Dream Big, Support Small.
Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffer Ideas here we come! Although reducing the amount of gift-giving we do is always a good thing in my eyes. (Especially when it’s just junk that gets thrown away a week later..) I must say, stockings are one of those things that make the holiday special and fun. Hanging the stocking over the fire (or your TV fireplace in my case) and opening up those tiny gifts from what seems like a bottomless sock. There’s nothing quite like it! Read more
Once again it’s the season of consuming! Disposable decorations, throw away party favors, and garbage, garbage, garbage! So that’s why here at andthebee we are trying to slowly help people move towards a more “reusable” and minimal-waste lifestyle. Our favorite way to do that is by also supporting small businesses and talented artisans. The best place to do all of the above? Etsy!!
So let’s replace those disposable sponges, napkins, and paper towels for fun halloween themed reusable ones! And let’s get those plastic easily-broken trick-or-treat buckets out and bring in some cute personalized totes! Etsy has all your Halloween needs!
I love supporting Etsy and their fabulous artisans! I especially love supporting them when they are putting time and effort into creating products in eco-friendly manners. Even more so, when those products help us consumers shop in eco-friendly manners (like a Zero Waste lifestyle)! It’s a win-win!
What is Zero Waste?
“Zero Waste is a philosophy and a design principle for the 21st Century. It includes ‘recycling’ but goes beyond recycling by taking a ‘whole system’ approach to the vast flow of resources and waste through human society.
Zero Waste maximizes recycling, minimizes waste, reduces consumption and ensures that products are made to be reused, repaired or recycled back into nature or the marketplace.”
— GrassRoots Recycling Network
Read more
It’s that spooky time of year again. And once again another holiday producing disposable one-use decorations that go out for one day and thrown away the next. But, it doesn’t have to be that way! I’ve come up with some ideas on how to replace those disposable “no-go’s” for reusable ones! But first, I thought we would start off with a little history lesson about Halloween…
Recently Etsy has put out a new selection of Editors Picks under the title : Reduce Your Waste.
They feature everything from upcycled gifts, to reclaimed wood furniture, to earth friendly cleaning products and more. I think it’s a great idea! Although when thinking about reducing your waste, buying more items doesn’t exactly come to mind. But the idea is that these are products you will only have to buy once (or very minimal amounts) in an effort of reducing your waste that is being thrown out everyday.
For example; how often do you throw cling-wrap in the garbage? Most people, very often. Well what if there was a simpler way that could be simply washed and reused? There is! Read more
In the first corner, lightweight and cheap, the reigning champion…. PLASTIC!
*crowds cheering*
In the opposite corner, heavy and durable, sneaking his way to the top…. GLASS!
*cheering grows*
Wait… what’s this? Another contestant is stepping in the ring… It’s… the forgotten soldier!!!… staainnnlessss STEEL!
*curious chatter among crows*
*cue Metallica soundtrack*
Choosing a method to save your leftovers has never been so eventful; or confusing… There are a lot of options out there nowadays. While I am not an expert in materials, I am able to lay out a basis of pros and cons for each option, so you can formally make your own decision on what meets your standards for food storage containers.
Read more
I get it, you want to be environmentally friendly. You’d love to be that person who wakes up at 4am to promote their “Save the Anteaters” campaign. Marching down the streets with a handmade 100% recycled bamboo protest sign reading, “I LOVE MOTHER EARTH, DO YOU!?” But, you’d also love to be a hibernating bear who only wakes up to eat cold pizza that just-so-happens to be on the floor beside your bed. Is there no middle ground? Well I believe there is!
Here are a few environmentally friendly ideas that will make a difference and won’t take a lot of effort.
Our story begins…
Catherine began her eco-responsible boutique for a simple reason; she wanted to provide the consumer with a means to buying more ecological, and more local. She wanted to stray away from the normal consumerism of large factories and offer an alternative way to enjoy shopping, while still being eco-friendly. She succeeded this at La Mistinguette, providing around 15 artists a place to sell their hand-made products.
Read more