Green Your Drink -- Glassware

Give a toast to the environment with this week's tips for finding (and making) light-on-the-planet beverages.

Tip #3: Keep it in the loop

Drinks made with organic, local, and seasonal ingredients can get even greener if served in recycled glassware. Sure, nixing single-use plastic cups is a step in the enviro direction, but why stop there when eco-minded designers now give you such chic alternatives? The Wisconsin-based Green Glass company offers simple, colorful wine glasses, goblets, and tumblers made of reclaimed and recycled wine and beer bottles, and Uncommon Goods sells beer glasses handmade in Colombia from recycled car windshields. Of course, you needn't get fancy to go green. Mix-and-match glassware from second-hand stores still does the job for hipsters and savers alike.

Share your tips: How did you assemble your glass set? Tell us about your best thrift store finds and favorite green designs.

Comments

[Brian Tingle]

I visited the Green Glass site via the link in today's email. The majority of their product line is "out of stock". Not a good sales point, I'd say. I like the concept, however. Is the company for real and still in business?

[Brian Tingle]

I visited the Green Glass site via the link in today's email. The majority of their product line is "out of stock". Not a good sales point, I'd say. I like the concept, however. Is the company for real and still in business?

[Josie Garthwaite]

Hi Brian. Yes, Green Glass is still in business--it's just in the midst of replenishing its stock. Many items are available on the site and in stores now, and more will be added within 4 to 6 weeks. Thanks for your comment!

[Susan Kraber]

I loooove second hand stores! Most of my wardrobe, all my dishes and lots of my household goods come from second hand stores. That's where I start when I'm shopping for myself and my home. I get designer clothes and accessories for next to nothing. My best buy so far? An antique Japanese painting of Mt. Fuji on silk with gold leaf for $15.

[MB Hall]

Jelly/jam glasses and canning jars have always worked for us.

[Mary]

Can you help answer this-Which is greener-washing a glass(water & energy) versus the trash? Our trash in Pinellas Cty FL goes to an incinerator that burns & produces energy from it(I think I'll have to investigate that locally) but in general, what's the scoop on on washing vs trash.

Also, have you gone into plastic vs paper vs styrofoam? My last party I bought plates from Goodwill & plastic cups made from corn but there's concern with the use of corn(expensive to grow, needs lots of water & needed to feed people too!!)

Thanks, Mary

[Caitlin Hedberg]

I painted my own collection of glasses I purchased from thrit and goodwill stores, using a glass painting kit that uses your oven as a kiln. (you can probably find this at your local craft store). It was a great way to recycle, not buy new, and also get some creative therapy in! They also make really great, lower-impact gifts to help spread the word about sustainability.

[Sara, Norfolk, VA]

I really like Caitlin's idea! Thanks! I visitied the "Uncommon Goods" site...and a lot of it was made in China or "Colombia"... doesn't seem like the energy used for shipping is very green.

[carol]

I agree. How can shipping glassware from Columbia, recycled or not, be green? If they make them in Columbia, they should stay there. That would be green.

Make sure the glassware you buy is sturdy. If it breaks easily it can be recycled, but if it's sturdy to begin with we don't waste the energy recycling.

[Diane]

It seems like lately a lot of these tips have been about buying stuff. Nothing is greener that using, or fixing, something that you already have or something that is second-hand.

[Bobbi Burnett]

I use my Anchor Hocking Royal Ruby dishes, glasses and serving dishes for everyday. I collected and "saved" them in boxes for years - now I enjoy them daily. The rich red color makes me happy. Antiquers and collectors are the original recyclers.

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thanks a lot,very good