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Eco Maniac Company mobile unit

Shop Virginia for Sustainable Gifts

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Shampoo Bar for HairDecember is a gift-giving time for many people, and we’ve got some suggestions for you to look at that are good for the environment, easy on your wallet, and helpful to Virginia small businesses too!

This past year we gave away hundreds of Sustainability Sampler Kits to encourage people to try new products that will help them avoid single-use plastic products.  It was a joy to work with Virginia businesses to purchase the items, and they were well-received by the recipients.  We hope that it converted the users to more sustainable habits.

One of the most popular items was the Shampoo Bar made in Virginia by Keithas Artful Garden.  Enjoy the lather of quality ingredients — without the plastic bottle.  They have Shaving bars, too, filled with natural skin-loving ingredients! They smell wonderful, and because they’re not liquid they are perfect for traveling or taking to the gym.

Gift box of eco-friendly productsWe purchased reusable flannel towels from Green Life Apothecary so that people can break the habit of using and tossing a paper towel with every lunch, snack, or baby mess.  The fabric prints are so cute and soft, even after many washes.  They also offer rolled cloth napkins, that are used like a roll of paper towels to keep on the kitchen counter, but they’re made of reusable cotton, to give you a washable, zero-waste kitchen option.

If you’re looking for gifts to give coworkers, girlfriends, neighbors, or teachers, Green Life Apothecary also offers Gift Box sets with luxury bath items, aromatherapy spa sets, Hug in a Mug tea gifts, and more.

Eco Maniac Company mobile unitFor a wide range of products, we turn to Eco Maniac.  Owner Christina Trapani is involved in many plastic pollution reduction efforts with organizations across Virginia.  And in addition to the online store, you can visit her beautiful solar-powered mobile eco-boutique!  We purchased many items from Eco Maniac, including a set of three reusable bowl covers — an alternative to single-use plastic wrap and foil.  Another favorite product of our is the Stasher Sandwich Tie Dye plastic zipper bag replacement – great for to-go food, or to organize travel toiletries, craft projects, recharging cords.  One Stasher bag can replace 260 single-use plastic bags every year.  Now that’s a gift that keeps on giving!

We hope that you’ll give sustainable gifts this holiday season, it’s a beautiful thing to do!

People eating lunch

Zero-Waste Lunch for School or Work

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People eating lunchLunchtime is one of the highlights of the school day for most students, and often greatly anticipated by adults too.  Bringing a packed lunch from home saves money, gives you healthy options, and can easily be made more sustainable with just a few swaps.

First, skip the paper bags.  According to the USDA, food is unsafe to be eaten if it’s kept in an old-fashioned brown paper bag longer than 2 hours.  An insulated lunch box will keep your food fresh and more protected on the morning commute.

Second, skip the disposable paper napkins.  Martha Stewart must be pleased that cloth napkins are back in style!  A fabric cloth is usually larger, for more lap coverage, and easily tossed in the laundry hamper to be washed and ready to use again another day.  Shop Etsy for many handmade options that use organic and other safe fabrics.

Third, sustainable food containers are readily available, such as reusable “zipper-lock” baggies, glass bowls that let you pop your leftover soup right in the microwave, and many styles of fabric sandwich wraps.  Head to the thrift shop for some stainless steel (or real silver on a good day) utensils to put in your lunch box – they don’t need to match each other, that’s part of the fun!  The smaller salad forks and dessert spoons are a good size to stock up on for lunchtime.  Eco Maniac, a Virginia business, has a large selection of lunchtime supplies!

Bananas, apple & orangeLastly, consider these zero-waste shopping tips:

  • Nature provides the best super-sustainable wrappers for oranges, bananas, and nuts!
  • Buying bulk food items such as oatmeal, granola, and dried fruit using your reusable mesh bags saves money and eliminates single-use containers;
  • Local farmers markets offer produce that’s not wrapped in cellophane or set on Styrofoam trays; just remember to bring your reusable mesh bags;
  • Pass by the individually wrapped juice boxes. Purchase a large bottle of juice and fill a fun reusable bottle with the juice, or plain old good-for-you water!

With just a little planning, you can make lunch time zero-waste time!