Earth-friendly housewares made of bamboo

Natural Home Products collection

Natural Home & Garden magazine debuted a line of housewares at the  2012 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago last month. The line, called Natural Home Products, is meant to offer the consumer sustainable products with exceptional quality that are priced at or below the current market leaders is a huge step forward, says company president Bill Mitchell. 

Among the items is the space-saving Eazistore nesting cookware set, which reduces required storage space by up to 67 percent. The line is oven- and dishwasher-safe as well as recyclable.
 

Another collection is made from the material Moboo. The molded-bamboo kitchenware is made from bamboo sawdust, rice starch and an all-natural plant-based binder. It is durable, nontoxic and dishwasher-safe with a similar look and feel to plastic. The Moboo line is composed of kitchen tools, gadgets, bowls, measuring cups/spoons and compost bins. Most are available in a variety of colors such as Charcoal, Natural, Cherry and Pistachio. 

Organic bedding in new colorways for spring

Coyuchi sells organic cotton bedding in the United States. It says all of its cotton products are certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and produced using fair–labor practices, verified by in-country auditors.

"Anything wrinkle-free has added polyester or is coated with chemical resin," says Karyn Barsa, CEO of Coyuchi. “Also, skip super high thread counts: The thin threads may be strengthened with—you guessed it—more chemicals. Organic cotton, by contrast, simply softens over time, and generally lasts longer.”

Honors for eco-friendly housewares, gifts

Three companies received Eco Choice Awards at the summer 2011 New York International Gift Fair.

Most Innovative: One World Projects, Recycled Plastic Laundry Hamper from India. This multipurpose basket was handmade in India from recycled plastic. The salvaged plastic strands are created by melting recycled plastic bottles and other bits of plastic waste gathered in the slums of Chennai, India.
This company is an original member of the Fair Trade Federation, and supports socially and economically deprived women from urban slum areas by offering vocational training and micro-credit loan opportunities, as well as programs that focus on education and building self-responsibility and confidence. www.oneworldprojects.com 
 
Most Sensitive Use of Materials: ES, Chilote House Shoe, Chilote House Shoe. Local wool from free range Patagonian sheep and tanned natural salmon skin are the only materials used to manufacture this product. It is made of 100% natural, biodegradable materials, and is hand-assembled by self organized groups of artisan women in the south of Chile.
Strict fair trade and ethical production principles are followed, and a highly inclusive production process provides a fair and noble way for low-income families to earn a living and raise their quality of life. The process addresses the synergy of three aspects of sustainability: ecologically benign, socially beneficial, and financially viable. www.es-salmonleather.com 

Most Sellable: I Design Distribution, KISM.This product is made from ecological materials obtained from production waste, reusing trash as a means to safeguard the environment. It’s a patented material made of natural and recycled paper fibers.
Yael Rosen started Kisim in 1999 inspired by the simple solutions of Japanese fabric design and the traditional leather craftsmanship of the Middle East. KISIM collection is characterized by connection evolving across time and changes, color and shape, texture and dimension. www.idesigndistribution.com
 
The 4th semi-annual Eco Choice Awards were co-sponsored by NYIGF and GREENRetailer magazine.The fifth semi-annual Eco Choice Awards will take place at the winter 2012 NYIGF, Saturday, January 28, through Thursday, February 2, 2012, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94.

Magazine rack combines functionality and sophistication

Since its introduction of eco-friendly home décor products, Oceanstar Design Group Inc. has now launched a new line of functional yet modern looking magazine racks. The contemporary espresso-finishwooden magazine rack fits  into the modern home.

Made with bentwood, this magazine rack holds magazines and books, and can complement any living room, bathroom, office, family room or bedroom with its beautiful espresso finish. This magazine rack’s modern and sophisticated design, along with its storage functionality, makes it a very popular item as a home décor product or as a gift.

The magazine rack also has cut-out carry handles on each side for easy handling and transferring between places. It is said to be easy to assemble, with and no tools required.

Oceanstar Design Group is a manufacturer and distributor focusing on eco-friendly home décor and furnishing products, with the vision to help customers live green and provide home improvement and solution.

U.S. furniture made from reclaimed trees

Robin Wade Furniture rescues trees from the local landfill and turns them into hand-crafted furniture. The U.S. company exhibited in IHFC’s Interhall during the furniture market in High Point in April.

2 new air purifiers for home or office

The stylish cylindrically shaped silver and black mesh Blueair Model 103 air purifier is designed for small rooms (150 square feet; 14 square meters; or smaller), such as bedrooms, playrooms and home offices. The new model use HEPAQuiet air purifying technology that is said to deliver more clean air at a faster rate with less noise than any other comparably rated air purifier on the market.

The company's new ZON personal air purifier stands less than 8 in (20 cm) tall and weighs just 1.5 lbs (6.8 kg). with the filter included.

American-made bedroom furniture in cherry

With the introduction of 20 new pieces at the High Point furniture market, Harden redefines one of its strongest-selling case good categories. The company’s popular Classic Cherry collection has been updated with  more transitional variations.

The new product line features clean lines, elegant details and dramatic shapes. One of the signature pieces of the new collection is the 780 Door Chest. With solid cherry drawer fronts and figured cherry veneer top and door panels, this highly-styled piece is also accented with a dentil string maple inlay.

The 705 Panel Bed is classically transitional and features a dramatic cluster maple veneer in a burl pattern. Supporting bedroom cases have bow fronts, multiple foot choices, and new satin nickel hardware to complete this new, updated look for the Classic Cherry group.


Fifth generation, family-owned Harden Furniture is said to be the oldest furniture manufacturer in the Northeast. The company uses sustainable practices in its 10,000 acres of forested lands in New York State, where native black cherry hardwood is harvested.

Eco-friendly kitchen gadget promotes water savings

The Dish Squeegee from the AM Conservation Group is said to make doing the dishes simple, fast and eco-friendly (because it eliminates pre-rinsing dishes prior to loading them into a dish washer.
Use the squeegee to push leftovers into a garbage pail or disposal (or better yet, compost nonmeat waste). The three-side shape of the product makes it usable for all sizes of pots, pans, dishes, cups and jars. The 100% silicone scraper won't scratch dishes.
See the company's other eco-friendly products, including the refrigerator-freezer thermometer, in the Clean and Contain section of the International Home and Housewares show, March 6 to 8 in Chicago.

Tote bag for apparel

The Green Garmento, filled with drycleaning

The Green Garmento is like a reusable bag for groceries, except that it is for clothes. It eliminates the drycleaning bag. At home, the bag serves as a hamper. Then it becomes a tote bag for the trip to the drycleaner. On the return trip to pick up clothes, the Green Garmento is a garment bag.

As a laundry hamper

The bag is available online now at the company's website and will be launched nationally at the International Housewares Show in March. The product is endorsed by Mike “The Situation” Sorentino of "Jersey Shore." He lives by the motto “GTL” (gym/tan/laundry). The Green Garmento says GTL can also mean “Green The Laundry.”

Filled with dirty clothes, on the way to the drycleaner's

Stylish placemats, coasters, table linens

Engineered Squares

Faux bois in birch

Faux Bois (meaning fake wood) is a new design for the rectangular placemats from Chilewich. The patterns are available in three digitally printed simulated wood grains: Birch, Driftwood, and Walnut. The table linens are durable, washable and suitable for indoors and out. The company also carries coasters and floor mats. See it at the New York International Gift Fair.

Faux bois in driftwood

Furniture from reclaimed wood

TerraSur uses reclaimed railroad ties (called sleepers) from Argentina to craft its furniture. The Durmiente Console (detail at left and below) is offered in two lengths, 80 inches and 68 inches. It is 10 inches deep and 32 inches high.
TerraSur’s factory in Argentina is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain-of-custody certified by the SmartWood program of the Rainforest Alliance (COC # 001206). TerraSur is also a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council.

The Atame hand-woven leather bed (below) blends two design trends-- Rustic and Old World -- and can fit comfortably in either one. The solid wood frame is sleek and sophisticated, but the heart of the bed is the headboard. Leather straps are hand woven into a tapestry of symmetrical lines to create a headboard that is as contemporary as it is Rustic and Old World.

Fair trade home decor, jewelry and stationery

World Shoppe works with several artisan cooperatives, non-governmental organizations and locally controlled small businesses in some 32 countries. The company is committed to:

• Providing work and income for the most economically disadvantaged artisans throughout the world;
• Promoting fair trade;
• Encouraging the empowerment of women and physically challenged individuals through raising their self-esteem, dignity and self-sufficiency;
• Creating a non-exploitive, supportive business environment in which women of different religions, ethnicities and ages can gain energy and learn to work together
• Protecting children's rights;
• And developing employment opportunities for many artisans, many of whom would not be employable in mainstream business.

See the World Shoppe website for greeting cards, jewelry, apparel, home decor, ethnic items, eco-friendly products and more.

Lightweight stylish tote bags

Saky Sacks, a Seattle-based company launched in March 2010, is showing five new prints and two new contemporary styles—the Saky Weekend and Sakcessories—this week at the Seattle gift show. The company's original bag is the City Saky. Saky Sacks are made from DuPont Tyvek. The bags are lightweight, strong, tear, stain and water resistant. They are machine washable and recyclable.

---

Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Eco-friendly canvas tote bags

Cotton canvas Girlie Bags are made in Los Angeles by Planet Saver Sacks. Side pockets hold cell phones, keys, cosmetics and bus passes. The bags have cotton webbing handles. Two sizes are available: 11 inches by 12 inches and 14 inches by 15 inches. Search "Planet Saver Sacks" on this blog to find other styles.

---

Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Soy candles in stylish containers

Soy-based candles from Aglow Eco Candle are available in eight fragrances, including the company's signature scent White Cotton. Burn time is 60 to 90 hours. When the candle is depleted, the containers become stylish vases, drinking glasses or desk accessories..

Diffusers and notecards are also available. See more candles on the New York International Gift Fair website.

---

Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Eco-friendly teak cutting boards

Proteak, a maker of cutting boards and butcher block carts, uses lumber from FSC-certified plantations in Mexico.
The company says the teak cutting surfaces offer unique color and warmth. Natural oils help teak boards resist moisture, warping, and decay,  Hardwood cutting boards are gentler on cutlery than bamboo or glass, the company states.

---

Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Furniture, gifts made of recycled materials

At the High Point market, Vdalyn Papercrafts debuted home furnishings, accessories, tableware, jewelry, scarves and handbags made from eco-friendly recycled materials.
The company, which makes the goods in High Point,N.C., states that every “whimsical item captures reclaimed paper, fiber or wood in original designs, each truly a one-of-a-kind exclusive.”

---

Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Furniture, lighting in eclectic, traditional styles

Four Hands introduces 13 new furniture, lighting and accessory collections at the April  High Point Market. The styles range from urban contemporary to elegant traditional. Furniture is made with eco-friendly techniques.

The Rockwell collection (top photo), for example, has an industrial aesthetic that blends iron and distressed wood. The collection includes dining and occasional tables.

---

Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

New furniture from a textile source

Textile source Company C expands its product line to include upholstered furniture. The furniture program (part of the fall 2010 collection) is designed to coordinate with the company’s bedding and area rugs and will launch at the April High Point market.
The furniture styles range from the classic rolled-arm Camden collection (see sofa in inset photo; click to enlarge) to the more modern profiles of Hanover and Halifax. Other designs include the Gretchen chair (below) and Rockport rug ottoman. The furniture is built with double-doweled construction, eight-way hand-tied springs, and either down-wrapped foam or eco-friendly foam cushions. Items are made in the U.S.A.

 Gretchen chairs

Natalie chair

Kasuri ottoman

---

Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.