Have a Green Superbowl Party
How do you have a Superbowl party at home and stay green? Most people opt for the convenience of disposables, and may not want to use their “good” dishes for a party. A trip to the dollar store or discount store can really save you money and you can buy reusable items for future gatherings. Get some ceramic dishes, drinking glasses, cloth napkins, and bamboo or stainless steel serving utensils. You could also buy some kitchen towels and washcloths in place of paper towels to clean up any spills. If any of these items were to get ruined, then it isn’t a big deal. Here are a few tips:
• Use reusable dishes, utensils, napkins, etc…
• Pick up a box of empty jam/jelly Mason jars at the grocery store and use them as drinking glasses.
• Put out pitchers of water instead of individual plastic water bottles.
• Be sure to set up stations for recycling and composting.
• Ask guests to carpool or use public transportation.
• Try to serve healthy snacks. Shop at the farmers market in the morning to serve fresh, local, organic food.
These are just a few ideas. If use must use disposable items, then please buy biodegradable/compostable items. They are becoming more and more available, so keep an eye out for them. Go team!
Brelli: Eco-Friendly Umbrella
The Asian umbrella was the inspiration behind the design of the BRELLI. It was designed and engineered to be a beautiful, strong and quality umbrella! The BRELLI is not just another eco-umbrella, it maintains the highest level of integrity when it comes to protecting you and the planet.
It is not only the perfect clear rain umbrella, it is designed to be wind resistant to 40MPH. The canopy is made from 100% biodegradable plastic and the frame is made from sustainable renewable bamboo. Every BRELLI comes with its own custom cotton carrying case for easy handling and storage.
I have a small one, which works, but some people might feel it needs to be a little larger. The small seems great for a child. It is easy to open and comes with a nifty carrying case.
+ Made using bamboo, organic cotton, and a biodegradable biofilm
+ Super strong design – tested to sustain 40 mph winds
+ Great for rain or sun with UV A / B protection
+ Handmade in Thailand
+ 100% biodegradable umbrella
Cream City Ribbon – The Natural Choice
I’ve done some coastal & river clean ups and it never fails to find ribbon caught up in a tangled mess. When wrapping gifts, it doesn’t occur to everyone that most ribbons and bows found at your local store are made using petroleum products. They’re not sustainable nor are they recyclable or biodegradable. I use paper raffia ribbon, hemp cord, and make my own bows from old magazines.
I discovered Cream City Ribbon® which is produced from renewable, biodegradable cotton fiber, grown and processed responsibly in the USA with water based dyes and without chlorine bleaches. They also offer organic and recycled cotton by special order. They have solid colors, designs, and custom made ribbon. Cream City Ribbon® is the natural choice.
ENSO Plastics: Making Plastic Earth Friendly
I don’t use plastic water bottles, so at first I was a little unsure of ENSO Plastic bottles. They sent me a couple of ENSO water bottles to check out. I was pleased that one of the bottles for Project 7 helps give back to people in need. I think that’s a great idea, and the bottle is biodegradable. The ENSO bottles will naturally break down in 1-5 years and can also be recycled. They are the first biodegradable and recyclable PET bottles.
To learn more of their process, check out the video below:
http://www.ensoplastics.com
http://www.project7.com
Memphis Green Multi-Purpose 100% Biodegradable Bamboo Gloves
I was looking for some gardening gloves and came across these multi-purpose 100% biodegradable bamboo gloves by MCR Safety Consumer Products. Here are the gloves specifications:
• Superior Comfort and Unrivaled Softness – Bamboo fabric is lighter and softer than cotton
• Breathable and cool – Bamboo fabric is 2-3 degrees cooler than cotton or polyester, and is more breathable than cotton or any other synthetic fabric
• Increased moisture absorption and ventilation – Bamboo fabric is up to 4times more absorbent than cotton. Tiny micro-gaps and micro-holes helps to promote better moisture absorption and ventilation. This structure allows the fabric to wick moisture away, keeping you cooler and drier.
• Naturally antibacterial – “Bamboo kun”, a unique antibacterial agent found in bamboo fiber helps to reduce bacteria that thrive on clothing and cause unpleasant odors, even after multiple washings.
• Anti-Fungal – Unlike cotton, bamboo fiber products will not hold odor or grow fungus, even if left in moist conditions.
• 100% Biodegradable shell and dip
These gloves fit snug and work rather well to help protect my hands. They are great quality and biodegradable. If you’re looking for some multi-purpose gloves, then I recommend you check these out.
Paperflops – Recycled Newspaper Flip Flops
I saw these online and I am fascinated with them. I totally want to get a pair. I wonder how well the newspaper will hold up? I watched an episode of Mythbusters the other day and they were testing ancient paper armor against steel armor. The folded paper armor held up rather well against several weapons. So, I would assume the folded paper here would hold up rather well.
“The PaperFlops flip flops exist in different models and of course different sizes. They are made from entirely natural and biodegradable materials.
These Flip Flops are made of recycled and up-cycled newspapers. It takes approximately 1kg of old newspapers to produce a pair of PaperFlops Flip Flops. Other materials for the PaperFlop Flip Flops include root from old palm trees, coconut shells, and 100% natural rubber. The PaperFlop Flip Flops are quite durable and water proof since they are protected with a natural rubber sealant.
PaperFlops is a creative workshop that employs underprivileged people including street children and disabled people throughout Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This workshop trains and educates these people in arts and crafts to creating amazing products so they can be entirely self-sufficient.”
Here is their catalog: PaperArt Studios Catalog 2011
Greening your gatherings
I’ve posted this before, but I feel it’s necessary to post again. I’ve been to a few celebrations this summer and they definitely have not been green. Since it is a 3 day weekend for a lot of people then, I know there will definitely be some gatherings.
How do you celebrate birthday parties, holidays, and special occasions at home and stay green? Most people opt for the convenience of disposables, and may not want to use their “good” dishes for a party. A trip to the dollar store or discount store can really save you money and you can buy reusable items for future gatherings. Get some ceramic dishes, drinking glasses, cloth napkins, and bamboo or stainless steel serving utensils. You could also buy some kitchen towels and washcloths in place of paper towels to clean up any spills. If any of these items were to get ruined, then it isn’t a big deal.
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Here are a few tips: • Use reusable dishes, utensils, napkins, etc… • Pick up a box of empty jam/jelly Mason jars at the grocery store and use them as drinking glasses. • Put out pitchers of water instead of individual plastic water bottles. • Before receiving new gifts, try donating old or outgrown toys and clothes to charity. • Suggest gifts to be wrapped in newspaper or brown paper bags, so they can be recycled. • Make your decorations. Use old greeting cards and create ornaments and banners. Be creative. • Use biodegradable balloons. • Party favors: Give out a colorful reusable tote bag, filled with a recycled notebook, a recycled pencil or a stainless steel water bottle. |
These are just a few ideas. If use must use disposable items, then please buy biodegradable/compostable items. They are becoming more and more available, so keep an eye out for them. Happy celebrating!
Natural Carpets and Rugs
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Materials used in commercial carpet or rugs can cause health and environmental concerns. According to the EPA, chemicals in carpet can be a potential risk to reduce indoor air quality because of the emissions and VOC’s from the adhesives used in carpeting. The most common adhesive is Polypropylene which can cause health issues.
Choosing 100% Natural rugs like wool, jute, hemp, cotton, sisal, sea grass, etc… could ensure better air quality and reduce the risk of exposure to chemicals. Also, choose carpeting with natural rubber adhesive.
Natural fiber carpets and rugs may not be as soft or cushy as some synthetic carpeting. If you are just protecting the floor, then isn’t it worth it to live in a healthy environment?
EPA on Greening Your Carpet: http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/carpets2.htm
iPhone 4 Cover Made from Plants
I really like this biodegradable iPhone 4 cover by Bioserie. It’s very slim, sturdy, ergonomic, snaps-on, and made from plants. It doesn’t contain oil derivatives, petrochemicals or toxic materials. The 4 corners have these little “feet” for facedown screen protection. It doesn’t have a lip all the way around the screen like other covers, which makes those covers a little bulky. This cover only weights 12 grams, and it is 1mm thick. It is very discreet and stylish.
Here is more info about the Bioserie Bioplastic covers:
- Bioserie iPhone Cover consists of a unique blend of biodegradable and environmentally friendly components (100%), all derived from plants and annually renewable natural resources
- Product contains Ingeo biopolymer, under license from NatureWorks LLC, our key partner in product material development. The biopolymer is made in the USA, and derived from plant sugars.
- Unique feet on the front protect iPhone’s glass screen during facedown placement or fall, also enabling privacy (patent pending)
- Black lining around camera and flash ensures perfect flash photography with no discoloration.
- Slim design, providing protection without bulk.
eco household lubricant
Last year I saw LubriMatic at the Go Green Expo and learned about their products. I got a small 2 oz bottle of their household oil to use on door hinges, etc… It worked ok and I like the idea of it being non-toxic, bio-based, earth friendly and biodegradable. I don’t know if it works as well as the petroleum based lubricants, but it is a good alternative.
LubriMatic Green™ biobased greases, oils and spray lubricants are professional grade, environmentally friendly products manufactured from renewable U.S.A. grown crops. LubriMatic Green products reduce friction, heat and wear better than petroleum based products and are safer to use.
Update: They have updated their brand to UltraLube http://www.ultralube.com or on facebook.
