Variety is a wonderful thing, but when you’re a new parent, it can also complicate matters, especially when you already have a long shopping list. When it comes to strollers, finding the right one can be outright overwhelming, given the many choices out there.
When it comes to safety, make sure that your stroller is free from toxic chemicals like BPA, PVC, phthalates, or fire retardants. Look for the GREENGUARD Gold and the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifications because those are the ones you want to see on the label.
For sustainability, look for strollers that are made from recycled plastic, GOTS-certified organic cotton, and other eco-friendly materials like cork or wood. If they can last till toddlerhood, even better!
If all this sounds a tad confusing, not to worry – we’ve scoured the world of strollers to come up with five green and sustainable options:
1. Bumbleride
US brand Bumbleride offers many types of eco-friendly strollers that are made from fabric upcycled from used water bottles, plus frame components made from recycled fish nets. Impressively, Bumbleride has upcycled more than one million plastic bottles to date!
All the fabric they use are OEKO-TEX certified or free from harmful chemicals and do not contain PVC, flame retardants, BPA, or phthalates. What’s more – the brand uses PFAS-free durable water repellent while it dyes its black fabrics using an innovative process that helps conserve 25 to 40 gallons of water per stroller! On the practical side, their strollers are also designed so that they can be used well beyond the newborn stage.
Shop on Bumbleride
2. Zoe Tour+
Another brand that uses 100-percent recycled materials is Zoe Tour+. Known for their lightweight and umbrella strollers, their products are also free of synthetic flame retardants, polyurethane foam, and phthalates. They use biodegradable EVA plastic for the wheels and carry the JPMA certification and meet ASTM safety standards. A downside of Zoe’s strollers is that are only recommended for ages three months and up, so you can’t use them for the first few months of your newborn.
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3. Bugaboo
Bugaboo not only makes sturdy, well-designed strollers – the company is also credited for having several commendable sustainability initiatives. For instance, it’s working towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2035 and eliminating single-use plastic packaging by 2025.
Bugaboo also makes strollers that are meant to be used for many years using mostly recycled fabrics; they’re also working on replacing plastics with bio-based materials. Unlike most stroller makers in the market, Bugaboo sells replacement parts and offers service centres to repair its products.
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4. Nuna
When it comes to appeasing any parents’ concerns with chemicals, Nuna tops the list. All their products meet the OEKO-TEX Standard 100, which certifies that they are free from harmful and allergenic substances. Further, the brand also meets the Global Organic Textile Standard, which ensures that the fibres they use are harvested and produced in an environmental and socially responsible manner.
Nuna also goes the extra mile by running an ISO 14000-certified facility, where they use alternate fuel sources such as solar-powered energy, treat wastewater, and recycling programs for plastic waste and packaging.
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5. Stokke
Norwegian brand Stokke is known worldwide for designing baby gear and accessories that combine quality and functionality. They pride themselves for transporting products efficiently, which is in line with its goal of vastly reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. Further, as a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative Norway, Stokke is an advocate of ethical trade practices.
For dyeing, they use extracts from plants from fallen acorns and radix isatidis, which contain no hazardous chemicals, are processed with no wastewater, and effectively has a low environmental impact. Their strollers can be used from six months up to four years old or 48.5 lbs, and for newborns with a carrycot or car seat.
Shop on Stokke
Read also: How to Keep Microplastics Out of Your Body
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