scott said:
"I sure am glad we gave $14 trillion dollars to bankers instead of using it to subsidize products like these.
Products that liberate rather..." [read]
said:
""And it is green because/"
Because bikes are pretty much the greenest mean of transportation ever devised. And well designed bikes are just..." [read]
Cancerman72 said:
"Hmmmm....I live in Toronto and I have never seen a sign like that....lol..." [read]
Cancerman72 said:
"I do but I understand why some hate cyclist biking through there walking paths and sometimes tearing up the path with their bikes...." [read]
Cancerman72 said:
"I agree - short flights would make sense..." [read]
Cancerman72 said:
"More of a collectors item then anything..." [read]
Here is something that is 100% recycled, but doesn’t look it. ECOALF is the new fabric developed by the Spanish company fun&basics, made from recycled PET bottles. It is a high quality textile: flexible, tension resistant, long lasting, waterproof and lightweight. The first bags made from ECOALF are a toilet bag, a small bag, a cabin trolley and a large, wheeled luggage bag. The fun thing about them is the visualisation of the recycled bottles. Each bag tells you exactly how many 75cl PET plastic bottles were needed to make it.
We all know that earth friendly fashion is just one piece of the puzzle, but we also know that sustainable shopping is an important piece. Enter Planet Threads, an online-only earth-friendly shop that offers a wide range of fashionable, eclectic, high quality eco-friendly clothing and accessories made by socially responsible companies and hard to find brands. TreeHugger faves include Canopy Verde, Doie Designs, Mission Playground, and Vy & Elle.
Participants in the Istanbul bag-making workshop. Photos courtesy of Buğday.
Paper bags aren't too commonly used in Turkey, but shopkeepers just love giving out plastic ones -- for a tiny item that you could easily tuck into your purse or a pocket, for a single soda you'll probably just drink on the way home anyway, for a few nectarines that are already in another plastic bag. I've gotten used to saying "Poşet lazim değil, çantama koyabilirim" ("a bag is not necessary, I can put it in my purse") -- and to the funny looks people usually give me in return. So the old "Paper or Plastic? Neither!" idea seems like it might be a hard sell here. But that's not what the folks at the farmer's market found out.
Apple didn’t invent the mp3 player nor the smart phone, but they sure know how to bring to market versions of the genre that make people sit up and take notice. And such might be the case with Milkmuny. This new start-up business, from Portland, Oregon, sells a very funky origami-like wallet made of discarded milk and juice cartons.
We previous seen foil cartons turned into totebags and handbags, as well as food wrappers become purses and shoulder bags. So the idea isn’t totally new. But the socially and environmentally responsible business model behind Milkmuny may just be the creme de la creme, so to speak.
I recently used a Dakine backpack on my trip through South America with Green Living Project. Now I've tried my luck with many backpacks but all I can say about this one is, man that mother can pull it's weight and hold up through the rigors of just about anything that I put it through.
Now here’s something happy for rainy days: the Spud Raincoat, made from potatoes and designed by the guys from Good for Environment! Under the brand name Equilicuá, they make thought provoking products such as the Econo, a water saving device for potted plants. The Spud Raincoat is for times when plenty of water is falling from the sky, and will definitely cheer you up on a grey day. The coat educates every by-passer on bioplastics by telling them “I was a potato”. And indeed, this waterproof coat is made entirely of bioplastic derived from potato starch and other natural resources, which makes it a 100% biodegradable and compostable product. And to give it the final touch at the end of its product life, the coat has integrated seeds so that plants grow out of it once it is returned to the earth!
You know when you find something and love it so much that you have to order one in every color? That’s exactly how we feel about Natural Knotty’s 100% bamboo pashminas. They are a new addition to Natural Knotty’s collections, and they are super affordable which makes them a great gift too. Packaged in a great, reusable bamboo cylinder box made from segments of bamboo - they arrive ready to gift.
Naturally Knotty's mission is to connect people with elegant and fashionable products made from factory scrap, overstock, remnants, recycled, and eco-friendly materials.
MooShoes, Inc. is a vegan-owned business that sells an assortment of cruelty-free footwear, bags, t-shirts, wallets, books (mainly cookbooks) and other accessories. It is the first cruelty-free store of its kind in New York City.
Photos: Courtesy of Greca.
Greca is a small design firm from Buenos Aires that makes objects and fashion accessories from recycled buttons and resin. Now recovering buttons might not seem like much of a merit, but it is when you work right into a buttons factory that discards hundreds of units because they're not for sale.
Put that varied material with discarded resin from the same factory, and you got yourself a vast amount of plastic that would go into the trash to turn it into amazing little animals, flowerpots and fashion accessories.
If you like the frog here you need to see the elephant! Click through for more pics....
(Justin Giunta's Subversive Jewelry is hot on the catwalk, and the recycled clusters of necklaces could make Mom smile.)
There is no end to pretty recycled treasures and baubles we feature on TreeHugger. But if your mom isn't the type to carry a purse (no matter how chic!) made from inner tubes, or recycled earrings from bottle caps, then we have the ultimate resource –- picked from an influential fashion editor in New York.
A couple of weeks ago, I interviewed Marilyn Kirschner the editor of the fashion insider newsletter LookOnLine.com for the boutique designer jewelry website Gallery Atlantic. Marilyn's reporting on the all the major fashion events in New York, and I wanted her opinion on some of the most exciting green trends. And – designers– that cater to more of an upscale aesthetic, like Mom's. ...
What do you get when you combine a unique non-profit with eco-friendly jewelry? Paper to Pearls (and we just love that name)! The amazing project is a micro-enterprise initiative working with 125 women in eight different refugee camps in Northern Uganda. The women create jewelry by hand-rolling beads from recycled paper. The income they earn from the sale of the jewelry enables them to buy food, medicines and schooling for their children. In addition, Paper to Pearls provides on-going training to empower the women to build and manage their own businesses....
Aroha Silhouettes' Vapour necklace. Photo courtesy Aroha Silhouettes.
Vinyl records are still admired by many music lovers, but when they break or get scratched, they're pretty much junk—unless you get creative. Designers have come up with lots of inventive ways to use old vinyl records: Here on TreeHugger, we've seen bowls, more bowls and circular earrings. (Even Urban Outfitters is cashing in on the repurposed vinyl record trend.)
But Aroha Silhouettes takes repurposed vinyl records to another level....
Photo credit: Getty Images
'Tis the season for rain. Make that a lot of rain. Forget embossed faux leather satchels or oversized cocktail rings, the must-have accessory of the season is the humble umbrella. When dodging for cover isn't an option, a sturdy brolly goes a long way to avoiding getting pummeled by nature's wrath. Here's how to stay dry with the greenest umbrellas in town. ...
Yellow Double Handle Satchel. Image credit:QVC.
Virtually all vinyl products made in China have lead salts added to stabilize the vinyl polymer. There are cost effective alternatives for vinyl stabilization such as calcium or tin compounds. But, Chinese manufacturers stay with their lead. Now, it's been found in faux-leather wallets and purses sold in California. PETA will be mad. Or will they? Look below for details....
Brilliant Earth uses recycled metals and ethical, eco-friendly gems and pearls in their fine jewelry. Image source: BrilliantEarth.com
Is your soon-to-be fiancé eco-chic? As you're getting ready to pop the question and thinking forward to your green wedding, don't overlook the importance of a green engagement ring.
Unethical treatment of workers is a big problem in diamond mining, as is conflict diamonds (also called "blood diamonds" and "war diamonds"), so it's important to know where the diamonds in your jewelry come from. Mining metals and gold in particular is also extremely hard on the environment. Enter Brilliant Earth....
Image via: Seven Ply Recycled Skateboard Jewelry
For those of you not living in southern California, or not used to spending your days grinding on a skateboard, Seven Ply is the latest company to turn the skate world into an eco-friendly venture. Owner Lynn Weiler turns broken skateboard decks (the name comes from the 7 layers in a skateboard deck) into cuffs, necklaces and other stylin' gear - the perfect accessory to pair with your new skateboard.
More images after the jump....
With spring right around the corner we know it’s time to clean out the closets, donate old garb, and update with more basic yet sustainable pieces that can be worn every day. For great wardrobe additions, look no further than econscious and their new online retail store. It’s a great place to find eco-fashion tees, polo shirts, hoodies, beanies, hats, totes, aprons and reusable grocery bags in a variety of colors -- all while trying to do your part to protect the planet. With the launch of their new online store, econscious is now serving a growing demand for organic and sustainable apparel and accessories for men, women, and youth that are not only fashionable and comfortable, but are certified as well....
Image via: Green Veranda
The folks at Green Veranda, working directly with 32 ladies in a brazilian design coop, have found a way to turn all of those leftover, unrecycled newspapers into accessories and home decor. From clutches, to eco-square totes and full-moon handbags, the ladies have found a great way to give a new life to some of the millions of newspapers printed daily. That's not all that the ladies at Green Veranda can make out of newspapers. ...
Image from 60BAG
More and more creative solutions to the plastic bag dilemma are popping up. The latest, 60BAG from Poland, is a biodegradable carrier bag made out of flax-viscose non-woven fabric.
The 60BAG decomposes naturally in about 60 days (hence the name). They can be composted or safely burnt which means they don’t require any recycling processes. ...
Image via: Sasja Saptenno/Raoul Matulessy PhotographySasja Saptenno, jewelry designer from Holland, has found one creative and fashionable use for all of those blown bike tires - and in her words "in Holland, many people have a bicycle!" Each of accessories, including the necklaces, bracelets and shawls (made from recycled PET bottles) are all made from recycled materials. Many of the necklaces are chunky, layered pieces, which is in style this season. A few of the pieces, we have to be honest, look like the paper garlands you make to hang on christmas trees, but maybe with the right outfit, they work....
photo: Upcycled Jewelry
So what do you do with all that unused, outdated computer equipment lying around your house? For jewelry designers Jacob and Michelle Fausset of Upcycled Jewelry, the answer is pretty simple, turn it into jewelry. My only concern, however, is the use of a once toxic item in jewelry....
Image via: Too Precious to Wear
Famous designers are coming together to auction of ocean-inspired pieces to raise funds for coral reefs. As part of SeaWeb's "Too Precious to Wear" Campaign, pieces designed by Frank Gehry and others will be available for auction starting today through the end of April.
More images after the jump....
We all have a collection of old pantyhose that we can't bear to part with but will never wear again... what about the ones with the pattern that make your legs look like tree trunks, or the purple ones that were supposed to be so fashionable, or the fish nets that dig into your thighs...the list is endless and that doesn't include the ones with runs. Don't throw them out--you can recycle them in many different ways. After the fold: 10 ways to recycle your tights....
I don't have pets anymore; I have children instead, and they generate even more of a carbon footprint than cats' carbon paw print. But back in the days when I was a cat-lover, I would have loved a hilarious and practical cat toy like Kit-A-Loons. Catnip toys are all well and good, but variety is the spice of lazy kitties' lives. Plus, if you watch these videos a couple of times, you'll realize that Kit-A-Loons will exercise your cat and keep it amused, and they'll absolutely crack you up. Cheap entertainment is good these days....
Photo via Freestyle
If you have a hankering for surfer-style gear, Freestyle has a new accessory for you. The Boiler is their first solar-powered watch, putting fashion and green function in your hand...er, on your wrist. ...
Today's TreeHugger Deal comes to you from Green Eyed Monster, a company that offers a unique and socially responsible alternative to disposable paper and plastic bags. Images for the bags are created through online design competitions (see after the fold to participate), and each tote that is printed is a limited edition. So this is your chance to grab a wearable, reusable piece of art! The bags are made out of 100% post-consumer material made from recycled cotton fabric and recycled plastic bottles, are manufactured in the U.S.A., and are larger than your average disposable or reusable tote. ...
Photo via Sister72 @ flickr.
If you live in Chicago, you can get your sex aids delivered by bicycle in just one hour (for a $5 dollar fee). If you are lucky enough to be in San Francisco, Good Vibrations has some green alternatives.
Even if you are nowhere near Chicago or SF, you can still explore the greener side of sex or dating, or find a gift in preparation for Valentine's Day. Read on for two great web sites, a greener toys kit, and organic, homemade massage oil/lube....
We'll be working on better category archives soon. In the meantime, take a look at the weekly archive if you really want to dig around, or use the search box at the top of the page.
on 07. 9.09
I recently used a 
Photos: Courtesy of Greca.
Greca is a small design firm from Buenos Aires that makes objects and fashion accessories from recycled buttons and resin. Now recovering buttons might not seem like much of a merit, but it is when you work right into a buttons factory that discards hundreds of units because they're not for sale.
Put that varied material with discarded resin from the same factory, and you got yourself a vast amount of plastic that would go into the trash to turn it into amazing little animals, flowerpots and fashion accessories.
If you like the frog here you need to see the elephant! Click through for more pics....
(Justin Giunta's Subversive Jewelry is hot on the catwalk, and the recycled clusters of necklaces could make Mom smile.)
There is no end to pretty recycled treasures and baubles we feature on TreeHugger. But if your mom isn't the type to carry a purse (no matter how chic!) 
What do you get when you combine a unique non-profit with eco-friendly jewelry? 
Aroha Silhouettes' Vapour necklace. Photo courtesy Aroha Silhouettes.
Vinyl records are still admired by many music lovers, but when they break or get scratched, they're pretty much junk—unless you get creative. Designers have come up with lots of inventive ways to use old vinyl records: Here on TreeHugger, we've seen 
Photo credit: Getty Images
'Tis the season for rain. Make that a lot of rain. Forget 
Yellow Double Handle Satchel. Image credit:
Brilliant Earth uses recycled metals and ethical, eco-friendly gems and pearls in their fine jewelry. Image source: BrilliantEarth.com
Is your soon-to-be fiancé eco-chic? As you're getting ready to pop the question and thinking forward to your 
Image via: 
With spring right around the corner we know it’s time to clean out the closets, donate old garb, and update with more basic yet 
Image via: 
Image from 60BAG
More and more creative solutions to the plastic bag dilemma are popping up. The latest, 60BAG from Poland, is a biodegradable carrier bag made out of flax-viscose non-woven fabric.
The 60BAG decomposes naturally in about 60 days (hence the name). They can be composted or safely burnt which means they don’t require any recycling processes. ...
Today we came across these funky house slippers called UNCUT, made from 100% natural felt and designed by 
Image via: 
photo: 
Image via: 
We all have a collection of old pantyhose that we can't bear to part with but will never wear again... what about the ones with the pattern that make your legs look like tree trunks, or the purple ones that were supposed to be so fashionable, or the fish nets that dig into your thighs...the list is endless and that doesn't include the ones with runs. Don't throw them out--you 
Photo via Freestyle
If you have a hankering for surfer-style gear, Freestyle has a new accessory for you. The Boiler is their first solar-powered watch, putting fashion and green function in your hand...er, on your wrist. ...
Today's TreeHugger Deal comes to you from 
Photo via Sister72 @ flickr.
If you live in Chicago, you can get your sex aids 
