Recycled Glassware & Eco Friendly Drinkware
From consciously crafted recycled glassware to lead-free drinkware & ceramic drink pitchers, we've got your sipping needs covered.
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EVERYDAY GLASSWARE:
tips, tricks & intriguing tidbits
A Beverage for Every Occasion.
Sustainable wine glasses.
Need we say more? OK, how about a variety of types of eco friendly glassware for every occasion? Whether you’re serving mixed drinks at an evening party or preparing the kids some delicious beverages, it’s important to consider drinks when planning out your kitchen—and it’s just as important to make sure you have the right kinds of organic glassware for whatever beverage you’re serving.
Consider the Guests.
While hosting, it’s important to think about your guests and their needs.
When you plan to accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies, it’s a sign that you really care about your friends and family. For instance, say someone you invite to a dinner party is allergic to dairy. Make sure you find healthy alternatives before the party and avoid intermingling ingredients.
If someone you know has this type of allergy, serve alternatives to beverages that might contain dairy, and don’t reuse dishes, drinkware, bakeware, utensils, etc without washing it thoroughly. The first step of being a good host is ensuring everyone has food and beverages they can enjoy! Why not serve them up in stylish, organic glassware?
Recycled or New?
Did you know that recycled glassware is barely discernable from new glassware?
It’s true. Glass can be recycled again and again without seeing a decline in its quality, and using recycled glass reduces CO2 emissions and conserves nonrenewable resources such as sand, which is finite despite being natural and abundant. This helps the planet, which makes recycled glass a real win-win.
How Glass Gets Recycled.
The process glass undergoes to get recycled is quite interesting.
First, recyclable glass items are placed in curbside bins or brought to the appropriate drop-off locations, where they are collected and sent to a material recovery facility.
At this location, the items are sorted by material type, and glass is sent to a glass processing company, where it is separated from contaminants and sorted by color. Recycled glass then goes to container manufacturers, which create containers that are filled with foods and liquids -- to create ecofriendly glasses once again.
We believe in purposeful repurposing!
What is Recycled or Sustainable Glassware?
Recycled glasses are exactly what they sound like: sustainable drinkware for people who are looking to lead an environmentally friendly lifestyle. These types of glasses come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from wine glasses to tumblers, from carafes to bowls.
They’re typically made using old bottles and glasses—whether pressed or blown—and this is glassware recycled for safe home use, meaning these items come in tons of colors and styles and are dishwasher safe. While recycled glasses are an eco friendly addition to any kitchen, keep in mind they do usually come from glass bottles and jars.
As a friendly reminder, don’t try to recycle vases, mirrors, light bulbs, and other items that don’t come into contact with food or beverages, as those might contain chemicals that can leach into the food.
What is Lead Free Glassware?
Lead free glass is a little different from recycled glass drinking glasses. While labels like green and sustainable mean the item is produced in an environmentally responsible manner, “lead free” means specifically that the item contains no lead, a toxic heavy metal that persists and accumulates in the human body, leading to numerous health issues, especially in children.
Although glass is known as one of the safest materials that can touch food, there’s a reason the lead-free designation exists: because lead in glass used to be a big problem. Small amounts over time can build up in the human body and cause health problems.
Now, fortunately, there are many types of lead free drinking glasses to choose from, but if you start noticing headaches, fatigue, tingling sensations, or other symptoms of lead exposure, contact your doctor right away.
What Are the Benefits of Lead Free Glass & Eco Friendly Drinkware?
It doesn’t matter whether you want lead free glass, sustainable wine glasses, or organic glassware; there are tons of great reasons for going nontoxic. The biggest one is that these materials touch your food, and that means they can potentially introduce harmful chemicals— such as “forever chemicals” like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFAOs)—into whatever you’re eating.
Who wants that? Nobody, which is why we’re making healthy alternatives more readily available so you can shop with confidence at Healthier Homes.
Tips for Choosing Non Toxic Glassware
First, if you’re avoiding drinking from crystal, antique, or decorative glassware, the glasses you’re using are most likely free of lead. Still, there are a few ways you can check to make sure.
One method is to tap the side of the glass with a fork to check whether it lets out a long ring instead of a gentle clink. You can also hold the glass up to the light, as leaded glass will be less likely to create a rainbow.
But the easiest tip is to test the weight. Leaded glass will usually be heavier than organic glassware. Other methods for testing for hazardous substances include verifying with the manufacturer that nothing toxic goes into their glass or glazes.
Things to Avoid When Buying Non Toxic Glassware
When you buy non toxic drinking glasses—whether it’s online or at the store—always work with a reputable company. In addition to lead, cadmium is another harmful heavy metal that may be found in some lesser quality glazing finishes.
Avoid consuming food or beverages from glassware that is labeled decorative, not for food use, or is made with toxic materials. Some pewter cups are made with quite a bit of lead, and copper mugs can leach. Stainless steel is best when it comes to non toxic metal cups and drinkware. For more info on what materials to look for in the kitchen, check out the Healthy Kitchens e-guide.