wander gear
With April showers upon us — and Earth day not far behind us – it’s a good time to meet the Brelli.
I picked up one of these stylish parasols at a flea market after the creator, a local woman, sold me on the environmental benefits: it’s the world’s only 100 percent biodegradable umbrella. I have to admit, I’d never thought about how long my old nylon umbrella would live in a landfill. Turns out it will outlast me, whereas a Brelli will biodegrade in five years.
Not only are PVC and bamboo better for our landfills, they hold up against maniacle East Coast weather. Manhattan winds have shredded four of my husband’s traditional umbrellas in eight months. Meanwhile, my dainty little Brelli is holding up.
The down side is it’s an investment: prices start at $48 for a small one. I snatched a sample for $10, so locals, you might luck out. And the creator has introduced a new line of parasols to block UVA and UVB rays, as well as a paint kit to personalize your rainy-day accessories.
