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Smarter Sipping from a Savvy Kidtrepreneur
When I was younger, I was convinced my generation would save the planet. These days, though, I’m also worried about saving money, saving time, and saving my sanity. But some of my idealism remains and I’m excited to see a new generation taking up the effort to reduce waste, reuse, and recycle–especially when it is also good for their health and their parent’s budgets.
Riley Hoffer, age 11, is the activist, philanthropist, and “kidtrepreneur” founder of CG Kidz. She is passionate about helping children and schools become greener. On cgkidz.com, you can recognize a Green Kid, learn about Greening Your School, and find out more about Green Team appearances.
In addition to managing cgkidz.com, Riley speaks with students around the United States, helping them green their schools. Her parents helped her manufacture the CG Kidz Riley bottle, a 500ml Stainless Steel Water bottle designed by Riley. Proceeds from the purchase of the official CG Kidz bottle are donated to schools across the country that are in need of assistance to fund their green initiatives.
The Riley Bottle ($7) has a sweetly chic environmentally-conscious design that evokes recycling in its circles and swirls and would be appropriate for a younger kid’s lunchbox or an older teen’s backpack. Stainless steel bottles encourage kids to drink more water and also reduce the waste and cost of disposable plastic bottles.
For the youngest eco-warrior, there is also a CG Kidz stainless sippy cup with a silicone spout ($12.50). The top does not leak and my toddler likes the brightly colored handles…and one day she can be proud that she promoted earth-friendly values from the start while steering clear of BPA and phthalates.
Riley explains, “The reason that I started the website was to get my friends and other kids my age involved so we can do our part to really make a difference. I think if we keep spreading the word, every kid in the US will jump in and do their part.”
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Want It: Visit cgkidz.com to purchase environmentally products, ranging from $4 to $15, including the Riley Bottle ($7) and Sippy Cup ($12.50). A portion of the profits goes towards helping schools go green.
Win It: Five (5) lucky winners will receive a Riley Bottle so they can look cool, stay healthy, and help keep the planet clean. Just leave us a comment on this post by 11:59 PM EST November 19, with one way kids can go green.
If you want a second and third entry, help us spread the word! Second Entry: Use the social networking/bookmarking icons at the bottom of this post to share this post. Third Entry: Use your favorite social networking/bookmarking service to share cgkidz.com. Please leave a separate comment for each additional entry so it will count!
One way kids can go green is by doing what their parents tell them to do, i.e. by turning off the light when they leave a room.
Great giveaway! My kids have started to help me recycle and stay on me about it when it slips my mind.
Thanks for the chance!
Cool! Environmentally friendly and healthy: get outside and play! Help in the garden.
Great idea - and refreshing to see young people passionate about the environment!
I think kids could be taught about composting, and create their own compost piles. They could then learn how to help “clean up” waste from cooking and turn it into fertile soil… and if they want to take it a step further, why not begin a small garden to grow fresh veggies in and watch their work come full cycle as you serve those veggies as part of dinner?
Great contest - thanks for the opportunity!
My son takes his lunch to school in reuseable containers,
taking lunchboxes instead of paper and plastic bags for lunch
They can help pick up trash they find outside. They could also help return cans and bottles. You can get them to keep the water off well brushing there teeth.
my kids already help me recycle! We would love this Riley bottle for my daughter, Riley!
They help me with the recycling.
my preschooler loves taking public transportation.
My son recycles.
Kids can go green by making sure to turn off lights when they leave a room, not leaving the water running while they brush their teeth, and if their old enough, taking charge of the family’s recycling.
WOW, so many great Mom’s and kids out there already doing amazing things to help their kids Recycle, Reuse and Reduce! Keep up the great work and thank you for doing your part….
Danelle & Riley
CG Kidz
They can carry reusable lunch sacks and containers.
I think there is a lot even small kids can do…like recycle, take reusable lunch boxes with reusable containers instead of ziploc bags, and go out and play!
Taking shorter showers in the morning and turning off the water when they brush their teeth. m_huston(at)hotmail(dot)com
Recycling, learning to not be wasteful and
that every light in the house doesn’t need to be on at all times. ;)
teach them how to recycle and use a compost site
Kids can go green by using double sided paper when writing papers for school.
not wasting paper! use both sides of a sheet, and cut little scratch papers out of papers with just a little bit on them.
one thing you can also teach kids is to reuse things like paper
Going green is good for the planet and good for the body.
What a great bottle.
My son refuses to use the drinking fountains in school so I was sending him with bottles of water(small ones). He now takes a small reusable bottle and we wash em up every night and refill for the next day.
Great Bottle.
ktgonyea at gmail.com
I absolutely love this and it is chic for my eco-warrior. ;-) Hope to win. Thanks
The best thing we did was the last big box we received in the mail the kids decorated it and use it as a recycle bin. They are happy to recycle.
teach kids to recycle and compost instead of relying on disposable products!
recycle and don’t waste
Teach them to compost
gkstratos@yahoo.com
Be a role model in recycling, turning off unnecessary appliances, lights, etc.
using reusable snack saks instead of all those plastic bags
Play outside in parks instead of blow up play lands that require electricity. Walk to school! Help parents with gardening!
they can let you buy there clothes from thrift stores and places like that
My daughters are very recycle conscious! They also know to turn lights off, computers off and to not let the water run when they are brushing their teeth, etc.
Thanks
I think a good way for kids to go green is to take their school lunches in reusable bags,an their sandwiches in reusable containers
I have the kids make things out of paper towel and tp rolls and other items we would rather not throw out……
Kids can learn how to go green by watching their parents and modeling their good behavior!
teach kids to recycle instead of relying on disposable products
Children see the world outside of the box and can think of very un-usual ways to use “trash” that can keep the “trash” out of the landfills. Listen to their ideas. It might be fun and amazing.
Pick up trash on your walk to the park.
My son recycles cans
We’ve been teaching our kids by our example of how to be green. We make sure to recycle. We changed all our light bulbs and just recently, our kids asked us to put their lunch sandwiches in reusable containers, instead of plastic sandwich bags.
Thanks for offering this giveaway.
My kids recycle and they know to turn the water off while they brush their teeth.
Kids can go green by packing their lunches in reusable containers - there are so many options out there!
My kids think everyone recycles and tries to conserve our natural resources, it’s just so normal for them to do these things.
My daughter is green by helping out in our garden.
by riding thier bicycle instead of getting rides by us.
by using reusable containers and water bottles. also helping with the recycling.
Avoid using paper bags
for kids, id say its good to use reusable lunch boxes, lunch sandwich containers and reusuable waterbottles for juices and water.
Yasmineo142[at]hotmail[[dot]]com
I twittered here!
YasmineO Looking at: “this cool Riley Bottle i can win at:” (http://tinyurl.com/6m6crq) less than 5 seconds ago from web
Yasmineo142[at]hotmail[[dot]]com
My kids are always picking up trash outside and are starting to get their friends into it.
in the Spring, my girls are going to have a trash party. Whoever picks up the most trash in an hour, wins a prize. We’ll invite their friends and families too. It’s a great way to clean up your neighborhood and everyone has fun doing it!
We use reusable lunch bags
My kids help me with our recycling each week and also have learned the importance of turning off lights behind them!
My kids help me recycle and compost, thanks for the chance to win!
Recycle and save by turning lights and computers off when you don’t need them.
We ride our bikes instead of driving the car whenever possible.
kids can go green by using a lunchbox instead of lunch bags!!
kids can also go green by using wash clothes for messes vs. wipes
We recycle and turn in our plastic bags!
I think a great way for kids to go green is to walk or bike to school when possible, instead of getting driven by parents.
hematopoiesis at hotmail dot com
I have to win this for my granddaughter, Riley!
Anytime we go hiking, my son reminds us to bring a bag so we can collect trash/recyclables we come across. Kids can help be green by cleaning up parks and schools, by throwing trash away and helping to collect recyclables.
fabulous to re-use instead of using disposable stuff!
Bring canvas grocery totes with you when you go grocery shopping versus using the plastic or paper bags provided. Saves a lot ;)
Cloth diapers
I have to talk to my son all the time about how much toilet paper he uses! We had a talk about where paper products come from and now he understands.
Instead of buying juice boxes, we buy a large gallon of juice and fill it in the thermos and take it with us.
We don’t use any plastic bags in our lunches for school. We use a tupperware container and wrap snacks in the napkin we pack in there too. Her fork and spoon are also reusable so there is basically no TRASH from her lunch. :)
jenniferaugust at yahoo dot com
Kids can be vigilant about turning off lights.
We use all reuseable containers for bringing lunch to school. Thanks for the great contest!
Teaching young children at an early age about the importance of recycling and being energy efficient like not letting the water run when brushing their teeth will hopefully stay with them when they become teenagers and into adulthood. Maybe it should be taught in school also.
What a fantastic idea. . .not only a healthier alternative, but eco-friendly as well!
Kids can go green by convincing their schools to use less paper. I am a teacher and horrified by how much paper we use!
I shared this on my facebook profile.
I also posted the website to my facebook status! Thanks!
don’t use plastic disposable bottles
They help me with the recycling
Teach them that it’s easy to compost!
One way kids can go green is to be responsible for turning off the lights in their own rooms and taking out the recycling!
We were SOO fortunate to have Riley and her family come to our school’s FallFest ‘08 October 18th! Gibson Island Country School is a private, PreK-5th grade, Maryland Green School in Pasadena, MD. Our FallFest had a total environmental focus, and Riley was one of our presenters, which served as informative & inspiring to our students. Her website is amazing and full of awe-inspired environmental facts, and I got an opportunity to stock up on CGKidz & Cynergreen stainless steel bottles for Christmas Gifts. I also like her Christmas ideas on her blog! My 6 year old daughter and 3 year old son are masters at recycling, composting, and think Riley is a superstar that they’ve met! Thanks Riley for all you do! –Gibson Island 3rd grade teacher & 1st grade parent, Vicki Dabrowka
I love being green
I would love a chance, thank you!! :)
My kiddos keep the water off while they brush their teeth!
One way for kids to be green is to not use plastic baggies.
My kids help me recycle and compost!
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
one of the best ways for kids to go green is buy watching their parents go green ~ its all the little things that they notice & will pick up :c) then they spread it around to other kids who in turn spread it to their parents ~ ex: I always comment when we see trash on the ground so one day on the way to school my son asked me if we could pick up the trash so that afternoon on the way back home we picked up trash & all the other parents & kids saw us!! we got lots of compliments & some help too :c)
Kids can go green by helping to recycle, remembering to turn out lights when they leave a room, and using a lunchbox instead of lunch bags.
recycling is the easiest for kids to go green
I’ve been touting the benefits of using homemade nontoxic cleaners since my oldest was a toddler. Using baking soda and vinegar to clean means that kids can “help”, which they want to do anyway (cleaning looks so fun to them :D ) and stay healthy.
Recycle, cut up scrap paper to take notes, turning off the lights.
Kids can go green by not leting the water run when there brushing there teeth, or try to take shorter showers, and recycle or reuse things!
We want to encourage our kids to go green by having them help with the recycling. It can be a fun game for them that teaches good stewardship. Thanks!
I’m hoping to teach my kids by example. I hope they pick up on turning the lights off when we leave a room and shutting the water off while brushing our teeth. We have also started recycling more.
Kids can go green by using reusuable containers for snacks and lunches.
We try to keep lights off when we aren’t in the room, and when the kids are in school we’ll use bento boxes instead of sandwich bags or paper sacks.
By teaching a child to garden you can give them a great skill plus it is better for the environment because there are no emissions getting it from your garden to your plate.
Use handtowels instead of paper towels when you wash and dry your hands.
recycle their toys for other who need them
learn to shut light off
One way kids can be/go green is to not waste electricity and/or water when not in use.
An easy way kids can go green is to turn off the faucet when brushing their teeth.
Kids can go green by recycling their coloring book pages and other papers when they’re done with them. :)
These are cute and enviormentally friendly. Can’t beat that.
My daughter loves to garden and shop at the farmers market. Even at 3, she loves it!
We use natural products and recycle all we can
Im a subscriber!
Lunch boses rather than bags
Kids can go green by helping with the recycling or even being taught to shut the water off when soaping up their hands or brushing their teeth.
my kids use their bikes or walk to travel to nearby friends and school. it’s better for them and the environment.
We try to teach our kids the importance of reusing,and re-ducing.one example -They think its “cool: that when they grow out of an outfit we can pass it along to someone else,and the same is true for their toys,and books.
Start recycling now and be a good example to your children.
Kids can go green by using the reuseable water bottles!
Kids can go green by taking their lunch to school in reusable containers!
Kids can save water when brushing their teeth and showering, drinking tap instead of bottled water, turn off lights and recycle.
Kids can learn to recycle by helping to sort out paper, can and glass products.
Our are taught to recycle and to pass on usable toys to younger friends.
a great way for children to be green is finding toys in the ordinary…making potatoes into stamps, decorating papertowel rolls into various toys/instruments, using old magazines to make collages, etc =)
Have a special designated basket for them so when they bring home their graded misc. papers (you know the ones, not worth keeping) and have them but them in their basket to be recycled.
Kids can watch less television by playing games inside or outdoors.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Kids can bring reusable lunch box containers, and put them in the dishwasher or wash them themselves when they get home.
By using a reusable lunch bag rather than paper bags for lunch at school.
We keep a stack of paper from mail and other things that has a blank side for the kids to reuse when they want to draw, doodle, etc. instead of always using a new sheet of paper.
one way kids can go green is by helping to clean up their environment! picking up trash at a local park, or at the beach (especially trash like broken balloons that kill the sea turtles). they should use their cool new riley bottle while participating in a clean-up to help educate their peers!
posted your link on my facebook page! :)
my 3 yr old daughter is learning to be green by not wasting water when washing her hands and putting paper in our paper recycle bin
Teach the kids about recycling at home, and not to litter when away from home.
Take the school bus instead of driving (that won’t go over well(.
My little ones are learning to recycle and not to litter. And they have no qualms about telling adults who are not recycling or who are littering that they should not do so.
Children can learn at an early age not to litter. They can also help pick up trash. Also, they can learn not to throw food away if possible. The birds would love to have those bread crusts, leftover popcorn, chips, etc.
I teach my children to use water conservatively. I am always telling them, “Water is precious.”
I want to get a shower timer for them when they are a little older. Right now I am in charge of baths though!
My kids help save water by conserving when they are washing their hands. I’ve taught them to turn it on long enough to wet their hands and then lather, then turn it back on to rinse.
My son helps out by recycling!!! Thanks, justicecw@hotmail.com
My grandsons love to go with me the the recycle center.
I teach them to recycle, compost and grow veggies. Growing your own produce helps cut down on the packaging waste.
I have taught my kids to turn off the water when brushing their teeth and to fill a cup with water to rinse. Thanks !
teach them how to recycle
One way is by having them recycle aluminum cans and turning them in for cash.
Kids can go green by doing fun crafts with repurposed objects.
turning off the water while brushing teeth
my daughter has special packaging for her lunches so she doenst have to use baggies or milk jugs
They can start recycling and helping in the garden. Thanks for the chance to win.
An easy way for kids to go green is to use a lunchbox for school lunches and use a refillable container for drinks, snacks, etc!
I stumbled you!
(bluevioletof2)
I also stumbled cgkidz!
Thank you! My kids help me recycle. We take weekly trip to drop off our recyclables. They also help me with my garden and the compost pile. Thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
sturdy and no pba to worry about
Put your kids in charge of your home recycling - it is something thing can easily do once you purchase bins and mark them for each item!
Way to go, Riley! Kids can help clean up trash in the neighborhood park and help with the recycling bins at home.
Kids can go green by staying away from individually packaged snacks. Instead buy a large bag or box and pack them in their favorite reusable container.
My kids go green by not asking for each lunch item to always be in individual packaging.
Kids can go green by bringing lunch and snacks to school in reusable containers.
My girls love to draw so using both sides of the paper would be a big thing for them. They could also use one of their magna doodles instead of paper. Thank you!
Kids can go green by turning off lights when they leave the room and turning off the water while they brush their teeth.
Bicycle with their parents!
My little boy turns off our television every time we leave a room. He’s only 2!
Turn off all lights when you are not in the room!!
They can learn to help sort recycling and put it in the bins.
Turn the water off while brushing their teeth.
We used to put everything in baggies, on the go snacks, crayons for restaurants, etc. but now we keep everything in little storage bins that we can wash out and reuse. They also make excellent noise makers (maracas and drums!)
My kiddo is helping us “go gren” by helping out with the recycling, always donating toys, and we started a compost pile!!!
Take a lunch box (instead of paper bag) and use reusable containers instead of plastic bags or throw-away containers.
they can help recycle, teach them to put cans in one bag and paper in the other. As well as using less paper when doing activities.
they can and do collect cans for extra spending money!ty 4 the entry! grandson could use a nice cup!
Making sure that they turn out lights after they leave a room, don’t let water run when brushing their teeth & turn off ALL electronics when not in use!
Cloth diapers and reusable snack bags
We recycle our nice cloths that we grew out of,and donate them to big sisters, for the kids in need.
I am always trying to keep my family as green as possible. Little things can make a big difference. Turning lights off when they aren’t needed, unplugging appliances that aren’t in use, recycling, and conserving water are all ways that kids can go green.
Environmentally friendly and healthy is what we want. I would love a chance, thank you!!
Kids can work with their schools to make them green, like having their school implement a recycling program!
Kids can upcycle! My daughter makes jewelry from things around the home!
they can volunteer to pick up trash throughout their neighborhood :)
They can learn to clean up spills using spare cloths, not paper towels.
recycle hand me downs! make crafts with old clothes!
My daughter is working with her 5 and 2 year old sons to try to look at ways to save the planet. blackford56@yahoo.com
I think it’s great to read children’s books on going green to introduce children to these concepts. Also, having them start small by placing their water bottle or recyclables in the recycle bin and using resusables is another good way
Great giveaway!
My kids look after all the recycling and love it
My 2-year-old is happy with us buying her snack foods in bulk sizes and then portioning them down into reusable containers, therefore eliminating the waste from buying things that are individually packaged. Thanks!
PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY :)
We taught our daughter about water wasting by taking a shower with the plug in. She marked the water level with tub crayons. The next night she got a bath and saw that a bath uses lots more water. Now, if I could only convince her showers are more fun than baths!!!
My son isn’t old enough to be green on his own yet, but we will teach him about recycling, reusing, and trying not to buy things with a lot of unnecessary packaging. We get lots of hand-me-down clothing too.
And we try to freecycle when we can in order not to have too much waste.
One way my son goes green is by recycling all his scrap paper from drawing
sheriamore faved you on technorati
sheriamore faved cgkidz.com on technorati
My children love to recycle and they are learning alot about being green at school.
Use canvas grocery totes and recycle pop cans.
My kids help with recycling.
One way kids can go green is to recycle cans and bottles.
Kids can have toy swaps with their friends.
My youngest son learned about recylcing at his preschool. He already has an idea of what recyclable and what is not
We need to make sure that they turn out lights upon leaving a room, close outside doors when entering and exiting, don’t let water run when brushing their teeth, and turn off ALL electronics when not in use! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE !!!
Grow our own veggies..
QUALITY CGKidz Sippy Cups have my attention. I have bought poor performing plastic sippy cups from leading manufacturers of baby products and made formal complaints about their Gerber cups but there has been no improvement.
Great work CGKids!
Here is a new improved Sippy Cup product.
Kids can go green by transforming clean recyclables into art projects, gifts, and other useful items!
[...] to Ellen G, Jennifer B., Naomi, Margaret S, and Yasmine who won the Riley Bottle contest. Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share [...]
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