Whether impromptu or planned, cleanup is always an issue at any get-together. After a three or four-course meal, the dishwasher will inevitably run out of room and tableware will start to pile up. In the past, there were only two options—plastic or paper plates, both of which must be discarded. There is now a third option that is somewhere between disposable and permanent tableware. Melamine is a resin or synthetic polymer that is composed of organic compounds that are heat and fire resistant. The material is extremely versatile and highly stable, which makes it suitable for numerous industrial and commercial applications.

Also known as thermoset plastic, since it is heated before it is set into a fixed form, melamine kitchenware is considered safe for normal, domestic use. But like most other wonder materials it has it weaknesses. Chief among them is its sensitivity to heat, which means that melamine kitchenware should not be placed in the dishwasher or microwave. Melamine plates and cutlery really must be hand washed. The material is also difficult to recycle, which is not necessarily a bad thing. What do we mean?

The average earthling doesn’t think twice about discarding a paper or plastic plate. Why? Because they get recycled and that’s good for the environment…right? Well, not exactly. Recycling is unquestionably a better environmental option than simply burying, burning, or stacking trash. But it still pollutes the environment, since gas-powered trucks have to haul it away and recycling factories require energy to run, which also pollutes our planet. Therefore, the best and more eco-friendly option is to simply use melamine tableware in place of paper or plastic.

Durability

Made of a tough and rugged resin, melamine plates and utensils won’t break if you drop them. That means the kids can finally, safely clear the table after dinner. The sturdy material is also far more attractive than traditional plastic plates that are designed for a single use. Available in a wide range of colors and styles, melamine may just be the wonder material of the future.

Here are some links to some of our favorite designs from online shops around the world!

1. 1) Tea Party from Lucy King Design
2. 2) Monster Kids Bowls from French Bull
3. 3) Embossed Melamine Plate from Rice
4. 4) Melamine Jug from Rice
5. 5) Custom Melamine Plate from Etsy Shop SimplySublimeBaby
6. 6) Juice Cups Set from French Bull

As people look for new ways to cut energy costs and conserve vital natural resources, a slew of new products have come on the scene in recent days. Often advertised as eco friendly or just plain “green,” these devices help us make the world a better, safer, cleaner place for future generations. These are some ideas we fell in love with, the perfect mix of good innovative design and sustainability.

The Sky Planter

It might seem like an odd idea, but most new ideas do. Hanging a plant upside-down from the ceiling takes advantage of unused space, instead of cluttering up your floor. With the help of the Sky Planter from Boskke, plant lovers can bring their outside garden indoors. In addition to saving space, upside-down planters also help conserve water, since regular potted plants lose a significant amount of H2O through evaporation and drainage. By comparison, the Sky Planter has a unique reservoir system that gradually releases water to the plant’s roots when needed.

Why bring greenery indoors? There are several reasons. First, they emit oxygen and absorb unhealthy chemicals, thereby purifying the air. Studies have shown that people who are around plants on a regular basis have improved levels of concentration, self-confidence, well-being, and are even able to sleep better at night. Those are just a few of the reasons why all office workers should go green.

Just landed in Sydney from Cambodia!

We’re very excited to be the only stockist in Australia of this new range of fair trade and eco-friendly products handmade in Cambodia.

During a recent trip to Cambodia we came across this fabulous line of jewellery, accessories and stationary ethically made with recycled and upcycled materials; we decided to import them, excited about the concept of combining innovative design with local materials and environmentally friendly manufacturing process, providing an income to disadvantaged families and youths.

In this range you can find colourful paper clip necklaces made with recycled food packaging, funky paper beads bracelets, notebooks in various styles and materials, rolled paper coasters and coin purses made of rubber tires.

Even more exciting is the fact that each piece is unique; you won’t see anybody else wearing your same necklace or bracelet!

Canvas bags have become increasingly popular in today's society as an alternative to both paper and plastic bags, along with other synthetically generated bags, such as fake leather, for example. The heightened awareness around these fabric bags is partly due to their environmental-friendly characteristics, but also because of their awareness-spreading potential.

Canvas can be produced in all sorts of colours and shapes, and companies love to put their logos and interesting messages on the bags to spread awareness about their company, a product, a particular cause they're supporting, or whatever else they feel is important for people to know about. Other companies simply spruce up their canvas bags with decorative and/or fashionable images to make them more appealing.

Replacing plastic bags with a reusable canvas bag is a great way to go green and help decrease the environmental damage coming from the plastic bag industry. Each minute, the world uses around 1 million plastic bags. This means that somewhere between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed annually. The U.S. on its own goes through 100 billion bags each year. Moreover, during only 4 trips to the grocery store, the average family uses about 60 bags.

The scary part is that only .5 to 3% of these bags reach the recycling station. The rest end up on landfills or somewhere out in the nature. Considering that it can take up to 1,000 years for a plastic bag to decompose, this has huge negative effects on the environment.

Investing in a reusable canvas bag will not only save you space in the pantry, but also protect animals and the environment, and even people, from plastic toxins. At Vinyl Design, we have plenty of fun and creative designs to choose from. Get yours today!