Behind the doors of Glass Dharma, *Gratitude* is the key component igniting the main workforce that thrives within company walls as everyday tasks take place. The creation of Glass Dharma Straws coupled with an amazing worldwide response of *Gratitude* for a reusable, sustainable product, lays a solid foundation for a company that continues to reach across continents, offering a solution to excessive plastic waste. This mission of mutual awareness remains forefront to all operational processes. Great care resonates throughout the departments of Glass Dharma from design and manufacturing, through shipping and customer care.Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Many Thanks...
Behind the doors of Glass Dharma, *Gratitude* is the key component igniting the main workforce that thrives within company walls as everyday tasks take place. The creation of Glass Dharma Straws coupled with an amazing worldwide response of *Gratitude* for a reusable, sustainable product, lays a solid foundation for a company that continues to reach across continents, offering a solution to excessive plastic waste. This mission of mutual awareness remains forefront to all operational processes. Great care resonates throughout the departments of Glass Dharma from design and manufacturing, through shipping and customer care.Monday, October 12, 2009
Fresh Pumpkin Smoothie
Process in blender or with method of choice.
Friday, September 25, 2009
The Cleaning Of The Straw
The second question that comes to mind as one digests the new idea of a reusable glass straw is, “How will I keep it clean?
Not only does the clear glass show you just how clean it is, but also there is no surface condensation buildup as you use your straw. Similarly, the straw retains a comfortable temperature as you sip. If a hot beverage is ready to sip, the liquid makes its way through the glass straw and cools slightly more before reaching your lips, unlike metal reusable straw designs.Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sipping through the Summer

The clinking of glass on ice will soon give way to the stirring of a steamy Latte… Another season is slowly slipping by as Glass Dharma continues expansion of sales, product line and the preparation for
This summer the Glass Dharma Design Team decided to take “another sip” and expand the line to include the Shorty - Short straws for short glasses (great for those short people we call kids, too!). The Shorty keeps the same Glass Dharma integrity standards and offers a choice of two new diameters - 9.5mm and 12mm to customize your sipping preferences. We know the Shorty will mean more cocktail delights (cheers!) and more kid users (hurray!). At 6.25” long, the new Shorty is the perfect length for those smaller glasses and cups. The “Shorty” is a great choice for:
- Kids
- Blended drinks (think Margaritas and Strawberry Daiquiris)
- Coffees and teas
- Vegetable juices
- Any drink that calls for a smaller glass or cup
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
by Cheryl Newcomb

Sitting out on my back patio on a gorgeous summer day, my thoughts drift… could it really be a whole year ago that I was sitting in this same spot, marveling at how the events of the previous year had quickly brought me to a new phase in my career? I reminisce, lemonade in hand and ice tinkling against the side of the glass as I stir with my glass straw. I remember the first conversation that eventually brought a multitude of ideas that continue to branch. A new career opportunity generated as the conversation continued and it became the catalyst for so many non-work related life choices!
The introduction of the idea of a simple glass straw intrigued me. The invitation to use my marketing skills to introduce this new product idea fell right into my lap. Alternately, I was still underestimating the power behind the idea of this one simple item.
Surprisingly, my newfound duties quickly began to take shape. “Purpose” started popping out of all directions faster than I could even imagine as a flood of information started to crowd my inboxes and files. Contacts made so quickly my head was spinning and invitations to provide a simple utensil and the “message” that came with it, evolved from a mere "task" to more of a *mission*. My workdays became somewhat frenzied, but always with sincere motivation spurring me on. A simple glass straw… Who knew? …
Popularity of this new idea of drinking with glass straws makes my current job of Marketing Manager at Glass Dharma an absolute pleasure. So many people are looking for plastic alternatives as the Evening News brings increasing reports about the harm to our health and our environment that occurs due to our culture’s obsession with plastics usage. The education actually becomes my own and I constantly look for new ways to eliminate plastics from my home and lifestyle.
The expansion of the Glass Dharma line of glass straws provides variety and style by a company that feels its purpose and rises to the challenge to reach out. This, in my opinion, is the most fun part of the adventure! Not only do requests come forth for specific lengths, diameters and designs, but also the carrying of the straw brings a need for accessories that now are treading into the realm of fashion! The desire to “bring your own” has been heard loud and clear at Glass Dharma as the company quickly fills requests and considers new needs and options. Each day that I bury myself into the duties at hand, I have to wonder… how many plastic straws wasted did each glass straw save? Moreover, how much plastic awareness did the idea behind the glass straw create? How many individuals reconsider plastics options? The answer to these questions speaks the power behind this journey that I have found myself on….
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
How to "Dress" your Glass Straw
The result of that request is a product with lasting wear and I now offer this alternative to the current line of cozies - Soft Sleeves made form 100% Romanian Hemp. These sleeves are machine washable and have a superior durability factor. And they are beautiful!
Why Hemp?
Hemp is 100% reusable and renewable. An acre of hemp can produce as much fiber as four acres of trees and two of cotton. It can be cultivated in as little as 100 days. Hemp’s earth-friendly properties include a natural resistance to pesticides and can easily be grown organically. Dense planting leaves little space for light, which causes a natural form of weed control. It grows extremely fast in any kind of climate. Hemp does not exhaust the soil and uses little water to flourish.
Hemp has a longstanding American history of cultivation for different uses. President Washington grew hemp. So did President Jefferson. Americans were legally bound to grow hemp during the Colonial Era. The Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper and Betsy Ross sewed the USA flag on hemp material!
Hemp, known for natural antimicrobial properties, is more absorbent than cotton fabrics. Deodorizing and anti-fungal properties of this fiber make it an ideal choice for picnic baskets and lunch boxes.
Why is this hemp grown in Romania? This brings interesting information to the table. Using hemp for manufacturing is certainly an earth friendly choice!
One way to ensure more cultivation of hemp for industrial purposes is to buy hemp.
I am curious to see what my customers will have to say about their own preferred way to carry their reusable glass straw…
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Do small changes, like switching to glass drinking straws, make a difference?
A while back, I was very happy to be the subject of an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer about my blog, Fake Plastic Fish, and my project to eliminate as much new plastic from my life as possible. The author mentioned the fact that I had given up plastic drinking straws and now carry a GlassDharma drinking straw wherever I go.
This statement became the subject of much derision on the snarky web site, Fark.com, and helped me to really ask myself, "What impact do a few drinking straws have when the environmental problems in the world are so great?"
Surely, we can't restore the ecology of our planet, our home, if the only change we make in our lives is to change the method by which we suck up our milk shakes (or other beverages of choice.) And certainly, the types of liquids, as well as solids, we choose to consume, and thereby support, have a much greater impact (pesticides, chemical additives, hormones, food miles, etc.) than the delivery system from cup to mouth.
But as I argued in my post, Obama's F---ing Lightbulbs, drinking straws, like changing light bulbs, can be a gateway to bigger changes for those who have yet to analyze their consumption. And straws, unlike light bulbs, have the added benefit of being something we take out and use frequently, a regular reminder of the choices we've decided to make for the planet.
Moreover, for those of us who have already reduced our consumption considerably, a glass drinking straw provides one more way to combat the disposable mindset of our culture and to fight the plastic plague. And they are a conversation piece. Pull one out in any restaurant while refusing a plastic straw, and see what kind of interest is created. My glass straw has provided the doorway for several great conversations with waiters about environmental issues.
Of course, buying glass straws can also be just another symptom of over-consumption if they are purchased as just another fad and forgotten about. We certainly can't buy ourselves out of the mess we're in. Green purchases need to be mindful purchases. Buying a bunch of glass straws, using them for a few days, and then forgetting about them helps no one. (Except of course for David Leonhardt, a great guy who I'm happy to support. And I'm sure he doesn't want you to buy his straws and forget about them either!)
Switching from plastic to alternative materials like glass, stainless steel, wood, and natural fibers, is a step by step process. I've been trying for going on two years and am still not "there" yet. But I think the journey is worth it, if only for the peace I feel in the present moment. Have you started? How's it been for you?
Beth.







