SAYA DESIGNS RECYCLED WOOD HAIR PINS

Looking for a beautiful eco stocking stuffer? These recycled wood hairpins from SAYA designs are pretty sweet. The How-To Tutorials they come with offer lots of styling tips so you can take full advantage of the pin. Plus, they’re the perfect size for a holiday stocking stuffer. Just sayin’!

SAYA sponsored this post so we could tell you all about them.

What’s So Special About SAYA?

SAYA Designs was created by Victoria, who was motivated by her “deep love of nature, a growing awareness of environmental issues, and a desire to create things with a real story to tell.”

She got the idea while working on the Indonesian island of Bali. As she began looking for a more purposeful career, she visited multiple forestry projects, attended sustainability conferences with local artisans and came to understand the bigger picture around deforestation.

She decided to start her own business after her boyfriend inspired her with a gift of a beautiful Chinese hairpin. She used her graphic design skills as well as her passion for Nature to take Bali’s waste forest material – in this case, the roots from wonderful tropical trees that had been cut down – and turn it into something beautiful and purposeful, while giving back to those dedicated to protecting our planet.

Benefits of SAYA Recycled Wood Hairpins

For each hairpin purchased, SAYA plants up to 10 endangered trees.

“Planting trees is one of the best ways to fight climate change,” Victoria says. “Trees not only absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They also provide a habitat for a diverse range of species in the rainforest.”

Plus, harvesting the roots to convert into hairpins helps restore forest health. Tropical hardwoods grow very slowly and regenerate poorly after logging. They’re often taken from forests in non-sustainable numbers and illegally. The roots can take hundreds of years to decompose. Recovering the roots helps prepare the soil for new trees.

SAYA’s beautiful stick designs are made from rosewood, teak, or tamarind. Because they’re individually handcrafted, no piece is exactly like any other. Each is also unique based on the grain in the wood. The item arrives in recycled packaging with a protective fabric sleeve to keep it safe while traveling.

Sticks work for hair of all lengths: short, medium, and long. Tutorials show you how to work with each design to achieve beautiful hair fashion, like how to use the Banana Leaf hairpin (pictured below) to make a beautiful high plait, what you might also call a French braid.

The Barrette hair fork (below) is able to hold large amounts of hair in place. It works wonders for long, thick hair.

The Moonflower (below) is an eco alternative to a synthetic scrunchy. It also suits longer, thicker hair.

You can get more information about SAYA Designs and their exquisite recycled wood hairpins right here! (When you get yours, please send us a picture!)

The post Recycled Wood Hairpins Make Beautiful Stocking Stuffers appeared first on Big Green Purse.

In the spirit of the holidays, I want to help keep you happy – by helping you reduce the amount of trash you throw away. But I’m not here on my own. Once again, I’m teaming up with Junk King to help you reduce holiday waste.

Junk King is the #1 Rated Junk Removal Service in North America. I like them because they’re so “green.” When they take away your junk, they don’t just drive it to a landfill. They sort your stuff into metals, e-waste, paper, appliances, and more so it can be easily recycled. They also donate, repurpose, and reuse everything from clothing, toys, baby cribs and strollers to office furniture and supplies.

I love their newest infographic, and I bet you will, too. If you’ve wondered why you should skip the wrapping paper, or plant a live tree instead of buying a fake artificial tree, here are your answers!

In other words…

1. Use less: Did you know that if every family used just two feet of ribbon to decorate their gifts, we could save 38,000 miles of ribbon? That’s enough to tie a bow around the whole planet!
2. Wrap creatively: Wrapping paper and gift bags aren’t the only way to wrap presents. Try using a different material that you already have around your house. Newspaper, sheet music, and old maps are fun choices and are much more unique than commercial wrapping paper. You could also use scarves, t-shirts, or other fabric to wrap gifts. That way, the wrapping could be a gift as well!
3. Buy a potted tree: Every year, nearly 33 million live trees are sold across North America. Considering how much paper that we waste, saving a tree is the least that we can do. Buy a potted tree this year instead of cutting one down. This way, after the holidays are over and it’s time to take down the decorations, you can plant the tree in your own backyard.
4. Regift: Around 35% of Americans have an unopened or unused gift collecting dust somewhere. Instead of taking up valuable space or throwing it away, find it a new home. If you don’t know of anyone who would like the gift, take it to a donation center. During the holidays, there are plenty of organizations collecting gifts for those who are less fortunate.
5. Gift sustainably: There are a number of small steps that you can take to make your gift a little bit more environmentally friendly. For example, if you’re giving a battery-powered gift, consider gifting a reusable battery charger along with it! If you’re giving someone something made from paper, like a journal, try to find one that’s made from recycled paper. Buying a handmade gift from a local shop or online store, or even making a gift yourself, can also help reduce waste, as these products are not mass-produced.
6. Go digital: About 2.6 billion cards are given to people every year. That amounts to just about 50,000 cubic yards of paper — enough to fill a football field 10 stories high! And no matter how sentimental they may be, they usually end up stashed away in a box or thrown away. Instead of paying for overpriced, wasteful cardstock, send an electronic greeting card for free!
7. Donate your leftovers: Holiday meals are usually big ordeals, and it’s always better to have too much than too little, but most of the time the leftovers are too much to handle. Instead of wasting perfectly good food, consider bringing your leftovers to a local homeless shelter. There are plenty of people who go hungry during the holidays, and your donation could make a world of difference to someone in need.And remember! Don’t be a Grinch!!

   NOTE: Sponsors like Junk King enable us to bring you expertise and insights at no cost to you. Our editorial opinion remains our own.

The post Don’t Be a Grinch! 7 Ways to Reduce Holiday Waste appeared first on Big Green Purse.

1) Wrapping paper and ribbon (keep a paper bag or box handy when you’re unwrapping presents to make the job easy and efficient) – Shred paper to use as packing material, put aside for your kids’ art projects, or recycle with the weekly newspapers and junk mail.

2) Cardboard and paper boxes – Line smaller boxes with soft towels to create a new bed for a cat or small dog; flatten any boxes you don’t need for easier recycling.

3) Cell phones – Take to Best Buy, Staples, or Office Depot, or send to Collective Good, which will refurbish them, re-sell them, and share the profits with the charity of your choice.

4) Computers, laptops, notebooks, monitors, keyboards – Any of the office supply stores should accept them at no cost to you.

5) Cameras – (same)

6) Fax machines (same)

7) Clothing – Most shelters will take t-shirts, pants, long-sleeved shirts, jackets, underwear and socks. Donate fancier clothes to the local theater company or school drama department to use as costumes.

8) Christmas lights – These links will show you where you can recycle old lights and find new, energy-efficient LEDs.

9) Beverage cans, bottles and jugs – Glass, aluminum, and plastic beer, soda, juice and bottled water containers can all be recycled.

10) Plastic food containers – Many community recycling programs now accept plastic food trays and cartons, along with containers from yogurt, sour cream, dips, and spreads.

11) Toys – Clean, working toys your kids have outgrown can be passed along to the children of neighbors, family, friends, day care centers, and shelters that help house children.

12) Christmas tree – if your community doesn’t pick up used trees, recycle this yourself: cut the boughs off to create mulch, and use the needles to make potpourri.

13) Televisions and Major appliances – If you got a new appliance, ask your installer to recycle the one he removes. Or check these links to get specific guidance on recycling your tv.

14) Christmas cards – Cut off the part containing the signature (usually the back page), and use the front, decorated page as a Christmas gift tag for next year.

15) Food – Combine leftovers into stews and soups, or freeze in lunch-size portions to take to work or send to school with the kids; simmer meat and turkey bones until they make a rich broth that can be used for gravies and stock; freeze cookies, breads, and dessert bars to use over the next three months.

Click here for suggestions on recycling tinsel, ornaments, and other Christmas decorations.

Holiday Traditions That Mean the Most to Me: Family, Friends, Food!

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FOOD

Organic food can cost as much as 30% more than food that’s been conventionally grown using pesticides or under inhumane conditions for animals and people. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that staples like organic milk, meat, poultry and fresh vegetables will be on sale just because it’s Black Friday. But specialty foods – like chocolate, tea and coffee, nuts, and dried fruits – are likely to have their prices slashed, particularly at more conventional grocery stores where they’re seen as a premium item. I expect online retailers to offer bargains on gift packs of these items – but there’s no reason why you can’t buy them for yourself.

ELECTRONICS and APPLIANCES

I hate to encourage anyone to buy more electronics, given how much e-waste is piling up. However, if you’re truly in need of a new phone, tablet, computer, or printer, Black Friday is the day to buy it. Do your research now so you can aim for the most energy-efficient, eco-friendly equipment; check this Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics to pick the most environmentally responsible company for the item you want. Plan now to recycle your old equipment when you replace it; stores like Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot accept almost any electronic device, regardless of the manufacturer. If you still don’t have an energy-saving power strip, get one of those while you’re at it. Appliances will include the federal government Energy Guide sticker to help you choose the refrigerator, freezer, washer or dryer that uses the least amount of energy.

CLOTHING

While you’ll find fashion bargains galore on November 25, not many of them are likely to be green, especially at the mall. Sadly, stores like Macy’s, Target, Ann Taylor, Chico’s, Express, Coldwater Creek, and the Limited are embarrassingly limited when it comes to dresses, shirts, pants, and other couture made from organic or eco-friendly fibers. You might have some luck at H&M; the last time I was in there, I found skirts and blouses made from organic cotton, and some sweaters made from recycled polyester. If you’re not looking for dressy work clothes, head over to Lands End, Northface, Patagonia, and REI. Patagonia has done a particularly good job of using recycled fibers to make its vests and jackets; plus, you can recycle old t-shirts and other clothes at Patagonia when you shop.

JEWELRY

More and more fine jewelry stores are offering bracelets, rings, necklaces and earrings made from recycled gold, reclaimed stones, and diamonds sourced from humane and fair trade mines. Before you buy, ask to see certification that shows where the jewels originally came from.

TOWELS AND SHEETS

Organic towels and sheets are a real luxury, and their usual high price shows it. But even their cost might come down on Black Friday; if it does, go for it! JC Penneys, Target, and Wal-Mart stock organic linens regularly; hopefully, they’ll put them on sale November 25 along with the conventionally produced items. Check online or in the newspaper for “money off on anything” coupons.

WINE, BEER, SPIRITS

Most liquor stores sell organically produced wine, beer, vodka, gin, and possibly other spirits. Whether you’re stocking up for the holidays or want to refill your fridge or wine cellar, take advantage of storewide discounts or sales on individual brands.

SOAP, SHAMPOO, PERFUME, PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

Stores like Bath & Body Works, the Body Shop, and Origins increasingly sell soaps, shampoos, lotions, and cremes free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Read labels carefully, and look for products packaged in paper, cardboard and glass rather than plastic.

YOGURT AND BREAD MAKERS

If you buy a lot of yogurt and bread, chances are you’re throwing away a lot of plastic yogurt containers and paper bread wrappers. Pretty much every department store will have these two items on sale on Black Friday.

WRAPPING PAPER AND HOLIDAY CARDS

The “greenest” option is to use paper you saved from last year and to send e-cards. You can also wrap presents in fabrics, towels, or table cloths and napkins or bundle them into reusable shopping bags. But if it’s paper you must have, look for 100% recycled paper or tree-free paper options in both wrapping and cards from Hallmark and Papyrus, among other shops.

Don’t forget your own shopping bag… your reusable one, of course!

Related Posts:

Recycling Your Computer Just Got Easier

What if You Buy Nothing?

How to Shop for Eco-friendly Clothing (Parts 1, 2, 3)

Top Ten “Green” Thanksgiving Tips

Give to Your Favorite Charity Whenever You Shop – At No Extra Cost to You

For more ideas on how to be a green consumer this holiday season, check out the Green Moms Carnival this month, hosted by Betsy over at Eco-Novice.

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