Thursday, November 20, 2008

A Trial Run with BioBags

BioBag biodegradable kitchen garbage bags If you are not familiar with the BioBags, they produce biodegradable bags in various sizes made from corn. It's a great idea in theory. Inside a plastic bag, garbage doesn't have access to the microorganisms needed to break down quickly, not to mention how much plastic those bags are piling into our landfills. Here come BioBags, 100% biodegradable so you can feel good about putting less plastic in the landfill and you know that anything biodegradable in your trash will be turning back into soil much faster. Great right? Well, yes. Unfortunately there are some shortcomings that I think BioBag is going to have to work through before most consumers would consider the switch.

1. They are expensive- VERY expensive. We decided to try them under the condition that we wouldn't put anything large that could be carried separately in them so the box would last longer.

2. Once full, bundling them up to go to take them out is a bit more difficult than we expected. There are no fancy handles to tie together, and no twisty ties in the box. Hmmm.... So we tie and wrestle the bag as best we can down to the trash bin. It isn't exactly an easy or enjoyable experience.

3. Their biggest flaw is also their biggest selling point- being biodegradable. Since we could be considered eco-junkies and we recycle so much of what comes into our apartment, we only take out about one bag of trash every 2-3 weeks. That means that if anything damp gets in that bag (as it did this week) there is a good chance of the entire bottom disintegrating before we're quite ready for it to. The result is a really nasty mess and an expensive wasted bag.

These things considered, we still really like the idea of BioBags. It especially makes sense for those with a yard for a compost pile and a house where trash only has to be put out to the street. In an apartment, it's just very difficult. Without making some changes to meet the competition, I can't see BioBags becoming a real player in the consumer market and I wish they were. A diverse competitive market means better products for everyone and hopefully better products for the planet as companies try to jump on the eco-trend that is currently captivating consumers. Our dream trash bag: Hefty with drawstring+ BioBags.

Friday, November 7, 2008

The Wise Eyed Quail Boat

Ink Blot Illustration- The Wise Eyed Quail Boat by Lani Mathis and Michael Ayers of GreenSpaceGoodsOur entry for Illustration Friday "wise".

This is a pretty Ink Blot we started during our Florida trip and recently finished. One of our friends recently noted that she could gauge our stress levels by our ink blots. This one is probably a pretty good example! I think that's a great testament to why artists must create. It's an outlet for all of those trapped thoughts and feelings. We decided for some reason that "Quail Boat" seemed to fit this one. All of a sudden I remembered a children's book I love called The Story of Ping. In the story, Ping the duck lives in the wise eyed boat on the Yangtze river. Therefore, we now have The Wise Eyed Quail Boat. You'll probably see this one in the shop some time over the weekend. We just need to frame it. Oh, and if you have children or just enjoy a good story like I do, check out Ping. It's wonderful.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Ink Blot Illustration: Woolly Dragon

Woolly Dragon Ink Blot Illustration by Lani Mathis and Michael Ayers of GreenSpaceGoodsWe have to admit that coming up for a name for this one was really difficult. Is it a dragon? A creepy guy? Some mutant sperm? Finally, it was decided that a woolly mammoth and a Chinese dragon had a complicated love affair and this was the result. (Please don't notify the asylum. We're fine. Really…) I'd like to incorporate more of the 'fur' technique used on his chin in other pieces. I'm liking it. So feel free to come up with your own name for this cheerful specimen and leave it in the comments for us :) And if you fancy him enough, he will be listed for sale in the shop tomorrow.

Oh, and thank you to everyone who voted on our Halloween pumpkins!!!! I am happy to say that my (Lani) Day of the Dead Sugar Skull pumpkin won 46 to 29 (not that I'm gloating or anything :D ) Michael's Franken-Tiki was truly awesome and he's only sulking a little.
Have a good week everyone!
 

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