Comments on The Green Phone Booth: Let's Keep Handmade In Business

One thing we are heavily debating in my neck of th...

2009-01-21T19:27:00.000-08:00

One thing we are heavily debating in my neck of the woods is how this will apply to books and library collections. From the way it is being read and reviewed this legislation would (may, and I hestitate to make assumptions as I am still learning) apply to books and libraries. Would we have to close access? What is the criteria and methodology of testing? What is the timeline? What are the specs?

It doesn't have enough reasonable measures built into the legislation yet (that I know of) for me to justify closing off collections which may be critical for education and growth unless there is a clear and present danger.

However as a Greenie I have been an advocate within my circle to NOT buck this, but yet demand greater clarification and a timeline. I do not want to go on record as one that would block the passage as I think it is absolutely critical for all the reasons you mentioned in the post.

I am anxious to see how this plays out. I'll probably post too when I know more about it.

2009-01-21T19:22:00.000-08:00

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The path to reform is never easy, similar issues h...

2009-01-07T20:59:00.000-08:00

The path to reform is never easy, similar issues have come up in the food world that threaten small, sustainable farms as well. Quality input on legislation is needed from those who think about another business model besides mass production. Thanks.

Thanks for publicizing this! May I also suggest vi...

2008-12-22T05:51:00.000-08:00

Thanks for publicizing this! May I also suggest visiting the War Room for up to the minute updates and focused activism? http://tinyurl.com/5fhzbd. My site is focusing on education and activism for producers of sewn products. There’s tons of solid information there from attorneys and scientists. I also heartily endorse Jennifer Taggert as an authority on this issue. What she doesn't tell anyone is that she's an attorney AND an environmental engineer.

@Alison/GreenMe -- fine point about the waste of a...

2008-12-18T19:55:00.000-08:00

@Alison/GreenMe -- fine point about the waste of all that warehoused merchandise come Feb. 09. I have been so focused on *not* wanting lead and phthalate ridden stuff (you know, like brightly painted lead trains or hormone-disrupting rubber duckies) to get passed off on us consumers until the stream of already-made toxic product rolls through that I have to say, it trumped that angle for me.

@Colleen you're killin me! you should do a podcast of your inner thoughts as you troll big box stores looking for slow food and wooden toys. ;)

Great synopsis of all the issues here. I like the ...

2008-12-18T19:24:00.000-08:00

Great synopsis of all the issues here. I like the thought of testing materials, shifting more of the burden to those manufacturers ... I get nervous shakes anytime I step into a big box (aka Made in China) craft store. Kinda like the grocery... ;-).

I was in MI visiting the in-laws when this passed....

2008-12-18T14:10:00.000-08:00

I was in MI visiting the in-laws when this passed. I learned about it visiting the little seedling our favorite cloth diaper/natural toy store. The woman who runs it (I forget her name) has worked so, so hard to be successful and this law would bankrupt her! Not only is the testing part of it set-up improperly, but also the fact that as of Feb. 09 non-tested merchandise is no good. What were they thinking? Not only is this wasteful, but it is very poorly thought out...

Cheri - thank you so much for making those wonde...

2008-12-18T13:52:00.000-08:00

Cheri - thank *you* so much for making those wonderful little wooden toys we love for our kids. Hope that the legislators will figure out a way not to wipe our your vibrant industry.

Jennifer/The Smart Mama - great talking to you today! Thanks for weighing in. I so appreciate your extensive testing/scientific background and perspective. Hopefully we can find a way to have it all -- safety and cottage industry.

Great post! I'm with you - I'm nervous about "fix...

2008-12-18T12:19:00.000-08:00

Great post! I'm with you - I'm nervous about "fixing" the law because it is so important to have safe children's products free of lead, phthalates and more, but I also understand the costs. I love handmade products - but I've also seen safety hazards. Using reclaimed wood is great, but not so great if it was painted with lead based paint or had lead containing varnish on it. Repurposing old buttons is fabulous - unless they've got lead or pose a choking hazard.

I mean it is really the old question - how to you balance safety and cost? Regulation and free market?

I think solutions like XRF testing are good (disclaimer - self serving since I have one) since they are relatively inexpensive as compared to lab testing - I charge $5 per test. Also, certified materials that have been tested make more sense than component testing for some products. But I don't want to lose protections but "fixing" things.

Jennifer
www.thesmartmama.com

THANK YOU so much for posting this!! I have writt...

2008-12-18T11:11:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU so much for posting this!! I have written letters to my congressman and senators, signed the petitions and have told everyone I can think of to help support getting this changed!
I am a WAHM and have a small on-line store with Organic and NON-Toxic wooden toys from some wonderful small companies and if this law goes through I don't think these companies will be able to afford to sell their great toys anymore in the U.S. Not to mention that these handcrafted toys are the type of toys I buy for my 3 year old son and give as gifts!

Thank you again!! Let's all do what we can to help keep these wonderful toys available for our children!!

Absolutely better to be part of a team. We can al...

2008-12-18T09:14:00.000-08:00

Absolutely better to be part of a team. We can all highlight specific issues - ALL of which are important.

BTW, just emailed my congresswoman and senators plus signed the petition. It took less than 10 minutes.

Electronic Goose - thanks for signing - now let's ...

2008-12-18T09:13:00.000-08:00

Electronic Goose - thanks for signing - now let's hope that there are no loopholes.

GB - Thanks for signing - much better to be working on a team, eh? There are so many important issues (thanks for covering sustainable ag).

I'm glad that you posted on this. I say some traf...

2008-12-18T08:47:00.000-08:00

I'm glad that you posted on this. I say some traffic about it on Twitter and Facebook but there only so many things one can focus on. The links make it easy so I hope folks sign and are heard on this important issue.

Thanks for these links--I signed it and share your...

2008-12-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

Thanks for these links--I signed it and share your concern about loopholes for the mean guy.