From In Business Magazine
November/December 2000, Page 10
ecoshopping list
Holiday Gifts That Are Green Year-Round
An amazing array of creative crafting awaits you — and the recipients of your selections.
OUR THANKS to all of you who responded to our invitation to send us descriptions of green gifts to be included in this special year-end section. Besides specific items and some details on who makes them, you’ll also find profiles of individual artisans and how they create them — like Jim Opasik and Cyndi Foster. A special note of appreciation goes to Delia Montgomery of Chic Eco, for her favorites in the “Under $10” category all the way up to the “$Big Spender” level. Her list appears under the heading, “Lessen Your Hopping for Hip, Eco Shopping.”
Here’s a sampling of what’s out there.
ORGANIC THREADS
Cotton crew socks made from FoxFibre naturally colored organic cotton come in three colors — cream, brown and green — in three sizes — medium, large and extra large. Retail mail order is a minimum of four, 3-packs (one dozen); Price is $40/dozen. Contact Gail Richards, Organic Threads, PO Box 882, Albion, CA 95410. (707)895-3947. Also sold by “mail order” companies — Tomorrow’s World (VA) 800-229-7571; A Happy Planet (CA) 888-946-4277; Earth Friendly Goods (TX) 800-257-2848; Uncle Zach’s Earth Friendly (503)295-6677.
BEAN PRODUCTS
Hemp bean bag chair and ottomans made with heavy hemp canvas and filled with 100 percent recycled nontoxic styrene; Landing pad for lounging with soft EcoFleece outershell and fill with 100 percent recycled polyfiber from soda bottles; Recycled pet bed — same construction as landing pad only for dogs; Sleeping bean body pillow (recycled fill or veggie-kapok) — all from Chuck Blumenthal, Bean Products, Inc., 1500 S. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60608; 800-726-8365.
WHITE LOTUS
“Our futons start with a case made of sturdy seven ounce cotton blend ticking sewn with six inch corners. Each futon is piled with eight to ten layers of U.S. Grown “green” cotton, adding one layer at a time until we achieve the perfect mattress.” Catalog also offers wool toppers and pillows, and organic options. “Since 1981, we have crafted mattresses and pillows from cotton, wool, kapok and buckwheat hulls, “ writes CEO Elizabeth Casparian of White Locus Futon, 191 Hamilton St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901. (732)828-2111.
PLANET DOG
For dog lovers, here’s a catalog filled with high quality dog products made from environmentally friendly materials — recycled soda bottles, organic cotton and hemp. Alex Fisher and Stew Maloney founded Planet Dog in 1997, and their catalog satisfies a spectrum of needs — from “doggie down time”, play time, to walks and trips. If you’re looking for ecobones, doggy bags, natural dog treats, dog beds or even dog treats for yourself like Planet Dog T-Shirts, caps, vests, tote bags or hats, visit www.planetdog.com (Planet Dog, 424 Fore St., Portland, Maine 04101 (800)381-1516.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TOOTHBRUSHES
The “Preserve” toothbrush, available for adults and children, is 100% recyclable. Ergonomically designed, it helps people brush in the motion most recommended by dental professionals. The handles are made of 100% recycled plastic. The products are designed to be completely recyclable — a postage-paid mailer makes it easy for consumers to return the Preserve toothbrushes to Recycline. The brush, packaging and mailer are recycled into plastic lumber products. Recycline is partnering with Stonyfield Farm by recycling Stonyfield Farm yogurt cups, returned to the company by consumers, into the handles of the “Preserve” toothbrushes. For more information call Recycline at (888) 354-7296 or visit recycline.com. Recycline, Inc., 236 Holland St., Somerville, MA 02144.
HIP ON HEMP
Hemp printer paper is available from www.showyourloveof nature.com. The hemp printer paper pack, best used with a laser printer, can be used for sales letters, reports, and much more and is priced at $9.95 plus shipping. Gopherwood Designs LLC, 300 Broad Ave., Englewood, NJ 07631; Tel (201)569-0467.
WARM HEADS, HAPPY HEARTS
Hats made from recycled sweaters — tailored to fit all different head sizes and face shapes — is just one of the winter wonder gifts available at Home & Planet in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Recycled aluminum photo albums with a heart on the cover, and photo frames — to feature your special Valentine — made by at risk teens from reclaimed wood and recycled glass are perfect gifts as February 14th rolls around. To flatter your feathered friends, take a look at one-of-a-kind bird houses featuring all sorts of gizmos and gadgets (from chandelier crystals to faucet handles). And if the winter blahs and blues are setting in, create an indoor garden with bulbs and recycled glass vases. Visit the store at www.homeandplanet.com or call 1-888-966-1009 for a catalog (or stop by if your anywhere near eastern Pennsylvania).
GIFT PACKS FROM MAGGIE’S FUNCTIONAL ORGANICS
Since 1992, Maggie’s has been making durable and comfortable clothing and accessories using environmentally friendly materials and methods. Maggie’s is creating gift packets for children ages 0 - 4, priced under $20. The Baby Bundle and Tike Tote gift packets include an organic cotton tee-shirt with a pair of organic cotton socks inside a mini tote bag. Maggie’s sock collection includes hemp and organic linen crews. For more information or a catalog, visit www.organicclothes.com or call (800)609-8593.
BUCKY PILLOWS
From Peggy Coats of Bucky Seattle U.S.A. comes a description of her company’s collection of 100 percent organic cotton pillows filled with buckwheat hulls and millet hulls. “Buckwheat hulls adjust freely inside the pillow to gently fit the contours of your body,” the brochure explains, “while millet hulls flow inside the pillow conforming to your shape, cradling you in delicious sensual comfort.” All Bucky pillows have removable washable covers.
Peggy and her husband David Coats cofounded Bucky Products, Inc. in 1992 with their friends, Tom and Lee Robinson. After six weeks of R&D, the two couples settled on three styles of Travel Pillows in ten colors (a neck roll, a small rectangle and what has become their most popular “U pillow.”) Observe the Coats and Robinsons about their pillow creations: “The Bucky history continues with original products which are honest, simple and destined to become classics. In a world of high stress and complexity, Bucky products comfort the body.” For ordering specifics, contact them at 3653 Woodland Park Ave. N., PO Box 31970, Seattle, WA 98103. Tel. (206) 545-8790.
NATURAL SOAP PRODUCTS
Vermont Soapworks, manufacturer of handmade natural bar soaps, now offers a complete line of natural soap products including bar soaps a fruit and vegetable rinse, all purpose cleaners and a liquid, all purpose camping soap. Vermont Country Soap is created using old fashioned methods, and comes in over a dozen aromatherapy blends such as oatmeal lavender, citrus sunshine and morning mint. All Vermont Soapworks products are made from natural renewable vegetable and essential oils in aromatherapy blends, and are free of artificial colors, fragrances, preservatives and animal by-products. Visit www.vermontsoap.com or call Vermont Soapworks at (802)388-4302.
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