act 2 GreenSmart

Its always good to a see a company innovating and making products out of rPET plastic.  With PET being the packaging material of choice for every major bottled water and soft drink company in the United States, the plastic material is pouring into recycling centers and landfills at incredible rates.  Companies who can figure out clever and innovative uses for rPET can make truly eco-friendly products and enjoy a growing market.

California-based Shoreline, makers of laptop cases and protective sleeves launched a new line within their brand called act 2-GreenSmart.  The new act 2-GreenSmart line features laptop cases and sleeves made from 100% rPET fabric.  With the motto "Bottles 2 Bags" the line is committed to using rPET fabrics for its products.

The products are designed to be comparable in quality and design to their conventional cases and sleeves.  They represent the first items transformed to meet Shoreline’s self-imposed commitment to make all products it sells green by the end of 2008.

Each rPET 15" laptop case saves roughly sixteen 16oz PET bottles from being landfilled according the company. 

Sustainable is Good had the opportunity to test one of the company's rPET laptop sleeves.  We found both the design and quality to be high.  The company says its sleeves keep about eight 16oz PET bottles from being landfilled. 

All of our writers are heavy laptop users and travelers and this laptop sleeve was clearly designed with laptop users in mind.  The sleeve provides excellent protection for your laptop and serves as an easy access padded zippered compartment within a larger bag or it can work as a standalone. 

The entire laptop sleeve is made from recycled materials and is available in three different color combinations.

We'll continue to follow the greening of Shoreline with great interest.  Perhaps more companies will follow in their footsteps.

Pacific Shaving Oil

Pacific Shaving Oil is exactly the type of product we look for at Sustainable is Good.  The packaging is well done and unique and the product is effective and its use represents a tremendous savings of resources when compared to traditional shaving creams or gel.

The shaving oil is the creation of Pacific Shaving Company founder Stan Ades. 

We found the graphic design of his paperboard packaging to be elegant and original.  The design was done entirely in house according to Ades.  "This is actually a new unit box, designed specifically to use minimal packaging components and materials, yet still be viable for retail sales (shelf/hang)," said Ades. 

Pacific uses post-consumer board (PCB) for its packaging but told us that due to a recent spike in the demand for PCB they were unable to use it for their current run.  Ades is working with his packaging printing company and said,  "I have been assured that things will be back to normal at our next run."

Pacific's shaving oil comes in a tiny stock #4 LDPE "boston rounds" bottle.

The shaving oil is effective and highly efficient.  Only a few drops are needed for a normal shave we found a few extra helped with longer facial hair. 

The company states a consumer can get up to 100 shaves from the tiny bottle.  Compare this to a standard steel bottle of shaving cream and you can see there is a significant savings of resources with Pacific's product.

Through a partnership with Trees for the Future, Pacific Shaving Company plants a tree for every bottle of its shaving oil sold. 

Pacific Shaving Oil is available through the company's web site, Amazon.com and in select markets through Whole Foods and other specialty retailers. 

The company is expanding retail distribution rapidly and any retailers or distributors interested in carrying their products can make a request through their web site.

Morris Green Clean Non-toxic Cleaner Minimal Packaging

Morris Green Clean is a non-toxic cleaning product made by a small Canadian company based in Ontario.  The product comes in powder form in small packets made from recyclable and biodegradable materials.  Consumers simply add the contents of the packet along with water into a spray bottle and they're ready to take on the majority of household cleaning tasks.

The company believes their product to be so versatile and powerful that they claim it can replace 99% of the cleaning products in the average home.

Morris Green Clean does not contain any of the following toxic chemicals: volatile organic compounds (VOCs), kerosene, phenols, cresol, lye, phosphates, nitrates, borates, petroleum distillates, ammonia, formaldehyde or bleach. Morris Green Clean is not tested on any animals.

The product was developed by James Morris a chef who desired a safer non-toxic alternative to the array of conventional cleaning solutions on the market.

From our tests we think he accomplished his goal.  The product is very easy to prepare and was highly effective on glass and counter tops.   We prepared the cleaner in a spray bottle we had saved from another product.  We found the Morris Green Clean to a terrific multipurpose cleaner.

From a packaging perspective the product is a winner as well.  Virtually no packaging other than a small packet is used in the product. 

Morris Green Clean is marketed as an effective non-toxic cleaner with simple minimal packaging and it is exactly as described.

Sigg Swiss Engineered Water Bottles

The bottled water industry is taking a beating but manufacturers of reusable water bottles like Switzerland's Sigg are going strong. 

2007 has been a tough year for bottled water manufacturers in the US.  Issues of waste and recycling coming under increased scrutiny, mayors banning bottled water in city offices and the disclosure from Pepsi that their Aquafina brand is tap water - reusable bottle makers like Sigg are doing well.

In 2005 Sigg launched a US subsidiary based in Stamford, CT.  "This brand has tremendous history and for generations has been the must-have water bottle for Europeans," stated Steve Wasik, SIGG USA President. "Americans are now discovering that using a high quality, reusable bottle like SIGG makes great sense – both financially and environmentally."

Never before has it been so practical and fashionable to carry a reusable water bottle.  Practical and fashionable pretty much sum up Sigg's approach to the marketplace.  Its popular bottles are made from aluminum with a proprietary water-based coating baked on the inside.  The outside of Sigg water bottles feature an array of design options and cap choices for consumers.  Packaging is minimal to non-existent on the retail end for most Sigg water bottles.

Sigg recently released its Fall 07 collection of bottle designs which include the Big Mountain (8099.90_8052.42) .6 L Lifestyle Bottle (pictured above).

We found the Sigg bottle to be quite durable and exceptionally lightweight. 

BioBag Produces Product for Hartz Clean Earth Line, Offers New Size at Petco

BIOgroupUSA makers of BioBag, the increasingly popular corn-based biodegradable bags have entered into an agreement with New Jersey-based pet brand Hartz. 

BioBag will make a version of its popular dog waste bags for Hartz to sell under its Clean Earth Line.  The products will be called "biodegradable pet waste clean-up bags" and will be packaged in Hartz Clean Earth paperboard packaging.  The Hartz bags are available at Target Stores nationwide.

Sustainable is Good found the new bags at a local Target store selling for $4.97.  The Hartz Clean Earth bags are identical to the BioBag version (made in Norway etc) except they do not have anything printed on the bags - the bags themselves are blank.

The move represents an interesting jump for Hartz who are clearly trying to position the Clean Earth Line as a leader in mainstream green pet care products.

Mark Williams with BioBag USA told Sustainable is Good their products currently have a stronger presence on the West coast than the East coast.  When asked whether Target was behind the deal between his company and Hartz Williams said, "many retailers like Target are trying to source greener products. Hartz approached us I believe on this one."

Williams said the company currently has about twenty-five online resellers.

BioBags are made in Norway.  I have been always been surprised the brand isn't more readily available on the East coast - their products are actually quite difficult to find. 

As far as the corn-based products on the market so far, I find BioBags packaging and graphic design to be effective and well done.  Which why I am surprised they aren't selling their products themselves through Target or other stores rather than allowing them to be sold under another name.  BioBags is clearly able to meet the supply demand for Hartz, why not just sell the bags themselves?

In other BioBags news:  BioBags are also now available at Petco stores nationwide.  The company is selling a new large size dog waste bag which measure 13" x 9.75" and come in a box of 35.  Petco is also selling the normal size dog waste bags.

Ujeans Custom Fit Socially Responsible Jeans

01/23/08 EDITORS NOTE:

Update our test pair of Ujeans jeans arrived after over four months.  We will be posting a follow up to our original posting after we've had a chance to check out the jeans.

12/19/07:

Readers should be aware that as of 12/19 we have not received our test pair of jeans from Ujeans to finish this review we began on 9/15/07.  We were under the impression the jeans would be back within 6-8 weeks after we sent them in on 9/15/07.  The company founder Daniel Feuer emailed me two weeks ago (after repeated attempts at contact by me) indicating he was having production and customs problems and that those issues should be resolved and we along with other paying customers should be getting our jeans in the very near future.  Since publishing this story we have been contacted by several customers of Ujeans - who are experiencing similar problems and not getting responses from the company.  PLEASE NOTE:  We are in no way affiliated with this company and are simply conducting a product review as we do with numerous other products.  If and when the jeans do arrive to our product tester - we will finish our review as we had intended on doing three months ago. 

Canadian jeans company UJeans offers consumers a custom fitted pair of jeans.  "Our jeans are designed by our customers and are made-to-measure so they are guaranteed to fit.  The jeans are also environmentally and socially responsible," said Daniel Feuer UJeans President. 

Sustainable is Good is going through the process of getting a pair of UJeans.  Buying Ujeans is quite different from going to a retail store like most are accustomed to doing.

Ujeans sells direct to consumers through the internet.  Interested consumers register on the site and Ujeans sends a detailed instruction guide via email.  The consumer needs to have a tailors tape at home in order to complete the measurements.   

You can send a pair of UJeans to someone as a gift as well.  If you choose this option the receiver gets a measuring kit and CD along with a gift certificate card from UJeans.

The kit arrives in a mailer made from reclaimed denim and can be reused by the consumer.  Inside is a metal CD sized box containing a measuring tape and instructions on CD.  "The denim bag has been used for a make-up bag, pencil case and even a sleeping bag for a stuffed animal," said Feuer UJeans.

Following the instructions a consumer takes detailed measurements of their body.  You'll need the help of the another person to take the measurements.  We went through the process last week.  The measurements are specific and the instructions tell you exactly how to take them accurately.

After the consumer has the measurements they would visit the UJeans web site and enter the measurements online along with a whole host of choices regarding color and style.  The jeans are then custom made and sent directly to the consumer in about 4-6 weeks.

Sustainable is Good sent in measurements for one of our testers last week and will report on the jeans when they arrive.

Ujeans have a number of socially responsible eco-friendly elements to them.  The cotton used to make the jeans is sourced from the Pakistan Sustainable Cotton Initiative which focuses on conserving water resources.  The cotton is not organic.  The company uses natural minerals and enzymes in their dying process and does not use chemicals like chlorine bleach, formaldehyde or azo. 

The packaging Ujeans uses is made from reclaimed denim from their production process.  They have found the denim mailer to be not only unique but durable and able to withstand the shipping process.

When our test pair of jeans arrives we will provide an update on the product and process.

UK Soft Drink Ribena to use 100% Recycled Plastic Bottles

Ribena (made by GlaxoSmithKline), the popular soft drink juice brand the in the UK will become the first major brand in the UK or the US to use 100% recycled PET (rPET) bottles in its packaging.

The popular drink currently uses PET bottles with a minimum of 40% rPET content.  The brand will shift to 100% rPET content over the next six months.

Ribena drinks account for 58% of the UK's juice market and the brand produces more than 60 million bottles a year.

The use of significant amounts of rPET in the packaging of a major US drink brand has not occurred as of yet. 

Earlier in the month Coca-Cola announced an ambitious plan to recycle and produce rPET from its bottles.  The company will build a facility in South Carolina with United Resource Recovery Corporation to process the plastic.  As part of the plan, Coca-Cola set a goal to significantly raise the amount of PET it recycles.   

Plans from Coca-Cola to use the rPET they will produce in their own packaging have not been announced. 

Celestial Seasonings Changes Packaging Over Stevia Content

Celestial Seasonings has agreed to change the packaging of its Zingers to Go flavored iced tea mix to indicate it is an herbal supplement rather than a food.

The packaging change is as a result of an ongoing issue between the company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which will not allow the use of the sweetener Stevia as a food additive.  The FDA specifically targeted Celestial Seasonings Tangerine Orange Wave Herbal Tea, but other flavors in the line contain Stevia.

The US government only allows Stevia to be used as an herbal supplement. 

According to published reports, Celestial Seasonings will change its packaging to "more prominently" reflect the point the product is an herbal supplement. 

The company has always maintained its Zingers to Go were an herbal supplement but the FDA wanted the packaging changed to reflect this point more clearly.

Stevia is a natural sweetener that is much sweeter than sugar.  Its status in the US has been a point of controversy for over a decade.

Earlier this year Sustainable is Good reported on the announcement that Coca-Cola and agricultural giant Cargill were secretly working on a new natural sweetener made from Stevia.  The two companies had worked behind closed doors for over five years on the project and hope to introduce the new sweetener in beverages and foods in the near future

Massugu Takes Sustainability to Adult Products

Massugu Adult is a new company offering adult toys and products with a sustainable vision

Founder Ben Hogan created the company to offer consumers a better choice in an industry often looked down upon or regarded as dark and dirty.  Hogan's vision is to offer consumers a company they can be proud of and most importantly feel comfortable doing business with.

Sustainability is at the core of Massugu's business.  The company offers adult toys made of glass as opposed to PVC, plastics and other materials.  "Our product is a lifetime product," explains Hogan "because of this our product is a much more sustainable option."  The products are not just "lifetime products" as Hogan describes, they are also quite beautiful. 

There is a health component to the Massugu products as well.  "I'm sure you've read about the toxicity issues surrounding a lot of adult toys. It's these kind of issues exactly that led us to found the adult division of Massugu Distributing," said Hogan.

The company takes pride in reducing its carbon footprint by offering a lifetime product with minimal packaging.  "We spent time examining the various options for packaging of our products," Hogan said, "We use minimal packaging, biodegradable packing peanuts and we ship with the U.S. Postal Service who were recently recognized for their sustainability efforts.  We believe these are the most sustainable options to get our products to our customers safely and efficiently," he said. 

Hogan is referring to the USPS's Silver Cradle-to-Cradle certification from MBDC, the certification carries significant weight and covers the entire shipping process of the USPS.

Massugu's product line also includes other products.  "We carry Sliquid organic lubricants as well as the well-performing Pjur brand. Our lubricants are water-based and we carry special varieties for women," said Hogan.

Lenovo Introduces Energy Efficient PC with Recyclable Packaging

Lenovo's new Blue Sky ThinkCentre A61e is the first full-functioning PC to run on 45 watts of power, meaning it can be powered by a solar panel or roughly the same amount of electricity needed for three compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs.

The Blue Sky ThinkCentre A61e has a number of forward thinking environmental aspects to it.  Ninety percent of the computer is made from reusable or recyclable materials and its packaging is also ninety percent recyclable.

Because of its energy efficiency and recyclable materials, the computer is Lenovo's first product recognized with a Gold EPEAT rating from the Green Electronics Council

The new PC will be available in October and has a base price of $399.

Recycline Selling Products in Bulk on Amazon.com

Recycline, markers of the popular Preserve brand of household and personal care items made from recycled plastic, is offering many of its products in bulk quantities through internet superstore Amazon.com.

Consumers can access the full line of Preserve products through Amazon expanding the range of the product line for Recycline to literally every household in America.

"We're definitely pleased to have our products sold on Amazon," said Recycline's C.A. Webb. 

It is becoming a growing trend, eco-conscious consumers shopping in bulk through Amazon locking in low prices and free shipping on nearly every order from Amazon over $25.  The combination is a winner for shoppers looking for bulk quantities and pricing on their favorite products

For instance, Recycline's popular Preserve toothbrushes can be purchased in a bulk 6-pack for around $17 or the new Razor Triple is available in a case of 6 packs each containing four blades a piece for around $28.

Amazon is carrying a growing number greener products and offers many of them in bulk for consumers.

Wal-Mart National Ad Focuses on Reducing Packaging Waste

Wal-Mart's current national advertising circular distributed in Sunday newspapers across the country this week features a 3/4 page focus on green products with a strong message on reducing packaging.

The circular has a large photo of Tide's new Pure Essentials concentrated laundry detergent as well as door mats made from recycled Wal-Mart tires and a package of GE CFL bulbs.

The top of the page reads " Now you can save the planet while you save money."  The new ad is a first for Wal-Mart and is very similar to an ad Target ran in May in their national circular.

Linking saving money with saving the planet is a key component to Wal-Mart's green marketing strategy and a major hurdle for the greener products market in general whose costs are generally higher then their conventional counterparts, preventing many consumers from buying them.

The ad's main focus is laundry detergent and draws attention to a growing trend in the industry of offering concentrated laundry detergent in smaller packaging.  The ad says, "If every Wal-Mart customer bought just one compact laundry detergent, we'd reduce packaging waste by over 50 million pounds."

Another interesting feature in the ad are the new Wal-Mart Ecomat doormats.  There isn't much information available on the doormats other than they are a "one time offer" and are made from 100% recycled Wal-Mart car tires.  According to Wal-Mart if every customer bought one Ecomat it would keep 60 million passenger tires from becoming waste.

This Wal-Mart ad is of great interest.  The mere fact it mentions "packaging waste" in a national mainstream ad is amazing.  Even a year ago such a mention would have been unheard of for a company like Wal-Mart to acknowledge let alone mention such an issue in a national advertising circular.

Brita Teams Up with Nalgene to Reduce Disposable Water Bottle Usage

Water filter maker Brita owned by Oakland-based Clorox has teamed up with Nalgene to launch a new campaign aimed at reducing the use of disposable water bottles.

The campaign, Filter For Good, is obviously mutually beneficial to both the water filter and reusable bottle makers.   It also may be in response to the growing sales of another popular reusable bottle Sigg.

The new campaign highlights the perfect marriage of the two products.  Use your Brita to purify tap water and then fill your Nalgene with the tap water.  Clearly this choice has tremendous environmental benefits when you look at disposable bottled water as the alternative. 

According to the LA Times, Sigg has worked a deal with Aveda placing their water bottles at this year's New York Fashion Week.  Sigg USA also reports a 200% increase in sales over the last three months. 

There certainly has been increased attention to the disposable water bottle issue over the last several months. 

More than anything from my discussions with consumers Nalgene has suffered more from the fact their bottles are mostly made from Lexan #7 plastic than anything else.   Increasing numbers of consumers are turning to reusable bottles made of metal like the Sigg or Klean Kanteens over their plastic bottles.

Nalgene has also launched Refill Not Landfill, a campaign aimed at encouraging more consumers to use their reusable bottles over disposable water bottles.  The company uses #7 Polycarbonate/LEXAN, #2 High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), #4 Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and # 5 Polypropylene (PP) plastics to make the various products in their line. 

Again the resistance I have seen from consumers related to reusable plastic water bottles has more to do with consumers being concerned over plastics as opposed to objecting to the idea of a reusable bottle itself.  Whether the concerns are unfounded is another issue but the feeling is certainly out there.  I believe this is why companies like Sigg and Klean Kanteen are seeing increases in sales.

Reusablebags.com Acme Bags Recycled PET Plastic Tote A Winner

Chicago-based Reusable Bags recently introduced a new reusable tote bag in its Acme Bags line made from recycled #1 PET plastic.  The bag is a perfect example of a forward thinking product that covers all the bases in terms of functionality and style.

Unlike many earth friendly reusable tote bags and other reusable bags that aren't so earth friendly this bag shines in all the right areas.  It is made from 98% post-consumer recycled content.  The bag is made of a lightweight, durable soft fabric made from recycled #1 PET (PETE) plastic.  The manufacturer says the fabric used to produce each of these bags reclaims about 10 recycled plastic bottles/containers. 

Recycled PET is a durable, eco-friendly fabric made from post consumer recycled plastic bottles & containers.  In the U.S. alone over 45 billion plastic containers end up in landfills in 2006.  Choosing products made from recycled PET promotes a more sustainable path for plastic.

Approximately 31% of plastic bottles produced in the United States are made from a material called PolyEthylene Terephtalate, "PET" or "PETE."  Usually clear or green, the plastic is mostly used for consumer goods such as soda bottles and food jars. According to the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), in 2005 United States manufacturers produced 5.075 billion pounds of PET products. Such a high production rate makes finding uses for post-consumer plastics imperative. If the current rate of manufacturing and consumer recycling remains, 40 billion pounds of PET waste will be added to our landfills within only a decade.

I have two of these Acme recycled PET bags and I have tried numerous reusable bags over the last few years and I can say these are the best most functional ones I have used.  These bags are set apart from other reusable bags because they incorporate an element of style often lacking from other bags.  The end result is a bag that consumers will use for years due to the durability and style of the product.

Soy Guard Enters Green Home Improvement Market

Soy Guard, new soy-based series of deck sealants and related products has entered the green home improvement market.  Its interesting to see what the latest trends are in certain markets. 

Green marketing and product development in the home improvement/weekend project sector has been helped tremendously by the attention Home Depot's eco options program has generated.

Soy Guard is made by Pennsylvania-based Bio Preserve and is available across the country.  The product offers a soy-based alternative to the numerous petroleum-based options currently on the market. 

According to the manufacturer their soy products are biobased (Made from Renewable Resources), have ultra Low V.O.C. Clean Air Formula - less than 50g/L and are non toxic and non flammable (Best Natural Alternative to toxic and flammable waterproofing formulations and
wood coatings)

(via) Alternative Consumer

Boxed Water Hits Marketplace Nationwide

AQUA2GO is a new boxed water now available in many locations.  The company claims its water is much more sustainable than bottled waters and touts its packaging as a key component in its sustainability.  AQUA2GO  is purified through a reverse osmosis process. 

AQUA2GO is packaged in Tetra Brik Aseptic packaging made by Tetra Pak Inc.  The company claims their product is 96% water and 4% packaging compared to a typical 80% product and 20% packaging.  The Tetra Brik packaging is made from 74% wood (paper), 20% plastic and 6% aluminum.

The company says because of its packaging its water has a five-year shelf life and is not susceptible to environmental factors like temperature and light like bottled water.  Their water requires no special storage, is compact and lightweight and the package can easily be flattened after use.

AQUA2GO is available nationally thanks to a deal with the large organic distributor Tree of Life.  AQUA2GO was  initially launched in Whole Foods' Louisiana stores, Winn Dixie (100 stores along the Gulf Coast), Rouse's, Langensteins and several other local New Orleans stores.

The new national distribution agreement with Tree of Life has expanded AQUA2GO's presence across the country now making it available to other national merchants who do business with Tree of Life (such as WalMart, Krogers, Hy-Vee, Wild Oats, Roundy's and more), as well as the remaining Whole Foods regions.

It will be interesting to track the reaction to this product in the marketplace.  AQUA2GO does not appear to be available in my region yet. 

Despite the company's claim its packaging is a better option in terms of the environment it should be noted that point is at the very least debatable. 

 

Goodbye Plastic Disposable Silverware Flatware Cutlery

It always interests me to find products marketed towards a specific community that are virtually unknown to other segments of the marketplace but yet could be quite successful if they were. 

This the case with the Snow Peak titanium fork, spoon and knife set.  Marketed toward hikers concerned about the overall weight of their packs, this set has huge potential in the green marketplace.

Snow Peak is a company who makes camping and backpacking gear.  Based in Oregon the company has Japanese roots and places a premium on the design and use of its products.

Their titanium fork, spoon and knife set is the ultimate sustainable alternative to the incredible amount of disposable plastic utensils out there.  What separates the Snow Peak set  even from other sustainable reusable options like bamboo utensils is the fact this set is a lifetime product.  A key element in determining a product's overall sustainability. 

The set weighs a total of 1.8oz/ 52g and comes in a small pouch.  It is perfect for taking to the office for lunch or on the go.  If you are a regular user of disposable plastic utensils for lunch It pays for itself within a matter of several months.  Furthermore the environmental benefits are enormous. 

What I like about this product is that its practical and well designed.  Many people who take lunch to work start out with good intentions to bring their own silverware with them but forget and end up using plastic disposals.  The Snow Peak set is easy to keep in your bag or at the office its also interesting and pretty cool which isn't a bad thing either.

FYI online retailer Backcountrygear.com appears
to have the best price on this set

A Product Paper Towel Manufacturers Don't Want You to Know About

I was out looking for interesting products as I often do and I happened upon an item at Sam's Club that made me do a double take.  Ecolab Proforce Reusable Foodservice Towels was the item that stopped me mid aisle.  The first thought that came to my mind was oh boy I bet this is something paper towel manufacturers are trying to keep off mainstream store shelves.

The reusable foodservice towels as they are called were in the cleaning products aisle at Sam's Club in the industrial cleaning section.  Interestingly they were not the area with the products aimed at consumers.  These towels come 25 in a pack for $6.99 are reusable and machine washable.  They are made of non-woven cotton.

Can you imagine if these caught on?  What am impact they would have on reducing waste and putting a dent in the disposable paper products market.  Wow.  I was excited for a couple reasons.  First off the price.  Secondly they actually look and feel like a heavy duty paper towel. 

Judging by the way many consumers in this country react to "greener" products I thought these actually looked like something people wouldn't immediately label as "green" and therefore steer clean of.  These towels look like highly functional heavy duty paper towels.  I think they could work mainstream.

Are they the ideal option?  No.  But lets face it disposable paper products are an environmental disaster.  If by some amazing series of events these actually started to gain market share in the U.S. and were sold as a mainstream product,  the impact they would have would be amazing.

Is Arc'teryx's Brand Identity Eroding as Some of its Production Goes to China and Other Countries?

High-end outdoor apparel company Arc'teryx is eroding the strength of its brand by contracting some of its manufacturing overseas and not fully embracing it.

If Arc'teryx is going to source production overseas they need to fully embrace it, just like Mountain Equipment Co-Op (MEC) did. The company needs to tell consumers about their corporate sustainability efforts, conditions in their overseas production facilities and have audits & accountability for their contractors. 

Arc'teryx's customer base are avid outdoor people.  These people as a group tend to value social responsibility highly when making decisions on buying.  When companies don't provide this information or worse yet offer weak corporate sounding gloss over statements consumers look elsewhere.

Its not good enough any more to tell consumers 25% of the products are made in China and other countries and the remainder is made in Canada.  Eco-consumers want specifics, they as a group do more product research than any other segment of the buying population before making a decision on what to purchase.  Eco-consumers want information so they can make informed decisions.  Be open and up front and consumers will respond and the focus will shift from the country of manufacture back to the quality of the final product.

Arc'teryx Diplomat ST Gore Windstopper® Jacket made from Italian wool.  Made in China
 

Arc'teryx was founded in 1991 in Vancouver and made all of its gear in Canada.  It was known as a highly respected small brand with impeccable quality.   The company started making climbing harnesses and then began making innovative garments known for their construction and fit. 

In 2002 Arc'teryx was bought by Salomon, owned at the time by Adidas.  With the global presence of Salomon and the increasing popularity of Arc'teryx, the company started to out source manufacturing of some of its garments to China and other countries.

Ecoist to Launch Line of Handbags Made from Repurposed Coca-Cola Labels

 

Miami-based Ecoist, makers of unique gifts and fashion accessories made from repurposed materials announced a partnership with the Coca-Cola Company yesterday.  Ecoist is known for their handbags make from repurposed candy wrappers, food packages, billboards and soft drink labels.   

Under the partnership Ecoist will launch a new line of handbags made from repurposed Coca-Cola bottle labels.  US Newswire reports most of the labels will be sourced from Coca-Cola bottlers or label manufacturers in Peru where Ecoist has been working in a production center operated by Prosostenible S.A. a fair trade manufacturer.

As you might expect this is another great PR item for Coca-Cola and they aren't wasting any time treating it as such. 

"We are very excited to be working with Ecoist. They are the ideal partners for Coke's continuous involvement with environmental initiatives. We have made great strides in reducing our waste output from our bottling plants or label manufacturing facilities, and we are constantly seeking ways to further reduce our environmental footprint. This partnership allows us to repurpose materials. Best of all, we are helping to create greater awareness on environmentally and socially responsible consumption. We want to inspire others to act," says Kelli Sogar, Merchandise Manager, Worldwide Licensing and Retail Operations of The Coca-Cola Company.

Ecoist was founded in 2004. It is a family run business doing most of its production in facilities in Peru and Mexico.  The company prides themselves in Fair Trade practices and their products are sold across the US at natural & boutique specialty type stores. 

Growing Number of Restaurants Offering Tap Water Only

Forget imported water from Fiji or Norway, more and more restaurants across the country are offering only tap water to customers.  The move comes as consumers and restaurateurs alike are realizing the tremendously negative effects of shipping bottled water to the US.

The growing shift in the restaurant community isn't just happening at traditionally green establishments.  Joseph Bastianich, who co-owns a number of high end New York restaurants along with Mario Batali is soon offering only filtered still and carbonated tap water at the elegant Del Posto restaurant.  According to today's NY Times the tap water will be served in containers with an explanation of why bottled water is no longer available.

''Filling cargo ships with water and sending it hundreds and thousands of miles to get it around the world seems ridiculous,'' Mr. Bastianich said. ''With all the other things we do for sustainability, it makes sense.''

For many dining establishments the decision to offer bottled or imported water is driven by profits more than anything else.  Many restaurants are hesitant to make a change to tap water because there are large profits in offering bottled/imported waters.  Restaurants buy it for $1 or $2 and sell it for as much as $8, or even more, giving it the highest markup of any item on the menu.

Target Focuses on Organics in Weekly Ad; Shareholders Urge Eco Progress

Target Stores has devoted an entire page in their current national print ad campaign to "natural home choices," featuring organic home textiles and recycled and/or natural home products.  This national print ad comes the same week as shareholders gathered at Target's annual shareholder meeting held yesterday in Cleveland, Ohio.

Eco issues were a focal point at this years meeting.  HTT reported five shareholders each representing larger groups of shareholders raised concerns over the use of PVC in products and packaging.

Target executives reiterated their intention to assess and pursue alternatives to the pollutant. 

The company offered examples of progress by saying they were looking into offering shower curtains made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) as well as cloth curtains.  They also said they were looking at moving from plastic to corrugated packaging for some of their Target brand dinner ware products.

Target said they have requested vendors reduce the amount of packaging and use materials that are easily recyclable.

The focus on eco progress at the shareholders meeting is interesting especially in light of the increased presence of more eco-friendly products on store shelves.  This fact appears not to have been a focal point of the meeting.

Target has increased its eco-friendly home textiles carrying full lines of organic kitchen and bath towels, two different eco bedding lines one fully organic cotton and one a 60/40 cotton/bamboo split.  The company also has a highly successful relationship with household cleaning company Method and has introduced a new line of men's personal care products that are eco-friendly called Every Man Jack.  In addition Target has established relationships with other well-known brands such as Burt's Bees.

Japanese Company Produces Wide Range of Recycled High Performance Fabrics

Teijin Fibers Limited of Japan has developed a new polyester fabric called Eco Storm that is waterproof and moisture permeable.  The fabric is made from recycled fibers and is part of Tejin's innovative Eco Circle closed-loop recycling process.

Made entirely from polyester, it can be recycled into new fibers with the Eco Circle recycling system after used products are collected. Eco Storm is a revolutionary material featuring a sophisticated combination of unprecedented comfort and environmental friendliness.

The company expects Eco Storm to find growing demand, chiefly from eco-conscious sporting apparel manufacturers based in Japan and abroad, government offices that are required to make green purchases and other companies oriented to environmental considerations for uniform and rain gear applications.

A number of clothing companies participate in Tejin's Eco Circle including MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op), a Canadian company I am a big fan of.  MEC takes back used products from their customers through garment recycling bins in their stores.  Garments with that still show signs of life are donated.  The remaining products are sent to Teijin, where they are reprocessed into new fibers through Eco Circle™. In this process, garments are crushed, turned into granules, then run through a chemical reaction process that removes dyes and other chemicals before turning it back into raw polyester (polyester polymer), then new Eco Circle fibers like Eco Storm.

Several companies including MEC, Patagonia and NAU are using Eco Cicle fabrics in their current product lines.  Tejin is currently working with some 70 participating apparel manufacturers and sporting gear manufacturers as part of Eco Circle.

Recycled Soda Bottle Board Shorts from Patagonia

As summer is quickly approaching here is an interesting green product from Patagonia.  Board shorts made out of 100% polyester fiber recycled from soda bottles.  Patagonia's Minimalist II board shorts are available in a variety of colors for both men and women. 

As far as green/sustainable goes we like like them, they are a neat way to make use of the endless supply of plastic bottles we have in this country.   The board shorts have a DWR finish which isn't the greenest  of things - honestly the thing we like least is the price @ $55 for mens and even more for the women's.  We are getting closer to the day where we can buy products made from recycled fibers at affordable prices but we aren't there yet.

All in all a cool green product from Patagonia.

JavaPop First Organic Fair Trade Coffee Soda

JavaPop is a new organic Fair Trade certified coffee soda made by JavaPop Inc. in Vermont.  The company is partnering with Snapple to distribute the line of five flavors (Espresso, Vanilla, Mocha, Hazelnut and Caramel) nationally. 

The carbonated beverage is nondairy-based and 100-percent natural. JavaPop is flavored with fresh-pressed pure cane juice and coffee beans from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. The drink is free of highly refined sugars, chemicals and other additives, and its container is made of recycled and repurposed glass.

The retro-inspired bottles will be sold individually

Method Bloq

If you're a sage fan like I am you are going to love the new Method Bloq beach sage body wash.  Sage is such a nice scent and I've never seen a product like the bloq before. 

Method scores a big hit with its new line of products called Method bloq.  The new line of non-toxic, paraben-free personal care products began to appear on store shelves in mid-April. 

As you'd expect Method went above and beyond in terms of the industrial design on the bloq.  Happy Mundane reported via Monocle that Method hired Josh Handy a product director for Karim Rashid to do the design. 

The unique slim square "bloq" design was apparently a "spur of the moment" creation according to Monocle.   They were originally going to use a round bottle design called "Seed" but there were issues with how it fit on store shelves and in the shower.  This is when Handy came up with the "bloq" design. 

Available in body lotion ($8), body bars ($6), body wash ($8), and shave cream ($6), the line includes fragrances such as Escape Artist (beach sage), Eternal Optimist (citron leaf), Go Getter (green mint), and Pure Minimalist (water flower).

In addition to their website check out Method's people against dirty blog. 

The Five Best Natural Skin Care Products

Exponential Growth Expected in the Natural/Organic Cosmetics Industry - We Rate the Five Best Products Currently Available

Natural skincare products are as important as eating food without unnecessary additives and chemicals.  The natural/organic cosmetic industry is a rapidly growing one and there is a fair amount of misinformation out there. 

Many of the mainstream cosmetic products both expensive and inexpensive are the equivalent of junk food for our skin.  Sew Green ran an informative piece on cosmetics the other day that is worth checking out.

Consumers are beginning to realize the disconnect between living a green/organic lifestyle and then applying chemically derived cosmetic products to their skin on a daily basis.  Mark my words there will exponential growth in the natural/organic cosmetic industry in the short term. 

Going natural/organic with your skincare products doesn't mean you have to break the bank.  Our five favorite products cost as much or less than similar conventional counterparts.  These five products cover the basic key areas of skin care and contain no chemicals or unnecessary additives. 

We review the five best natural skin care products that contain no toxic chemicals or unnecessary additives

1) Mychelle Pumpkin Renewal Cream - best overall daily moisturizer for all skin types. $22

2) Mychelle Sun Shield SPF 28 - together with the Pumpkin Renewal Cream a winning combination. $17

3) Trader Joe's Pure Castile (vegetable) soap - a great all around cleanser/body wash and at $3 you can't beat it.

4) Trader Joe's Unscented Deodorant - nothing unnecessary in here and inexpensive. $2

5) Burt's Bees More Moisture Raspberry & Brazil Nut Conditioner.  $8   

No Clear Solution to Disposable Diaper Problem

Companies and consumers look for eco-friendly solutions to the massive 450 Billion diaper a year disposable diaper problem

BY RIDER THOMPSON

Companies like gDiapers have made headlines as they and others introduce new innovative products into the growing "eco-friendly" diaper market.   With each innovation it seems new questions arise as to whether they are actually improvements or just different versions of the same problem. 

The facts are staggering.  Studies have shown an infant goes through between 7,000 and 8,000 diaper changes before entering potty training.  World Watch estimates 450 billion disposable diapers are used each year and contribute nearly 77 million tons of waste to landfills.  Even worse, a disposable diaper normally made out of plastics takes around 500 years to degrade.

What is the solution?  Well a number of companies have created "earth-friendly" diapers however there are varying opinions on how earth friendly these diapers actually are.  Some experts believe the idea of a biodegradable diaper isn't a solution because of the fact many landfills aren't conducive to fostering the decomposition process.

Stevia

Stevia A Natural Alternative to Sugar

BY RIDER THOMPSON

Diabetics have known about Stevia for years and have sworn by it. Stevia is a small perennial plant native to Central and South America that is sweet, much sweeter than sugar (some extracts are up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar) yet it has little or no effect on blood glucose, therefore it has drawn a lot of attention as a natural sweetener for diabetics and others on carbohydrate sensitive diets whose other alternative sweeteners are Splenda or Nutrasweet – both chemical sweeteners. Stevia has also shown promising signs in medical research for treating obesity and high blood pressure.

Recycled Reusable Options for Paper Towels, Toilet Paper & Tissues

There are many options for making the use of household paper products more eco-friendly

MARCAL HOUSEHOLD PAPER PRODUCTS

BY RIDER THOMPSON

Noticing recent increased interest in eco-friendly options for toilet paper and other household paper products I wanted to follow up on an earlier posting on Marcal recycled paper products.  As you may know I think Marcal products are one solution to the household paper products conundrum many are trying to address.

Sustainable is Good has focused on the problem of household paper products since we began and believe it is one area where consumers of all types can make a significant impact in favor of more eco-friendly products.  My feeling is that household paper products if they are used at all should come from recycled sources.  This is based on the simple reality that most household paper products are immediately discarded after one use.  Recognizing the fact that eliminating household paper products is probably not fully realistic, my goal is to raise awareness to brands like Marcal and others consumers can buy that are much more responsible than the leading mainstream brands like Kleenex, Scott, Cottonelle & Viva. 

Global Balance Concentrated Laundry Liquid

image © www.sustainableisgood.com

BY RIDER THOMPSON

Global Balance concentrated liquid laundry detergent is an excellent inexpensive eco-friendly product.  It works well, is cheap and seems to be readily available.  So whats the problem?  Well its just frustrating to see a great product not marketed very well, if at all.  Where do consumers find Global Balance products?  What else do they make? 

These are all common questions and good luck in finding the answers.  Its a shame because this product is great and we'd like to try some of their other products.  It appears the only way consumers can find out about them is by running into them on store shelves.  This is unfortunate as the products Global Balance make appear to fit well into the value priced sustainable market there is so much interest in.   

Simple Shoes Stop Global Warming Flip-flop

Sustainable flip-flop aimed at stopping Global Warming

Simple Shoes has teamed up with the Stop global Warming virtual March to develop a special stopglobalwarming.org edition of the Toepeeka flip-flop for men and women.  The Toepeeka is part of Simple Shoes' Green Toe collection of sustainable footwear and accessories.

The flip-flop features the Stop Global Warming logo printed on organic cotton, an outsole made from a car tire, water based glues, latex, 100% post consumer paper pulp foot forms, jute footbed and bamboo lining.  To lessen the ecological footprint from packaging, the flip-flops will come in a bio-degradable bag made from corn-starch.

The inside strap contains tips for individuals on how to reduce their carbon emissions.  The flip-flops sell for $65 and Simple will donate $5 from each pair sold to Stopglobalwarming.org.  They are available online or through retailers.

MoMA Goes Green

Read our interview on MoMA's new treeless paper now used in all their retail packaging & boxes

image © Design & Source Productions Inc
PHOTO:  MoMA's NEW ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING

BY RIDER THOMPSON

Shoppers at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) stores may have noticed something different on their latest visit.  The packaging in all MoMA’s retail shops is now green.  We’re not just talking simple green here either.  Their gift packaging including boxes and all bags is now made from a revolutionary sustainable material called TerraSkin™ made by Design & Source Productions in New York.

Magickal Realism Naturals

Minneapolis-based Natural Perfumer Produces Over 70 Scents

image © magickalrealism.etsy.com

BY RIDER THOMPSON

Diana Rajchel is a busy woman. The self described fashionista, full-time perfumer, occult writer, and volunteer coordinator is the one behind Magickal Realism Naturals, a Minneapolis-based natural perfumery.

alchemy goods

An Interview with Alchemy Goods founder Eli Reich

JUST SETTLED INTO ITS NEW HOME IN SEATTLE'S SoDo DISTRICT THE COMPANY IS POISED TO CONTINUE ITS GROWTH 

image © www.sustainableisgood.com
PHOTO:  ALCHEMY GOODS Ad Bag ($30)

BY RIDER THOMPSON

For Alchemy Goods founder Eli Reich, having to move his two and half year old business out of the bottom floor of his house to a new location is a good thing.  The 29 year old Reich recently settled into his new digs in warehouse space in Seattle’s SoDo district.  His company needs the space to continue its growth.  In a recent phone interview, he talked about his new location and how his company has grown so rapidly.  Reich described Sodo (South of Downtown) as a “charming old industrial part of town.”   The new space allows Reich & his staff of four employees much needed room to store materials and work in less cramped surroundings.   “We were on top of each other in the old space,” said Reich.

eco basics pillow

eco basics pillow by Bean Products

image © www.sustainableisgood.com

BY RIDER THOMPSON

The Eco Basics pillow made by Bean Products in Chicago Illinois is the subject of quite a lot buzz on various websites and blogs – interestingly though, there is very little information available on the product even from the company.

The Green Guide and many others have all run little blurbs or recommended the pillow as an inexpensive alternative to higher priced eco bedding options.  The pillow is filled with 100% recycled polyester fiber made from recycled soda bottles the casing is 100% unbleached cotton.  It comes packed full with fill and has a zippered opening to allow the customer to remove fill to adjust to their desired fill level all of this for between $18 – 24 plus shipping depending on where you buy it from.  Very reasonable especially considering other similar pillows which can easily sell for $100 or more.

So Bean Products has this seemingly great pillow – why aren’t they don’t anything to promote it?  We contacted them for information on the product for this story but did not hear back from them.  If you do a Google search on the pillow you’ll find references to the pillow and various places that carry it but everyone has the same standard paragraph. 

“An inexpensive pillow that makes a difference for the environment. Our pillows are generously stuffed with material made from 100% recycled soda bottles. Completely hypoallergenic, Eco-basics pillows are extremely comfortable and are covered in 100% unbleached cotton ticking.  Comes overstuffed, but fill is removable to obtain desired firmness.  Make an environmental and economical choice for closing the loop. Comfort size 20" x 25"

Judging by the information from the company and examining the actual pillow itself, it appears to be a good well made product.  So why isn’t there any info on it?  No info on how it’s made or where it’s made or if they have any interesting community partnerships to get the recycled polyfill material.  All the things that add elements of interest to consumers especially eco-conscious consumers who like to know how and where their products are made.

How to get one

You can order a pillow directly from Bean Products for $20 plus shipping and handling.  Looking around through, I found the pillow at online retailer Greenfeet.com for $18 plus shipping.  I ordered the product from them and later learned the pillow is actually drop shipped by Bean Products and does not come from Greenfeet.  I contacted Greenfeet and they confirmed the Eco Basics pillow comes direct from the manufacturer.  So Greenfeet sells the pillow for $2 less than the company itself, yet the company drop ships the product… odd.  I guess the lesson is order from Greenfeet.com if you want to save $2 because it comes direct from the manufacturer anyway???

Anyhow – the product is exactly as described I just find the lack of info and the marketing techniques a little odd.  It’s the type of product that people are interested in and want, perhaps the company will realize this and provide more info in the future. 

The photo we shot is the only unique photo of the pillow available on the Internet and the only one we've seen that gives consumers an idea of what the pillow is actually like.

only natural pet store

Online Pet Store offers wide range of natural and eco-friendly pet products

The Only Natural Pet Store is a Colorado based Pet Store that is making a splash online offering people nationwide a one stop source for natural and organic pet products. Couple things we like about these guys right off the bat 1) They buy 100% Green wind energy to offset their company's electricity use on the grid (just like we do from People's Power and Light). 2) their packaging is minimal and reused when they can and their boxes are stuffed with packing peanuts made out of 100% cornstarch (see photo above) which means you can discard them in the compost bin or simply wash them down the drain.

The selection of pet products at Only Natural Pet Store is large with a wide range of choices for both dogs and cats. Their selection is chosen to offer healthy, natural pet care products that are consistent with a holistic approach to pet health. All of the products they offer are natural. On a recent order we were pleased the items arrived quickly and the pricing is less than what you will find at the large pet stores nationwide, with shipping you are paying about the same price - the difference is the selection of natural products is huge at Only Natural Pet Store. Many of the products they have in their inventory are difficult to find locally so their online store provides an source for the pet owner determined to provide natural products to their pets. Their selection of holistic medicines and remedies is also quite impressive. On a recent order we got some organic cat treat and natural hairball remedy - a welcome find compared to the normal petroleum-based ones available at most places.

On a side note we also like the fact the Only Natural Pet Store offers shipping by USPS (United States Postal Service) their priority mail is fast and efficient - we support USPS. We are not impressed with UPS lately, personal experience with UPS along with feedback from readers highlight a number of problems from long shipping times to them refusing to leave items at residences.  We are also concerned they are trying to steer people towards their new feature at UPS Stores where they will "sign" for your packages if your not home.  So we support businesses that offer consumers a choice with shipping options.  We especially like USPS and DHL. 

merrick earthsaver hangers

Clothing hangers made from Corn

UPDATED 10/26/07 - See our story on Merrick Bamboo Hangers discovered this week at Target

Earthsaver hangers are made from 100% corn - yet they look and feel like traditional plastic clothing hangers. Made by Merrick as an environmentally sound alternative to petroleum-based plastic these hangers offer consumers an eco-friendly alternative. The corn for the hangers comes from renewable resources all grown by farmers in the US and is 100% compostable. The hangers are also made in the USA.

The earthsaver hangers are an innovative product one that certainly warrants some attention. There is no question we have endless amounts of corn in the United States, so a product like this that can use some of that corn makes sense. Is it a viable alternative to petroleum-based plastic hangers that exist in the billions in this country? I believe so and I would expect more products like this to appear on the market in the upcoming years.

In a related interesting move, Walmart stores are carrying the earthsaver hangers and offering them for about $3.50 for five of them. The earthsaver hangers differ in appearance from the inexpensive plastic hangers they replace. Their design is rather innovative holding clothes better than the traditional basic plastic hangers. Merrick calls the style a "heavy shirt" design.

Check Rajeev Singh's blog for some additional commentary on these hangers.  He raises some interesting points, namely that information and publicity related to this product are virtually nonexistent.  This is an interesting observation because its the type of product you'd think a company like Walmart would make an example of to show they are "green."  There may be a supply issue on these and it is unknown if they are carried by all Walmart stores or being tested in certain stores.   In addition the product's manufacturer Merrick provides no information on these hangers on their own company website... which is odd.

ecolution

Ecolution Hemp Products

ecolution is a company that focuses on making natural textile products in the most environmentally sound way possible. Hemp is is the fastest growing agricultural crop and is low impact on the land as it requires no chemicals in its cultivation.

ecolution makes a large range of products from personal accessories like this hemp checkbook holder to a full line of clothing for both men and women. The company is an innovator with operations in Transylvania, Romania and the United States - they are focused on providing their employees a solid place to work and grow with the company. Their products are available at a wide range of retailers nationwide.

klean kanteen

Klean Kanteen

The stainless steel alternative to plastics is what Klean Kanteens are all about. After multiple reports confirmed that plastics leach toxic chemicals over time people began searching for an alternative. And Klean Kanteen was born. These guys make a whole line of stainless steel drinking bottles including a sippy cup for infants.

All of their products are made from high quality, sanitary grade 304 stainless steel. 304 has a low nickel content and is preferred by breweries and dairies. 304 stainless steel is easy to clean, durable, inert and sanitary. It is also environmentally correct - since stainless steel does not require harsh cleaners to clean the surface, there is little to no production waste that could have an environmental impact. Klean Kanteens come with a variety of options for the top made of polypropylene #5 because it has no known leaching characteristics and is softer on your mouth and teeth if you hit a bump on the trail. If you’d rather avoid plastic altogether, a stainless steel screw-on lid is available as an accessory.

I have the 27 oz Klean Kanteen which is tall and slim with the "sports cap" top. It works great I have been using it now for about a week and am very happy with it. These Kanteens are designed with the user in mind with wide necks so you can put ice cubes in them easily, they fit most bicycle water bottle cage/carriers and are lightweight my 27oz one only weighs 8oz.

innodesk

Innodesk Dust Blower - Eco-Friendly Replacement to Compressed Air!

Here is a product I just love the dust blower from Innodesk. Innodesk is a company in Ohio that specializes in making innovative products for the office and home. Their dust blower is one of those products - it eliminates the need for canned compressed air! Canned compressed air is a very useful product for anyone who uses electronics often, however it is not a good product from an environmental standpoint. Innodesk's dust blower is battery operated using 4 AA batteries and it is as powerful as the traditional compressed air dust blower. I pair my Innodesk with energizer rechargeable AA batteries and it packs quite a punch! I use mine for computer keyboards, my camera equipment and various other handy uses. The design on this blower is smart, simple and efficient. Check it out, information on where to get one is available from Innodesk.

archer farms organic

Organic Hits Target Stores with Archer Farms

Archer Farms Organic Raspberry fruit strips are this weeks focus on value organic products. Sold by Target stores in the US under their brand Archer Farms, these organic fruit strips are made in Canada. Containing apple, raspberry and a relatively low amount of sugar (8g) I find them to be pretty darn good. At $2.99 for (10) they are a solid value. The taste is what you would expect from an organic fruit strip with low sugar. I find them very good, but they certainly aren't like the fruit roll-ups of the 80s.

seki edge

Seki Edge Scissors

Do it yourself haircutters and those who like to handle the touch ups themselves listen up. These Seki Edge scissors are the answer. I know from personal experience of having friends cut my hair from time to time to keep costs down or just do a touch up -how painful an experience it can be trying to use dull paper cutting scissors to cut hair! Well no more dull scissors these scissors made in Japan cost about $35 (basically the cost of one haircut these days) and they are simply amazing. Perfectly balanced lightweight and super sharp. Made of twice- tempered stainless steel the blades are hand-finished.

Made in the legendary samurai steel making region of Seki, Japan these are truly useful high performance instruments. Well worth looking into and using on your next do it yourself haircut.

eureka 71A vacuum

Eureka 71A Hand-Held Vacuum

This is one cool hand-held vacuum. Let me say it clearer, this is hands down the best hand-held portable vac we have ever owned. The design on the Eureka 71A is amazing, the industrial designers on this project deserve a raise they got this one right let me tell you. It does everything is ergonomic, bagless so it doesn't create unneeded waste, powerful and efficient not overkill for normal daily tasks, lightweight and did I say well designed?

There are so many little things on this vac like the fact the front visor pivots to control the suction either vertical or horizontal, the fact you can have the spinning brush on or off depending on your needs, the fact the vac guides across flat surfaces like a hovercraft its so smooth, the hose disconnects for specialized tasks, the collection chamber pops off and empties effortlessly and the cord easily wraps around the unit for storage. I just love this thing, its powerful, efficient and doesn't create needless waste from bags. Way to go Eureka - oh its also inexpensive - about $50 from Amazon.com.

marcal

Marcal Paper Products - Recycled and Affordable - Who Wouldn't use them?

In our constant search to find a more sustainable affordable solution to the huge issue of household paper products, we have found a company in New Jersey called Marcal Paper to be the answer. Marcal Paper makes a number of lines of products including the commonly available Fluff Out brand of tissues, Sofpac toilet paper and Marcal brand of papertowels as well as others.

The company motto is "Paper from Paper not Trees." Marcal's products are 100% recycled most with a minimum of 30% post consumer recycled content many of their products have much higher PCW content (click here for a list of PCW content by product), are processed chlorine free and best of all are inexpensive.

We use Marcal papertowels, toilet paper and their Fluff Out Tissues and find them as good as any other major brand out there. Their products actually feel and seem more similar to the major non-recycled brands than most other environmentally friendly products we have tried. We all have tried green products that felt like sandpaper instead of toilet paper! Not these from Marcal.

To make their products, Marcal recycles more than 200,000 tons of paper products each year, much of which is generated from the community, businesses and schools. The company is a great example of taking community recycled paper goods and recycling them.

Where can you find Marcal? They are carried by Stop and Stop and Shaw's Supermarkets in the Eastern US, and at Staples office supply stores nationwide. Please feel free to post other places where you can get them.

Marcal products are inexpensive and the company is built on the idea of Paper from Paper not Trees, we think they are a great example of a company doing business in a forward thinking responsible fashion - and think they are the type of company we should support.

zensoy organic pudding

Zensoy Organic Chocolate Pudding

ZenSoy Organic chocolate pudding provides chocolate lovers like me a great tasting low fat way to get their chocolate fix that is also a source of protein. Made from organic non-GMO soybeans and organic cocoa - this pudding has a great chocolate taste. It is available in banana, vanilla, chocolate-vanilla swirl and chocolate.

If you are a dessert fiend like I am these provide a nice organic way to take care of your chocolate fix. Highly recommend them and the company ZenSoy is quality as well choosing to raise awareness to the giant panda (their company mascot) as part of their mission.

busha brownes pukka sauce

Busha Browne's Pukka Hot Pepper Sauce

Busha Browne's Pukka hot pepper sauce is hands down my favorite. I came across this five or six years ago and was hooked. What makes this all natural sauce great is its one of the few sauces based around the Scotch Bonnet pepper - which in my opinion is infinitely more favorable than the habanero pepper and still quite hot. If you like a sauce with a favorable heat (and it is pretty hot) then this one is my recommendation. There are plenty of sauces out there that are hotter but they lack the flavor of the wonderful Scotch Bonnet!

Made in Jamaica of Scotch Bonnets, vinegar and spices the sauce was originally developed as a table sauce for traditionally hot dishes. Personally I think the sauce is a great pairing with turkey (esp a turkey sandwich), soups, and chili. The pukka sauce is surprisingly hard to find. I used to have a source in Connecticut at a small tea shop that did mail order. When they stopped carrying the sauce I went with out it for a while. It is available from various specialty hot sauce stores on the Internet. Many places carry other products from Busha Browne but rarely have the pukka sauce. I am pleased to report I found the Pukka sauce just the other day at a Whole Foods store for $3.49 a bottle (far less than you'll find it on the net). Anyhow for years Whole Foods carried other Busha Browne products but not this. I am glad to find it there now as it is truly a winner. Check it out.

mychelle splash

Mychelle Splash Natural Toning Cologne

I discovered Mychelle Splash in Arizona about three years ago. It is a product I have been using since. Splash is a toning aftersave cologne it totally free of chemicals and all the junk in most commercial personal care products including phthalates and parabens. Splash is antioxidant rich, soothing on the skin and smells terrific.  Designed to tone and refresh your skin with ingredients such as organic aloe vera, shea butter, ginseng and chamomile. Bisabol and white willow bark are powerful anti-inflammatories that reduce sensitivity and soothe irritated skin.

Located in the Rocky Mountains in Frisco, Colorado, Mychelle Dermaceuticals makes a whole line of natural health and skin care products. I also use their So-Clean 4 in one shaving product which is a cleanser, bread softener, shaving foam and all-over body shampoo in one. I have also used their Sooth after shave balm – which is excellent as well. Take a look at their products, I have nothing but high praise and cost wise they are priced very well each around $15.

icelandic angora socks

Icelandic Angora Socks

These socks are made from a blend of Angora rabbit fir (20%), lambswool (50%), polyamid (25%) and lycra 5%. Let me just say they are incredible. Being someone who appreciates socks especially ones that are well constructed and sustainable I am amazed by these socks. Warm and fuzzy, soft and hold their shape. I picked up a pair in Iceland and they have seen quite a fair amount of use here in the winter. The socks are Varma made by Glofi in Iceland. They are available through on the internet through Canada here.

Growing up I was aware through friends of people raising Angora Rabbits and making sweaters out of their fur but had actually never seen a product made from Angora so I was thrilled. The Angora is very very soft and really adds a nice element to the socks. They are similar to some of the Smartwool socks I have but the added Angora makes them even softer. I’d highly recommend them.

sturms organic oatmeal

Sturm's Organic Oatmeal Passes the Taste Test

   
Sturm’s organic oatmeal is a product to consider. I picked up a box of Maple Spice at Walmart of all places for about $2.50 for a box of eight packets, no question a good deal. The quality was excellent not too sweet, no sodium and very good maple spice flavor. Made by Sturm Foods in Manawa, WI. The company has a whole line of organic products and appears committed to expanding in this direction.

moosewood organic

Moosewood Organic Frozen Entrees

Moosewood organic frozen dinners are terrific, I highly recommend them. The recipes were created by the Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca, NY. Moosewood has been making vegetarian foods for over thirty years and has quite a following. They have also recently gotten into the foodservice business supplying vegetarian soups to colleges and universities. Anyway, Moosewood teamed up with Fairfield Farm Kitchens to produce these frozen entrees. Fairfield Farm is located in Brockton, MA and also produces the very popular Organic Classics line of frozen entrees.

The Moosewood entrees are excellent there currently Mararoni & Three Cheese, Farfalle with Spinach Pesto and Portabello Mushrooms, Broccoli and Pasta Parmesan, Moroccan Stew, Pasta e Fagioli, Spicy Penne Puttanesca and Southwest Red Beans and Cornbread. The quality and taste is just fantastic - I find myself having them at work, for a quick meal and for dinner.

The packaging is fully recyclable. This is a winning combination Moosewood and Fairfield Farms both have excellent histories - Fairfield Farms was an old daily about the close and when Fairfield Farms was created they saved the dairy and all fifty jobs their which was just terrific for the people involved

My personal favorite is the Broccoli and Pasta Parmesan its lite and creamy excellent taste not overly salty and tastes great. To find out where you can buy Moosewood organic entrees and soups as well as the Organic Classics entrees visit the Fairfield Farms website and check under store locater. The website also contains all the nutritional information for all their products. Another positive for the Moosewood frozen entrees is the price. They are available for less than $4 a piece, which compared to many other similar products is excellent.

direct recycling

surplus maps recycled into envelopes with lots of charm

This is a very interesting product made by  Direct Recycling I came across them in Paris and was intrigued when I returned looked into them more. They are envelopes made in a variety of common sizes, made entirely from surplus maps. The envelopes are 100% post consumer waste and are really quite charming. Sending people letters using these envelopes will generate notice for sure. They are very well constructed and of high quality. In France I was able to buy bundles of 50 for about 4 euros, they appear more expensive here in the US.

Anyhow I thought this was a really neat product and a great idea taking surplus paper items and making them into other useful products that are unique and innovative. Way to go Direct Recycling these are great.

muji socks

muji recycled yarn socks from japan

Check out these socks made from recycled yarn from Japanese company MUJI. These socks are really neat their colors are wacky and cool and they fit well. I had a pack given to me from the MoMA store in NYC and I wear them regularly - the socks are available @ MoMA or from MUJI stores on or online. MUJI is often described as a "Japanese IKEA" however they carry a wide range of men's and women's clothing. The company has many sustainable practices including using recycled cardboard in many of its products, using unbleached cotton and practicing sustainable forestry.

java log

java logs - firelogs made from recycled coffee grounds

Ok let me just say these things are cool.  Java Logs are a new product made from recycled coffee grounds - they are an alternative to other fireplace logs and wood for fireplaces. The packaging is also 100% recycled.

I bought a box of 6 of these logs recently at a Sams Club store they were about $14.50 - slightly more expensive than other similar products. They work great. The logs last about three hours they crackle and have a good sized flame and do not omit any chemical smell or anything like that. They are easy to use and light with one match simply by lighting the packaging (which is 100% recycled).

As a coffee drinker myself, I can certainly appreciate a product that recycles used coffee grounds. I end up dumping my used coffee ground outdoors in my flower bed or other place. Their product takes used coffee grounds and makes them into a useful item I think many people will enjoy. I am impressed with Java Log and will use them when I have a fire at home.