Packing a Punch
Date: April 15, 2008 | Category: Office, The Home, Transport
Here at the ecofabulous office, we’re often frustrated by the number of eco-products that arrive in boxes packed with styrofoam peanuts (though, happily we often we find out they’ve been reused). Nonetheless, these little foam culprits pack a toxic punch through the non-recyclable chemical compound, styrene, which has been linked to respiratory problems, central nervous system damage and cancer (not to mention how much space they take up in landfills). RecoCubes are an ingenious answer, made from recycled paper sludge, sugar, starches and B-12. When you’re finished unpacking, you can either reuse them (my kids think that they are brilliant for art projects) or just toss them in your garden to become compost for your trees and plants. Not only are they non-toxic and will never end up in a landfill, RecoCubes actually give back. Talk about sending a message of love!
Sign Up for a Paperless Office
Date: April 14, 2008 | Category: Lifestyle, Office, Tech, The Home
Every year, each American uses about 700 pounds of paper products (heavy duty). So DocuSign is not just a web-based electronic signature service that provides the simplicity, speed and security to electronically sign and store documents, it actually eliminates the need for a “paper trail” by replacing it with an “audit trail.” A decidedly eco-friendly service indeed, especially when factoring in transportation emissions. Since its launch in 2005, DocuSign has completed more than eight million signature events, 70% just in the last year. So there’s no question, this eco-practice is catching on. DocuSign can help you as you navigate the road to a wasteless office.
A Modern Take on Storage
Date: April 4, 2008 | Category: Home Furnishings, Office, The Home
In the newest from Izzy Design comes the Audrey collection - striking storage units that have countless possible configurations. Made from post-consumer recycled materials with non-VOC paints, the Audrey is GREENGUARD certified, meaning it’s ensured to not compromise your Indoor Air Quality. Consider how important that is given that people spend an average 90% of their time inside. To get organized in healthy, modern, and eco style, Audrey may be just the one for you.
Sniffing Glue, Italian Style
Date: March 26, 2008 | Category: Lifestyle, Office, The Home, Travel
For a committed greenie, it’s the simple things that are often the most challenging. It can be difficult to find ‘everyday’ products that meet ecofabulous standards. Using toxic adhesives is so icky. We love Coccoina, an Italian school and office staple since 1927. Perfect for kid projects and anything archival – photo albums and crafting – Coccoina is non-solvent, non-toxic and acid free. Made from potato starch and almond oil and scented like marzipan, Coccoina is tempting to sniff and almost good enough to eat (but don’t do it…almonds are so fattening). We have long stuck with Coccoina because it works, but the design benefits don’t end there. It has that nostalgic beauty that designers adore and is available in a tin or a tube.
Pushing this Envelope
Date: February 27, 2008 | Category: Office, The Home
Reusing envelopes is almost impossible when they come stamped, marked, sealed and addressed. But this week, ecoenvelopes received the first ever approval from the USPS for their gainful little invention - an envelope that’s engineered to be sent two times as opposed to once (not the most original of ideas, think Netflix, but we won’t knock an eco-wise, effective product when we see one). Eliminating the need for reply envelopes is an eco feat all of its own, but these bearers of news are also constructed from post consumer waste material and paper from sustainably managed forests. We’re still biding our time for the perpetually reusuable envelope to be developed, but in the meantime, let’s send the right message in an ecoenvelope.
Grand Prix-Prix
Date: February 26, 2008 | Category: Office, The Home
Given that - aside from its contribution to the near total destruction of our forests - paper production is ranked as the 5th largest industrial consumer of energy, when it comes to the flimsy stuff, we jump at every opportunity to go the recycled route. We know that many of you are all about the bedside journal, so we are excited to write up the Apothecary Notebooks from Prix-Prix. With covers constructed from “upcycled” cereal boxes (hand block printed) and filled with 100% post-consumer recycled paper, we can record our dreams, thoughts and inspirations in eco style. Visit the Prix-Prix Etsy online store to see recycling done right!
Calendar Some Time to Plant
Date: January 29, 2008 | Category: Office, The Home
If you haven’t gotten around to picking up a 2008 calendar, this one will sit perfectly atop your desk with eco-chic pride. Charmingly designed by Kal Barteski, the plantable 2008 calendar, from Botanical Paperworks, is handmade with post-consumer recycled paper that the company gathers from businesses in their area (that being Winnipeg, Canada). As the months pass you by, extol your ups and downs by planting the pages in your garden and holding memories in their blooms. And, when the year is over, use the calendar’s reusable tin in any number of ways.
Ergonomically Speaking
Date: January 28, 2008 | Category: Office, The Home
Having a prime place to perch over your laptop is absolutely crucial if you’re going to be sitting for umpteen hours each day. And the Freedom Task Chair, from Humanscale, does address ergonomics while considering the health of the environment! Humanscale commits themselves to sustainability from product inception (design) to its packaging (40% recycled materials). Wherever possible, they utilize 100% recycled and recyclable aluminum - due to the fact that it never degrades and allows for continuous reuse. Overall, recycled and/or recyclable materials account for 85% of their office wares. Plus, Humanscale’s founder and CEO, Robert King, serves on the World Wildlife Fund’s National Council.
Act 2
Date: January 14, 2008 | Category: Bags, Fashion, Office, The Home
Though they’ve been in the business of bags since 1995, 2007 saw Shoreline’s commitment to an all green materials conversion - what they’ve dubbed act2 in the company’s evolution. Recycled plastic bottles - of which 230 per American annually go to a landfill - and post-industrial materials make the Act2 GreenSmart Laptop Sleeve and the All Around Laptop Jacket thirsty companions. For those who are seriously on the go, the latter case enables you to unzip and use your computer without actually taking it out (I have actually fantasized about this function). That’s valuable protection for prolonging the life of our gear… and the planet.
Fiending For a Fine File Cabinet
Date: January 9, 2008 | Category: Home Furnishings, Office, The Home
I’m currently working on a gorgeous office design project and found myself in a position where I needed a file cabinet for the client - a green one of course. I looked far and wide, and when I had nearly given up, the Knu Lateral File reared it’s magnificent eco-friendly head. With FSC-certified wood, non-toxic veneers and a catalyzed varnish counterpart, it’s intelligent design gives you an extra gift… It doubles as a table. Just goes to show that with enough perseverance, these days you can find practically anything in an eco-friendlier version without skimping on style (and you might even get a little icing).
