new years party EcoStraws
29 Dec
Blog

Top Tips For an Eco-Friendly New Years Eve.

new years eve EcoStraws partyHave you got plans for New Years Eve yet? Although all parties are officially cancelled due to Covid19, you may be having a small celebration in line with current restrictions. Well before you go any further, just stop and think about how they might affect the environment. Make sure your get together doesn’t become a celebration of single-use plastic. Check out my Top Tips for an Eco-Friendly New Years Eve.

1. Decorations

Avoid balloons and glossy banners and choose fabric bunting and fairy lights instead. These can be used again and again making them eco-nomical too! Pick up some paper party poppers or streamers. Although single-use , they are compostable and will add a bit of a bang to the midnight celebrations.

 

clear glass straws Ireland 22. Glassware

Ditch the disposables and instead allocate a couple of glasses per person. You can hire these cheaply from the likes of caterhire.ie Or you can stick to bottles. These go straight back to recycling in the carton they came in. Easy Peasy!

3. Straws

Skip the plastic straw and get some reusable ones made from bamboo or stainless steel, or for extra elegance opt for glass or silicone. Check out the full range available on EcoStraws.ie.

 

EcoStraws cutlery4. Plates & cutlery

Steer clear of plastic & polystyrene at all costs. There are many biodegradable options out there. Check your local convenience stores for compostable paper plates & wooden cutlery. A handy tip is that lots of art suppliers stock paper plates which haven’t been coated in plastic and are therefore compostable. EcoStraws.ie supply beautiful birch wood cutlery.

5. Food

Try to avoid the supermarket conveniences and the wasteful packaging which accompany them. Instead ask your guests to bring a dish. Allocate categories such as dips, savoury and desserts or you could find yourself with a table full of cake! If you plan on cooking yourself opt for local ingredients where possible & reduce your carbon footprint.

6. Enjoy

After the tough year that was 2020, and after all your hard work & planning don’t forget to enjoy your Eco-Friendly New Years Eve knowing you’re leading the fight against single-use plastics & get ready to #gogreenin2021!

Wishing you all a healthy, happy and safe 2021.

Brian.

 

We are EcoStraws; an Irish company with a passion for the planet.

EcoStraws.ie supply a complete range of eco-friendly reusable straws and 100% biodegradable disposable straws, as well as other associated products. Our stock of reusable eco-friendly straws include Stainless Steel, Glass, Bamboo and Silicone straws. Our biodegradable EcoStraws are available in Wheat, PLA, and Paper, and we even stock Edible Straws so you can have your straw and eat it too!

By choosing our products you are making a difference. By sharing our message you are helping to educate. EcoStraws/EcoCups help us to live in harmony with the natural world around us. Our ethos helps us to protect it from damage and destruction.

Why not join our mailing list right here –

 

ecoshield
17 Jun
Blog, Media

EcoStraws Launches World’s 1st Plastic-free PPE in Ireland.

 

A LIMERICK company has just introduced the first fully plastic-free certified PPE to Ireland in a bid to help companies protect both their teams and the planet. EcoShield visors are now available from EcoStraws.ie, helping to tackle both the demand for PPE in the ‘living with covid-19’ era and playing an important role in the reduction of plastic pollution.

Established in 2018 by Brian O’Callaghan and Sarah Keyes, EcoStraws.ie supplies consumers with high quality products in the most sustainable way. The company originally focused on supplying the largest selection of EcoStraws in the world, and since then, has expanded to offer EcoCups, EcoBottles, EcoBoxes and much more.

Since the pandemic hit, the business has had to pivot and diversify into sourcing new products that were aligned to the company’s eco values.

“The colossal requirement for millions of pieces of PPE has been on news headlines across the world for a number of months now. PPE is saving lives; it’s an essential requirement for many businesses, however as it’s mostly single-use plastic, we wanted to play our role in developing an alternative, that would provide the safety required yet continue to protect the planet,” adds Brian O’Callaghan, Managing Director of EcoStraws.ie

Brian continues: “As a Guaranteed Irish business, we’ve worked so hard to help reduce plastic consumption, and pre-Covid-19, we as a nation were making sizable gains in our  plastic reduction. Indeed, many companies made firm commitments to reduce their reliance on plastic. In a time when we’ve all hugely appreciated the nature on our doorstep, we can’t regress to behaviours of old. Our new plastic-free EcoShield gives companies choice and a solution for continuing to honour their plastic reduction commitments.”

EcoStraws.ie has been working with its colleagues in the UK – Transcend Packaging and Reelbrands, along with international campaign group A Plastic Planet – to bring this plastic-free certified PPE to Ireland. The first shipment has just arrived and Brian has already fielded calls from many Irish companies who have a requirement for PPE as lockdown eases, but whom still value the role they play in creating a more sustainable future for us all.

The clear plastic free EcoShield visors are CE-certified whilst being home compostable and recyclable. They are made from FSC paper board and PEFC cellulose from wood pulp for a clear, mist-free screen, and are lightweight with an adjustable headband.

Co-Founder of EcoStraws.ie, Sarah Keyes adds: “As we unlock the Irish economy and businesses return to a new normal where employees and customers’ safety is paramount, demand for PPE is set to rise.”

“We’ve all already seen images of discarded plastic masks and gloves strewn across our countryside, and our hope is that because the plastic-free EcoShields are comparable in price to their plastic equivalent, they will be specified by many more companies as a way of keeping their employees safe whilst also meeting their environmental responsibilities.”

The collaboration is committed to manufacturing more than one million pieces of plastic-free equipment every week, and in the UK, The Very Group, 3 Oceans and Yodel, who supply the NHS are amongst the first customers to switch to Plastic Free PPE.

Liz Bonnin, science, wildlife and environmental broadcaster added: “PPE is vital for the protection of health care workers and to reduce the transmission of the virus. But it doesn’t have to be made from fossil fuels.

“Covid-19 will be part of our lives for some time, and as lockdown rules ease, demand for PPE is only going to increase. Considering the plastic pollution crisis we are still battling, and the lessons we are learning from this pandemic about the need to work with nature instead of against it, Plastic Free PPE can help to protect us without further damaging the planet.”

EcoStraws.ie is Ireland’s largest supplier of alternatives to single use plastic straws, and this summer, the company will hit the milestone figure of 30 million plastic straws taken out of production as a result of EcoStraws.ie’s reusable straw sales.  Its products are plastic-free, BPA-free and toxin-free and are shipped in fully recyclable, environmentally friendly packaging.

The company was awarded a Business All-Star accreditation in Jan 2019, followed by Guaranteed Irish status in Jan 2020.

For further information on the Plastic Free PPE EcoShield Visor, see www.EcoStraws.ie

 

30 Apr
Blog

Sarah talks to Guaranteed Irish about making sustainability convenient.

 

EcoStraws.ie was developed as a business, in direct response to a consumer driven desire to eliminate disposables. The 2018 image of the turtle with the straw in its’ nose was a catalyst for governments worldwide to consider banning single-use plastics and EcoStraws.ie was ready to provide the solutions. Our reusable alternatives began with straws but quickly grew to include cups, bottles, produce bags, and other items. Essentially the products we offer are of the highest quality and should be viewed as an investment. Something that will stand the test of time and underline a commitment to sustainable living.

Us health-conscious humans are constantly reminded to drink water and to stay hydrated. That desire to be fit, stay healthy, look younger has driven a bottled water industry worth billions. In Ireland, the market is worth €220 million annually. And that’s a lot of plastic! – unnecessary plastic that costs money to produce, to buy, and to dispose of. We at EcoStraws.ie encourage consumers to switch to a more sustainable option, a stainless steel EcoBottle.

A single purchase of a reusable stainless steel EcoBottle can save you a minimum of €550 in a year (based on a daily purchase of a 500ml bottle of water), not to mention reducing your consumption of toxins such as BPA and PS oligomers. A good quality stainless steel bottle can last for years & has the added advantage of keeping your water fresh & cool for 24 hours.

One of the core values at the centre of the EcoStraws brand was the desire to make sustainability convenient. We looked at bringing products to the market that would simplify the switch from single-use to reusable. How many times do we hear someone say they forgot their reusable coffee cup for example? Or reach for a plastic straw because their steel alternative was at home? With many of our personal reusable products, we have found a way to overcome these problems.

A collapsible EcoStraw is lightweight and sleek, attaching to a keyring or fitting into a small pocket. It is ideal for those who like to use their own straw when at a restaurant or bar and has consistently proven to be one of our best sellers. Our collapsible EcoCup, made from food grade silicone can fold into a 2-inch disc and slip easily into a pocket or small bag. Remember it takes 5.6 litres of water to produce a single paper cup. Knowing that fact should make you think twice about ever taking a disposable again!

As part of our mission at EcoStraws we aim to encourage consumers to think ahead & to ‘choose to reuse’. Convenient reusables can become as much a part of your daily routine as the lipstick in your handbag or the comb in your pocket. We simply need to make reusing your best habit!

Plastic is not the enemy. Plastic is an essential part of modern life and is an integral part of medical devices, airplanes, cars, and homes. Single-use, disposables, on the other hand, are the scourge of our throwaway generation & the symbol of consumerism gone mad.  A single plastic straw, used once, for 5 minutes exists for 500 years. Remember that.

See more here.

 

01 Apr
Blog, Media

Guaranteed Irish Q&A with Sarah Keyes of EcoStraws

Guaranteed Irish member Ecostraws.ie, supplies many different eco-friendly, reusable straws and 100% biodegradable disposable straws to help reduce our reliance on single-use plastics.

Sarah Keyes, co-founder and Sales Director of Ecostraws, talks to Guaranteed Irish about how their business is playing their part in saving the planet.

Can you tell us a bit about your business? Can you tell us a bit about your business? 

EcoStraws.ie is a 100% Irish owned company, based in County Limerick. We were founded in October 2018 in response to the global pushback against single-use plastics, particularly plastic straws. We are the only company supplying a complete range of reusable & biodegradable alternatives to the plastic straw including glass, stainless steel, silicone, bamboo, paper, cPLA, pasta, wheat & edible straws. We supply the domestic, trade, retail & more recently corporate gift markets.

Founder and Managing Director, Brian O’Callaghan is a highly motivated professional with a 20-year track record of profitable small hospitality business ownership. Brian also co-founded a leading Irish Energy Services Company. Brian combines his interpersonal, entrepreneurial, negotiation, and mediation skills with his experience in the relevant sectors and looks forward to helping sway public opinion away from harmful plastic straws. As the Co-founder and Sales Director, I combine 20 years’ experience in the education sector with a background in hospitality and a passion for the environment. Working with An Taisce, I have been part of the Green Schools Education Programme which promotes sustainability in schools in Ireland.

Anthony Egan, combines 15 years’ experience in the hospitality sector with a B.Sc. in Environmental Science. Time spent analysing and monitoring local water bodies has given an insight into the finite resources available and the need to develop a sustainable way to protect them. Anthony’s additional experience in the Complementary Medicine sector provides the link between environmental science and human well-being.

Seasonal fluctuations influence the number of employees at Ecostraws.ie and the current number of staff is generally less than 10. We envisage growth in this area in the coming months as we endeavour to grow the business nationally & internationally.

What are the challenges that you face in your business and how do you work to overcome them particularly in the current climate?

As we are currently in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, business is facing extraordinary challenges. EcoStraws.ie continues to trade on-line and we are shipping orders on a daily basis, thanks in no small part to An Post and our local courier company.  We are also in contact with all our retailer partners assuring them of our support in this difficult trading period.

Ecostraws are the first to premiere collapsible straws, how does that work and what inspired you to make such a product?

Believe it or not, the Foldable EcoStraw was the first product in the EcoStraws arsenal! It was developed in response to a need for convenience when switching to reusables. The foldable straw is a silicone tube encased in stainless steel. It folds neatly into its’ own carry case and can be easily carried in a pocket or bag or hung from your keychain.

The Foldable then led us on to the Collapsible EcoStraw; a stainless steel tube that collapses like a telescope and slides into a sleek stainless steel container. This incredible product is no bigger than a pen and just as light. It is a personal straw, ideal for those on-the-go who want to opt for the reusable alternative.

What role do eco-friendly straws play in protecting the planet?

Eco-friendly reusables play a key role in protecting the planet. In Ireland alone, we use 1 million plastic straws every day. These single-use straws cannot be recycled and either go to landfill, incineration or are simply discarded in the countryside.  Once discarded, straws, because of their size and weight are carried in the wind, ingested by wildlife, fall into drains and inevitably make their way into our oceans.

By switching to reusable products we reduce the reliance on single-use plastics like straws, bottles, cups & lids and in turn contribute to reducing waste and protecting our planet.

What made you decide to become a member of Guaranteed Irish?

The Guaranteed Irish logo is an internationally recognised symbol of excellence. It has also a beacon of support to Irish businesses for almost 50 years. As a member of Guaranteed Irish, EcoStraws.ie offers consumers a trusted brand, helping them to make better choices for themselves and to support Irish jobs in doing so.

Ecostraws provide the widest range of choice when it comes to non-plastic straws, do you have a personal favourite yourself?

That’s like choosing a favourite child! But seriously I do have a couple of preferences. When I’m at home I love the elegance of glass straws. They add glamour to a cocktail or provide the perfect material for drinking hot drinks. I’m a fan of drinking lemon water & a glass EcoStraw helps to protect my tooth enamel from damage. When I’m out and about I choose the collapsible EcoStraw. It’s always attached to my keychain ensuring I am never without my personal straw in bars & restaurants.

What can we expect forEcoStraws in the future and do you have plans to expand to other product offerings?

We are always researching and trying to develop new products that align with consumer demand. Convenience is key when encouraging a more sustainable lifestyle and we at EcoStraws.ie believe that our reusable products go a long way in achieving this. We currently have close to 80 products on our website ensuring there’s something for everyone. We also have an expanding network of retailers and corporate clients who are promoting sustainability across the globe.

 

See more here ….

https://www.guaranteedirish.ie/news/qa-series-sarah-keyes-of-ecostraws/

 

Join our VIP Club here …

http://eepurl.com/dKiYK6

01 Jan
Blog

EcoStraws aplenty in 2020.

New Year, New You.

New Year’s Resolutions are the perfect opportunity to start making changes or reevaluating life choices. Now is the time to sit down and prepare a list of important life changes and we here at EcoStraws have decided to give you a bit of help.

It is impossible to avoid plastic entirely, but there are ways to reduce the amount of plastic in your life. By making simple changes, you will become conscious of the unnecessary single-use plastic surrounding us and choking our planet.

Here’s our top 10 tips!

  1. Stop buying bottled water. Carry a reusable bottle with you. Shops, hotels and even airports have begun installing water fountains where you can refill for free. See our EcoBottles here.
  2. Replace your plastic grocery bags with reusable ones. As a handy tip, I always have a canvas bag or two in the car & one in my handbag. They can be rolled up and taken anywhere so you never need to buy a plastic bag.
  3. Ditch the disposable cup. There are a variety of reusable coffee cups on the market & most coffee outlets now offer a discount when you bring your own. The EcoCup is particularly handy as it collapses to a 2″disc and can be carried in your pocket or handbag.
  4. Pack your own lunch (and your kids) in reusable containers. Make sure to choose good quality BPA free boxes and if you really need to wrap your sandwich choose paper bags or even paper towels instead of cling film.
  5. collapsible straws IrelandRefuse plastic straws and cutlery when you visit fast-food outlets. Ask for wooden cutlery if you really need disposable and carry a reusable straw with you. We can highly recommend the EcoStraw, as can our customers!
  6. In the supermarket, avoid convenience foods and choose fruit and vegetables that are not pre-wrapped. Lightweight & breathable mesh bags are perfect for your fresh produce and can be used for their storage too! Check out our Reusable Produce Bags.
  7. Swap your toothbrush for an eco-friendly alternative in 2019. There are lots of different options available including bamboo and beech wood with nylon or hair bristles. A plastic toothbrush can take up to 1,000 years to decompose and that is simply terrifying.
  8. Switch to safety razors. Plastic razors are used a maximum of 6 or 7 times before being thrown away and spending the next 100 years in landfill. Safety razor blades will give you several shaves and once disposed of properly can be recycled as they’re stainless steel. They’re cheaper too!
  9. Microbeads: Microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic found in cleaning products, toothpastes, shower gels, face scrubs, detergents, cleansing agents, suncreams and many many more household products.There can be up to 100,000 microbeads in a facewash alone and as they are micro in size cannot be caught by filtration systems. Choose products without microbeads in your quest to go eco-friendly.
  10. Chewing gum. Did you know that chewing gum is made from plastic? Yes plastic. The alternative here is to find eco-friendly alternatives in your healthfood store or simply stop chewing gum!

Be the change.

2019 was the year we realised our planet was drowning in plastic. Let’s make 2020 the year we make a conscious effort to reverse the tide.

 

We are EcoStraws; an Irish company with a passion for the planet.

EcoStraws.ie supply a complete range of eco-friendly reusable straws and 100% biodegradable disposable straws, as well as other associated products. Our stock of reusable eco-friendly straws include Stainless Steel, Glass, Bamboo and Silicone straws. Our biodegradable EcoStraws are available in Wheat, PLA, and Paper, and we even stock Edible Straws so you can have your straw and eat it too!

By choosing our products you are making a difference. By sharing our message you are helping to educate. EcoStraws/EcoCups help us to live in harmony with the natural world around us. Our ethos helps us to protect it from damage and destruction.

Why not join our mailing list right here –

 

 

 

EcoStraws
01 Aug
Blog

How To Have An Eco-Friendly Festival.

For 2019, Ireland’s festival count has increased even more with loads of great new music events popping up around the country. Tickets have already sold out for Electric Picnic and Altogether Now but there are plenty of others to whet your appetite over the next few months such as Love Sensation, The Playing Fields, and Tipp Classical. There are 3 festivals kicking off this Friday, and which will continue all weekend :-

 

BEATYARD – This quirky festival returns for its traditional spot in Dublin’s Dun Laoghaire. Beatyard is a nautical adventure to uncover and celebrate all things music and art.

ALTOGETHER NOW – All Together Now is a 3-day camping festival, where everyone with a ticket has the opportunity to make the beautiful Curraghmore Estate their home on the August Bank Holiday Weekend. Festival revellers will stay in everything from tents, campervans and bespoke accommodation across the festival weekend.

INDIEPENDENCE – One of Ireland’s festival success stories over the last decade, INDIE has grown over the years from its initial three thousand capacity at Deer Farm into a fully-fledged summer spectacular with up to 15,000 people expected in 2019.

But how do you ensure you have an eco-friendly festival? Here are 5 tips :-

EcoStraws

  1. Attend a festival with sustainability at its core: When organisers launched All Together Now in 2018, they wanted to take the opportunity to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly festival where they could set their own standards. With sustainability at the core of their ethos, they are passionate about creating and promoting the message as best they can. In order to increase awareness of their environmental initiatives, they plan to roll out educational videos, informative clear messaging on their social channels and to host a dedicated area at the festival where festival-goers can go and learn about sustainable, fair-trade products. In addition, festival attendees can learn about factors affecting climate change and what they can do to play their part and make sustainable choices in life, both socially and environmentally. They are committed to reduce waste drastically on site, use green suppliers where possible, and use environmentally friendly, compostable materials at their festival. 
  2. Travel: Road transport is now the largest and growing source of CO2 emissions in Europe, accounting for one-fifth of all emissions. With the average car producing 2.5kg of CO2 per litre of fuel, lift sharing has the potential to reduce a festival’s carbon footprint considerably. We can have a real impact on our carbon footprint if we reduce the number of car journeys. Obviously hopping in a car with just one other mate gives you all that luxurious space, but consider your carbon footprint.Car emissions are one of the biggest environmental issues at music festivals. The Association of Independent Festivals states, “more than 66% of people travel to their festival of choice by car, with more people than ever travelling in a car of two or fewer people. So, how about using public transport such as trains and buses, car share, cycle, or walk to your festival. 
  3. Leave no trace: According to theAssociation of Independent Festivals, other than car emissions, abandoned tents are one of the biggest issues festivals face when it comes to sustainability. Not only camping equipment, but staggering amounts of leftover food, plastic containers, drinking cans are left on the fields after a weekend’s festivities. While tents and camping equipment are not fully recyclable they are fully reusable. Camping equipment shouldn’t be considered disposable. If, by the end of the festival you have no intention of bringing your tent home with you, please deposit it at donation banks located in the festival campsites. Please do not abandon your tent for others to come pick it up after you. Over the course of the weekend please look after your camp, after all, it is your home for 3 days and 3 nights. EcoCups.ie
  4. Use a Reusable Cup: We dispose of over 22,000 takeaway cups and lids each hour in Ireland, that’s a phenomenal amount of waste of our planet’s resources for something we use in a few minutes. Designed to reduce the waste caused by disposable coffee cups, this reusable Collapsible Cup from EcoCups.ie is a revelation. We have designed the EcoCup to be collapsible so that it can easily fit into your pocket. We care about the planet and so do you, making the EcoCup ideal for expressive, environmentally conscious individuals. Also, save money – Most cafes offer BYO cup discounts. See here for more details. Or fill the EcoCup with homebrew and save even more! It is ultra-portable, reusable, leak-proof and collapsible. Designed by coffee lovers, it’s a convenient alternative to bulky travel mugs and limits the wastage from disposable coffee cups. We have made the simple to use EcoCups with recycled materials, it is BPA free and contains no phthalates or glues. The design is uniquely innovative as we have made the body of durable mouldable food grade silicone which can be collapsed down to a two-inch disc.Collapsible Straw
  5. Use a Collapsible EcoStraw: How can you ensure that you never take a plastic straw? By always having your own of course! EcoStraws.ie have a couple of fun options that can guarantee your commitment to  sustainable living, in the form of collapsible straws. We think the Collapsible EcoStraw is the cleverest straw on the market. Each straw is made from food grade 304 Stainless Steel and collapses, like magic, to store in a handy keychain case. A simple but clever folding mechanism allows the Collapsible EcoStraw to go from full-length to collapsed almost automatically, making it ideal as an on-the-go straw. A compact and robust straw which comes in a choice of 5 fun colours and is guaranteed to attract attention. Be a leader in the fight against single-use plastics by always carrying a Collapsible EcoStraw.

 

We are EcoStraws; an Irish company with a passion for the planet. EcoStraws.ie supply a complete range of eco-friendly reusable straws and 100% biodegradable disposable straws, as well as other associated products. Our stock of reusable eco-friendly straws include Stainless Steel, Glass, Bamboo and Silicone straws. Our biodegradable EcoStraws are available in Wheat, PLA, and Paper, and we even stock Edible Straws so you can have your straw and eat it too!

By choosing our products you are making a difference. By sharing our message you are helping to educate. EcoStraws/EcoCups help us to live in harmony with the natural world around us. Our ethos helps us to protect it from damage and destruction.

Why not join our mailing list right here –

21 Jul
Blog

EcoStraws & Enable Ireland

Reducing Plastic Waste

Sarah, Stephen, Orna and Enda.

The manager & service users of Enable Ireland in Limerick are not just a friendly bunch, they’re an Eco-Friendly bunch! We were recently contacted by centre manager Orna Maguire who told us about their efforts to reduce plastic waste in their Limerick hub. With over 40 service users in Enable Ireland Mungret and most of those with complex physical disabilities, they go through a lot of plastic straws! Straws offer greater independence. For example, those with Cerebral Palsy do not need to rely on someone else to lift their glass when drinking.  The guys in Mungret, being very proactive with their eco-credentials, wanted to find a better option than plastic straws.

Testing Times

And so their search began. The team here at EcoStraws.ie sent a variety of reusable straws to Enable Ireland so they could test them out and decide which ones were their favourite. After days of rigorous testing by the eager service users, Orna came back to us with her results;

 “We just wanted to update you on the progress with the straws. We have trialled them with thickened fluids, regular drinks, hot and cold drinks, we have hand washed them and put them through the dishwasher, all in all they have been through the mill! We are delighted to say that the winners for us were the thinner silicone straw. In the short space of time we are happy with how we have reduced some of our usage of single use plastics.”     

Coloured Silicone Straws Ireland

EcoStraws Soft Silicone Straws

We were so impressed with the thorough research carried out that we decided to reward their efforts by sponsoring their first order.

A Warm Welcome

As I arrived at the centre in Mungret I was warmly greeted by Service Users Rep. Enda Gallagher and receptionist Stephen.  Enda gave me a tour of the centre. He showed me the arts room, meeting room, canteen and my favourite, the cosy room! He explained how the silicone straws were the best option for him and other users as they are made from a soft material which maintains it’s shape when used in a variety of drinks. The angle of the straws makes it easier to drink without lifting the glass. Enda regularly travels to Portlaoise to meet with Reps from all over the country and told me he was excited to share the new-found news about EcoStraws with his friends & colleagues.

Enda testing his EcoStraw and SafeSip.

I had an extra surprise for Enda. I had been told he enjoys an occasional Jameson & Coke and so I showed him the safe sip. The safe sip fits over a glass or cup and works in conjunction with the silicone straws to prevent frustrating drink spillages. Furthermore they are so compact, simple to use and can be brought anywhere in a bag or pocket. Enda can now drink independently and with confidence wherever he goes.

Proud Partners

Finally we had a lovely cup of tea and further chats. Orna mentioned how delighted they were to find a Limerick company who cater for those with disabilities by providing innovative solutions to everyday struggles. Reusable EcoStraws are the ideal solution for those who need an alternative to plastic straws. Enable Ireland provide a wonderful service and empower children & adults with disabilities to achieve independence every day. EcoStraws.ie are proud to be a little part of helping them achieve that.

Brian O’Callaghan

Speaking of the partnership, EcoStraws MD Brian O’Callaghan said …

We at EcoStraws are delighted to play our part in helping the care users at Enable Ireland go about their daily business with independence and dignity. We are already supporters of another charity, Special Olympics Ireland, and I firmly believe that disability should not mean inability. It is up to all of us to support these charities, and help these adults, children and athletes reach their full potential, and help them integrate successfully into society with independence and without fear or prejudice. 

 

The Enable Ireland Limerick Adult Day Services Centre offers a non-residential, five-day week service, catering to 32 adults with primarily physical disabilities and provides a day service, transport and rehabilitative training service. Based at Quinn’s Cross, the building has been recently renovated and now includes an independent living training unit. The service currently caters to 32 adults with primarily physical disabilities and provides a day service, transport and rehabilitative training service. More info … http://www.enableireland.ie/limerick/adults

 

We are EcoStraws; an Irish company with a passion for the planet. EcoStraws.ie supply a complete range of eco-friendly reusable straws and 100% biodegradable disposable straws, as well as other associated products. Our stock of reusable eco-friendly straws include Stainless Steel, Glass, Bamboo and Silicone straws. Our biodegradable EcoStraws are available in Wheat, PLA, and Paper, and we even stock Edible Straws so you can have your straw and eat it too!

By choosing our products you are making a difference. By sharing our message you are helping to educate. EcoStraws/EcoCups help us to live in harmony with the natural world around us. Our ethos helps us to protect it from damage and destruction.

Why not join our mailing list right here –

 

#plasticfreejuly

 

28 Jun
Blog

Go Plastic Free This July.

Single Use Plastics

It’s daunting and may seem overwhelming, but it is possible. You can join a worldwide movement called ‘Plastic Free July’ and take the first steps to reducing your single use plastics now. Plastic Straws are the scourge of marine wildlife & the symbol of destruction we associate with our disposable lives. EcoStraws.ie helps you to Go Plastic Free with a range of reusable & sustainable products to replace single-use plastic. So what are you waiting for? Visit Ecostraws.ie now and say no to disposables for ever!

We are surrounded by plastic; we drive plastic cars & wear plastic clothes. Even the gum we chew is plastic.No one is suggesting that you eliminate plastic completely from your life, however a few simple changes to your daily routine can create a ripple of change. You may initially get a few funny looks at the supermarket when bringing your own containers for meat/fish but you may also influence others to follow suit. The satisfaction you feel when you use your own produce bags instead of plastic packaging on bananas (really??) and other fruits, far outweighs any sideways glances you may receive!

Be The Change

We are the consumers. It is up to us to lead the way and by refusing single use plastic items in our groceries, we put pressure on the suppliers to find an eco-friendly solution. By keeping track of the single-use plastics you avoid, you will begin to get a sense of achievement.

By making a few of the changes listed below I managed to avoid 45 pieces of single-use plastic in a week! Go me! Certainly, no one can do it all at once, just choose a few that seem doable and take it from there.

 

31 changes in 31 days                                      

Produce bags 15 EcoStraws.ie

  1. Bring a reusable bag. I find these produce bags really handy as they can roll up and fit in a pocket or handbag.
  2. Always have a reusable water bottle & refill from taps & water fountains. There are so many stainless steel options available now & great value to be had. Check out Narcissips and http://susanadams.ie/bottles/.
  3. Ditch the fizzy drinks & improve your health as well as your bottom line. If you really crave fizz, why not invest in a Soda Stream which comes with reusable glass bottles.
  4. Refuse plastic straws & choose instead a reusable straw from ecostraws.ie. There are different types to suit differing needs and all are dishwasher safe.
  5. Buy fresh bread, which comes wrapper free or wrapped in paper. Yes, it can be more expensive but if you replace just 1 loaf per week to begin with, you cut out 52 plastic wrappers in a year!
  6. If you like take-away coffee carry a reusable coffee cup. Although there are compostable alternatives available, would you believe it takes 5.6L of water to make a paper cup! Choose convenience with a collapsible EcoCup & you’ll never need a disposable cup again.
  7. Shop at markets such as Limerick’s Milk Market. The veg is better quality & you are supporting local businesses.
  8. Return containers for berries.

    Plastic Free Fruit

  9. If you need to stick to the bigger retailers bring reusable produce bags for fruit & veg. Lidl & Aldi provide bins after the checkout so you can ditch the excess packaging. Without doubt it’s only a matter or time before more retailers follow suit. Remember you, the consumer, create the demand for change.
  10. Avoid convenience foods.
  11. Bring your own reusable containers for meat & fish.
  12. Opt for take-away that uses cardboard packaging eg. Lana or Dominos
  13. Choose an ice-cream cone rather than a cup. Smooch do amazing ice-cream cone options.
  14. Don’t chew gum. Yep, chewing gum is mostly made from plastic.
  15. Switch to washing powder. It generally comes in a large cardboard box which is recyclable. You can find lots of  eco-friendly detergents in Dargan Healthfoods Castletroy.
  16. Likewise with dishwasher powder. Loose powder has no plastic wrapping!
  17. Never use wipes. There are too many alternatives to list here but wipes are an unnecessary modern convenience/scourge. Check out Jackson Reece Baby Wipes on Earthmother.ie.
  18. Treat yourself to a safety razor & blades. There’s a fabulous shop on Wickham St. Limerick called M Cahill & Son where you’ll find a range of options to suit all needs.
  19. Order some toothpaste bits online. They come in little glass bottles & look really cool on your bathroom shelves!

    Plastic Free Toothpaste

  20. While you’re at it, get yourself a bamboo toothbrush. They’re widely available from health food shops such as Eats of Eden.
  21. Another simple bathroom change is to switch to bar soap and bar shampoo. Sunvale soap company in the Limerick Milk Market has a vast range available.
  22. And check out the many alternative feminine hygiene options from reusable cotton pads to moon cups.
  23. Need a hairbrush? A wooden one is just as good as a plastic one but will biodegrade faster.
  24. Bring your own lunch to work in reusable containers.
  25. Wrap sandwiches in kitchen roll or paper bags.
  26. Make your own snacks such as protein balls & power bars. They’re healthier too! Check out http://www.naturalhealthstore.ie for a huge selection.
  27. Browse vintage shops & second hand stores. You’ll be amazed at the quality available and at the prices. Spice Vintage is a gem of a store!
  28. Give & request plastic-free gifts such as vouchers; take a friend to lunch or treat them to concert tickets.
  29. When you do give gifts wrap them in paper & tie with string or reuse an old ribbon. It makes for unique & memorable presents. Check out https://www.lifewithoutthewrapping.com/
  30. Order on-line & request zero plastic packaging with your purchase. Companies such as EcoStraws.ie strive to deliver products completely plastic free.
  31. Switch to online statements. Most bank statements, phone bills & utilities come in envelopes with plastic windows. Online statements rid us of envelopes with windows!

Do it!

As you can see, none of the above suggestions are impossible. It may take some forward thinking & a little extra planning to achieve but Plastic Free July is attainable. It’s up to you to be the catalyst.

 

#plasticfreejuly

 

#gogreenin2019  #thinkoutsidethebox       #reduce

#zerowaste    #bethechange   #reuse

#sustainable living   #plasticfreelife   #plasticfreejuly

26 Feb
Blog

Plastic Generation

Miracle Material

Leo Baekeland first invented plastic in 1907. It  was mostly used for non-conducting parts of telephones, radios and other electrical devices. Over the next 100 years many different forms of plastic were developed and so we became the plastic generation. Some of the miracle materials developed included nylon, vinyl, polystyrene, plexiglass, polyester, acrylic and many more.

Pretty plastic flowers that will last for hundreds of years…

World War 2 saw plastic production in the United States increase by 300% as Americans used plastic in everything from parachutes to aircraft windows. At the end of the war the surge in plastic production continued & plastic began to take the place of steel in cars, paper & glass in packaging and wood in furniture  Plastic was a miracle material; cheap, safe & sanitary and could be shaped by humans for their every whim. We became the plastic generation dedicated to plastic generation.

Why do we want to know the history of plastic I hear you ask? It’s simple really…

Because it’s not history!

 

Plastic is Permanent

As early as the 1960 ‘s plastic optimism began to wane. People began to observe plastic debris in the oceans. Since then 8 BILLION (yes billion) tons of plastic has been generated and most of it is disposable. As plastic takes more than 400 years to degrade it is safe to say that most of the items manufactured from plastic are still with us.

Single-use plastics pollution

Two years ago scientists at the University of Georgia began to study plastic waste. Their study  published recently revealed that

  • 12% of plastic waste is incinerated
  • 9% is recycled
  • 79% goes to landfill or turns up as litter

So only 9% of all plastics we have ever produced have been recycled. And half of all plastics manufactured become rubbish within a year. These statistics are astounding but they reinforce the reality that we are drowning in plastic.

 

The Truth about Recycling

So, why aren’t we recycling? Well firstly, much of the plastic used in packaging for example isn’t recyclable. Polypropylene and other plastics like it are typically used in single-use items such as straws & crisp packets because they are cheap to manufacture. Unfortunately, they are not easily recycled.

Multi-colored single-use plastics

Secondly  there are thousands of different types of plastic. Different combinations of dyes & additives are added to produce desired colour, shape & texture. Various types of plastic mean various melting points and other properties. And when you have different combinations in one item it renders it useless for manufacturing.

The third reason we’re not recycling (as much as we think we are) is that plastic resin has limited value. Every time it is reheated its quality degrades. Consequently, we can only reprocess most plastics once before they go to landfill.

It is also worth noting, that when we collect & remanufacture plastic we are only delaying it’s disposal.

The final destination for all plastics is either incineration or landfill.

Unsustainable Industry

These bales of plastic are ready to be shipped around the world. Twice!

The 9% of plastic that is recycled is washed, squashed, made into bales, loaded onto container ships & sent half way across the planet to be turned into plastic pellets. Once recycled we ship it around the world again, and make it into plastic toys, straws, packaging etc. We are wasting precious resources & burning fossil fuels unnecessarily. The impact on the environment and human health tells us that this industry is unsustainable for the future. It’s time for serious change.

 

Reduce your plastic use by:

Choosing cardboard containers

Carrying reusable grocery bags

Shop waste free

Choose fresh veg over frozen

Carry a reusable coffee cup

Switch to bamboo toothbrushes

Buy reusable razors & blades

Carry a reusable straw

 

EcoGirl

XX

 

We are EcoStraws; an Irish company with a passion for the planet.

EcoStraws.ie supply a complete range of eco-friendly reusable straws and 100% biodegradable disposable straws, as well as other associated products. Our stock of reusable eco-friendly straws include Stainless Steel, Glass, Bamboo and Silicone straws. Our biodegradable EcoStraws are available in Wheat, PLA, and Paper, and we even stock Edible Straws so you can have your straw and eat it too!

By choosing our products you are making a difference. By sharing our message you are helping to educate. EcoStraws/EcoCups help us to live in harmony with the natural world around us. Our ethos helps us to protect it from damage and destruction.

Why not join our mailing list right here –

 

 

 

Fisher Fine Arts EcoStraws.ie
25 Jan
Blog

EcoStraws Making Waves Across the Pond.

What an incredible few weeks it has been for EcoStraws. It is not everyday that a US University contacts you and asks for permission to display your products in their Materials Library. But that is exactly what has happened this week when the Anne and Jerome Fisher Fine Arts Library, part of the University of Pennsylvania on the East coast of the USA, got in touch.

The Fisher Fine Arts Library supports study, teaching and research in contemporary and historical aspects of art, architecture, city and regional planning, historic preservation, landscape architecture, studio art, and urban design. The Fisher Fine Arts Materials Library hosts thousands of samples ranging from traditional construction materials to emergent and novel samples such as electronic paint, and seaweed insulation. It is as much of a lab or studio as a library collection and displays are drawn from disciplines across campus, making it a diverse and unique resource.

Elizabeth Beck, curator of Fisher Fine Arts Materials Library stated: “We are collecting items like EcoStraws to make our students and patrons aware of the many options available  which promote sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to single use plastics. As our planet is inundated with debris that does not biodegrade we are destroying the habitat of all living creatures including humans. It is important for everyone to stop and consider their choices and realize that to pollute and destroy the earth is tantamount to destroying their own future as well as the future of every living thing. Hence the Material Library is collecting products like these Irish EcoStraws so that our patrons have the information they need to make better choices for themselves and for the planet.”

Brian O'Callaghan EcoStrawsBrian O’Callaghan, MD of EcoStraws in response stated “We are very proud to have products of ours exhibited at such an historic and well regarded University and library, and hope that it helps in some way towards influencing the student population in making the correct decision regarding the use of single use plastics. There are many ongoing campaigns around the world and we feel honoured that a university in the USA considered us to be a market leader in this regard.”

The collection can be seen online here …. Fisher Arts library EcoStraws Ireland

 

This of course follows on from a surprise package which arrived from the USA to EcoStraws HQ Christmas week. The parcel was from National Geographic HQ and contained 3 separate goodie bags of various plastic free goodies for each of the founders. But there was a note included, a note which reassured us, a note which showed us that we were being noticed, a note which proved that we were doing the right thing, a note which will undoubtedly be framed and hung for future reference when needed. The note read ….

 “To the EcoStraws Team,
Thank you so much for choosing to help save the planet in 2018. Much like Symphony for our World inspired you, you inspire us to keep pushing towards a planet in balance.
It’s people like you who change the world.
Cheers to a healthier planet in 2019 and beyond!
-NatGeoComms”

Read more on that here.

 

 

 

We are EcoStraws; an Irish company with a passion for the planet.

EcoStraws.ie supply a complete range of eco-friendly reusable straws and 100% biodegradable disposable straws, as well as other associated products. Our stock of reusable eco-friendly straws include Stainless Steel, Glass, Bamboo and Silicone straws. Our biodegradable EcoStraws are available in Wheat, PLA, and Paper, and we even stock Edible Straws so you can have your straw and eat it too!

By choosing our products you are making a difference. By sharing our message you are helping to educate. EcoStraws/EcoCups help us to live in harmony with the natural world around us. Our ethos helps us to protect it from damage and destruction.

Why not join our mailing list right here –

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