Drink Stirrers
Eco footprints stamping on good intentions
Corporate firms far and wide are advising usabout how green they are and how many trees, birds and babies they are saving buy introducing their new “eco” merchandise to us. Whole companies have been created dedicated solely to supplying us with green merchandise, telling us on how to behave, and coincidently selling the green merchandise we must have in order to avoid Armageddon.
It is truly amazing just how many companies are singularly saving us from ourselves and our nasty consumerism, boo, grrr.
Trading on ones green concepts, particularly when there are little is pretty bad form methinks and by my reckoning companies are simply not looking at the big picture when moving from one type of product to another, only caring about marketing themselves as a green, eco company.
One of the popular “earth friendly” products to be marketed in this way are Biodegradable paper coffee cupsold by catering disposables firms, coffee chains and supermarkets.
Polylactic acid is a biodegradable derived from “renewable resources” (I use the term loosely), such as corn starch (in the USA) or sugarcane (Outside the U.S). Although PLA has been known for a while, it has only been of commercial interest in recent years, in light of its biodegradability.
As well as being used to line the inside of paper coffee cups in place of the oil based lining normally used Poly Lactic Acid is in use in plastic cups, plastic cutlery, carrier bags, food packaging, all manner of catering disposables and even diapers.
These new “biodegradable” paper coffee cups are now very much in vogue as we all attempt in our own little way to stop global warming.
One of the biggest problems with this new Biodegradable paper coffee cup on sale at numerous stores and coffee chains all over the planet is that customers are expecting them to biodegrade in their bins when they need to be sent to composting facilities or put in your compost at home, individually plantedand covered by lots of compost. If these paper cups are simply sent to landfill they break down at the same rate as oil based plastic lined paper coffee cups, ie decades
Unless individuals compost their biodegradable paper cups at home (should they even know they have one) there will inevitably be two types of disposable paper cups requiring sorting at waste reclamation centres whereas in the past all waste disposable paper cups could be easily sent for recycling without having to separate them.
Moreover once these Poly Lactic Acid lined disposable cups end up in normal recycling channels (and you cannot tell the difference) it will ruin the entire recycling batch as oil based plastic lining on standard paper cups and the natural lining on the PLA cups does not mix well. You get the oil on water scenario.
Most companies producing, selling or using these products also seem not to have considered what was taken from the earth in order to create crops to make this natural product. Like bio fuels before them land once used for production of foodstuffs is now being used for crops to grow alternatives to plastic and fuels. There are even stories of forests being removed in order to make space to grow the sugar cane crops. This contributes to increases in food prices, the result of which everybody will have noticed over the last 12 months. There could never be enough available space to fully switch over from our reliance on plastic to enable us to move to using this naturally produced alternative, the world would starve.
On the subject of people starving one other point to consider regarding these new  Poly Lactic Acid plastic products is that we have spent considerable time giving subsidies to farmers in Africa to assist them grow crops and stand on their own two feet. Many of the crops these farmers are producing are corn or sugarcane.
Now we are mass producing those same crops for Bio Fuel and alternatives to plastics, lowering the prices, removing their livelihoods.
There are alternatives that given a little more consideration could do many of the jobs these companies hope to achieve through their use of Poly Lactic Acid lined or produced cups. Oxo-biodegradable Plastic (OBP’s) for example are conventional plastics such as polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) to which is added a proprietary mixture that accelerates the breakdown of the structure of the plastic.
Oxo-biodegradable Plasticswill degrade, then biodegrade, without the need to compost, at a pre determined rate, leaving no residue, giving off no methane and leaving no harmful fragments.
The residue is then amenable to conversion by micro-organisms, for which these products are food and also into CO2 and H2O; thereby returning otherwise intractable plastics to the ecosystem.
These Oxo-biodegradable Plastics can now have a shelf life, determined at the point of manufacture Using this new technology does not prevent them from being recycled.
Sadly there are many more stories like this, such as the international burger house that dropped its plastic drink stirrers and moved to wooden stirrers in an attempt to be seen as green. Out of fear of being sued for getting wooden splinters in customers lips with their wood stirrers they had the stirrers covered with gelatin (like your prescription pills). Adding this extra process to the production of the stirrers costs a lot of time, energy and expense, to the point where the natural product becomes more energy intensive than simply using plastic. Another classic example of short sighted greening was the banks saving acres of rainforest by switching paperless bank statements, about which I learned on a paper flyer and noticed advertised on billboard advertisements.
Plastic is not “evil” as many would have you think, reducing our use of it is an ok notion however we cannot simply replace all plastics with a seemingly natural alternative without considering all the repercussions, and certainly not just to be seen to be greening your firm
Event Supplies (UK) Ltd
15/17 Devonshire Street
Keighley BD21 2BH
sales@eventsupplies.co.uk
Telephone: 0844 499 5456
About the Author
event supplies stock a huge range of quality catering disposable items used throughout professional catering businesses, whether you are organising a large event or small party, event supplies service, prices and product range ensure your catering disposable needs are exceeded.
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Set of 6 REIS Brazil Coin Silver Drink Stirrers w/stone $345.00 |
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Set of 12 Vintage Glass Crystal Muddlers Drink Stirrers, Different animals $179.00 |
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144 Units of Multi-Colored Drink Stirrers New Bulk Wholesale Lots $109.51 |
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White Cocktail Drink Stirrers 4″ Case of 27,500 Coffee $99.99 |
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Red Cocktail Drink Stirrers 4″ Case of 29,000 Coffee $99.99 |
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Red Cocktail Drink Stirrers 5 1/4″ Case of 25000 Coffee $99.99 |
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Red Cocktail Drink Stirrers 4″ Case of 30,000 Coffee $99.99 |
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Kohinoor Swarovski Drink Stirrers by Magppie Design NEW $96.00 |
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Clear Cocktail Drink Stirrers 5″ Case of 20,000 Coffee $79.99 |
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96 Units of Multi-Colored Drink Stirrers New Bulk Wholesale Lots $76.23 |
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Red Cocktail Drink Stirrers 5″ Case of 18,000 Bar Straw $69.99 |
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New 72 Packs of Assorted Color Drink Stirrers 100 Pc $60.55 |
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72 Units of Multi-Colored Drink Stirrers New Bulk Wholesale Lots $59.59 |
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Set Of 24 Drink Stirrers $56.95 |
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New 48 Packs of Assorted Color Drink Stirrers 100 Pc $52.55 |
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48 Units of Multi-Colored Drink Stirrers New Bulk Wholesale Lots $51.91 |
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MARKER DRINK STIRRERS $51.67 |
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LOT 400 COCKTAIL DRINK STIRRERS SWIZZLE STICKS VINTAGE HOTELS AIRLINES BARS VGC $49.99 |
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Kadesh Drink Stirrers by Karim Rashid Magppie NEW $48.00 |
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Lot of 24: Assorted drink stirrers $45.99 |
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NEW Case/1000 Plastic 6″ Blue Drink Beverage Stirrers $45.04 |
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VINTAGE SILVER F B ROGERS DENMARK DRINK STIRRERS SIPPERS ORIGINAL BOX TENNIS $44.00 |
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24 Packs of 100 Drink Stirrers $39.21 |
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SET OF 6 GREEN SPOON TYPE GLASS DRINK STIRRERS $36.00 |
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New 24 Packs of Assorted Color Drink Stirrers 100 Pc $34.95 |
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24 Units of Multi-Colored Drink Stirrers New Bulk Wholesale Lots $34.63 |
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15 Vintage Glass Cocktail Drink Swizzle Stir Sticks Stirrers Cobalt Whistle Onyx $31.50 |
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MIB Dept 56 Set of 4 Striped Hissing Snakes Halloween Drink Stirrers Stir Sticks $29.99 |
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Red Cocktail Drink Stirrers 6″ Case of 3,500 Coffee $27.99 |
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Jack Daniel’s Drink Stirrers Set of 4 w/Mini replica of Black Label Bottle New $26.90 |
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36 High Quality Tiki Drink Stirs/Stirrers/swizzles $24.99 |
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Pottery Barn Bell Drink Cocktail Party Bell Stirrers Set of 6 Brand New $24.99 |
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LOT 15 VINTAGE LAS VEGAS SWIZZLE STICK DRINK STIRRERS – PIECE OF HISTORY $24.99 |
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Vintage 1960s Bar Set Colored LUCITE Drink Stirrers $24.95 |
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SILVER PLATED BEVERAGE/ MARTINI DRINK GOLF STIRRERS 6 $20.78 |
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20 Old Drink stirrers vintage lot $20.00 |
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Set of 2 colored spoon type drink stirrers blue yellow B1 $19.99 |
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Red Cocktail Drink Stirrers 6″ Case of 5000 Swizzle $19.99 |
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Cocktail Glass Pewter Drink Stirrers – Golfer by Fort $19.99 |
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Vintage 1960 Flora-Stirrers Rose Drink Swizzle Sticks $19.95 |
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NWOT STARBUCKS DRINKS TO GO SET TAZO TEAS GLASSES STIRRERS ALL STORED IN SHAKER $18.00 |
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NWOT STARBUCKS DRINKS TO GO SET TAZO TEAS GLASSES STIRRERS ALL STORED IN SHAKER $18.00 |
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Ice Fishing Drink Stirrers Mold 3 Fish Stars Cubes NEW $17.99 |
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Red 5″ Long Cocktail Drink Stirrers, Bar, Club, Catering, Straws $17.99 |
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NEW Fox Run Outset Stainless Steel Set pf 6 Cocktail Drink Stirrers $17.79 |
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“FLAMINGO ACRYLIC DRINK SET” -4 HIBALLS-4 FLAMINGO STIRRERS 18 OUNCES OF FUN!! $16.96 |
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1960 Whistle Drink Stirrers Set Old Store Display Stock $16.00 |
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Nine Vintage Glass Swizzle Sticks Drink Stirrers XLNT NR $15.99 |
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OOAK HAND BLOWN GLASS HANDMADE SWIZZLE STICKS DRINK STIRRERS CLEAR W FLOWERS NR $15.99 |
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Drink Swizzle Stick Stirrers – Set of 6 Cocktail Mixers $15.95 |
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61 Assorted Vintage Swizzle Sticks / Drink Stirrers $15.48 |
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Vintage glass drink stirrers set of 6 $15.00 |
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Vintage Catalog #608 – nov 1979 SPIR-IT advertising drink stirrers catalog $15.00 |
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8 Vintage WHISTLE FOR YOUR DRINK Highball Cocktail Stirrers IN ORIGINAL HOLDER $15.00 |
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Old Horse Head Drink Stirrers, Staceys Rest. Paducah KY $15.00 |
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7 Novelty Cane-Shaped Swizzle Sticks/Drink Stirrers with Whistles,Vintage 1950’s $15.00 |
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8 Novelty Swizzle Sticks / Drink Stirrers with Humorous Comments, Vintage 1950’s $15.00 |
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Vintage Catalog #285 – 1979 #42 SPIR-IT advertising DRINK STIRRERS $15.00 |
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4 CERAMIC SCREWDRIVERS COCKTAIL STIR STICKS DRINK STIRRERS SWIZZLE STICKS SET ~N $14.99 |
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56pc LOT Variety Swizzle Sticks Drink Cocktail Stirrers $14.99 |
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Guitar Stir Stix, 8, NIP, Drink Mixers, Stirrers, Swizzle Sticks, Party Favors $14.99 |
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Umbrella Drink Stirrers Swizzle Sticks Set of 6 Clear Red Green Blue Cocktails $14.99 |
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3 VINTAGE TWA 50TH ANNIVERSARY DRINK STIRRERS RARE VG COND N/RES $14.99 |
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Vintage Drink Stirrers Orange Red Green Sheraton Waikik $14.99 |
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TEN HIGH Bowling Bourbon sign-Holds DRINK STIRRERS-NEAT 1950’s memorabilia $14.95 |
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8 Red Lobster Drink Swizzle Sticks Stirrers Allgauer’s Restaurant Illinois $14.95 |
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8 Flamingo Googly Eyes DRINK STIRRERS Pink NIB Fun!! $14.24 |
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House Beautiful Set Of 4 Metal Snowflake Drink Stirrers Mixers May Dept. Stores $13.99 |
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4 Vintage Horse Cocktail Stirrers, Swizzle Sticks, Barware, Alcohol, Drinks $12.99 |
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Cocktail Party Pack Stix Stir Stirrers 20ct Cocktail Martini Drinks Sticks $12.98 |
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SWIZZLE STICKS / MIX DRINK STIRRERS CLEAR & FROSTED GLASS SWANS / BIRDS SET OF 4 $12.95 |
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3 Vintage Cheers Drink Stirrers Famous Pirate’s House $12.95 |
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Large Vintage Swizzle Stick Lot Plastic Stirrers Bar Drink Sticks $12.95 |
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Bachelorette Party Cocktail Stirrers for your drinks $12.55 |
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African (Kenya) Hand – Carved Cow Bone Cocktail Drink Stirrers / Mixers (12pcs) $12.45 |
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Fred Swizzle Sticks Drink Stirrers $12.26 |
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Fred Swizzle Sticks Drink Stirrers $12.26 |
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Red, White & Blue Patriotic USA Plastic Drink Stirrers $11.99 |
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25 Vintage Assorted Swizzle Sticks / Drink Stirrers $11.99 |
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M Grey Goose Wicker Vodka Picnic Case Martini drink set with stirrers $11.06 |
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100 Plastic Luau Tropical Stirrers Drinks Sticks $10.99 |
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LOT OF VINTAGE DRINK STIRRERS GLASS & PLASTIC LIQUOR $10.99 |
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HAWAIIAN LUAU TROPICAL PARTY 50 OCEAN ASSORTED ANIMAL DRINK STIRRERS $10.72 |
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SET OF 6 VINTAGE GLASS FISH DRINK STIRRERS, COLORS OF RED, GREEN, YELLOWS $10.49 |
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(4 PCs) HORSE HEAD Crystal Glass Swizzle Sticks, Cocktail Stirrers Drink Stix $10.00 |
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ART ANSON DRINK STIRRERS / STRAWS / PARTY BARWARE $9.99 |
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4 Glass Blown Drink Coctail Stirrers 2 Parrots 2 Tucans $9.99 |
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LOT OF VINTAGE 1950′S CHARM DRINK STIRRERS & GLASS HANGERS MERMAIDS & MORE $9.99 |
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1000 Drink Stirrers Tokyo Japan $9.99 |
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Christmas Cocktail / Drink Stir Stick Santa Drink Stirrers *LOOK* Lot of 7 $9.99 |
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New in Box Neiman Marcus Holiday Shoppers Drink Stirrers Free Shipping!!! NR!!! $9.99 |
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Grey Goose Martini Olives Metal Skewers, Wicker Bottle Basket and Drink Stirrers $9.99 |
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VINTAGE LOT CUBAN CUBA BODEGUITA DE MEDIO CUBAN 2 Sticks Drink Stirrers N/R $9.99 |
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Set 6 Tall Glass Swizzle Sticks Drink Stirrers Shell Tops Unused Boxed $9.99 |
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30 Red Dewars Scotch Liquor Drink Stirrers LOT Bar Man Cave Pub $9.99 |
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50 Diamond Cocktail Swizzle Sticks Stirrers 6″ Reusable 6 COLORS bar drink $9.99 |
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Daisy Flower Blown Glass Swizzle Sticks Drink Stirrers Set 4 Spring Easter $9.99 |
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FOUR XMAS Blown Glass Swizzle Sticks / Drink Stirrers Guadalajara Mexico Art $9.95 |
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New 30 oz. (Ounce) Malt Cup, Milkshake Cup, Blender Cup, Cocktail Mixing Cup, Stainless Steel, Commercial Grade $3.99 This 30 oz commercial stainless steel malt cup is ideal for making milkshakes and malts with spindle mixers. Mirror polish stainless steel. It features a vertical groove on each side. DIMENSIONS: |
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IKEA Produkt Milk Frother $1.29 Get coffee house frothed milk at home with ease. The IKEA Produkt Milk Frother uses a simple vibrating wire whip powered by (2) AA batteries (not included) to quickly turn your milk or cream into a fun, fancy, and delicious frothy foam. Stop overpaying for premium coffee drinks or suffering with boring coffees at home. Get your IKEA Produkt Milk Frother today…. |
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Norpro Cordless Mini Mixer, 5 Piece Set $3.99 No longer will you need to pull out your bulky electric mixer when Norpro’s Cordless Mini Mixer will mix, froth, beat/whip and blend/stir quickly and easily. Norpro’s Mini Mixer makes it a snap to froth your favorite beverage, mix up a single shake, whip eggs or blend your favorite dressing and sauces. The four attachments are dishwasher safe but the hand held device only needs to be wiped down wi… |
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New – Drink stirrers – Case of 24 by bulk buys $85.92 Drink stirrers come in handy for stirring and sipping beverages including coffees or teas. Great for home or professional use. Package includes 100 stirrers in a variety of striped colors. Stirrers are in a poly bag with header card. Each stirrer measures 6″ long. Colors: white,yellow,green,blue,red; Materials: plasticIf there is a color/size/type option, the option closest to the image will be sh… |
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48 Pack of Assorted drink stirrers $53.28 Drink stirrers come in handy for stirring and sipping beverages including coffees or teas. Great for home or professional use. Package includes 100 stirrers in a variety of striped colors. Stirrers are in a poly bag with header card. Each stirrer measures 6″ long. Colors: white,yellow,green,blue,red; Materials: plasticIf there is a color/size/type option, the option closest to the image will be sh… |
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And a Rockin’ Harmonica $1.99 … |
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Sundesa Blenderbottle with Blenderball Blender Bottle Blender Bottle Black 20 Oz Misc. Non Foods at HerbsCity store…. |