Eco Friendly Product Guide

Would you like to own a Bamboo Mountain Bike? No, I was not sure I wanted one either until I read the specifications as they apply to this extraordinary piece of machinery. I mean, did you know that properly treated bamboo is stronger than wood? I did not know that.

So that is why CalfeeDesign makes mountain bikes with eco-friendly frames and not frames made out of fossil fuel guzzling, carbon emission spewing other materials.

As Calfee proudly says of its Bamboo Mountain Bikes: “These bikes are more crash tolerant than carbon mountain bikes which is why do not offer them to the general public.” (Carbon fiber frame bikes are the specialized racing frames made by Calfee.)

To see the full specs of the various sizes in which this extraordinary item is available, visit the Calfee website. If you decide to go for it, the bamboo frame alone will set you back $2695.00.

Talk about green tea! The kids can now brew up a pot of tea while doing something positive for the environment. This Green Tea Set (17 pieces) is brought to you by Green Toys Inc., made in the USA!

The blurb says that this tea set is made from “advanced environmentally friendly materials helping to reduce fossil fuel use and CO2 omissions”.

Green Toys Inc. does not stop at tea sets. They also supply an Indoor Gardening Kit, a Sand Play Set, and a Cookware and Dining Set.

You can click through from the Green Toys Inc. website to buy at a physical store near you (search by zip code) or online through major stores such as Clean Air Gardening.

Just reading about this extraordinary creation is exhausting. It makes you want to sit down in an armchair and never get up.

But not this armchair. Armchairs should be luxury items of indulgence into which you can sink and from where you can empty your mind and dream.

This armchair takes itself too seriously. I mean, eco-furniture designer Jason Streatfield should just relax instead of being so ARDENT. Get this: “This eco-friendly furniture collection is made from local materials to avoid excessive fuel consumption.

“The wood is Forest Stewardship Council certified [no common or garden wood this], meaning it comes from sustainable and well-managed forests. Glues are water based and formaldehyde free, unlike mainstream furniture products. The springs and screws are made from recycled steel and the zippers are recyclable”.

And if that is not sufficient: “Moving onto the cushions… the 100% natural rubber latex cushions are wrapped in 100% merino wool and are biodegradable as well as flame retardant.”

Green Home makes the mistake of asking: “What more could you ask for in your furniture?”

Well, I would like it just to be what it really is, not a walking talking advertisement for political correctness.

If you like that sort of thing go to Green Home to observe this tortured-looking item in more detail. For $2950 this slate gray piece of depression on four feet could be yours.

Is it a UFO? Is it a urinal? Is it a lampshade?

No, it’s a ceramic bird feeder, for birds that demand only the finest ceramic bird feeders that money can buy. The ceramic bird feeder of note, in this instance, was created and manufactured by a firm called Perch! in Brooklyn, New York.

Vegan birds are cautioned, however, that this low-fire ceramic bird feeder with non-toxic glaze hangs suspended by a leather cord. It will come as cold comfort to birds with a conscience that this is an all-natural leather cord, tanned with vegetable-based dyes.

All this notwithstanding, these objects — measuring 7″ diameter x 5″ tall, hanging from a 36″ leather cord, holds about 2 cups of bird seed, dishwasher-friendly — were out of stock when last I looked.

Usually they are available from Branch at $84.00 a pop. You will be relieved to learn that if a vulture eats the leather cord, you can always order a new one from these suppliers.

Funny that the Finnish have made such an uninspiring little environmentally friendly cell phone. Obviously Finland is not as green as all that — not the Nokia folk in Finland anyway.

They have taken the standard Nokia 3110 phone and grudgingly, it seems, added a couple of recycled doodats to the pack. Pity they did not green up one of their leading edge models such as the N95 8GB.

Clearly the leading edge market could not give a hoot for global warming.

So what you get with this so-called Nokia 311 Evolve is a very limited sense of helping the environment. Forget about having a fully biodegradable handset. It does not exist.

This mediocre little mobile has covers made from “over 50 per cent renewable organic unpainted material”. Wow. This apparently “reduces the carbon footprint incurred by its manufacture”.

Which does not say much for the manufacture of the other 48 billion Nokia cell phones. No wonder Nokia has entered the world of politically-correct cell phone manufacture with such obvious reluctance; it calls attention to stuff.

If you really want a plain little cell phone with no frills and links to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in its browser bookmarks (yes, it comes standard folks!) then the Nokia 3110 Evolve is for you.

Order one from Reghardware for £149 and save the earth one SMS at a time.

Girari has manufactured a fine line of products for home living — more things you can use to spice up the look of your loft, apartment, or house.

The furniture from Girari is stylish, has contemporary modern style and is made from 98% post consumer recycled/industrial cast aluminum. That’s right; recycled, contemporary furniture that will make guests and friends alike envious of the great stuff you’ve got in your pad. What a way to save that metal from a landfill or scrap yard!

A nice collection of stylish items are the Bar Stools and Bars. They are completely mod, and are a must for anyone decorating their kitchen. Check out the other products offered by Girari. You will be glad you did.

Check out the list of dealers for the dealer locator and sales inquiry email address.

This is an “all-weather sun blocking solution” according to the manufacturer. It brings the practicality of camping and the affordability of a small square of shadecloth to your shade-challenged patio or other outdoor area.

The Coolaroo Sail Shade (imported from Australia) is made from tough, all-weather knit fabric. It blocks up to 90% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, allowing plenty of air and light to pass through. The material resists mold, mildew and rot.

If you were wondering how the Coolaroo Sail Shade gets up there and stays fixed, well, corner grommets on the cloth attach easily to existing objects to create a stylish shaded area. The hardware is included.

When I say small I do not mean that these sail shades are tiny. They are available on Real Goods in two sizes: 11’10″ ($228.00) and 17’09″ ($329.00). You get to choose from green or sand color.

These attractive, made-in-China natural utensils are made of bamboo. They replace utensils that are a lot uglier and made of substances that are not biodegradable and are manufactured from petroleum derivatives or from trees.

A Chicago company is importing these utensils for the convenience and the clear consciences of all Americans.

The company, called Bambu, calls these utensils “the ideal tools with which to stir, scoop, spread and serve.”

Bambu’s line of 100% organic bamboo utensils are hand-shaped and finished, then burnished to a satiny feel that is a delight to the touch.

Bambu says bamboo utensils are stronger than wood, and will not scratch even your finest cookware. Bamboo kitchen utensils are

• Heat and stain resistant
• Safe to use on non-stick surfaces
• Do not impart or absorb flavors
• Lightweight, strong and long lasting
• Hand finished with top grade natural, food-safe wood oil

Learn more about Bambu or email info@bambuhome.com

No need to feel bad about all those PCs you have trashed and dumped, contributing to the world’s growing pile of extinct technological devices. Some bright spark has hit on the idea of using old circuit boards (presumably after the valuable bits like silver have been removed) for you to feature your nearest and dearest on your desk or bedside table.

The Return of the Hulk

The blurb does not say much about this crazy idea. What is there to say after all? I mean, where do old picture frames go to die eventually? They make their way to the same old pile of useless technological bits and pieces, of course.

Anyway, if it will make you feel better about global warming etc. in the short term, then by all means order one of these extraordinary-looking items right away and stick your family right where it belongs — on a disused circuit board. The Circuit Board Frame measures 6in. x 8in. with 4in. x 6in. and includes an acrylic photo holder mounted on the circuit board.

Natural Territory is asking $13.99 for a single one of these creations.

This product is just plain cool…there’s no eloquent way to describe it. Sometimes, things are just “cool.” I am constantly amazed by what can be made from discarded plastic bottles.

Bagir prides themselves on “Global Innovative Tailoring.” In this case, they have created the ECOGIR Recycled Jacket, which is made from “100% recyclable material, originally created from discarded PET bottles.”

Wow! A suit jacked that looks great, and is totally made from recycled material? 100% cool…you can have a night on the town, look good, and have a unique jacket that is eco-friendly and all from recycled material.

Talk about “global innovative tailoring.” Way to go, guys.