Eco Friendly Product Guide

These lights are like something from a retrospective movie about the 1960′s. I bet my grandma really had lights that looked just like these.

America really is the land of opportunity. An outfit in New York calling itself Scrapile and comprised of two chaps called Bart Bettencourt and Carlos Salgado has as its sole mission to recover discarded scraps of wood from New York’s woodworking industry and create things out of the scrap. They make benches, dining tables, accessories, stools, side tables and whatever you want custom-made. Of course, nothing matches, everything is unique.

There are outlets for Scrapile products in Seattle, Brooklyn, Houston and Los Angeles.

These are nice, don’t you think? Bear in mind that recycling glass is just a temporary measure really. All glass eventually ends up in shards in the garbage dump. Recycling it is merely a stay of execution.

Apart from the fairly violent cobalt blue color of these vases and glasses, they are well made. Prettily shaped they most certainly are and the schools of fish are a nice touch.

Go to Green Home to see all the details about the reasonably-priced Sets of 4 Tumblers and Goblets, and the Spring and Wall Vases.

NOTE: The spring referred to in the Spring Vase is not a reference to the season before summer. It is a reference to the disused bed spring used to hold the vase. In case you were wondering.

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.

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.

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.

In case you were thinking of having a herb plant growing in a paper bag, the eco-conscious folk at Branch have arranged just that for you. A Herb in a Paper Bag.

No black plastic bag, no molded plastic holder. Just a paper bag with the dang plant growing right in it.

Plus you get to choose from Basil, Lavender, Parsley, Chives, Oregano and Feathery Dill.

These gorgeous little window-sill delights come from Potting Shed Creations, Troy, Idaho. Each bag comprises a plastic-lined Kraft-paper bag, soil, herb seeds, and each bag also includes a few styrofoam packing peanuts for drainage.

Now I do not want to be regarded as a naysayer or a wet blanket but what are plastic linings and styrofoam peanuts doing in an eco-friendly product?

I do not want to alienate or needlessly offend the good people of Troy, Idaho so I will refrain from harsh criticism at this point, but these good folks should pay attention to this matter when next there is a slow period in Troy, which I assume is most of the time.

Each Garden In A Bag is 6″ wide x 7″ tall x 3″ deep — fine for sill or desk.

Order from Branch for $9.00 each.