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Do You Recycle Food Packaging?

partysugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:15:06 -0700

From egg cartons to aluminum cans, there are a lot of recyclables when it comes to food packaging. Since today is Earth Day, I want to know what you do with this excess of packaging? Do you recycle it?

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Hotel Offers a Hangover-Themed Bachelor Party Package

TresSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0700

I don't know if you've seen The Hangover, but I can't imagine aspiring to replicate the weekend those guys have, what with a live tiger in the bathroom, a live baby of mysterious origin, and a missing groom. But apparently, Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas thinks this pop culture reference will resonate with bachelors.

It's offering a Hangover-themed hotel package called Ultimate Hangover. Here's the sales pitch:

Some guys just can't handle Vegas, as demonstrated in the new motion picture The Hangover. But this town's easier to handle if you've got the tools to recover from a hangover of your own.

Forum Tower Royal suite? Check. (Also, checked for tigers.) Food to take the edge off? Check. Use your $50 Serendipity 3 food credit for the Hangover Omelet, loaded with bacon, French fries, mushrooms and cheddar. Hair of the dog? Check – use your $50 pool credit for a round of bloody Marys at the Garden of the Gods pool complex.

I'm not gonna argue with the power of a hangover omelet, but if that uses up the entire $50 food credit, those mushrooms had better be truffles. Still, I have to give them points for creativity. What amenities would you want after a wild weekend in Vegas?

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

What to Expect In a Severance Package

SavvySugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:30:26 -0800

Severance packages are like parting gifts from an employer that say 'sorry things didn't work out.' Forty-five percent of you said you'd volunteer to give up your job if your boss asked for volunteers, and if that were reality you'd be rewarded with a severance package.

Because most companies use their own formulas for determining severance, it's difficult to predict how much severance you'd get should a pink slip come your way. CNN Money talked to several human resources experts about the severance patterns they've been tracking. To see what you could expect in a severance package, read more.

31 percent of employers offer one week's salary per year of service.
20 percent of employers provide two weeks salary for every year of service.
Example of a generous severance package: Fidelity Investments laid of employees this month, and they will stay on the payroll until the end of the year and remain eligible for a year-end bonus. After that, each will receive a payout based on their salary and years of service.
Example of a less generous package: DHL recently laid off 9,500 employees, and most will receive two weeks pay, plus an additional week for each year of service, and will be reimbursed for any unused vacation time.
Higher-ups don't get the standard package; for those making $100,000 or more a year a generous severance package is six months pay.

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Amazon Kicks Off Frustration-Free Packaging Initiative

GeekSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:32:07 -0800

Starting today, Amazon has launched a new environmentally-friendly initiative called Frustration-Free Packaging. What that means is that we can get products in new, easy-to-open packaging that's delivered in a recyclable cardboard box - therefore eliminating the need for extra packaging and annoying plastic cases (that I can hardly open anyway).

Already, 19 products from companies like Microsoft, Transcend, and Fisher-Price are working with Amazon to use less packaging when their products are shipped. For instance, those tiny little memory cards will now ship in recyclable envelopes rather than big bulky boxes.

The project will start on Amazon's international sites in 2009. If you have questions about this new initiative, head on over to Amazon to find all the answers.

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Why Is It So Hard to Open Plastic Packages?

GeekSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:00:37 -0700

Last night I was faced with the task of putting new ink cartridges in my boyfriend's printer and was reminded of how tricky it is to open hard clamshell packaging. It's honestly a battle I confront multiple times a week, so I decided it was time to do a little research. Why do manufactures make it so complicated? It's mostly to detour shoplifters - the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention estimates losses from pilferage at more than $25 million per day so keeping small goods in plastic until they are purchased is paramount. Consumer Reports says:

Federal safety laws require seals that will show evidence of tampering, and child-safety caps on most over-the-counter remedies, though that often makes them adultproof.
Products from abroad must be packed securely enough to withstand a long, bouncy voyage aboard a cargo ship.
With toys, it’s no longer enough to picture what’s inside. Children and parents like to interact with the toy or at least see all the pieces before buying.

All fair points, but that doesn't make getting items open any easier. So how should you get your hard to budge sealed cases open? For my tips, read more

I usually end up using a combination of scissors, a screwdriver and or a knife. It's neither scientific or fail proof, but eventually, I get the package open. Looking for an easier route? Check the package carefully before you start struggling. Many companies have started putting tiny perforations and tabs on their clamshell packages. When you do cut, cut the package along the seam or outer edge, don't demolish the plastic in case you want to return it later.

Off To Market: Care Package

YumSugar — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 14:47:12 -0800

When I saw my brother over the holidays he kept going on and on about how he has NO time for food. He even had the nerve to say that if he could take a pill instead of eating, he would prefer taking the pill! Besides breaking my foodie heart, I got worried about him eating way too much Taco Bell and In-N-Out. Now I want to surprise him by sending a care package full of healthy snacks, tasty treats, and yummy almost homemade food. That means it's time for us (you and me readers!) to head off to market to gather goodies for his care package. In the care package I am definitely going to include this catalog for prepared meals. Add your ideas for packaged food finds and other care package includes to the Yum Market. Be sure to use the tag Care Package.

Not sure how to bookmark your finds in the Yum Market? Check out geeksugar's how to guide on saving to TeamSugar.

Literal Fruit Juice Packaging: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 05:50:53 -0700

Japanese industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa has designed fruit juice packaging that literally illustrates what fruit the juice came from. Not only is it a contemporary concept, but it's also a nice reminder of where fruit juice is actually derived. How do you feel about the designs? Are they fresh or a little too freaky?

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Mommy's Lil Helper: Frustration Free Packaging

LilSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:00:00 -0800

Thank Amazon for small favors! This Christmas, my children can open their presents and I can cut back on the band-aids. The online retailer is introducing Frustration Free Packaging just in time for the holidays. For every parent who has drained their bank account on gifts and then spent their holiday quality time pulling those toys and trinkets from the wretches of the containers that they are tethered to, plan on having some free time and flawless hands. Amazon is currently offering this Ecological packaging option on some toys and electronics.

Off To Market Recap: Care Package

partysugar — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 15:10:03 -0800

I recently told you about my brother who has "NO time for food." He works a lot and doesn't have a girlfriend, so it's up to me to make sure his diet doesn't consist of Taco Bell and In-N-Out. To surprise him I'm sending a care package, that you helped put together, full of healthy snacks, tasty treats and good almost-homemade food. I started you off, letting you know I planned to send him this catalog for prepared meals. You searched the web and added your care package goodies to the Yum Market. There was some great stuff to choose from, but here is what I'm putting in the package.

Yum Market diva participant, Crispet1 found these healthy Naked juices that are perfect for my brother. He drinks way too much soda so a little fruit juice will do him some real good. Although, I'll have to make sure these get there quick and cold, they're perishable!

Crispet1 also submitted this Trader Joe's jarred Cuban Mojito Sauce that is perfect for simmering with poultry. It's more chic than your standard jarred sauce and the Cuban Mojito name will appeal to my bachelor brother.

Three more, so read more

Fashion_doll24 says she always puts Nescafe cappuccino in her care packages. My brother's job requires that he wakes early and travels long distances, now before he leaves he can make himself a thermos (I should send him one of those too) full of hot cappuccino to enjoy on the ride.

BuzzSugar recommended these chocolate chip cookies from Zingerman's in Ann Arbor and even though I was thinking of only sending him healthy food, one treat is necessary. Besides there is nothing more comforting and homey than a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

Finally Crispet1 showed me a link that leads to Whole Foods' website that provides kitchen tips. Bro, if you're reading this, bookmark this link!

Thanks to all who participated in this Off To Market challenge. To learn how to add your foodie finds to the Yum Market, read geeksugar's how to.

Rejected Artists: Senate Removes Art From Stimulus Package

CitizenSugar — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:30:33 -0800

Looks like the Grammys wish for a secretary of the arts won't be coming true anytime soon. The Senate voted 73-24 yesterday to ensure the arts will not receive any of President Obama's stimulus package.

The amendment will not only hit museums, theaters, and art centers, but also other leisure-loving places like swimming pools, zoos, and community parks. It will "ensure that taxpayer money is not lost on wasteful and nonstimulative projects." Unstimulating art is the worst anyway!

The House's original plan penciled in $50 million - a 1/17,000 piece of the $827 billion pie. Americans For the Arts, an advocacy and lobbying organization, hopes to delete the amendment from the final draft. It's launching an email campaign and placing ads that say "Arts=Jobs" in political journals this weekend.

But when three-quarters of the Senate says no, last-minute efforts to reverse its decision sounds like wishful thinking. Artists!

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