Eco Maniac Company

It’s back to school time! Skip the single-use baggies and go with reusable snack and sandwich bags and sandwich wraps. We have all kinds! We’re here at the until noon!

Come talk marine debris with me at the table at the Virginia Ocean Plan, Community Open Forum.

What: The Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program is hosting a Community Open Forum to collect input from Virginians to help shape the first “Virginia Ocean Plan”. How and where do you interact with the Ocean? What ocean uses are important to you? What issues or concerns should we be considering? This cafe style event will allow attendees to move through a series of staffed tables/exhibits to learn about the plan process and provide input at their own pace. During and afterwards attendees can enjoy several aquarium exhibits.

Topics that may be discussed include:
Fishing & Aquaculture
Cultural & Historic Resources & Non-consumptive Recreation
Seafloor Resources
Energy & Infrastructure
Sustainability & Conservation
Transportation Navigation & Security

Where: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Google Map link. Free parking!

When: August 15, 2024 from 6:30 PM-9:30 PM. Attendees can come at any point during that time frame.

How: Attendees are encouraged to register using this link for our planning purposes. However, registration is NOT necessary.

What Else? This event is free and open to the public and is kid friendly with activities, giveaways, and access to select aquarium exhibits. Can’t make this event? Go to the DEQ Website to see other ways to provide input including taking a survey, attending a virtual “townhall meeting”, or sending us an email, voicemail, or text.

Support 2 local businesses when you pick up Ellie's Cellar laundry detergent from me! I have refill buckets in the Mobile eco store and pre-filled bags in Painted Tree Virginia Beach (A4) and Midlothian (C25). The more you buy, the more I can buy and we all support each other.
BYW, I have an old dog who I love very much, but he’s a leaky little boy, if you know what I mean. Ellie’s Cellar detergent has been very effective in removing the stains and the stinky smells. So if you want to give it a try, stop by the truck at Old Beach Art & Eco Market tomorrow and I’ll give you a sample to try.

Little bag, big power!

Discover the power of undiluted cleaners. Most store bought laundry products are only 5-18% active ingredients diluted in buckets full of water.

Our laundry detergent comes to you in a powder form. No fillers, no unnecessary water diluting it, just raw natural eco-friendly active ingredients that leave you with a deep clean every single time.

You have the water already in your washer. Don't pay a company a jacked up price for extra water when your washer can mix it up for you.

One tablespoon for huge, heavily soiled loads! Less for smaller ones!

Get a true clean. With ellies-cellar.com

We’ll be back at the tomorrow morning and back in our old spot in front of Wareing’s Gym instead of at the end of the street. Come see me and get stocked up on all your favorite green goodies. Don’t forget to grab a jar to fill up on .cellar laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent, we also have toothpaste tablet and bamboo fiber floss refills, package free all natural deodorant, laundry tablets and more.
See you in the morning!

Organize a cleanup for the Virginia Waterways Cleanup, part of the International Coastal Cleanup. https://forms.gle/dnXKEFXAugvoLQdcA Sign up today to lead a cleanup this fall!

The International Coastal Cleanup in Virginia is organized by Clean Virginia Waterways! Here is the 2024 ICC artwork featuring happy penguins! We are busy signing up Site Captains now! See the comments for the link.

It is a gorgeous day out here at the ! I’m here till noon!

I am staying optimistic that the rain will hold off tomorrow morning and the will be cool and dry! Stop by the Mobile Eco Store and grab your supplies! Bring a container to try out some locally made laundry detergent or dishwasher detergent from .cellar ; toothpaste tablets; package-free all natural deodorant; grab some solid shampoo and conditioner; a solid dish soap bar; reusable produce bags; the cutest reusable snack and sandwich bags you’ve ever seen; wool or bamboo fiber dryer balls, and sooo much more.
Can’t make it? is open 7 days a week, 10-8, Booths A4 & D9. Or shop online at ecomaniaccompany.com

I love telling people about this simple tip, if you are going out to eat, grab a container for leftovers and avoid nasty polystyrene and plastic to-go boxes. It’s always good to keep a container in your car, just in case. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, any food storage container from your cupboard will do. You’ve got this!

Posted • DAY 18: 🍛🍜🥟 BYO containers: many restaurants and cafes are happy to serve takeaway food in reusable containers, especially when requested asked in advance.\

Bringing your own reusable alternatives can make a huge impact in reducing plastic waste—especially when millions of people do it! Popular options include bento boxes 🍱, tiffins, and all shapes and sizes of glass and metal containers.

How do you reduce plastic when ordering takeaway? Please share your tips below!

The Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program is seeking public input on the first Virginia Ocean Plan. Input will be solicited through a public event held at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center on August 15th, 6:30-9:30.
How and where do you interact with the Ocean? What ocean uses are important to you? What issues or concerns should we be considering? This cafe style event will allow attendees to move through a series of staffed tables/exhibits to learn about the plan process and provide input at their own pace. During and afterwards attendees can enjoy several aquarium exhibits.
This event is free and open to the public and is kid friendly with activities, giveaways, and access to select aquarium exhibits. Can't make this event? Go to the DEQ Website to see other ways to provide input including taking a survey, attending a virtual "townhall meeting", or sending us an email, voicemail, or text.
https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/coastal-zone-management/ocean-planning/virginia-ocean-planning/opportunities-to-provide-input/-fsiteid-1

Just in time for back-to-school shopping, the newest collection of sandwich wraps and snack bags from ! These bags are made from fabrics picked by me! So of course they are all ocean-themed and incredibly cute. Hamdmade in Richmond, VA, they have a cotton outter shell and a food-safe waterproof lining. These bags will take the place of hundreds of single-use baggies over the course of their lifetime, for years of waste-free lunches. Hand wash or machine wash, fill them up and go!
I just stocked them in today, they will be heading to Painted Tree Cary in a couple of days and and next week. And of course I’ll have them at the this Saturday!

Please pick up your beach toys, tents, chairs and other beach accessories at the end of the day! A random storm could come along and blow it all into the ocean. Also, it’s sea turtle nesting season and litter and holes in the sand are a hazard!
At least these toys will now have a new home in the Beach Toy Recycling Boxes!

All of these toys were picked up off the beach before they ended up in the ocean as litter. Thank you to the sea turtle nest patrollers for taking the time to pick up these toys and for Keeping it Beachy Clean AND for donating all of these toys to our Beach Toy Recycling Program!
Leave a Toy or Take a Toy at 7th/8th Street, 17th Street, 24th Street and 35th Street. Boxes are located on the beach close to the boardwalk.

Hello friends! I have decided to sell the Eco Maniac Company Mobile Eco Store (not the business, just the truck). I am just not using it enough to justify keeping it, and I hate to do it, but it’s time. It is a 2003 Chevy Workhorse with about 20,500 miles on it. The inside was built out by the Closet Factory and the previous owner, with a few less impressive adaptations made by me for my business. It was a clothing boutique before it was an eco store so it could very easily be that again. It was a military supply vehicle before that, which is why the mileages so low. It is outfitted with a 48 volt inverter and battery with 4 - 200 watt solar panels. It has a diesel engine so it could be converted to run on veggie oil. Of course you will have to remove and replace the wrap. I would love to see it stay local and go to a friend so let me know if you are interested. I’m asking $25,000 as is (needs a little bit of cosmetic work).

This is an opportunity to rethink the way you shop. It is soooo hard out there when just about everything is packaged in plastic. But you can and will find plastic-free options when you look for them. Buy the option that is packaged in paper or glass, never buy produce that’s wrapped in plastic (I know, the berries though!), BYO produce bags, BYO bags and containers and buy in bulk when you can. See more tips below. Then choose one, perfect it and move on to the next. You can do this!

Posted • DAY 11 - Discovering plastic free packaging options can be a game-changer for reducing waste in your everyday life. 🌱✨Here are some popular ideas for avoiding plastic packaging when shopping for food during Plastic Free July:

💚 Look out for cardboard, tin, and glass alternatives to plastic products, many of these can more easily be reused and are more readily recyclable.
💚 Choosing loose produce: opting for loose fruit and vegetables. Using reusable fruit and veg bags helps avoid plastic packaging.
💚 Bakery items: in some stores, freshly baked goods sections are good places to buy with plastic packaging, some people bring their own bags and others use the paper bags that are supplied.
💚 Bulk food: try bulk food stores or look for bulk food selections in supermarkets.🛍️

Let’s look for products without plastic packaging together this July. Even if they aren’t always available we can start conversations and let businesses know we are wanting alternatives to plastic packaging! 💚

More info can be found on our website.

This consider phasing out your last roll of plastic wrap and switch to a reusable option. My favorite is the Bee’s Wrap food wrap which will last you a year or more and is compostable when it’s no longer useable. I also like the silicone bowl covers. Of course using containers with lids will reduce your need for plastic wrap. Small changes can go a long way towards keeping plastic out of the environment.

Well… it’s gonna be a bit warm tomorrow at the , so I’m leaving the Mobile Eco Store behind and setting up my tent instead. We have limited time for set up and break down and I am pretty sure I won’t be moving quickly in the forecasted heat. So look for me in approximately the same area.

Also, It’s so I encourage you to remember a few of your reusables for a plastic-free market visit, no matter which market you are heading to!
BYO
You’ve got this!
Reminder: you might want to leave Fido at home tomorrow, it’s just too hot to be out and about in a fur coat with no shoes.

See you bright and early!

It’s a beautiful day here in Cape Charles for the 4th of July Parade and street fair. A great day to head across the Chesapeake Bay and come to the eastern shore to enjoy the bay breezes and festivities.
Don’t forget, whatever you are doing to celebrate, bring your reusables and pick up some litter and enjoy the nature around you!

Happy Plastic Free July! I am going to highlight some of my favorite alternatives to single-use plastics and plastic-free options this month. The idea of trying to lead a completely plastic-free lifestyle is intimidating and honestly, just about impossible to accomplish, however there are many small and simple changes you can make that will help you reduce and reuse.
This one’s pretty easy, the solid dish soap bar. All of our bars are packaged in cardboard that can be recycled. For use, just wet your sponge, loofah, dish brush, whatever you are using, rub it on the bar and get a nice coat of paste, then start washing! That paste will turn sudsy and you will wonder why you waited so long to try! If you still have some liquid detergent, save it for when you need to soak your pots and pans.
So there ya go! One simple way to avoid a plastic container.
We’ve got solid dish soap at all of our Painted Tree locations, at our pop-ups and online at ecomaniaccompany.com.

Come see me tomorrow at the from 9am to noon and get ready for . If you miss the market, don’t forget you can find all of our awesome eco-friendly and fair trade goods at Booths A4 and D9.
Hope to see you soon!

Thank you LRNow for this recognition! It has been an adventure growing this business and and an honor to be able to provide eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics to all of those who want to do the right thing for this beautiful blue planet we live on.

Shell-abrate World Sea Turtle Day by doing good things for the ocean. Our friends at have some great tips for you!

Posted • Happy World Sea Turtle Day! What a perfect way to wrap up Sea Turtle Week! 🌊🐢

A huge thank you to everyone who participated and followed along this year. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! 🙏💛

Today is a great reminder that our hard-shelled ocean friends need our help to thrive for generations to come.

Here’s how you can make a difference:
• Say no to plastic.
• Reduce your carbon footprint.
• Choose sustainably caught seafood.
• Avoid buying souvenirs or items made from critically endangered hawksbill shells.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen.
• Support organizations that protect sea turtles.

Learn more about how you can help sea turtles: www.seaturtleweek.com/help

Hey Grads! Just a friendly reminder that releasing balloons at graduation is littering, harmful to wildlife and livestock and illegal in Virginia and many other localities. If you must use balloons to celebrate, be sure to pop them and dispose of them properly when you’re done with them! Thank you for listening!
Congratulations Class of 2024!!

We’ve got local honey back in stock!! Grab an 8oz jar of honey made by local Virginia Beach bees, available at my booth at (Booth A4). Save the bees, eat locally produced honey!

🐝

Have you tried Ellie's Cellar laundry detergent yet? It only takes one tablespoon for a regular sized load. Bring a container to the Old Beach Art & Eco Market tomorrow morning, grab a few ounces and give it a try! We also have bags at our Painted Tree Virginia Beach and Midlothian locations.

Saturday join us at Yorktown Market Days from 8am to noon

And Sunday at Bridgeport Suffolk from 10 am to 2pm!

You can also find refill bags with Bright Scythe Urban Garden at Hilton Village Farmers Market on Saturday, at the Eco Maniac Company, The Sassy Sisters , CLTRE. vgn jnt , The Painted Tree, and Walker's Market

As always you can also order at ellies-cellar.com

It’s almost market time! Come see me in the from 9am to noon! I’ve got all of your favorite green goodies and don’t forget to bring a container if you’re ready to fill up on .cellar laundry detergent or dishwasher detergent made in Suffolk. I’ve also got package free, all natural deodorant and shave soap; plastic-free solid shampoo, conditioner, dog shampoo, and dish soap; and of course reusable sandwich and snack bags, straws, bamboo utensils and more.
It’s going to be a beautiful day today! See you soon!!

Hey everybody! We need gently used, unwanted beach toys for the new Beach Toy Recycling Program at the VB Oceanfront. You can bring them to me any Saturday morning at the or deposit them into the boxes yourself! They are located on 7th, 17th, 24th and 31st Streets. Leave a toy, take a toy to help keep plastic beach toys out of the ocean. This great project was made possible by and

Bring me your gently used and unwanted beach toys this Saturday morning at the Old Beach Art & Eco Market

Attention my vegan friends! We now have bamboo fiber dryer balls! Skip the single-use dryer sheets and throw a few of these dryer balls in the dryer to reduce drying time, reduce static and wrinkles and make your clothes soft and fluffy without the waxy, chemical yuck that comes with using dryer sheets. Available at , our local markets and online at ecomaniaccompany.com. Coming to our other Painted Tree stores soon!

is the only holdout for the today so come see me! I’m hanging with my friends at the on 19th Street across from and next to The rain should be ending soon so come on! Shop green!

We’ll see you at the tonight from 4-7!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers out there! And thank you Mother Earth for all you do for us! Enjoy this beautiful day!