I often wonder why more plastic products aren’t made with recycled material. So when I see a product on the London Drugs shelves that is not only made from 100% recycled plastic, but contains 25% post-consumer waste and is STILL certified as food-grade, I have to tip my hat.
Such is the promise of the Sustain® coffee mug by Aladdin. The simple and recyclable paper-wrap label promises to ‘Add a little green to my morning’, then explains, in clear terms, the benefits of this cup: fully recyclable where #5 plastic is collected (Nice that they make the distinction, as not all municipalities make it easy to bring in that particular plastic); BPA Free; and a link to the aladdinsustain website to find out more.
Unfortunately, as of publication time, that web site seems to be unavailable. I did some digging on the main Aladdin website and found a page describing their ECYCLE® plastic. Not much more to be learned there (I really wanted to find out where they source their post-consumer recycled plastic stock) but they did post an address to send your cup for recycling when you are done with it. That info could have been printed on the cup itself for easier reference, but the thought still counts.
In all, a decent recycled product and one that other plastic manufacturers could learn from.
Stay tuned for updates on the plastic source. In the meantime, grab a coffee.
February 7th, 2011
This cup can make every coffee you drink greener.
January 14th, 2011
Join our Mobile Device / Phone Photo Contest
This contest is for anyone who has access to ANY mobile device (phone, PDA, iPod, etc.) that has the capability to capture still photographs.
The rules are simple, capture as many cool, captivating and memorable images with your mobile device as possible then submit a maximum of 5 entries per person via twitter. Submissions will begin being accepted on Friday, January 14th.
You are only allowed to send un-edited images or images that were edited with software/Apps available for use on your mobile device. Remember, a solid image will stand out regardless of how cool the effect is you have applied with any App.
All submissions must be sent to our @LDCampbellRiver account and include the hash tag: #LDMobilePhoto no later than midnight, January 21st, 2011.
The week following we will put all the entries in front of a panel of judges that is comprised of some of our photo lab staff, along with 3 photo industry professionals.
The winning photo will receive a ‘to be announced’ prize.
December 20th, 2010
What do you get at the last minute for the person who has everything green?
Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate
These bars are so stylish you don’t even need to wrap them. Try the mint-filled bar for a classic festive flavour, or the 85% cocoa version for the true dark chocolate connoisseur. If you can’t decide, go for the Mini Bar Collection. One bar a month for the whole year. Or 12 hours of outright green gluttony.
Fair Trade, Organic Coffee
London Drugs has a great selection of certified brands – Saltspring, Ethical Bean, Farmers First, Kicking Horse – from decaf to high-test. Not sure what the difference is with Fair Trade? Check out our video on Ethical Bean.
Batteries Included
Whoever is on your list, chances are they have something that runs on batteries. Rechargeables are definitely the way to go. Do the math and you’ll see that they really are much cheaper than disposables (as long as you don’t accidentally dispose of them, of course) and newer technology means they last a long time and power even high-energy devices like digital cameras. Remember you can bring old rechargeables and regular alkaline cells back to us for responsible recycling.
The Tea Room Organic Green Earl Grey Tea Infused Dark Chocolate
Organic tea is nice. Organic tea-infused chocolate is luxurious. The flavour is delicate and different. Perfect for the tea-lover on your list who is probably tired of getting nothing but teas.
Que Pasa Organic Corn Tortilla Chips
Okay, this is actually more of a holiday snack idea. These Que Pasa Tortilla Chips are really good, certified organic and are cooked in non-GMO pressed canola oil. They even come in a festive red corn version that will look great on the table next to the green holly centerpiece. And what the heck – you could give them as a gift… a big crunchy gift.
Planet Earth DVD
This is an amazing 4-disc series, shot in HD, available in DVD or Blu-ray 550 minutes of some of the most amazing scenery and animals our planet has to offer, narrated by David Attenborough. It’s the green equivalent of watching football all Christmas day.
Panasonic VIERA 58-Inch 1080P Plasma TV
Perhaps not as green as a pair of organic cotton fair-trade boxer briefs, but even the most ardent environmentalist would be secretly happy to see this behemoth flat box under the tree. The Panasonic VIERA 58-Inch mercury and lead-free screen panel lasts up to 100,000 hours. (That’s 10,917 straight viewings of the entire Planet Earth DVD set) And of course, since you bought it from London Drugs, your green giftee can bring back all the packaging, including styrofoam, and even their old fat-screen for free responsible recycling. Just make sure you give them the receipt to show at customer service. You can always black out the price if you want to keep this 58″ gift discreet.
December 10th, 2010
A great case for protecting your notebook while helping build a village in Guatemala.
We posted a Green Deal video a while back about the great fair-trade organic coffee from Ethical Bean. Now, just in time for Christmas, they have branched out with beautiful hand-made cases from Guatemala – perfect for iPads, notebooks or just toting around.
It all started when Ethical Bean founder & President Lloyd Bernhardt was shopping in a local market on one of his frequent trips to Guatemala, and noticed a hand-crafted case that was a perfect fit for his iPad. He realized it would be a great product with which to raise money for Project Somos, a village Ethical Bean is helping to build for abandoned and orphaned children. Bernhardt and his team are hoping to raise $1.2 Million, which will eventually fund a self-sufficient village with a school, organic gardens, and coffee testing and roasting facilities to help provide income.
The bags themselves are delightfully colourful and sturdy. The handmade texture is a great contrast to the high tech feel of the iPad, and each is made at a women’s co-op near Tectan Guatemala, with no sweat-shop labour.
Of course, these are available at London Drugs. So for the tech-savvy person with a heart-of-gold on your list, why not pick up one of these handy totes and spread a little more warmth to the season.
December 1st, 2010
Pack it a bit greener this Christmas.
So you’ve shopped London Drugs for some fair trade, organic and local goodies for your family, and what the heck; maybe some fun techno gadgets as well. (Life’s a balance, after all) Now you’re looking for a greener choice to protect your treasures until they arrive at their appointed hearth.
One option is to pack them in a Hilroy Biodegradable Bubble Envelope. On the paper side, it’s made of FSC-certified 60% recycled fiber that contains 50% post-consumer waste material. Inside, the oh-so-fun-to-pop bubblewrap is made from oxo-biodegradable plastic, which is designed to break down after its usable lifespan. (It will begin to degrade in as little as 24 months, according to the manufacturer – you can read more on oxo-biodegradable plastics on Wikipedia) As an added bonus, these envelopes are also a product of Canada, which means your shipping package hasn’t already been shipped from overseas.
Choose from 4”x 8”, 6”x10” and 8.5”x12” sizes depending on how naughty or nice your recipients have been. Be sure to let them know they have 24 months to send you something back or pop all the bubbles.
November 24th, 2010
Thanks to granola-eaters, New World is sending $4000 to help Flood victims in Pakistan.
A few months back, we asked you to stock up during New World Granola’s Pakistan Flood Relief program. (See the original video blog here) As a result, the 50¢ a bag that manufacturer New World Natural Foods set aside for the Red Cross came to a tidy $4000. That’s a nice way for a lot of people to help a little and have it really add up. Thanks, Green Deal fans!
November 19th, 2010
Lead in reusable shopping bags? Getting to the bottom of the issue.
According to recent news stories, certain reusable shopping bags have been found to contain lead, some in levels higher than government standards.
The bags in question were the type with full-coverage printed graphics, not the single-colour style used by London Drugs, but this is obviously an issue worth looking into. London Drugs has contacted their bag supplier and asked them to report back on what, if any, heavy metals are present. They have also sent out a sample of the bags to a local lab for independent testing.
It should be noted that the main concerns about lead content in packaging relate to their eventual disposal in landfills more than human contact. Yet lead is quite common, and can be found throughout the environment in soil, indoor and outdoor air, water, consumer products and food. In fact, Health Canada goes on to say, “”Zero-lead” content limits for consumer products are not realistic because trace amounts of lead are found everywhere in the natural and human environments.”
So stay tuned for any updates, we’ll be watching the bag situation as it unfolds.
And that’s the real Green Deal.
October 29th, 2010
A Greener Halloween Snack
If you’re like me, even the greenest intentions go out the window a little bit at this time of year. (I’m SAVING the kid from the candy by eating it FOR him, right?) But this year we’ll be handing out some tasty treats that also have decent green qualities.
Local organic foodmaker Nature’s Path (featured in a past GreenDeal blog on breakfast cereal) has brought organic ingredients and some fun packaging to the party with Envirokidz Lemur Peanut Choco Drizzle Crispy Rice Bars. If the funky monosyllabic name isn’t enough to whet your appetite, consider the goods inside: “a delectable pairing of chunky peanut butter and peanuts with chocolate drizzle”
And for Moms, almost everything inside is organic, from the brown rice flour to the chocolate icing.
Now, it’s not exactly carrot sticks. But it’s definitely a snack you can feel good about handing out.
September 23rd, 2010
DEADLINE EXTENDED!! Buy New World Granola and 50¢ from every bag goes to help flood victims in Pakistan
Great news! New World Natural Foods has extended their program to help Pakistan until the end of October!
The last time I blogged about New World Natural Foods for GreenDeal.ca, they were raising money for Haiti’s earthquake victims.
That project raised $3600 much-needed dollars for Canadian Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Relief.
Now when you buy a bag of New World’s excellent granola, they will donate 50¢ to help victims in an even greater disaster – the tragic floods in Pakistan.
New World Granola is is Certified Organic (by Quality Assurance International) and is made right in BC. As a local, family run company, that 50¢ from every bag comes right off the bottom line, so it’s a commitment that means a lot.
Pakistan’s situation is truly deserving of more support than it is getting, so why not stop by your local London Drugs to stock up on New World Granola for the winter and help out? And maybe tweet, blog or Facebook a few friends while you’re at it.
September 17th, 2010
Bring some organic choice Back to School mornings with Nature’s Path.
If your kid is like mine, he (or she) changes their taste in cereal almost weekly. In order to promote healthy eating and avoid starting the day with a meltdown, I find it handy to have a variety of organic cereal on hand at all times.
That’s where Nature’s Path comes in. They have been steadily growing their selection of organic breakfast cereals over the years so that now whatever your taste – hot, cold, sweet, natural – there’s something to try. Here are a few of the favourites around our house:
Organic Hot Oatmeal Variety Pack
These are instant, tasty and varied. Flavours include apple cinnamon, flax and oats, maple nut, and multigrain raisin.
Optimum
This is a more power-packed cereal with extra fiber and protein, fortified with vitamins and soy isoflavones. A good selection of grains too, with flax flakes, puffed kamut grains and loose flaxseed. Plus organic cinnamon flavour. Mmmmm!
Hemp Plus Granola
OK, I’m a hippie. But this stuff is good! Whole grain, organic and low-sodium too. Groovy.
Organic Whole Grain O’s – GLUTEN FREE!
For parents with kids who have gluten sensitivities or wheat allergies, it can be a real pain to find cereal options. This is a variation on the classic ‘O’ made with organic corn and whole grain rice that brings the fun back, especially as little toddler finger food.
Nature’s Path makes their products in 3 locations: Delta, BC; Blaine, WA; and Mississauga, ON. Their home office is located in Richmond. BC, where they have an on-site organic garden, some really big compost bins, a rooftop garden, and a rainwater harvesting system.
That’s a pretty real Green Deal!
