Product Review: Eco-Friendly Kitchen

By Erin Evis

Stainless Steel Sipper Bottle

EcoTanka stainless steel bottles are great for kids, if you’re after something that’s durable, reusable, and isn’t plastic. We initially purchased these to avoid the chemicals that can leach out of plastic (stainless steel is more or less inert), and several years and two kids later it turned out they’re also excellent for toddlers, as they can be dropped, thrown, bashed and smashed and while they may wind up with a few dents, they’re more or less indestructible and last forever. The only downsides we’ve found are that the plastic tops can become a little drippy on the sip-top lids if gnawed on by tiny teeth enough to ruin the seal, though other tops are available, and that the water can take on a slightly metallic taste if left in the bottle for a long-enough period of time. Having said that, the kids have never complained and it doesn’t tend to happen with normal use in our household, i.e. water sent along to kindy for a few hours. All in all, these are a great alternative to plastic bottles (even the BPA-free ones have other plasticising chemicals some may wish to avoid).

Stainless Steel Drinking Straws

As most parents have discovered, if you give a child a straw, they will drink pretty much anything. Straws make life fun! However, plastic single-use drinking straws are also an incredibly annoying pollutant, many of which end up in the ocean. I’ll never forget watching footage of a beautiful sea turtle who had a straw stuck in its nose, getting it removed by a pair of vets. It was this video that was the catalyst for me investing in a set of stainless steel straws. These are hands-down one of the best investments I’ve made in our kitchen! The kids love them, they come with a teeny cleaning brush that fits them perfectly to ensure any bits of smoothie or yoghurt are hygienically removed, and they’re dishwasher safe. We have CaliWoods brand straws, though many are now available, in a variety of sizes - some bent, some straight, some fat, some thin. I keep one in my handbag to use when we’re out, and we use them over and over throughout the day. They’re also lovely to drink through and seem to keep things cooler (pop them in the fridge or freezer for extra cooling potential!).