Less Dishwashing, More benefit for the Planet

As a full-time working mother, with two children (and a husband who counts in this instance) I absolutely dread doing the dishes. My kids are the worst about getting out a cup, using it for five minutes, putting it in the sink-- only to get another clean cup out of the cupboard twenty minutes later.

So I have to admit, I'm guilty of going the Plastic Cup route. Why wash when you can toss? I felt extremely guilty about adding to my already huge trash collection though. And then I found something great...and it cut the amount of dishes I have to wash AND is a great deal friendlier to the environment.

I found a replacement for my plastic cups, which cost no more than what I spend on plastic cups in the grocery store.

has a wonderful collection of green products-- ranging from decorative solar lanscape lighting to Nat-Ur Compostable cups. It is these cups that I am so glad I found.

Nat-UR products are made from Cereplast Compostables resins which are annually renewable, ecologically sound substitutes for petroleum-based plastic products. Nat -UR products replace nearly 100% of the petroleum dependent additives used in traditional plastics with bio-based materials such as corn, wheat, tapioca and potato starches.

These nifty cups are certified biodegradable and fully compostable, so if you have a compost pile brewing for garden uses (which I'm working on to benefit my crappy soil this spring) you can just add them to the compost pile and your veggies will thank you later.

The come in a variety of sizes. A pack of 50 of these in 16oz costs just $8.50. I don't know about you, but I used to pay $2 for a pack of 12 at my local grocery store-- that's the same price for a greatly improved product!

If you'd like more information on these cups, just click the picture of the cups or the Buy Green logo above.

(eCo)nscious Market is a self-proclaimed "For-Benefit" online commerce site based in Boulder, Colorado. They tout that their products are the finest ecologically and socially responsible products available, and the company donates a minimum of 10% of every purchase to a non-profit organizations. The even go so far as to let the buyer "hand-pick" the program that receives the donation funded by their purchase.

A sampling of organizations that are listed on the eConscious Market include:

-Urban Sprouts: uses school gardens to help youth engage in school, eat better, and connect with the environment and each other.

-The Jane Goodall Institutes works to protect chimpanzees and their habitats, supports community-centered development projects in ecologically-significant areas, and engages youth in making a positive difference.



-The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.

-Global Culture of Women Project, Celebrating the global voice of women ~ a beautiful revolution.

-Bead for Life, eradicates extreme poverty by creating bridges - Ugandan women make jewelry out of recycled paper and Americans open their homes and hearts to buy and sell the beads.

And that's just a tidbit of the charities benefiting every time someone shops. And the best part of it all? You won't feel bad for shopping, and the merchandise on this site is amazing.

I fell in love with sooo many things here, that if it weren't for the money of mine making its way to charity right now, I just might be feeling the lightness in my wallet :-)

Like:

This Large Stingray cuff, made of 100% recycled materials.



Or this Vy & Elle Portfolio crafted from Recycled billboards.



Or their cool line of 100% recycled notebooks. I AM a sucker for office supplies, I know.



So if you have a few minutes and are feeling charitable-- buy yourself a gift that gives to others too!
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