Many of you probably read the RAVE review that I did for Kids Konserve Lunch Kits. Well, today Kids Konserve is back for Mom Time in '09 with tips on how to Go Green. Without further ado, let me introduce you guys to Christy Aune from Kids Konserve.

Tell us a little about how Kids Konserve was started and why.

The Kids Konserve waste-free lunch kit and other reusable products were the natural outgrowth of what two women saw as a big need that required immediate attention. With the premise that any business they undertook had to help the environment in some way, it didn’t take much imagination to see how they, as parents of young children, were contributing to garbage landfills, pollutants and sending the wrong message to their own children. How could they set an example of conservation for their children and empower them to be the examples of change for the future?

Focusing on how school lunch programs operate opened their eyes and propelled them to create Kids Konserve. Calculating the amount of trash being produced each day at their own schools during the lunch hour alone, shocked them enough to begin more research into reusable products that dramatically cut down on Earth’s ever growing garbage pile.

What is your greatest concern for our planet?

Greatest concern for planet is that in our modern world of excess, our children will not become conscientious about our worlds resources, what things are made of and packaged in and where waste goes.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge that parents face in going green?

Going green takes more time and effort on their part, but it is worth it, and they do feel better when they make those choices.

What is the first step in going green?

The first step is to decide what about preserving our planet is the most important to you and then act on it. If you follow what you are passionate about and what moves you, you will be a force for change, hence Kids Konserve.

What are some easy things that we can all do to combat our environmental issues?

1. Use tea towels, not paper towels.
2. Use Kids Konserve cloth napkins, not paper napkins.
3. Use a mesh coffee filter NOT paper filters.
4. Use the Kids Konserve stainless steel food containers not plastic baggies.
5. Use the Kids Konserve stainless steel beverage bottles, not plastic water bottles.
6. Use Kids Konserve drawstring gift bags not paper gift and wine bags.
7. Use washable picnic plates, not disposable paper plates.
8. Reuse paper; use the other side for printing, use as scratch paper, let your kids use it as drawing paper and arts/crafts.
9. Use Kids Konserve recycled cotton saks not paper lunch sacks.
10. Use Kids Konserve Food Kozy’s, not foil or plastic wraps.

Could you share some tips on how parents can educate and inspire our children on the importance of going green.

I think it really ends up being the child that is educating the parents in most cases on why we must go green and make changes in our daily lives. Lead by example, ask what your child learned today regarding our planet, and listen when they tell you not to use another plastic baggie!

Besides Kids Konserve, what is your favorite green product?

I am enjoying my Market Basket.