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Archive for the ‘Press’ Category

This will spook you! 3 News headlines that scream “Beware!” & what YOU can do about it

Saturday, October 20th, 2012

by Corey

Clearly, it’s dangerous to be alive. The news proves it daily. Even without a t.v., terrifying stories grab hold of my consciousness and fuel my neurotic tendencies via my smart phone, at the grocery store check-out, and in the parking lot of my kids’ school (“Did you hear what happened…? Soooo scary!”

But somehow the fear factor is amplified at Halloween, and tales of horror-in-real-life seem to multiply like bunnies in springtime. Only not as cute.

Now, we all know that much of the spook-fest prompted by the media is simply motivated by ratings; apparently, Wes Craven and the likes are on to something (who knew?). Fear sells. But it’s also true that some of it is really, truly real and really, truly scary. And some of it is important to be aware (aka: beware!) of.

But how not to turn concern into freeze or freak out? How to feel better about better-for-people-and-planet steps?

Since it’s launch in 2007, Green Halloween has been all about creating meaningful change through fun; about healthier holidays without the yuck; greener steps that are easy. No finger wagging, preaching, or in-your-face tactics. We don’t believe that fear is as motivating as joy, as yum and as simple. And you’ve told us you agree.

But at the same time, Green Halloween has always focused on addressing serious health and environmental concerns like heavy metals in face paints, candy made with junk instead of real food, and waste generated by decor, candy and costumes as well as the packaging from all the aforementioned. The reasons Green Halloween matters (in addition to the yum and the fun, which matter a lot) are far too numerous.

Take these recent headlines:

I don’t know about you, but all of this is concerning in my book.

But as we already established, fear is about as inspiring as a rotten pumpkin, so it’s important to counter dread-filled headlines with do-able, affordable, feel-good solutions. Otherwise, we’ll all end up looking like the sorry soul in Edvard Munch’s painting, The Scream.

Green Halloween is the antidote to gloom and doom. And we make it easy-breezy.

And because you, and people all around you, refuse to “freeze” from fear, and instead embrace the possibility that Halloween can be healthy and tasty, non-toxic and cool, sustainable and affordable, eco-fabulous and fun, good news is now front page:

Have some good news to share about greening Halloween? Do share!

***

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and authors of  Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, and founders of Green Halloween®.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We didn’t make the Today Show but….

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

by Corey

… We did make ‘em laugh.

Despite the truly incredible media storm surrounding the second annual National Costume Swap Day™ – with print, television, radio and online coverage in nearly every major market across the U.S. – we thought this year’s national coverage was likely over.

We were wrapping up as Happy Campers. We didn’t make Good Morning America (like we did last year) or another major morning show, but we were pretty darn over-the-moon about getting the word out about costume swapping via Real Simple, Family Circle and Kiwi magazines, MSN Money and many (many) more. Our goal of 100 registered swaps was blown out of the water with over 170 event registrations in the US and Canada. Some events were so successful that second and third swaps were planned for later in the month!

And although Halloween is just 4 days away, there are still more costume exchanges in the works.

But because the official National Costume Swap Day was actually on the 8th, we assumed (yes, I do know what this means), that there wouldn’t be any additional major PR coverage on this topic.

But last night came a treat.

Er, wait – a trick.

And I’m not sure we can call this “news” exactly, but as they say, “No PR is bad PR…”

“Environmentalism goes against everything Halloween stands for: Rampant consumerism and waste.” — Stephen Colbert

And (to quote another quote), “If you can’t laugh at yourself….”

We can definitely laugh at this one. At least it’s funny (unlike this wet blanket editorial).

(Stephen, just wait until you hear about what we’re doing with candy, face paints and decor!)

(Rockin’ the “swap talk”: Ciana Maglio, our Green Halloween® coordinator in Daytona Beach, FL on Fox News Orlando. )
National Costume Swap Day™ 2011 is a partnership of Green Halloween®, Swap.com & Kiwi magazine

Tristin & Tyler in “How to Throw a Costume Swap Party” (video)

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Eco-fabulous twin brothers, Tristin and Tyler, show you how easy (and FUN!) it is to host a swap for National Costume Swap Day™!

Tristin and Tyler are 7 year old city kids who host their own series about having fun and going green in New York City called “Tristin and Tyler’s Tales from the City!” In each episode these mini reporters interview people finding unique ways to be creative and/or help the environment! Visit http://tristinandtyler.com and check out all of their fun adventures!

And check out T & T’s tell-all (about costume swapping) interview with us, here.

 

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

 

Electrolux Unveils Five Vacs From The Sea

Friday, March 4th, 2011

In an interesting twist on recycling, the company Electrolux has come out with five new vacuums created from plastic debris that was littered in the sea.  In an attempt to raise awareness about both littering and recycling, Electrolux has launched a new initiative with the vacuums called Vac from the sea.  It brings a refreshing and innovative touch to a cause I care deeply about, which is beach clean ups!  They actually hand collected pieces through beach clean ups in Hawaii, Sweden, France, Thailand, and Poland, many of which, were still covered with barnacles and annelid worms!

Recycled Vacuums Made from debris

Finally a vacuum that's Earth friendly!

Earth friendly Vacuum

A great use for beach clean ups!

To paint a less than pretty picture about the litter thrown into our oceans, one must first become aware of what this does to the animals that dwell there.  The plastic, often bleached by the sun and rotted by saltwater, is often swallowed by fish then past through the food chain going right back to harming humans.  In essence, by littering, were not only hurting the animals in the ocean but were hurting ourselves.  With Electrolux using technologies to recycle the litter, they feel they are bringing good karma to mankind.

Blogger Laurali Star can also be found on The Damsel in the Attic.

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

Wal-Mart Launches Healthy Food Initiative

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest grocery chain, recently announced it’s commitment to healthy food at affordable prices.

In a speech by Leslie Dock, Wal-Mart’s Executive Vice President for Corporate Affairs, credit is given to First Lady Michelle Obama, and her “Let’s Move!” campaign for being “the catalyst” of Wal-Mart’s initiative.

The First Lady later takes the stage, praising Wal-Mart’s move as “a great victory” for families. (According to a YouTube news report, this is the first time that Mrs. Obama has ever publicly endorsed a private retailer.)

According to Sustainable Life Media, the “nutrition charter” is rooted in five components* aimed at making it easier for moms to afford healthy foods for their families:

  1. Reformulating thousands of everyday packaged food items by 2015 by reducing sodium 25 percent and added sugars 10 percent, and by removing all remaining industrially produced trans- fats. The company will work with suppliers to improve the nutritional quality of national food brands and its Great Value private brand in key product categories to complete the reformulations;
  2. Making healthier choices more affordable, saving customers approximately $1 billion per year on fresh fruits and vegetables through a variety of sourcing, pricing, and transportation and logistics initiatives that will drive unnecessary costs out of the supply chain. Wal-Mart will also dramatically reduce or eliminate the price premium on key “better-for-you” items, such as reduced sodium, sugar or fat products;
  3. Developing strong criteria for a simple front-of-package seal that will help consumers instantly identify truly healthier food options such as whole grain cereal, whole wheat pasta or unsweetened canned fruit;
  4. Providing solutions to address food deserts by building stores in underserved communities that are in need of fresh and affordable groceries; and
  5. Increasing charitable support for nutrition programs that help educate consumers about healthier food solutions and choices.
*Elements listed are directly quoted from Sustainable Life Media

Andrea Thomas, Wal-Mart’s Senior VP of Sustainability (with Wal-Mart nutritionist Megan Diaz), sharing ideas for how to make healthy eating affordable.

What do YOU think of Wal-Mart’s move?

p.s. We love Rodale’s ideas for how to “Be your own Wal-Mart.”

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Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.