Many people have adopted the belief that buying several cheap umbrellas is less costly than buying one umbrella of good quality that will last a few years. Instead, they simply plan to replace broken umbrellas whenever they need to. With this philosophy, they don't have to worry about losing an umbrella or having it break in the wind.
Disposable Umbrella are Not Good for the Environment
The problem with this disposable approach is the number of umbrellas abandoned on the streets or tossed into garage cans and taken to the landfill. In addition, typical umbrellas made from metal and nylon are not made from recycled or renewable resources and they do not decompose.
Environmentally-Friendly Umbrella Alternatives
For environmentally-minded people, there are now a few reasonably-priced, eco-friendly solutions available to choose from. These eco-friendly umbrellas are either composed of recycled or renewable materials or they are non-toxic and made to decompose.
This umbrella is composed almost entirely of recycled materials. The canopy is made completely from PET bottles and the frame is 70 percent recycled aluminum and steel. The handle is bamboo and it has a wax-coated hemp strap. It is available in two sizes and includes an automatic open and close feature that works with the push of a button.
The Coby Umbrella
This umbrella is the same as the Totes Eco 'brella but with brightly patterned canopies and without the recycled materials label. If you are looking for a more stylish version of the eco-friendly Eco 'brella, consider this Coby Umbrella.
The Brelli is a made from sustainable materials – the frame and handle are bamboo and the canopy is made of an innovative clear bio-plastic composed of renewable resources. The entire umbrella is completely biodegradeable in a landfill environment in less than five years. The umbrella is large and sturdy and is available in two sizes, 37" diameter and 52" diameter.
These umbrellas by Monsoon Vermont are created from non-recyclable plastic trash gathered from the streets, landfills, and waterways in Jakarta. Each 32-inch, full-length umbrella sustains jobs for impoverished Indonesians. Each umbrella is hand-sewn in a collage style and is completely unique. The edges of the umbrella are lined with silk fabric and the handles and tips are made from native Indonesian wood.
These eco-friendly umbrella options offer good-quality umbrellas at reasonable prices, and they are better for the environment than traditional umbrellas. To be even more considerate of the environment, avoid disposing of broken umbrellas entirely. Apply a little creativity to find ways to reuse the umbrella components, for example, the material in the canopy could be made into a waterproof tote bag.
Sharon Russell - Currently a freelance writer, Sharon has worked as a technical writer in the high tech industry for over 15 years. Prior to that, she ...
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