1. To-Go Ware®
I first discovered To-Go Ware® at a Whole Foods Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The light-weight set of bamboo utensils in their cute, snap pouch was not on my list, but immediately solved a long-standing and nagging problem: for my many road-trips, flights, and lunch trips to the local market (La Montañita Co-Op’s pad thai – yum!), I needed utensils that were stronger than plastic but lighter than silverware. Something I could reuse several times – preferably forever. I hadn’t realized anything existed that fit these exact requirements, and so I’d been making do with a set of baby utensils (reusable, portable yet strong, but obviously small). So without hesitation, I snagged two sets of To-Go Ware® bamboo utensils (in fuchsia and hunter green pouches) – one for my purse and one for my lunch bag. Each set was on sale for $9.99 and included a standard-sized spoon, fork, knife, and two chopsticks.
I already knew about the wonders of bamboo firsthand from an enthusiastic tour guide at a chocolate/vanilla/tropical fruit/bamboo farm in Hawaii. Bamboo is a beautiful, strong wood (technically a grass) that doesn’t absorb or retain food odors. It is a fast-growing renewable resource, and its harvesting process doesn’t harm the earth. Consider that when bamboo is harvested, the roots are left in the earth and the bamboo continues to grow. This prevents soil erosion and deforestation. Plus, the harvesting cycle for bamboo is only two to seven years (depending on the species) compared to twenty to fifty for other woods (or fifty to one hundred for hardwoods). It also requires little, if any, pesticides or fertilizer. Lastly, this stuff is durable. I’ve used and washed my bamboo utensils every day (every single day) for the last six months, and they are still like new.
Beyond all of this, (and I don’t mean to gush like an 8th grader or sound like a door-to-door salesman, but I do get excited when I find innovative companies that are committed to sustainability and social justice…) To-Go Ware® is the epitome of a green company. They are smart green in that they support the Principles of Environmental Justice and the Bali Principles of Climate Justice. They are actively green in everything they do – from using bio-degradable cleaning products in the workplace to refusing to partner with companies that lobby against environmental conservation. They are committed to human rights, and partner with WEAVE and CONSERVE. (If you don’t know about these empowering organizations yet, click, click, click! You will feel inspired and connected – they will make your day!) We can green our own life and promote sustainable practices in businesses by purchasing from ethical companies like this one. Read more about the To-Go Ware® mission and sustainability practices here.
2. ResnackIt™
According to World Watch Institute, Americans throw away 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags every year. I used to contribute to that number until yet another trip to a Whole Foods Market. These nylon-lined cotton sandwich bags (again, not on my list) caught my eye immediately, and I’ve been using one for the past four months. It is ultra-convenient. I’ve packed burritos, sandwiches, bagels, almonds, chips, and carrots in it. Not only am I saving money and the environment by not buying plastic bags, but the nylon lining of the bags is lead free, phthalate free, BPA free and PVC (vinyl) free (read: safe to touch your food). It can be thrown in the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer, but I’ve never needed to – the interior wipes out easily. I take it out to recess duty (my afternoon snack is usually almonds or pistachios), and all of my students ask where they can get one. When I’m not using it, it takes up almost no space, which is why it is great for travel. Check out ResnackIts™ at mom-powered Live and Dream Green LLC!
3. Tupperware®
Buy it once, use it your whole life, then send it back for recycling. Yes. You heard me. Tupperware® recycles the products sent back to them. Did you know that? Besides Tupperware’s environmentally friendly manufacturing practices and their worldwide environmental initiatives, Tupperware® products themselves help us green our lives. First off, they are BPA-free (read: safe). Secondly, they help us greenies in our sustainable lifestyle. There are products which are designed to keep fresh produce fresh – which is invaluable to those of use who forage for produce in local farmers’ markets. This means less pre-packaged waste, and less spoiled food being chucked into the compost bin. There are storage products which are designed with air-tight seals for those of us who buy flour, rice, and legumes in bulk. Buying in bulk saves money and reduces packaging waste. I also find a greater variety of flours, sugars, and rice are offered in the bulk section than in the isles of pre-packaged goods in supermarkets. There are products which help us replace disposable items, such as water bottles and coffee mugs. (Did you know that plastic bottles take 1,000 years to break down?) Lastly, Tupperware® products are a traveling vegetarian’s dream. Pack soup for lunch at work, bring your own spill-proof ‘doggie bag’ container along to the restaurant, pack pilaf or tabouli for a picnic or road trip, or bring a few empty containers on a road trip for hummus or olives bought along the way. With Tupperware® I can save money, reduce waste, buy locally and in bulk, and when I’m on a road trip (read: not close to vegetarian-friendly stores and restaurants) I can pack my own healthful, cruelty-free snacks and meals. Find more tips for sustainable living from Tupperware® here.
There you are, three of my currents favorites that help us become agents of change. It’s easy to adopt a disposable lifestyle because of the convenience, but with a little help from green companies like these, we can make sustainable living just as convenient, and more affordable as well.
Photo Credits: Recycle Bag by Kittikun Atsawintarangkul at
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1671
Vegetarian Culinarian 