I have just returned from a very exhausting long day at Natural Product Expo West at the Anaheim Convention Center. The three-day trade show attracted over 60,000 people who must have all arrived the same time I did as it took me almost two hours to park and get inside the building.
This show has grown tremedously over the past 3 years which is a good sign for the economy and our planet to know that consumers are buying products that are better for us and the planet. But it also brings a slew of “greenwashing” and a event that still goes through a lot of waste for something touted to be GREEN.
It was nice to see that Silk and Horizon were doing their part to promote recycling at the show, but I would like to believe that the people that make up the ‘natural’ industry can do better. How about the idea of asking all the attendees to bring their own mug or utensil?
Amoung all of the exhibitors showing off their products for a better world, there were a few that caught my attention.
Ecotensil was a huge hit at the expo. EcoTensil is a food itensil made out of renewable paperboard. It can be composted in 3-5 weeks or recycled. The new utensil was used by some of the more forward thinking exhibitors at the show, cutting down on waste at the show. We chatted with the owners from Larkspur and asked “Can you make a straw out of the same material?”. Great to know, it’s the next utensil they are creating! No more plastic or compostable waste.
SEVENTH GENERATION NEW PACKAGING – LESS PLASTIC WASTE!
Wow, this was a show stopper! Seventh Generation premiered their new “less plastic” packaging at the show. The new bottle comes with a cardboard outer shell, that includes a simple smaller plastic pouch inside. This is a huge step in the right direction. Makes a “Rise Above Plastics” person like myself think that a world without single-use plastics may happen in my lifetime – a girl can dream! A + for this product!
RF3 ENVi Natural Wood Stereo Cell Phone Headset with Aircom Technology
This headset was a great find! The ENVi Headset not only comes with natural wood earbuds, but also the airtube to provide “Live” sound but also take away the radiation that comes from your cell phone.
I had a airtube headset that I purchased about 2 years ago, but got rid of it because I could not hear anything on the headset. This new technology provides clear, crisp sound with the thought of your head in mind. The headset is super stylish too.
Wow, the folks in Indiana sure know how to make some yummy popcorn. This company knows how to make a wonderful and sensible snack. My favorite is the NEW Dark Fudge Chocolate Chip Kettlecorn.
SOMERSAULTS SNACKS
Yummy! With as much protein as almonds with just half the fat, Somersaults is not only healthy but really good! Really cute packaging too, although comes in a plastic bag, but I think it needs it to be fresh.
