Glass Dharma Green Review

Have you heard of Glass Dharma Straws?  I read a post by Beth Terry from Fake Plastic Fish about this glass straw and I was so intrigued.  Glass straw?  What an ingenious idea!   You are looking at my glass of home grown mint tea and my new beautiful Dharma Straw. Just look at this thing. You can see the quality in this glass.

Since I heard about these amazing glass straws, its been making me think. I mean really, how many straws do you come in contact each day? They are at fast food joints, events, and any restaurants you go to. They literally are everywhere. And you may think its just one small plastic straw but let me tell you. These small things add up fast. And lets not forget the paper that these are packaged in. Just think of all the tree's being cut down to wrap these up in. If this doesn't get the picture in your head maybe this quote will.  David Leonhardt the creater of glass dharma brings up some interesting information.

-As of March 2008, McDonald’s serves an average of 52 million meals PER DAY!  (Per their website) How many of those served do you think were given a plastic straw?  I hope it is becoming obvious just how big of a problem these pesky little plastic straws can be.  Remember, this is just from McDonalds!!  Get the picture??

You can read much more info in their "about us" tab. The best part was the price of these beautiful things. From $6.50-$8.50 per straw they will not break your wallet.

Several months ago I inquired to Glass Dharma about maybe doing a review on these beautiful straws but never heard back. Then one day I checked my email and screamed like a little school girl when I saw it was from Glass Dharma. This truly is one of my favorite green reviews so far. It was like Christmas in June! We were leaving for a 10 day trip and I really wanted to bring these with us to try out. Within 5 days I had the package in my hands. They really don't mess around! Cardboard box and straws. That was all that was there. No crazy plastic wrap or Styrofoam peanuts. Just the box and the straws packaged in their little paper package. That means they were mailed to me and survived who knows how many drops or mishandling's. They were all in pristine condition which tells you how durable they truly are. Here are some interesting facts I found on their site.

Plain and simple, here’s how and why they work:

• Glass straws don’t leach toxins into your food as you drink.
• Each time you use your glass straw equals one less plastic straw ending up in your landfill.
• One glass straw replaces thousands of plastic straws. (How many times will you use a straw the rest of your life?)
• Using your glass drinking straw adds a feeling of beauty to your day.

GlassDharma glass drinking straws are:

• Made of borosilicate tubing and is the strongest glass commercially available.
  Means that they have spared no expense in bringing you the strongest, most durable drinking straw possible.

• Annealed to Corning, Inc. specifications (a process that strengthens the glass).
  So you can have confidence you are purchasing the highest quality glass straws available.

• Made of glass which does not leach ANY TOXINS into your food.
  So you can use your non-toxic straws with confidence.

• Created with the beauty and elegance that only glass can give.
  You’ll feel like royalty – with a touch of ‘glass’.

• A great environmental addition to your kitchenware.
  Great for hot or cold drinks, microwave and dishwasher safe!!

• Are fully backed by their Satisfaction Guarantee.If they don’t meetyour expectations, return for a full refund.

• Covered with our unbelievable Lifetime Guarantee Against Breakage.
  Means that if they ever break, we’ll replace them - Free, (Why do they do this?)
  
  
• Hand-made in the U.S.A.
  Buying from GlassDharma means that your dollar is not going off-shore - it stays right here in the U.S.A.

My Green Review

So my plan was to use them while we were on vacation but honestly we never ended up using them. I really did think we would use them more while away from our home but no. To my surprise we use them more at home. My kids just love the idea that they get to use glass straws. They feel like big girls when they use them and I have to say they look pretty cute too. We have never bought or even used straws in our home because of the fact that they were plastic. Now that we have these, they can use them anytime they want and they love it. I have hand washed and dish washed these and either way they come out beautifully cleaned.  My children have dropped them several times and nothing has happened. No cracking or breaking at all. They truly are made very well.  My favorite part of having these are the little cleaning brushes that come with the straws. They make my life easy when it comes to cleaning them. 

So would I give this product my approval?  Yes! I think this company is amazing, the products are top notch quality and would even give these as gifts. They are not only functional but amazing beautiful little pieces of art.  

Just think of how many plastic straws this could replace. How many times you go through the drive through and get a soda. How many drinks you have while your eating out? How many straws do you come across in an average day or week? Those plastic straws add up!

What about you? What do you do to reduce your plastic habit? 

How do you get around not using plastic straws?

Anyone own any Glass Dharma Straws? Share your experience with it!

For those who do not own one, what would you think of a $25 dollar gift card giveaway? Oops did I mention that? Shhhhh don't tell anyone I slipped that.  Maybe in a few weeks I can throw together a giveaway....Keep reading my blog to find out when! 

Note: I was not paid for this giveaway. I contacted Glass Dharma and asked if I could be sent samples so I could review them. These are my opinions and I was not paid for them.  Again I make no profit from my blog and do this in my spare time. Bringing attention to green products is my goal.