Green is Universal: Giving That Old Coffee Mug Another Chance

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Giving That Old Coffee Mug Another Chance

Posted at 03:00 PM on November 05, 2007 comments (8)

By Erin Walsh, iVillage.com

reusable bag Is it just me, or has green consumerism gone mainstream? Maybe I'm just more aware of it than most people because it's my job to be, but since becoming the editor of iVillage's iGo Green channel, I've come across hundreds of different products and services in various shades of green: reusable shopping bags for toting groceries; funky lampshades made from recycled nylon; all-natural lip gloss, perfume and stretch mark cream; mini wind turbines for your roof; energy-saving LED holiday lights for your home; biodegradable doggie "business bags; non-VOC paint; PTFE-free pots and pans; wedding bands made from recycled gold; a lunch box made from recycled foil juice boxes; organic everything.

I could go on. But the point is, while an average jane like myself may not be able to afford a $100,000 electric Tesla Roadster like George Clooney, I can buy a reusable designer "cupcoat" to slip onto my paper coffee cup every morning (to the great amusement of the women at the deli checkout counter, might I add) in place of a cardboard sleeve that will get tossed.

If I sound tongue-in-cheek, I don't mean to. I truly believe that there are a lot of great eco-friendly products out there and, thanks to the fact that virtually every company either has or is scrambling to develop a green strategy, they are more accessible - and affordable - than ever before. I'm under no delusions that my cupcoat will save the world, and I like to think that most people who buy "green" products know that doing so is just a first step toward making a real difference. I also like to think that if buying organic dog food is what it takes to make someone a little more environmentally aware, then that can only be a good thing.

old boot Still, I can't help but wonder whether buying is always the best course of action. Last weekend, as I packed away my summer clothes and pulled sweaters and jackets out of boxes, I came across my favorite brown boots, looking a little worse for the wear. The heels were worn down, and the toes were badly scuffed and faded. As much as I loved those boots, I resigned myself to the fact that it was time to let them go. The next day, when I grumbled to my boyfriend that I was going to have to spend money on a new pair of boots, he suggested that I take the old ones to a shoe repair shop nearby. I was a little embarrassed; it may sound like a no-brainer, but the thought literally hadn't occurred to me. Like a true child of today's disposable culture, when something breaks or gets worn, I'm so quick to simply discard it and buy a new one. "They'll be able to fix them up so they look as good as new," he promised.

Sure enough, with nothing but two new heels and a good polishing - and for a grand total of $7 - the boots that I was ready to throw away will probably make it through at least a few more New York City winters. Hmm, as cool as my cupcoat is, maybe I should skip the paper cups and consider giving that old travel coffee mug in my cupboard another chance...

Erin Walsh
iVillage Inc., Associate Producer, iGo Green
http://www.iVillage.com/green/

comments

Posted by: glish on November 5, 2007 05:13 PM

i just bought a reusable shopping bag at Trader Joe's this wknd. only $1.99 and its a thermal bag!

Posted by: Elizabeth Slate on November 5, 2007 07:22 PM

Nice points and well done, I like the progression and couldn't agree more with your points about our throwaway culture. I live in Syracuse, NY, and you wouldn't believe the things the university students throw away each year when they all move out. It's crazy! I have found some of my nicest, brand new merino wool Banana Republic sweaters and coats in the student's trash. Not to mention a billion other useful things, from kitchen things, office supplies and staplers still in their packaging, to textbooks, flat screen computer monitors, and handbags. Anything you need, there it is in the trash!

Posted by: rw carsia on November 5, 2007 07:35 PM

I live in a real green home with a sustainable build out for six years in Arizona.
No wood at all. REused materials. It's not a strange place. Custom designed by an architectural firm that does 'green build'.
We recycle everything. We use only 3000 gal of water per month. We have energy bills in AZ of $50 per month.
The homes in this area of North Scottsdale sell for over $1million.

Posted by: Erica on November 5, 2007 08:18 PM

I like buying tote bags. They are great and they last forever. I have about two totebags. I get plastic bags only when I need toilet trash bags.

Posted by: Kelly on November 5, 2007 08:56 PM

... or you could just buy a travel mug and use that to get your daily cup of joe so there's nothing to throw away. :) I do that and get discounts because I'm not using their paper products (sometimes you can get coffee at the refill price).

Posted by: Tracy on November 5, 2007 10:23 PM

This is great to finally see that people are really into GOING GREEN!
I can remember being a cashier and with every customer- a new plastic bag. I cringed when thinking how much pollution just those little plastic bags were- and that was years ago before everyone was so aware! Using things over is one great way to reduce waste.
I believe in using organic cleaning supplies,not just for the green cause,but it is healthier as well.

Posted by: Katie on November 5, 2007 11:29 PM

Um, why don't you bring in your own travel mug? What's green about slipping your own personal cupcoat on a *paper cup*?

Posted by: Tim on November 6, 2007 02:12 AM

"wedding bands made from recycled gold"

Hmm because most of us throw our used gold away. Dumb dumb dumb... the green Ideology is more of a threat than climate change and I don't doubt that the climate is changing.