Q. We are getting some beanbag chairs for our kids. Wondering what the most environmentally friendly filling is for beanbags. I know most use plastic. What natural or less harmful alternatives exist? I had a beanbag chair growing up. I begged and begged, but my parents were also concerned about store-bought beanbag fillings, so I made it myself out of old organic cotton t-shirts and sand that I nicked from the playground, one cup at a time. It wasn’t exactly comfortable, and nobody could lift it when it was time to move, but oh, how I loved that chair. Fortunately, kids these days have better options for safe and eco-friendly spherical furniture, Brent. Let’s flop down and take a look. First, a few words about the fillings we don’t want. Most conventional beanbag chairs you’ll find are stuffed with expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads – the light, crumbly plastic that’s frequently confused with Styrofoam (a similar, name-brand product). That’s because it’s very light and durable enough to last a few years without squishing under the weight of your growing kiddos.

Still, EPS should be a DNB (Do Not Buy); it is petroleum-based and presents difficulties at disposal time. Yes, it can be possible to reuse or recycle it, but it’s energy intensive and usually more complicated than putting it out on the curb. Better to avoid it when we can. Recycled (sometimes called reground) EPS bits are another option, and they’re good in the sense that they keep the white stuff out of landfills. But there is some concern about EPS leaching carcinogenic chemicals. This seems to be a much bigger problem with food containers and hot drinks than it is with beanbag stuffing – in fact, I know of no studies linking that kind of EPS with health risks. But you’ll have to decide where you stand on the safe vs. sorry continuum with that one. Nor should we be seduced by beanbags filled with polyurethane foam, aka memory foam or compressed foam. This is also petroleum-based and complicated to recycle, but to add insult to injury, it may also be treated with cancer-causing, hormone-disrupting flame retardants.

Now, on to the news you can use. A better filling is natural latex foam. Made from the sap of the rubber tree, in its pure form the foam is renewable and doesn’t off-gas dangerous chemicals (because it’s expensive, it’s often mixed with synthetic fillers, so shop carefully). It’s biodegradable and can also, theoretically at least, be composted when its beanbag days are over. dressing table chair gumtreeNatural latex does often come to us from third world countries, so labor abuses and deforestation can be an issue here – not to mention the shipping footprint. outdoor swing chair kmartIt’s also heavy, and therefore better for smaller beanbag chairs. sofas and chairs store albany ny

Still, I’d choose it over the beads above. Like so many things, though, the beanbag industry may have been needlessly complicating its products when the perfectly natural answer is right there in the name. If I were to repeat my beanbag project today, I’d use something as close to the earth as possible: Popular eco-friendly fillers include buckwheat hulls, dried field peas, popcorn, or rice, and yes, beans. bean bag chair for sensory integrationObviously, all of these will be a lot heavier than airy EPS or foam, and they will vary in terms of comfort and shape. herman miller chairs ctThey will probably also require more than just running out to the store to buy them, as natural beanbags are still a specialty item – you might need to buy the cover first and fill it yourself with bulk beans. replica eames chair usa

But that in itself can be a fun project for the little ones, and you can lounge easy knowing you’ve cushioned them with the greenest stuffing out there.Just stay away from the sandbox, and you’ll do fine. Our solid foam furniture transforms to fit your needs. Having a party and need a crash space? Need your pouf to hold more than your feet? chair cover rentals lancaster paWe've got you covered.stokke high chair seat cover NO GROWN UPS ALLOWEDghost chair for sale malaysia Give kids a their own cloud 9 with our cozy, versatile line of kids furniture. With removable covers, they are the perfect place for play. Buy today, get free shipping for the next 30 days Overall Product Weight: 15lb.

The Fatboy original beanbag fits in perfectly with any decor and is both comfortable and stylish. This versatile beanbag allows you to sit in it like a chair, recline in it; you can even sleep on it. The Fatboy original beanbag is the perfect end to a long, hard day.must use pliers or paperclip to pull on zipper Cover cannot be removed as beads are loose inside Does not have a weight limit 70'' H x 55'' W x 8'' D Age 10 - Adult Wipe clean with luke warm water and mild soap. Six months on manufacturer defects only More About This Product Expected delivery dates forA bean bag, a way of life There is only one original Buggle-up outdoor bean bag Original Outdoor bean bag Meet all the special beanbags I want a bean bag!as the Rose Festival’s waterfront activities kick off on May 26 at 5:00 p.m. for Memorial Day weekend and three consecutive weekends at Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park (May 26-May 29, June 2-4 and June 9-11, 2017).

Opening Night Fireworks on Friday night, May 26, features a dance party in the RoZone and a huge fireworks display synchronized to great music. If you’d like to save on admission, get a CityFair Season Pass (the 2017 Rose Festival Souvenir Pin) and wear it to get in any day CityFair is open ( for the following pin purchase locations). We’re open all day on Memorial Day, May 29, too – bring the family out for a holiday tradition! The second weekend of CityFair is jam-packed with music on the Rose City Stage and the Bridgetown stage, along with A Walk on the Wild Side exotic animals, arts and crafts in the Kids Zone, and cool artifacts in the Rose Festival Museum – all FREE with CityFair admission. Grab Portland Brewing Company’s Rose Festival Brew or a local cocktail from the Eastside Distilling Lounge and enjoy Rose Festival after dark! The final weekend of CityFair starts on Friday (June 9). Fleet Week is a highlight this weekend with ships from the US Navy, US Coast Guard, and Canadian Maritime Forces along the waterfront sea wall, and the amazing all-floral float creations from the Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade will line Naito Parkway on Saturday afternoon and Sunday for up-close viewing, punctuating a rosy end to Rose Festival Waterfront activities.

Jim Neill Memorial Museum at CityFair Each year at CityFair, the Rose Festival Foundation displays treasures from the archives to the public. Come and see the Crown of Rosaria, on display on select weekend afternoons! Since 1922, the Queen of Rosaria has worn a beautiful crown made of 14-carat gold filigree, featuring a blue zircon at its tip, six hundred and fifty white sapphires and eight rare pigeon-blood rubies. The crown is removed from its bullet-proof vault once every year for the official Coronation of the new Rose Festival Queen, and now you can see it up close in exquisite detail. There will also be artifacts on display from over a century of festival history, with a special section to honor 1916 Queen Muriel Sailing (of Pendleton, Oregon), the 1916 Columbia River Highway celebration and past carnivals.The Jim Neill Memorial Museum was named in honor of Jim Neill, who was a long time Director of the Rose Festival Foundation and avid collector of Rose Festival memorabilia.

We are delighted to be displaying pieces donated by Jim Neill’s family and the law firm where he worked, Davis Wright Tremaine, presently on display at the Rose Festival offices on Naito Parkway. Kids Zone Reading Corner CityFair will feature a Reading Corner in the Kids Zone, kicking off on May 26 at 5:00 p.m. for Memorial Day weekend and three consecutive weekends at Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park (May 26-May 29, June 2-4 and June 9-11, 2017). The Kids Zone Tent will have bean bag chairs, books and be a quiet place for kids to read during the festival, with free arts and crafts as well. Celebrity Readers will come to the Reading Corner each weekend day. 2017 CELEBRITY READER SCHEDULE COMING SOON! Rose City Stage Schedule 2017 INFORMATION COMING SOON! Do you need Adobe Reader? Get it for FREE: Applications for community booths available HERE. 2017 CityFair Food Vendor Application [PDF] 2017 CityFair Exhibitor Application [PDF] If your company falls within one of these categories : Automotive, Beverage, Casino, Communication, Credit Card, Financial Institutions, Home Improvement, Hot Tubs & Spas, Hotel Industry, Insurance, Medical Facilities, Mobile Tours, Retail Stores, Technology, or United States Military — please contact our Sponsorship Department at 503.227.2681 for partnership opportunities.