Frank Green

Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts Product Spotlight: Frank Green Ceramic Reusable Bottles

Let me start by saying that I have owned many reusable water bottles in my lifetime. From the plastic squeeze bottles that were popular in the 90’s to the stainless-steel bottles that became huge right around 2010, I have had them all. There were some that I liked more than others- especially when the stainless-steel ones hit the market. I have used them for water, coffee, and various other beverages. They were nice because you could keep your cold liquids cold and your hot liquids hot for sometimes up to 24 hours.  Plus, I loved that they offered an alternative to single-use plastics.  

Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts recently started carrying a brand of reusable water bottle that I had never heard of before. When I first saw the name Frank Green, I didn’t think much about it. I saw the bottles, and they were attractive, but they did not seem mind-blowingly amazing or that different than any of the other water bottles I had seen. They were plain, but it appeared that you could mix and match the lids and the straps to create your own color combinations, and that seemed somewhat unique.  And, I liked that the inside was ceramic and not just stainless steel. I wanted to find out who this Frank Green was and why I should like his bottles. First off, I discovered that there was not a man named Frank Green. It was instead the name of a company based in Australia. They started making water bottles in 2013, and on their website they state that “frank green” is their philosophy- a simple, honest approach to sustainability. Their mission is simple: to eliminate single-use plastic completely. They are frank about being green, and that to me, is amazing.  Sustainability is particularly important here in the state of Michigan where we are surrounded by water. More than 22 million pounds of plastic ends up in the Great Lakes each year. 22 million. Anything that we can do as Michiganders to combat this is critical. 

The more I researched and learned about Frank Green, the more I fell in love with the brand as a whole. Not only are they helping keep plastics out of landfills, lakes and oceans, their products are made with recycled materials as well. Their website boasts that all Frank Green products are made with 90% recycled stainless steel and their reusable bags are made from recycled single-use plastic bottles.  On top of all of that, they donate time and money to Parley For The Oceans, a “global environmental organization and network where creators, thinkers and leaders come together to raise awareness for the beauty and fragility of the oceans and collaborate on projects that can end their destruction”.  I also loved that the lids to all of their bottles are the same size so that they can be interchangeable with all their products. 

Well, I have been using my new Frank Green 20 oz. ceramic bottle for about a month now, and I love it. For me, the best features are: 

1. It is completely airtight- I throw it in my backpack and don’t have to worry about it leaking. 
2. The straw feature. This is the first stainless steel water bottle that I have had that you can actually sip right from it instead of tipping it up to drink it. This might not seem like that big of a deal, but I find that I am drinking more water and I am making less of a mess throughout the day.  
3. I am using fewer plastic bottles and that is good for me and good for the environment. 

This holiday season, give a gift that is practical, sustainable, and amazing. Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts has a great variety of different sized Frank Green water bottles, lids, and carrying straps for everyone on your list.  Don’t forget to grab one for yourself too.