Packaging Goal

     One goal for 2012 that I have is to reduce the amount of waste packaging that I produce, i.e. paper coffee/tea cups and lids, bags, etc. I had a plastic reusable tea mug, but I had to leave it in New York, and having put coffee in it, it was somewhat tainted. And I'm really missing my Tea Tumbler that I got two Christmas's ago in our family's annual Yankee Swap game. One of my sisters and I may or may not scheme with each other every year to get what each other wants. The Tumbler is specifically for herbal teas that can steep for an unlimited amount of time, with a mesh strainer screwed to the top, so you sip and it filters. This I FORGOT in New York. Hopefully it's on it's way with my old coworker there who is moving to Portland and offered room on their moving truck for a box of mine.

     But while on vacation in California, we stumbled into this outdoor shop that had some reusable looking mugs. Little did I know, it would be insulated. The Insulated Klean Kanteen keeps your drinks cold or hot for 6 hours, and being stainless steel, it doesn't hold flavors-- which is all tried & true. It has changed my life a little. I can make some good strong healthful herbal teas in the morning, and sip the last 4 of the 16oz. 5 hours later and it will still be steamy. Also, I got some cloth teabags finally. I've never had any, and they're really nice, so now I can buy teas in bulk and not use anymore pre-packaged teabags (though I don't think teabags are really a huge thing to worry about, but I'm getting to use whole leaf teas this way + make my own blends).

     I have to say that I'm not doing an A+ job on reducing, but I've saved at least 10 cups/lids with the Klean Kanteen now. I highly recommend this mug to anyone in the market.