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I want to replace my plastic plates, bowls and cups. I am having a difficult time finding non-toxic tableware, do you recommend a website that sells these products? Any help will be greatly appreciated!

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Good question! With all the concern about plastics leaching toxic chemicals into foods and drinks, conscious shoppers are on the look out for green alternatives. I have a few ideas and resources to share.

Glass - You'll find glassware - dishes, drinking glasses, and cups - almost everywhere. You'll even find glass drinking straws! Check out Green Home Environmental Store for their straws. You'll find other green tableware offerings there as well. Bed, Bath, and Beyond sells Anchor Hocking glass storage dishes for $10-$13. A really cheap - basically free! - option for glasses is the 'ole jar. Growing up in the deep south we often drank our sweet tea from glass jars and some folks still do.

Wood - A popular alternative is wood and in that department the cool new thing is bamboo. Green Home offers bamboo products, as does Green Feet (they have some really cute kids dishes) but you'll also find plenty at Amazon (and cheaper too!).

For on-the-go and toddler sippy cups check out Klean Kanteen for stainless steel water bottles and sippy cup tops.

And finally, be sure to read this excellent resource on how to use plastics safely from Co-op America: Greener Path for Plastics and Plastic Water Bottle Safety by Cath Olson.

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