Gear Up Green For Spring!

Plenty Magazine showcases eco-friendly gear...everything is either made from recycled materials or gives back to the environment. For more info, check out the latest issue of Plenty magazine on news stands now.

Spring – and Earth Day! - is here and with it the opportunity to not only make your own eco-resolution to live a little greener this year, but maybe even have a little fun doing it!
Jessica Tzerman has some of PLENTY’s favorite Green Gear picks for spring to fit every lifestyle.

VIDEO & INFO AFTER THE JUMP...

1. The Brelli Biodegradable Umbrella
Ever think of how many umbrellas we lose in a season that ultimately find a lonely end in a landfill? Made of bamboo and bioplastic, the Brelli is the first-ever 100%-biodegradable umbrella. It’s lightweight yet surprisingly durable and will decompose in any landfill in 18 to 24 months—but only after providing years of protection from April showers.

$28 - $38 www.thebrelli.com

2. Tiffin Reusable Lunch Box Set
With spring/summer around the corner, it’s the season to grab lunch to-go. Ever think where to-go containers really g? Our fast-food and take-out habits are creating an avalanche of landfill waste – so consider reusable lunch containers! We are adding an average of 1.8 million tons of takeout containers to the landfills every year.

These Indian-inspired tiered food carriers are made from stainless steel. Not only are they 100% recyclable, they’re also super easy to clean, virtually unbreakable, and make a great alternative to disposable plastic or paper containers. Perfect for a picnic or lunch on the go.
$80 for a set of three, www.dwr.com

3. VaseMakers by Ron Gilad
Give new life to even the most mundane old objects and junk.
Perhaps your cans are collecting themselves all across your kitchen countertop, or have been shoved into a plastic bag deep in your downstairs closet. Or maybe, there are jars you’ve been hopelessly holding on to, keeping them closed up in a cupboard somewhere. And okay, these items might seem, well, somewhat useless, but just bring in Ron Gilad’s fabulously artistic VaseMaker and transform your boring old jars and cans into something beautiful. Simply place the VaseMaker over even the most basic of containers, and voila! You’ve got yourself a simple yet sophisticated vase that turns what was once total trash into absolute treasure. How wonderfully magical.
$49 http://www.cooperhewittshop.org/

4. Simple Shoes Spring Eco-Sneaks
We’ve always looked to Simple for low-footprint, everyday shoes that keep up with the latest trends, so it was with baited breath that we awaited the famously green company’s new spring 2008 line. The styles, bright colors, and funky prints in the new Eco-sneaks line were worth the wait. For more a traditional sneaker look, try the men’s “snotire” or women’s “satire.” For a summer-y look, hit the beach in the women’s “macaroon,” a mary jane sandal with snapping double straps, or “carousel,” a sneaker slip-on with a white toe-tip.

Eco-sneaks are made from hemp, recycled bike tires, recycled car tires (talk about durability), recycled plastic bottles (for shoe laces, elastics, and footbeds), and certified organic cotton. At $50-$70, they're in the same price range as Keds (i.e. far less than any pair of designer sneaks). Consider your new kicks a charity donation as well as a fashion statement. Find them online at $50-$70, www.SimpleShoes.com or at select retailers worldwide

5. Recycled Sailcloth Grocery Tote by Ella Vickers
A new twist on the reusable tote – especially important now that stores like Whole Foods will no longer be offering plastic bags.
Ella Vickers -Recycled Sailcloth Collection is eco-friendly & handcrafted in the USA using discarded yachts sails from around the world. The durable and sophisticated designs reflect the nautical lifestyle with crisp white Dacron Sailcloth and hi-performance Kevlar Sailcloth. This gorgeous, urban-chic collection ranges from the small cocktail cache’ to the functional tote messenger and the ocean durable duffel. Experience the spirit of the sail reborn into fresh shapes for a new adventure!
www.nautigear.net $79

6. Fair Trade Sports Eco-Certified Football and Basketball
Make an eco-statement on the playing field.
The world’s first eco-certified and fair trade sports equipment – what that means is that the factory workers are guaranteed a fair wage for producing the product and child labor is prohibited. Additionally, the ball is made of rubber from responsibly harvested rubber trees.
www.fairtradesports.com $20 - $30

7. Solar Powered Bluetooth Headset
With warm weather – and sunny days- at last almost here, you’ll probably want to take that conference call outside...
Iqua SUN - the first solar-powered Bluetooth Headset in the world. This wireless headset has got a photovoltaic cell that uses any available light - outdoors and indoors - to charge itself and extend the operation times of the headset. After all, why use electricity when you have the sun? Additionally, you can answer or end a call, redial and use voice dial and even Switch the call between phone and your headset using a single button! With Iqua SUN, you can enjoy a crystal clear Sound and wireless VOIP calls, at your convenience
$99 www.iqua.com