Recycled boots by Dacca
Not a lot of information about this one because the website is in Spanish, translating sites don’t always get it right and there’s not a lot of information anyway. One good thing though, I now know the Spanish word for boots is botas!
The range of boots are actually made from plastic bags fused together by heat. More layers means a thicker more tear resistant fabric suitable for a range of things such as shoes, raincoats and other clothing. The boots have a fabric lining to protect the skin and also absorb moisture. No extra dyes or inks are required, they just use different coloured bags.
Definitely not styled for everyone’s liking, however, if you are interested there is a bit more information at the Dacca blog.
Zulu communities’ telephone wire bracelets
Ever wondered how the telecommunication technicians work with such small wires? Well spare a thought for the Zulu women who weaves these bracelets made from discarded telephone wire. Available in 1.25″ and 2″ widths as well as a cuff bracelet, and a range of styles that accentuate their skills gained fro years of weaving their own baskets. True artisans.
The Zulu communities, like many other African communities, are being ravaged by HIV/AIDS and being some of the poorest in the world, these products are helping them to gain business skills and health education plus a chance to support themselves. Then comes the added benefit of using a product discarded by the so-called developed world, applying their skills and then selling it back to the same people who discarded it in the first place.
To sell the full range and products made from telephone wire and order online, visit Original Women.
Twist bamboo cleaning cloth
Twist is a Boulder, Colorado based company specialising in household cleaning products that replace the need for paper towels and the like. All their products are 100% biodegradable, free of dyes and dishwasher safe (top rack).
Something I haven’t seen before is instructions on their website about how to turn their recyclable packaging into bird feeders. Perhaps more companies can think about other uses for their packaging.
The Twist Bamboo Cleaning Cloth is made from 82% bamboo and 18% corn. Bamboo is one of those fast growing plants that doesn’t require pesticides or fertilizers. It is perfect for so many products because the varieties range from soft to hard and can be used across a large number of products.
The bamboo cloth is a 100% biodegradable chamois for dusting and polishing and at the time of introduction in mid 2008, was the only 100% biodegradable chamois in the US market.
Check out more details at the Twist website.
Greenworks Natural Dilutable Cleaner
Clorox established the Greenworks brand in 2008 and now have a range of specialty household cleaning products. Many of them are certified to carry the EPA Design For The Environment logo and all come in recyclable packaging.
The biodegradable Greenworks Dilutable Cleaner is a concentrated 99.2% natural cleaner that helps remove household dirt, grime and grease. Dilutable cleaners are good because they are useful for times when you need a powerful cleaner in additional to a regular one and you don’t need two separate products. Less packaging is also required with dilutable (or concentrated) products which as an added benefit.
The full Greenworks natural cleaning range can be seen at the Greenworks website.
Kayu bamboo sunglasses by Kayu Design
Kayu has created a product that many people might think unnecessary because of the small amount of materials in sunglasses. That said, to many people they are fashion accessories and they might own numerous pairs. Plus, every little bit helps.
The frames are made from bamboo, the perfect raw material because it is fast growing ( can restore itself in only five years) and good growth isn’t reliant on lots of fertilizers and pesticides. Besides, lovable animals like pandas love bamboo and eat so much of it (it’s low in nutrients) that it has to be fast growing.
Kayu products aren’t cheap, however, $50 from each sale is donated to Unite For Site which is enough for one sight restoring surgery in a developing country.
The complete range including the bamboo sunglasses can be seen at Kayu Design.
Vans Low Crepe shoe
I have been a long time supporter of Vans shoes since my early teens as a young BMX rider wishing I had a pair. Eventually I bought a pair and still have them. Just can’t get rid of them.
So fast forward many years and I was pleased to see them making footwear from sustainable raw materials. The Low Crepe model is a slip-on made from natural hemp and textiles, a bamboo lining, hemp infused gum rubber sole (waffle design of course) and all held together with water based glues. They come in a few colours all using water based inks.
These are part of their surf range so check out the Vans range.
Tom Wegener Surfboards Alaia Surfboard
Surfing, whilst trying to be eco-friendly, does have a problem with the way most boards are manufactured. Not the greenest process in the world.
Enter Tom Wegener from Queensland, Australia and his range of wooden boards. Not for everyone, the Alaia is made from plantation grown Paulownia, a native of China, Laos and Vietnam. The wood is suited to making surfboards because of its warp resistant properties. It is a fast growing tree and the wood sourced by Wegener is often grown organically and any unused parts of the trees are mulched and on-sold. Even the leaves are used as feed for cattle.
The boards are produced using a low energy process and only the small amounts of glue have petro-chemical properties. Everything else, like the linseed oil, gum terpentine and bees wax are natural.
The boards last longer than regular foam/glassed boards and when you finally feel the need for a new one, either hand it on or I’m sure you can come up with a few novel ways to use it rather than toss it out.
More information available at the Tom Wegener Surfboards website.
Sobral resin jewellery
R. Sobral is an award winning Brazilian designer specialising in handmade jewellery. With influences going back to the hippie movement in the 1960s, and then the fascination with resin in the 1970s, the global company Sobral was established.
As a company it is proud of the treatment of employees with benefits such as language courses, dance classes, acupuncture and an on-site physician. Obviously no child labour either! They also contribute to community projects helping youths with learning.
Then there are the products. The raw materials, namely the polyester resin, is a by-product of petroleum and usually discarded. The added benefit is that often this jewellery replaces items made fro ivory, turtle, wood and precious stones, thus preserving these materials.
There doesn’t appear to be a website for R. Sobral so just search Google for Sobral stockists.
Poppies For Grace special occasion stationery
The people behind Poppies For Grace really do take things seriously when considering how their stationery business impacts on the environment. Things like 100% wind power to run their business, Forest Stewardship Council approved paper and 100% recycled paper. Their envelopes are also made from 100% recycled Kraft paper. Paper is the easy part and the inks are normally where businesses fail. Not at Poppies For Grace though as they use vegetable based inks.
At stationers they have a great range of products such as cards and tags, cards for special occasions, hand sewn depending on the style and all from environmentally friendly raw materials and processes.
For more information and ordering, check out the Poppies For Grace website.
Recycle t-shirt by Volcom V.Co-Logical
Volcom are doing a series of V.Co-Logical products made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton and hemp. Prints are made fromm vegetable dyes and organic stains and they use low impact production methods where possible. The range includes, tees, knits, fleece, wovens and a few other miscellaneous items.
The Recycle t-shirt features the well known recycle logo and is made from 100% organic cotton with a low impact screenprint. It is available in blue, natural and vintage black.
You can get more details at the Volcom website where you can purchase online or find a local Volcom dealer.
