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….

How to "Dress" your Glass Straw

Everyday I learn things from my customers as I fill orders and answer emails. Not long ago, I received an email questioning the ethics behind using fabric made from recycled post consumer plastic bottles to carry the Glass Dharma glass drinking straws. Our current line of “cozies” ranging in eight different colors and three sizes have been a strong selling item, but I took the question seriously and went to the sewers at Glass Dharma for some new ideas…

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…

I have heard of few people in the world that have as much dedication and determination to live their core values as Beth Terry does. She is the "blogger of all things plastic" at Fake Plastic Fish and I am honored to have her as a guest blogger on our site. DL.


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.

Is it Working For You?

We live near the back entrance to the Mendocino Botanical Gardens. Today, I took Teddy (our Corgi) for a short walk, or so I thought. Unless Gail and I both go, Teddy usually isn't interested in the “long walk” which consists of a 1 mile trek through the gardens and out to the the ocean. To my surprise, he not only kept going, but he was running and pulling me much faster than his usual short-legged gait. Past the vegetable garden, around the huge Christmas Heather in full bloom, and all the way out to the bluffs.

Here we stand at the edge of the continent. A shift in perspective. Teddy poking his nose into gopher holes and me - watching the waves, feeling like a part of a bigger whole. Focusing my sight on the horizon, sensing the planet – part of the solar system – part of the galaxy – part of the cosmos. I start to think about what I had read earlier in the week.

One of my favorite bloggers is Beth Terry at Fake Plastic Fish. Recently in a blog titled Saving the Planet (aka Plastic, a**holes!) she linked to George Carlin's rant about human arrogance related to our concept of “environmentalism”. Click on the link above, watch George and then read Beth's blog for perspective before reading on.

Hilarious? There must be some truth in there – why else would we laugh?

So here we have a 4+ billion old planet that is being “screwed up” by us humans who have been here a mere 100k, at most a million years. In addition, we talk about plastics lasting thousands of years (as if that is a long time). So what is the bother? In another billion (or million) years, humankind may not exist – neither would plastic. Global warming would not be an issue because there may not be anyone to make it an issue.

Teddy and I start for home. He is still full of energy – running ahead – showing me the way. I couldn't help but wonder; so what's Georges point? Is it really useless to do anything about plastics – or the environment? It seems to me that this would be an endorsement for apathy.
Apathy does not work for me, neither does cynicism.

The bigger question: What works for you in your life, and is it really working?

Acting on a Question

I do my best to avoid “The News”. Our TV is reserved solely for select DVDs, it doesn't even have an antenna. I'm careful about what I let into my head. You know the “What you focus on expands” stuff. I think that is why so many boomers “got lost” after the sixties (myself included). We bought the media package and “went with the program” instead of following our hearts – at least I did.

Even still, “The News” still creeps in from time to time. Especially on the internet. I am finding more and more reports about the dangers of BPA leaching into our foods and beverages. I must conclude that using glass would be the best option for all food storage and serve-ware.

My own common sense approach to the news is that we have gradually "collected" so much plastic over the years (remember when mayonnaise came in glass jars?) that the parallel of human disease and the excessive use of plastics are a wake up call.

I do not understand the approach to avoid action because “We do not have enough evidence to be sure about the causes of”… Global Warming, Holes in the Ozone or Plastics in our Diet are real issues. To me, if it's happening, what can I do to mitigate the situation regardless of cause? What do I tell my grandchildren when we live in a toxic garbage dump? That I wasn't sure what caused it, so I did nothing? That it was too big of a problem for me to solve, so I didn't try?

No, I'm not perfect. I drive a car, I still use some single-use plastics, but in the past several years, I have been asking myself certain questions and step by step, finding ways to avoid them (the plastics, not the questions).

A quick unplanned trip to the store – yeah, I forgot to bring the bags – I got 4 items – do I REALLY need a bag? Don't my hands and arms still work? At the restaurant: “Water please, no ice, no straw”.

I cannot begin with perfection, but I can start with where I am, and with one foot in front of the other, participate in the greening of the planet rather than watching it decay. Anybody else? Hop on board – the party starts here!!

Making The Glass Difference

Adventures continue as GlassDharma continues to grow, keeping me humble as I discover that this company and it’s mission to educate about the benefits of glass vs. plastic, brings education back to me, full circle. My idea to design a line of glass drinking straws and make them available became the catalyst for being able to provide information to the public about the glass difference and the effects that our plastic use has on our environment. I had no idea that such a huge response would occur, gradually changing the way I think about each simple task that I take on.



As the Customer base builds and the Bloggers and News Reporters respond to the GlassDharma website, it is my privilege to have direct contact with the caring and kindness of others. These people do not take their place on this earth for granted. They see that the planet we all live on needs great care and they are willing to play the part, and make the difference, no matter how large or small. They realize the impact that repetitive behavior has on our environment. And, how quickly the accumulation of waste can change one’s surroundings. They pay attention to safe dispensing of food and beverages and stay on top of health issues. They are nurturing individuals that place a high value on the care of themselves and all living things.



Therefore, my simple mission has expanded. Collectively the difference made becomes even more powerful….

A Touch of Glass...

It was about two years ago that I noticing the glass drinking straws displayed in the GlassWorks shop I was working at since our relocation to Fort Bragg. My occupation as a lampworker for more than a decade exposed me to many new ideas in glassworking, but I was intrigued by the design of the glass straws and their elegant simplicity coupled with the idea of everyday function. I had been reading about how plastics leach toxins into our foods and knew for quite some time how plastics not only increase our landfill, but huge amounts of plastic never even make it through the recycling process. These massive amounts of plastic end up in our environment, destroying wildlife on land and in our oceans.

A plastic straw may not seem very threatening, and to be sure, there are bigger forces out there in our society that seriously need to be addressed. However, my interest was peaked. I started doing research on how many plastic straws are used on a daily basis worldwide. I saw this as having potential to make a significant difference. It is not so much teaching people how not to pollute – most of us recycle to an extent. We know the basics, but I find myself pulling “Baggies” off the store shelf and tossing them into my cloth shopping bag. What's up with that!? Just how silly is it to have so many single use plastics in our society, knowing how damaging they are? All the while, knowing that a large percentage of recyclable plastic is not being recycled and nothing is being done about it?! A moment of clarity took place when I realized that “all we need to do is change the way we think!”

My vision crystallized as I realized that Glass Drinking Straws could be a teaching tool. How easy is it to learn to say “no straw, please” when ordering drinks in a restaurant? How difficult is it to insist on a paper bag at the grocery store – or better yet, buy fabric reusable bags to bring when grocery shopping? My thought process continued… what else are we doing that negatively affects our planet just because it was the way we have always done it? What if – someday - the concept of single-use plastics becomes nothing more than a dim memory?

This was the beginning of a new idea for me and it was at this time that GlassDharma was born. GlassDharma has become the vehicle with which to implement my new mission, reducing the carbon footprint while providing a quality product that brings beauty and style to everyday experiences. Our company was founded on the belief in that we all deserve the best life has to offer; healthy living in a healthy world – with “A Touch of Glass”

I now feel myself fully coming to life again ... coming into my own. Here is where I can make a difference on this planet. Now, I am more than just taking up space and sucking air...