Being a lighthearted child in a grown-up body, I have to admit that I still like lunch pails, and my band new Yubo lunchbox happens to be my favorite one of all time because it’s:
BPA Free
Recyclable
Antimicrobial
Dishwasher Safe
Yubo bpa free lunchwear started with two concerned parents frustrated with the amount of plastic baggies used every day. Explaining:
“The typical store bought lunchboxes we owned were impossible to clean, they collected crumbs and foul old-food odors. Worst of all, our kids were over the novelty of their lunchboxes less than a week after buying them! That was the start of our journey to re-invent the lunchbox. We knew there had to be a better way. We set out to balance our passion for the environment with our kids’ passion for having fun.”
Do you get your java on the go? If so, what do you do with the paper cup once you’re finished? Throw it in the trash…recycle it…maybe you never gave it much thought. But did you know that 58 billion paper cups are used in the United States every year, and if all these paper cups were recycled, 645,000 tons of waste would be diverted from our landfills? We would be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.5 million mtCO2e (Metric Tonne Carbon Dioxide Equivalent) similar to removing 450,000 passenger cars from the road. It’s amazing to think that something so simple could have such a big impact. Well, it sounds simple but actually the reality is quite complicated.
Global Green USA’s Coalition for Resource Recovery (CoRR) understands the complexity. Their mission is to help businesses increase profits by transforming waste into assets - ultimately, creating a win-win situation for business and the environment. However, CoRR can’t do it alone. It will take all stakeholders in the paper cup supply chain working in collaboration. And it all starts with one white, iconic coffee cup.
You drink coffee. Tea. When it’s at home, it’s organic, and when you’re out, you do your best. In so many ways, you live a green lifestyle. And yet, there’s one sticky point: the cup.
After my Bono and his eyeliner post last week, a member of a U2 fan club wrote in and mentioned Bono’s use of and hand in creating Nude Skincare line (he and wife Ali Hewson are investors and she suggested the name to creator Bryan Meehan). Curiosity piqued, I contacted Nude directly to check it all out.
I do just love trying a new (to me, I realize Nude has been around for a while) line of nontoxic skin care and the customer service at Nude was speedy and courteous. My samples were sent out right away and I had them in my hot little hands no more than a few days after my initial contact.
Three products arrived for review; Miracle Mask, Age Defence Moisturiser and Replenishing Night Oil. The Miracle Mask warned those of us with sensitive skin that it was not suitable for our type. Being the skin care guinea pig that I so willingly am, and after a quick inspection of the ingredients label for any common triggers, I gave it a whirl anyway but avoided the five minute leave-on directions and went for a mere one minute, maybe. Designed to brighten and smooth skin, the mask contains natural AHAs and I noticed the scent of fruit acids right away. My skin did look rosy afterward, as if I had exfoliated with a mild scrub.
Is your family pet going green with eco-friendly pet care products?
Green pet care products are healthier choices for your family because they’ll likely be less toxic for your home, your pet and the environment. While buying organic food and treats is easy, it can be challenging to source other eco-friendly pet care products.
Recently, I’ve discovered Marmalade pet care, a pet product design firm that emphasizes renewable/recyclable materiality. The firm addresses ‘good design’ practices with “domestic sourcing; sustainable materials; efficient production and eventual recyclability of the product.”
Certified yoga instructor Isabella Samovsky of Solay Wellness in Skokie, Illinois solves some confusion over the appropriate eco mat for the right yoga practice.
The cotton mats her company offers are mostly for hatha yoga exercises, yet also good for therapy, meditation and floor classes that don’t require too much flow. Isabella says a cotton mat can be used by itself and is perfect for the shavasana (also known as corpse or savasana) pose. It rolls up nicely for storage and travel. It’s also a good size for mom and baby together.
One of the most difficult items to claim as earth friendly is a yoga mat. Since inquiring minds want to know, I’m giving it a shot. The variety of conclusions may surprise you.
Chuck Blumenthal founded his Chicago company Bean Products in 1987. His small business launch was dedicated to universal comfort and environmental consciousness.
Starting in 2009 Gill-line is branching out into green promotions with their new Gill-Green line divided into Biodegradable & Recycled, Recyclable, and Recycled items. This is a new venture for Gill-line and we will see how they progress with the line throughout 2009.
Fancy a new online store for eco-friendly children’s products? Green product website Ambitious Green calls itself a “fun place to buy great products at the center of today’s environmental issues, concerns, and debates.”
Says Ambitious Green: “We think the environment and education are challenging debates worth having. Every time you make a buying decision you are telling manufacturers and the market what’s important to you. We share the same frustrations you do - finding products that are natural, functional, friendly and fun. We believe that what’s good for you can be good for the planet.”
Here are a few of the latest toys at Ambitious Green:
Dancing Alligator, $19.99 (shown above) “This award-winning, wooden alligator pull toy struts his stuff as he wiggles, bobs and click-clacks along.” These toys are made in Thailand by Plan Toys, a green company that emphasizes socially responsible manufacturing. It’s green because it’s made of organic rubberwood, non-formaldehyde E-Zero Glue, water-based dye, recycled and recyclable material and soy ink and water-based ink.
What is the power of zero? It is a dedication to creating a sustainably made product that generates zero manufacturing waste and is fully recyclable. It is also one of the guiding principles that drives Rickshaw Bagworks, a progressive company that just opened its new store in San Francisco.
