Boylan Soda Glasses

I was looking for some for recycled glasses today on the web and came across these eco tumblers from Elsewares. What a great way to extend the life of classic beer bottles. Perfect for a spring cocktail!

These cool tumblers are recycled in Wisconsin from assorted clear Boylan soda and seltzer bottles, each a classic. Head on over to Elsewares HERE.

What’s better than being budget-savvy? Being budget-savvy and eco-friendly!

Plastic utensils are handy for picnics, but they aren’t biodegradable. Bamboo is too expensive to throw out. But Ecoware — disposable cutlery made of birchwood — is compostable and economical.

Ecoware is a fairly new company based out of Vancouver, Canada. They supply FSC-Certified wooden cutlery for restaurants, cafes, schools, weddings and picnics in the park. Their biodegradable utensils seem to be appealing to those looking for a unique, eco-friendly alternative to traditional expendable cutlery.

Ecoware Biodegradables Wooden Cutlery

I was contacted by Ecoware and asked if I would be interested in reviewing their products. I rarely ever turn down an offer to do an eco review, so of course I agreed. I received the sample set yesterday and set out to test the quality today. My kit contained one disposable wooden spoon, one disposable wooden fork, one disposable wooden knife and a napkin, all packaged in a sealed, recycled paper sleeve. The actual design for each utensil is very modern, useful and functional. Sometimes disposable utensils have awkward or strange designs but these are really nice and have a warm feel since they’re made of wood. Surprisingly, there was no splintering or roughness that sometimes is present with wooden utensils. The fork and knife passed my chicken and broccoli cutting and sturdiness tests with flying colors. They’re not reusable because they’re not coated with anything; they’re designed to be a one-time use only.

It did make me wonder why all takeout and fast food restaurants aren’t switching to wood. The bottom line is a wooden fork costs only a fraction of a cent more than one made of black plastic.

Cutlery

These are really a great eco choice if you need one time disposable, eco and compostable eating utensils. Use them for your next picnic, party, special event, in your cafe or restaurant, or anywhere you choose. Their price point is excellent and their company is making a very positive eco green statement. Ecoware also offers special order disposable cutlery products, such as disposable wooden ice cream spoons and disposable wooden sporks.

With retail packs, pre-packaged cutlery sets, (they even offer design services for custom logo cutlery), and wholesale bulk cutlery available, Ecoware offers eco-friendly tableware for everyone. I’m now a fan and can foresee using these products many times in the future.

Ecoware Summary Review:

Pros:

• Cost Effective

• Hip and Cool

• Eco-Friendly

• Biodegradable

• Customizable

Cons:

• None

As the calendar turns toward Spring, Paper Culture, a leader in eco-friendly modern stationery, is helping new Moms celebrate by introducing Cards to Trees, a program to promote American reforestation. Through this program, Paper Culture will plant a tree every time an order for baby announcements or baby shower invitations is placed between March 14 (California Arbor Day) and April 30 (National Arbor Day). Paper Culture has always been committed to a “no new cutting” philosophy, exclusively using 100 percent post consumer recycled paper on all of its cards. This program takes this commitment to the next level by actually turning stationery into new trees.

Cards to Trees is part of an exciting new partnership between Paper Culture and the Arbor Day Foundation, which for nearly 40 years has inspired people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. Our country’s forests do more than look beautiful; they clean the air we breathe, provide natural wildlife habitats, and their root systems ensure that topsoil runoff does not pollute our nation’s water supplies.

Every Paper Culture card is printed on 100 percent post consumer recycled paper that is both FSC Certified (FSC-SECR-2003) and generated with renewable energy. More than 80 percent of the company’s employees take public transportation or drive hybrid vehicles, helping the company reduce its carbon footprint by conserving resources. And, to offset the carbon footprint that it cannot eliminate, Paper Culture is a CarbonFree partner of Carbonfund.org.

So new parents, head on over to Paper Culture, (HERE), and plant a tree in your newborn’s honor!

Spring 2010 is approaching and there’s a lot of buzz around topics like the economy, taxation, global poverty, restoration in Haiti/Chile, and lastly, green awareness. With spring, Earth Day also draws nearer (April 22nd); as individuals, we must remember and realize the importance of global warming and all of its implications. Subsequent topics discussed as of late include space travel/burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and green building. As nations like Haiti and Chile prepare for rebuilding and new construction, there are many things to consider when advancing. Moving towards cleaner, greener infrastructure is vital in ensuring a successful restoration campaign.

The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(3)(c) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everybody. It’s one of the many organizations playing its role in green progression.  Heavy discussion lies on green topics, especially the more recent ones like space travel; others include deforestation, green crops, clothing, energy, and much more. It’s important that we as individuals/citizens stay up-to-date on important global topics like warming. As organizations like the  (Clinton Global Initiative), (Architecture for Humanity), and the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) conducts sustainability campaigns and enforce strict green constraints, our world will continue to become a better, cleaner place. Machines behind the CGI, Doug Band and Former President Clinton have been pursuing an emission reduction plan in the San Francisco Bay area. Meanwhile, CEO of GEC (Globetrotters Engineering Corporation), Niranjan Shah, is underway with green building projects in Chicago, IL. Despite these few national examples, green infrastructure, particularly in places like Haiti, has become an integral part of restoration and construction.

As polluters continue to buy their way out of Carbon Cuts globally, and large organizations continue to dump their waste into lakes, ponds and rivers, communities and must play their role in ensuring sustainability. Organizations like the CGI, AFH, and USGBC provide repercussion and policy change for acts such as. Most of the results from warming and climate change are miniscule and unnoticeable now, but our youth and earlier generations will experience firsthand the effects of pollutants and unsustainable efforts. Feel free to visit earthday.org to learn more about what you can do to support your world.

Colorful, lightweight and ultra-compact, ChicoBags are a hip and sustainable alternative to throwaway plastic and paper bags. Fold it up into its integrated pouch and put in your pocket, purse or glove box. It’s a cinch to pack and carry.

Stop throwing your money and your bags away - Chico Bags as low as $4.99!

Chico Bag

Vote with your dollars and use your buying power as a step toward positive change. The Better World Shopping Guide is the only comprehensive, up-to-date, user-friendly guide for environmentally and socially responsible consumers. This smart little book ranks every product on the shelf from A to Z so you can quickly tell the companies you want to support from those you definitely do not. Every dollar you spend is a vote for the world you want to live in – this book is dedicated to providing people with a comprehensive, up-to-date, reliable account of the social and environmental responsibility of every company on the planet AND making it available in practical forms that individuals can use in their everyday lives.

Vote for change with The Better World Shopping Guide! Use coupon code ECO10 for 10% off your order.

The Better World Shopping Guide - 2nd Edition: Every Dollar Makes a Difference

EcoUsable water bottles are the new eco-friendly alternative to using plastic water bottles. Each bottle is reusable, lightweight, and taste-neutral.

Reusable, stainless steel, BPA-free water bottles for the kiddos! Use coupon code ECO10 for 10% off!

EcoUsable 10oz Stainless Steel Bottle - Lime Green Flower Power

Whether you’re a biking enthusiast or just looking for a unique indoor/outdoor candles, these Cog Tea Light Holders are a great find. They’re made from actual recycled bicycle parts, like freewheels and cogs, and hold a tea light candle in the center. They’re elegant, interesting and will add ambiance to any room. Enjoy one alone or buy several to line the center of a coffee or dinner table. They also make a great gift for the bike lovers in your life. Only $14 at Bambeco. Pick a couple up HERE!

“Reuse and recycle” is one of the oldest green maxims around and any half-witted individual knows old electronics certainly apply to such an adage. With hazardous chemicals such as lead, mercury, and many others, most electronics are comprised of a toxic synthetic cocktail that can seep into the environment when thrown out.

Reduce harmful e-junk by donating old electronics to charitable causes that reuses the equipment

While there are recycling centers and programs throughout the country (there’s likely one in your area) specifically for the proper disposal of electronics, it may not be the best option for getting rid of your old electronics. It’s estimated that nearly half of all the electronic waste, or “e-junk”, disposed of in the U.S. ends up overseas in underdeveloped areas where the waste is disposed with little regard to environmental or human concern. On the contrary, there are a myriad of organizations and causes that accept the donations of old electronics on behalf of a good cause. Here are a few ways to put your outdated equipment to good use while keeping them out of landfills.

Cell Phones – It seems more than any other electronic gadget, cell phones become outdated remarkably fast as new technology continually emerges. Thus, if you are anything like me, you probably upgrade your phone at least once every one to two years, which means you also have likely amassed quite the collection of old phones. Instead of just throwing them in the junk drawer – or even worse, out – why not donate them to a good cause? The organization Cell Phones for Soldiers collects cell phones that are sold to a company that responsibly recycles them and the money received is used to purchase calling cards for troops serving abroad. Another notable non-profit is the 911 Cell Phone Bank, which distributes old phones to law enforcement and victim services agency to give to individuals in need of emergency phones (think seniors who live alone or victims of domestic violence). Similarly, Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program turns donated cell phones into support lines for domestic violence victims.

Computer Equipment – I happened upon Computers with Causes a few years ago when I wanted to get rid of an old laptop I no longer needed. The organization repairs and properly prepares donated computers, laptops, and other IT equipment for “placement into an educational environment or other cause [they] support.” Much of the property donated ends up in community centers, foster homes, libraries, and schools in need of funding.

Television Sets – Many homeless shelters, senior centers, and women’s shelters welcome the donation of old television sets, DVD players, radios, and digital clocks for the use of their dependents. Contact local ones in your area to see if they are currently accepting donations.

If you would rather simply get rid of your old electronics through a recycling program, opt for a government sanctioned one (I’m a big fan of Earth 911) and thoroughly research any recycling programs offered through manufacturers and retailers prior to using their services. Want more ideas? Check out Inhabitat’s creative ways to get rid of old electronics.

Keetsa Mattress is quickly becoming one of the bedding industries most intriguing and successful stories. Challenging the way the mattress industry conducts business; Keetsa addresses several issues such as sustainability, recyclability and the overall health aspect of mattresses by providing a low cost alternative.

Keetsa NYC Store

Keetsa’s’ New York store is built in an eco-friendly way in that 90% of the materials used is either recycled, reclaimed or restructured to minimize the waste attributed to opening new locations.

Through innovation in foam manufacturing, Keetsa utilizes materials such as natural, recycled and sustainable ingredients to give consumers a more eco-friendly and healthy alternative to traditional foam.

Because of Keetsa’s packaging innovations, a new Keetsa mattress ships in less than a third of the space that a traditional mattress consumes. This decreases the carbon foot print dependency on traditional petroleum based transportation methods and eliminates the need for special delivery trucks. This helps account for Keetsa’s lower retail price, which is anywhere from half to a third of traditional mattresses, making it easy for people from all walks of life to sleep in comfort.

Keetsa has its headquarters in San Francisco and has just opened a new store located at 69 Mercer St (between Spring and Broome), in New York City. As a special offer to Modern Eco Homes readers, Keetsa is offering you the opportunity to receive two FREE Biofoam Pillows, ($140 dollar value). All you have to do is simply call or visit their store in Soho and purchase any one of their mattresses and you’ll receive two pillows at no additional cost. Make sure you mention Modern Eco Homes when purchasing your goods. We love these guys! And while you’re checking them out, make sure you visit their blog. They always have great information and topics. Let me know what you think! Sleep well.

Industrial hemp is gaining a lot of respect around the world for its amazing versatility and environmental benefits. Many companies are turning to hemp in order to make their products more sustainable and eco-friendly in general.

Unfortunately, widespread acceptance of hemp still has a way to go. Many people are oblivious to the great benefits of hemp. Some (incorrectly) assume that it’s a drug (because of its close association with marijuana). The U.S. government has even made it illegal to grow.

Hemp Placemat Set of 4

Hemp cultivation can provide many benefits for the environment. It grows quickly, requires no chemical pesticides or herbicides, and is 100% biodegradable.
Bottom line: hemp is a super fiber.

We think these hemp placemats would be a welcomed complement to any table setting. You can purchase a set for $34 at Bambeco.