Greener Disposable Tableware

I try to limit my use of disposables as much as possible. Reusing something is, after all, the greenest option. But it’s not always practical. If I throw a kid’s birthday party with 20 guests, I need to clean up quickly and get on to the next activity. At the same time, I hate buying bags of plastic plates, knowing that they won’t biodegrade any time soon. In fact, they’ll probably still be around for thousands of years. On top of it all, they’re made from oil, a nonrenewable resource that requires intensive processing. Some plastic plates can technically be recycled, but most recycling facilities will ultimately reject and trash plastics that are greasy or oily. That makes for some pretty dim prospects for recycling plates that have come in contact with any food. All and all, while it’s really convenient, disposable tableware is basically an eco-nightmare all around.

So, I was intrigued when I found some “eco-friendly” alternatives to disposable plastics. But at the same time, I was skeptical. Could something that’s disposable ever really be eco-friendly? After digging deep into this question, I think the answer is a clear yes. In fact, I feel so good about these products that Green Irene is now offering a line of disposable tableware.

So what is this magic material? In a word, sugar – the source of many wonderful things. Green Irene’s plates, bowls, and cups are made from bagasse, a byproduct created during sugarcane processing. Before it was used for tableware, bagasse was burned as waste. Turning this waste product into something useful is much greener than cutting down forests to make paper plates. These products can be torn up and put in your indoor or outdoor composter. They can also be sent to a municipal compost facility, or recycled along with your paper products. Green Irene’s bagasse items can handle hot and cold foods, and they’re even safe for microwave use.

For more information about Green Irene’s disposable tableware, check out Ask Green Irene entry #1204. If you are not a member (which you are when you get a  Green Home Makeover or Green Office Makeover), your local eco-consultant can help you select and order Green Irene’s recommended eco-friendly plates, bowls, cups and utensils.

Rosamaria Caballero
The Original Green Irene Eco-Consultant
rosamaria.caballero@greenirene.com

The Green Irene Home Event Checklist

With green becoming mainstream, you may be wondering what else you can do to further green up your home. You may have found yourself in charge of organizing a family party. Ever thought your event had a significant environmental impact? Have you ever considered not only greening your event, but cutting event costs at the same time as you green up? You don’t have to think too much any longer; we’re here to help.

Green Irene has just released its Green Home Event Checklist. The Checklist allows you to identify aspects of your party that have a significant environmental impact based on categories, such as improving energy efficiency, sending e-mail invitations, and using reusable silverware, and then prepare for them in advance by following the specific recommendations for those items you identify.

Whether your event is at home or in a large venue, you can identify specific targets for which you can prepare in advance to help you achieve real measurable results. The Checklist provides recommendations to help you reduce energy use and carbon emissions, cut on waste and save resources, and educate your guests, all while reducing your overall costs.

Green Irene believes that greening your party is not just responsible, but also saves you money by eliminating unnecessary costs and sets you apart as a green leader. To find more about the Green Home Event Checklist, ask your Local Green Irene Eco-Consultant.

Rosamaria Caballero
Co-Founder and the Original Green Irene

How Many Shoes Does it Take To Plant a Tree?

Two! You can get rid of your old shoes, reduce landfill waste, and help people in need all in one go by donating gently worn shoes to the Perpetual Prosperity Pumps Foundation Trees For the Future. When Green Irene’s staff found out about this project, they were so impressed they decided to pay for the shipping of the shoes when a PARTICIPATING local Eco-Consultant collects shoes from their client and neighbors and stores them in their garage until they have a full box to send in!

Contact your local Green Irene Eco-Consultant at to see if he or she participates in the program when you’ve filled up a box and are ready to turn those shoes into trees. Green Irene and its Eco-Consultants are determined to green our world, one home (and office) at a time.

Getting back to how shoes plant trees … Donated shoes are sent to Ghana, West Africa, and sold in the street markets, generating an income of about $4 per pair, which is used to help families in need. This fund provides people with tools, training, seeds, etc, which allows them to sustainably manage a ten-acre farm. The project even irrigates using solar energy! Each pair of shoes also plants one tree – a total of 600 trees per family – that helps protect and rebuild the land and water resources.

In the US, approximately 300 million pairs of shoes are thrown out every year, the same volume of trash which would equal the size of 30 Washington monuments! Instead of filling our bursting-at-the-seams landfills with your unwanted shoes, donate them. 300 million pairs of shoes could plant 300 million trees. This would take 7.5 million tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere every year, and help restore degraded land.

If you are interested in a Green Home Makeover in Little Rock, AR, contact me via http://www.greenirene.com/LindaMaumelle

Linda Tarr
linda.maumelle@greenirene.com

Energy Conservation

National Geographic shows you how to “seal your home” for greater energy efficiency and money savings. Covers thermostats and other key areas. Your home’s heating and cooling systems make up to 45% of your utility bill.

Rosamaria Caballero Stafford
Co-Founder and The Original Green Irene