FIO360 - Sustainable & Responsible Business of the Week

FIO360 (Atlanta GA) is the nation's first eco-early care and learning boutique. The building is the first childcare center to be LEED-certified and has floors that emit radiant heat and are made from virgin rubber plants, paint that is zero-VOC (volatile organic compounds), and solar tubes for lighting.

The center uses organic furnishings, such as imported organic rugs, organic wooden toys, no PVC plastic products, and organic mattresses free of formaldehyde and other chemicals. Children are served organic and hormone-free meals using local fresh ingredients are created by the center's chef. The center also uses non-toxic personal care products on children and environmentally-friendly cleaning products throughout the building.

The curriculum is holistic, promotes multi-cultural awareness and learning, and, of course, environmental education. "Kids here open the day with an affirmation, take yoga lessons and recycling classes, eat meals like red pepper quiche and then round out the afternoon with a massage to help them sleep."

FIO360 opened in April 2008 and is the vision of Crissy Klaus.

Sustainable & Responsible Business of the Week is a weekly behind-the-scenes look at what businesses are doing to be more sustainable and responsible in their operations.

Sustainable & Responsible Business of the Week: If they can do it, so can you!

Clean School Bus USA - Encourage Your School District to Join

The Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus USA initiative is a voluntary program that seeks to reduce children's exposure to diesel exhaust and the amount of air pollution created by diesel school buses. They will to do this by eliminating unnecessary bus idling, retrofitting buses with better technologies and/or using cleaner fuels, and replacing the oldest buses with new, less-polluting buses.

Realizing these alternatives can be costly to schools, funding is available to assist schools through the EPA's regional offices. A map on their site allows you to identify your state's regional office and their contact information. You can also check their site to see which school districts are already participating in your state. Funding is also available to assist states in implementing diesel emission reduction programs.

Beyond the environmental impact, why does the Clean School Bus USA initiative matter? A study from the National Resources Defense Council and the Coalition for Clean Air found that children riding a diesel school bus may be exposed to up to 4 times more toxic diesel exhaust. This level of exposure "pose(s) from 23 to 46 times the cancer risk level considered significant under federal law." Diesel exhaust can also exacerbate asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Children are the most vulnerable to the toxic effects of diesel exhaust and air pollution because they breathe 50% more air per body weight than adults.

If you are a parent, grandparent, school board member, school employee, or concerned citizen you should encourage your school district to voluntarily become involved in the Clean School Bus USA initiative.

FEED Projects - Sustainable & Responsible Business of the Week

FEED Projects is selling the FEED Bag. Your purchase of one bag will feed a child for an entire school year through the UN World Food Program.

From their website: "Our personal commitment to working against hunger is matched with a commitment to the environment and to safe and healthy working conditions for all we work with. FEED bags are made with sustainable materials and are designed to be used as an alternative to disposable paper and plastic bags. This environmental and fair labor commitment is an added value in all FEED products."

FEED bags can be purchased through their website (which redirects you to Amazon.com) or through TOMS Shoes' website, a company that donates a pair of shoes to children in need for each pair you purchase.

FEED Projects, LLC was started by Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson soley for the purpose of making and selling FEED bags to raise money to help feed the world's hungry children.

Inconvenient Youths & The Littlest Eco-Warriers

The Wall Street Journal has published two articles today by Ellen Gamerman. Inconvenient Youths tells the stories of several children and youth who are learning the global warming and environmental conservation message at school and church and who are, in turn, educating their parents. The Littlest Eco-Warriers provides a list of resources for children and youth on these topics.