Day 4: Red, White & GREEN

GIVEAWAY ALERT!  Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for the fourth contest and a great coupon code as part of The Eco-Summer Blog Party!

CONGRATULATIONS STWILLIAMS07@XXXXXXX You are the winner of the To-Go Ware gift set!

Happy 4th of July from The Eco Chic, To-Go Ware, and Green Planet Parties!  The 4th for many of us will be filled with backyard BBQ’s, pool parties, and fireworks.  Along with all that fun comes tons of unnecessary waste.  When most of us host get-togethers at our homes (or anywhere) we typically run to the store and stock up on disposable tableware (plates, cups, cutlery, napkins, etc) for our guests.  Anyone want to venture to guess how long most of these items get used?  Less than 5 minutes…think about this today while you celebrate the 4th with your friends and family. 

About a year ago I invested in some cheap reusable plastic plates and cups for a party we were hosting at the house.  We tend to host several of these parties each year and I decided it was time to find an alternative to the disposable items we typically used.  Now I know that plastic is not perfect…I’m learning all about BPA and all the other evils of plastics…but it was a step in the right direction.  It was reasonably priced at our local big box retailer so I purchased about 30 of each.  We already had a spare set of cutlery from a camping trip a few years ago.  Party day arrived and I was all excited to use our new tableware but I wasn’t prepared for the reaction from the guests.  I actually had one dear friend throw the plate in the garbage.  I had several guests pitty me for the dishes I was going to have to wash later that night.  But after a few hand slappings and a few parties later they have grown to accept my plastic plates and cups…I honestly think they even like them…but they would never admit that to me.  After all, they are durable and there will be no soggy plates at our parties.  

Did you know that most plastics take 10-100 years to degrade at the landfill?  And since plastic is made from petroleum, as it breaks down it releases this petroleum into our environment.  Yes, most landfills are safe and prevent these chemicals from reaching our groundwater but how much of the litter along our roadways and beaches are plastic cutlery?  Look around you!  What you might not know is that there are kinder options available.  

Green Planet Parties is a great online retailer that offers eco-friendly decorations, tableware, gifts, and goodie bags.  I’m impressed with the reusable cotton and felt table clothes, banners, and goodie bags that they sell.  They sent me a great kit to sample and I can’t wait until we host our next party.  Their Party in a (Reusable) Bag is a great alternative to the disposables we’ve enjoyed for years.  The Party in a Bag contains 25 bowls, cups, cutlery sets, and 50 napkins.  What makes this different is that everything is compostable and recyclable.  The plates (almost a bowl shape) are made from palm leaves.  They almost look too nice to actually throw away.  The cutlery and cups are made from PolyActide (PLA) plastics that are typically made from corn or potato starches.  The napkins are made from 100% recycled materials and they even include an oxo-degradable garbage bag.  These items should safely decompose within 12-24 months of time in the landfill leaving no toxins or waste behind.  All of the items are shipped in a very cute (and totally reusable) cotton bag for easy storage.  Unfortunately the bag will come in handy for storage as our 4th of July plans have changed and we won’t be hosting a party this year.  When we do get a chance to use them I will be sure to follow up here and let you know what the guests thought of the Party in a Bag.  What’s the next big holiday?  Who’s having a birthday or anniversary?  Parties at our house!

Now I know that compostable items such as this are not 100% eco-friendly but it’s better than disposable.  Just like my own transition to reusable plates and cups the items from Green Planet Parties will help people make greener decisions when they host their parties.  There are many shades of Green and I consider the Party in a Bag the lime green action!  For those of you darker green readers I have another alternative.  

Do you carry your reusable bottles and bags with you?  Well why not carry your own utensil set?  To-Go Ware offers reusable utensil sets that are easy for you to take with you.  The RePEaTutensil sets have bamboo flatware and chopsticks that are neatly packaged in a sheath made from recycled PET plastic (RePEaT).  In addition it has a very clever carabiner(clip) on the back of the sheath so you can hook it anywhere.  I’m going to start hooking it to my reusable water bottle.  I mentioned they were made from bamboo right?  What’s so special about bamboo?  Is it washable?  Can you reuse it?  Well bamboo is a very eco-friendly plant that is easy to harvest, incredibly durable and dishwasher safe.  

To-Go Ware also offers items that are more for personal use than for parties such as the stainless steel tiffins and sidekicks.  It’s like a reusable steel lunch box for adults…ok, we’ll let the kids use them too.  The containers are all made of 200 grade stainless food grade steel and are dishwasher safe.  Since they are steel they can be heated using the oven, stove, toaster and even over a campfire.  You might be asking me why steel versus plastic…as you may know, most plastics contain BPA and phthalates that can leech into your food.  I have a friend of mine who will speak more about plastics and BPA later in the party.  I have a lot to learn!

Giveaway!  1. Green Planet Parties is offering 10% off your entire purchase with a coupon code for readers of the Eco-Summer Blog Party.  Coupon Code ECO CHICis valid until July 31, 2009.  Please be sure to follow @Greenpla on Twitter but tell your friends to visit The Eco Chic to get the coupon code!  CONTEST PERIOD IS OVER BUT COUPONS ARE STILL ACTIVE!  CONGRATULATIONS STWILLIAMS07 2.  To-Go Wareis offering one lucky reader (US Residents only please) their own RePEaTutensil set along with one of each the large and small sidekicks (a $23 value).  All you have to do is subscribe (BELOW) to recieve updates from The Eco Chic in your email inbox.  You can earn extra entries by following @theecochic and @togoware on Twitter and Facebook.  Be sure to leave a comment HERE for each extra entry you earn (include your username for verification).  The To-Go Ware contest will end on Monday, July 6th at midnight (EST).  3.  To-Go Ware is also offering a 10% off coupon code for readers who want to purchase their own utensils and sidekicks.  Coupon Code ECOCHIC10 is valid until August 31, 2009.

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