Zappos is doing their part to "go green"!

I love Zappos…you know the online shoe store that ships your shoes to you for free and the returns are free too! The selection of shoes might be great but the free shipping both ways, rock! Wait and they don't just have shoes either! Most companies are raising the shipping prices because of the economy (or so they say) but not Zappos! I was doing a little twittering the other day and the CEO of Zappos was twittering so I gave him a little “tweet” and asked him just how “green” was Zappos? If moms like me are going to buy from companies like Zappos, we need to know they are trying to go green and care. My little “tweet” to Tony ended in a quick and timely response, which impressed me. I email and talk to many CEO’s and companies and the reply isn’t so quick. Gerber is one of them and I’ll happily tell you about in another post and they are getting a lot of Green & Clean Mom love either! A big thanks to Tony, the CEO, and his staff that have been 100% great when it comes to answering questions, emailing and helping me with the launch.

Besides carrying eco friendly shoes, I found out they have a basic recycling program in all three of their Vegas locations. Everyone that’s part of the Zappos “team” has heard the important message about doing their part and recycling whenever possible. Sweet! That’s better than some homes! The pop cans get turned in for money and donated to a charitable organization which is pretty neat. When it comes to retail, Zappos, is working on giving customers a reusable bag at not cost when a certain amount is spent. This is to encourage the use of reusable bags verses paper or plastic. They’re working on plans for recycling shoes or shoe boxes and offering discounts but this is in the works. Their facilities have motion sensor faucets (I need these) to conserve water and they use 100% recycled paper. To celebrate Earth Day the graveyard team made sculptures from all the empty bottles found in the recycling. I think that’s pretty creative.

All in all, I have to say, Zappos seems to be on the right track. Are they perfect? No. Are you? I want to see companies go green and care, however, I don’t want to see them recycle a bottle and then throw away a tin can or make a product that isn’t earth friendly. Better yet, I don’t want to see a company manufacture a dangerous product that can harm my kids and the Earth but tell me that they recycle. I’m pretty sure Zappos cares and they aren’t just on the green marketing wagon like some companies. The teams of employees that work for them care and so the company cares. Kudos to Zappos and keep doing more good things and improving!!! Want to win $100 off e-certificate coming up when I turn the switch on for the new site? I know you do! Shucks, I do but since it’s my site I can’t really enter but I wish I could. Subscribe so you don’t miss out on any of the upcoming fun stuff. I saw the second mock up and “ohmigosh” it was to die for. Lori over at A Cowboys Wife even said so. She got a sneak peak!! So circle, June 1st because that will be the day, if nothing goes tragically wrong. Make sure you subscribe so you the 411 on all changes and fun upcoming stuff!

BabyLegs sprinkles some green love!

Remember leg warmers? I can’t even tell you how many pairs I had or how high I would tease my bangs when I wore them! Now my little punk rocker, Josie, can be like her mommy and wear funky, hip and trendy BabyLegs! They’re leg warmers but for babies and luckily the teased bangs and lots or aerosol hair spray is out! Wait this is a green blog so why am I writing about BabyLegs? To tell you that they have an organic line and they're trying to help Mother Earth out. The company is actually donating 10% of their sales until April 22nd to The Nature Conservancy. In on honor of Earth Day they're sprinkling some green love, isn’t that nice? I thought so and figured some of you out there might want to try a pair of these or give a pair for a gift and why not help the environment too? Sounds like a good deal to me.

My daughter has a pair (not the organic ones though) and she looks so cute wearing them. Any age can wear them so maybe I'll get a pair and look cool again! I will not spike my bangs though! Check out the site and if you’ve gotten a pair and loved them, help them get on Oprah!

Crocs get the Green and Clean Mom thumbs up!

I contacted the Croc™ Company via the phone and spoke with a great customer service representative, Daniel. He has an interesting job; people have actually called and asked him if they can eat the shoe! For real, it’s on their FAQ page! After my informal, impromptu interview I have a ruling on Crocs™—they rock! They receive the first ever (I’m just now making this up) Green & Clean Mom seal of approval! Someday I’ll add the “s” to mom and have a real seal (stay tuned for that big event)!!!

Here are my reasons…

1) They are made all over the world (Florida, China, Canada, Mexico and Brazil) so they aren’t biased. I might want to buy made in the U.S.A. products but someone in China might not. That's fair, right?

2) They aren’t rubber or latex. Oh, no they’re Croslite ™ PCCR material. So what the heck is this Croslite™ material? Well after scouring the internet (a do my best researcher) I have come to discover that Croslite™ PCCR is basically a blend of Leverix ™ (a Italian Patented material) and EVA, according to U.S. News. What does this mean for me, it’s a closed cell property and that means there won’t be spread of bacteria or gross odor and I have to say a great big “AMEN” to that because my four year old has some stinky feet!

3) Yes, it’s a petroleum products BUT it’s a byproduct of crude oil. So if we don’t produce something from it—won’t it just be dumped? Why not make some Crocs™? I think they are terribly comfortable and for the cost, I say use that byproduct, especially since Leverix™ is indeed one of the most recyclable plastics on the market! Hence my next point….

4) The company has started Soles United ™ to help recycle the old Crocs™ and make new ones for children in third world countries with no shoes. Sweet! If you visit the website there are two locations to send old Crocs™ to. A great community service activity for a school, Girl Scout troop or other organization. I plan to do something with this in my community this September, after everyone’s through wearing their Crocs™ and they’re worn and ragged.

Okay, this isn’t a fashion blog and I’m not a fashion expert (see me at 7 a.m in the moning) and I’ve read over and over how ugly the Crocs™s are. I think they’ve come a long ways, with many fashionable designs and colors. I love how cute they look on my daughter and that in itself scores a huge plus in my book! They have the American Podiatric Medical Association thumbs up and that’s a good thing! I’ve also read that the only thing “green” about Crocs™ would be they come in this color option. Look, this site is for moms of all shades of green so if you’re offended by this and freaked out…I never claimed to be an environmentalist, scientist or perfect. Instead, I think we should be up in arms about the knock offs that aren’t using byproducts or recyclable material, but that's my opinion. Over shoes, I say pick your battles and seeing that they aren't toxic, use a byproduct, they're recylable, cost effective, easy to clean, and the company is putting shoes on the feet of barefoot children across the world with recycled efforts...thumbs up!!!

Ahhh…and how do I clean my Crocs™? First off let me tell you that Daniel did not endorse this method and that I in NO way shape or form take responsibility for any damages caused my the method I personally use to clean my Crocs™. My family chooses to use our dishwasher because the Crocs™ come out like brand new. NOW, be advised that soap and water is the best method and I have heard that there can be melting, damage and shrinkage to by using my cleaning choice. My disclaimer is this: clean as directed by the company and any other methods that you personally choose would be at your own risk whether it be on my blog or from your next door neighbor. Everyone’s dishwasher, detergent and temperature is different! So don't come yelling at me because you go and shrink or ruin your dishwasher, it isn't my fault. I'm just telling you what I do, you make your own darn choices!

P.S. I told the Easter Bunny and all of his affiliates to please not bring my kids candy but what's a mom to do??? Wait I know, try our best!!! At least she got a cute pair of Crocs! I have to also note this was note I wasn't paid to post this and I did try to contact the company a few times for some giveaways! I like to treat all of my readers with sexy and sassy giveaways! I never heard back. Sadness!