposable diapers are convenient to use, they do not meet any of these responsable choices.
New-Generation Cloth Diapers
These cloth diapers are made from cotton, bamboo, hemp or microfiber to ensure the best absorption of fecal matter. They are fitted and have an elastic waistband and they also have Velcro or snaps as closure systems, which means no diaper pins.
These types of cloth diapers require a waterproof cover which is generally made of lightweight plastic while some are also made of polyester, wool or fleece. There is also a disposable sheet that is used to collect the solid, making washing the diapers even easier.
There also exists an all-in-one cloth diaper where the waterproof cover is built in, which are also fitted and have snap or Velcro closings.
Where to buy:
Quebec-made cloth diapers -
Other retailers -
If you do not want or have time to wash your own cloth diapers, there also exists a washing service that picks up the dirty diapers and drops off the clean ones directly at your house.
Eco-friendly parenting choice
For such a little person, it's amazing how many things a child needs. Children grow so quickly and they often wear an article of clothing only a few times before they have outgrown it. At the same time, children require lots of clothes because they play and easily get dirty. Buying second-hand cloths for your children is a durable, reusable and inexpensive choice. You will notice that the clothes in children's second hand stores looks brand new, especially the infant to 12 months sizes. In most second-hand children stores, you can sell your used children clothing, toys and accessories.
Second hand stores for children
Don't forget to check out yard sales and bazaars in your neighbourhood to buy used children's clothes, toys and accessories.
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