Jan 27 2009

Safe Toys at a Cost

In August 2008, Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act which requires toy makers to have their toys tested for toxic chemicals including lead and phthalates by an independent third party.  The law goes into effect February 10, 2009, and  requires toy makers to permanently label each toy with a date and batch number.  Each toy is required by law to be tested which can cost between $3,000 and $4,000 per toy.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act isn’t just for toys either it regulates all products for children under 12.  From clothing and baby bottles to cloth diapers and school supplies, each will need to be compliant with the new law.

Toy makers and small vendors have been told to comply with the law by February 10 and all toys must be labeled and tested.  Toys currently on shelves may have stickers added to the product, or codes on file.  Much like when the USDA announced the Organic Food  Certification, there has been a group of small and natural toy makers that are banning together to ask for an addendum or exception to the law.  As the law stands now, even organic toys which already have materials documentation must abide by the testing rule.  Many organic and natural toy companies are small mom and pop type shops that can’t afford the per toy cost of testing.  And ironically, they have been the providers for safe toys for decades.  Including one of my vendors that hand-makes wooden toys with sustainable wood and beeswax.  These smaller toy makers must either comply or close up shop.  And unfortunately many are saying unless there is an exception for rational exclusions from lead testing of materials including wood, paper, cotton, and other materials known by science to not contain lead, they will be forced to go out of business. 

The Handmade Toy Alliance also warns of Toys "On Sale" prior to the February switch.  Many conventional toys won’t pass the new standards, so big shops are trying to not take a deficit and are marking these items on clearance and on sale to the unsuspecting consumer.

Learn more about the Handmade Toy Alliance or the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

Posted by Paige at 12:54 PM 2 comments
Jan 16 2009

Cutting Your Heating Bill

As the cold weather is upon us, our heating bill tends to creep up.  Many of you have been asking about how to conserve energy during the winter months.  Below are some resources, but I’d also love for you to tag on.  How do you conserve energy during the winter months?

The easiest place to lose heat is throw leaky doors, windows, fireplaces, wall outlets, attics, crawl spaces and basements basically any where your house "envelope" has been opened.  Looking to these places to start is always a best idea. 

  • Check the weather striping on your doors and windows.  Over time weather stripping can wear with use, replace as needed. 
  • Place foam gaskets behind wall outlets and light switches.
  • Make sure attics and crawl spaces are well insulated–including the door leading to the interior of the house.
  • Caulk leaky window sills.

Your thermostat is another obvious place to reduce your heating bill.

  • Install a programmable thermostat–City residents can even get a rebate when they do.
  • Turn your thermostat down at night when you’re snug in bed.
  • Turn your thermostat down when no ones home.
  • Use a space heater in your main room when the family’s around and turn the main thermostat down so you are only heating the room you are using.

Another major area is you water heater.

  • Add a hot water heater insulation blanket around your water heater to keep its heat in.
  • Keep your water heater at 120 degrees.  Most families have their higher than they really need.  This will save you dollars on your monthly bill.
  • Make sure your hot water pipes are insulated coming out of the water heater and to the appliances and sinks around the house.

What else does your family do?

Below are more expert advise on winter-proofing your home:

 

 

Posted by Paige at 1:49 PM 3 comments
Jan 2 2009

Energy Exhibit at CCDC

Don’t have plans for Charlottesville’s First Friday Art Walk?  Check out Charlottesville Community Design Center ‘s (CCDC) Energy Matters energy exhibit.  The Blue Ridge Eco Shop is proud to support the SPARK! exhibit.  If you can’t make it out tonight, the exhibit will be free and open to the public through January!

Energy Matters is an interactive installation devoted to the importance of energy - what we use, where it comes from and what we can do to prepare ourselves for a widespread switch to clean and renewable energy sources. This exhibit will offer practical information that can be immediately applied to reducing household energy use, including the resources and incentives that are available to help.  The exhibit opens on Friday, January 2 and will run through the month of January.  The opening reception will be held on January 2 from 5-8 pm.  Regular gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10 am – 5 pm with extended gallery hours on Friday, January 9 from 5-8 pm.

In conjunction with the Energy Matters exhibit, SPARK! will be holding the following workshops throughout the month of January.  (Free!)

Tuesday, January 6, 6-7:15 pm, Home Energy $avings 101
This free seminar will cover what cost effective things homeowners can do to improve the comfort of their homes while saving money and energy. Light refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public. Please RSVP to gilchrist@cvilledesign.org by January 5.

Tuesday, January 13, 6-7:15 pm, Virginia’s Energy Policy Future
Reforming energy policy in Virginia to advance energy efficiency can boost the economy, create jobs, and eliminate the need for any more polluting power plants in the state, all while saving money for consumers and businesses. This training will give you the knowledge and tools to demand change from Richmond and help put Virginia on the path to clean energy.

Wednesday, January 14th, 6-7:15 pm, Home Energy $avings for Renters
This workshop will focus specifically on what renters can do to cost effectively reduce their utility expenses and make their living space more comfortable. Free and open to the public. Please RSVP to
gilchrist@cvilledesign.org by January 13.

Posted by Paige at 12:37 PM 1 comment