Environmental responsibility has moved from the periphery to the mainstream, which means that there’s an increasing array of green products that look great, work wonderfully, and are good for the planet. Natural renewable fibers replace polluting plastic, organic cloth takes the lead over pesticide-laden cotton, and recycled materials keep waste out of landfills. Bright, sustainable ideas abound. Here is Black Enterprise‘s eco-starter kit:
- Green Glass Co. These high-end glasses are made from reclaimed wine and beer bottles. The vivid colors come from the bottles themselves and a sandblast process is used to create patterns such as fish and vines on glasses and goblets. In recognition of Earth Day, in April the company will donate 10% of the proceeds from its Evergreen Collection to the Nature Conservancy. Prices start at $37.50 for a set of four tumblers. www.greenglass.com
- Cisco Brothers
Gone are the days when environmentally friendly couches, chairs, and pillows only come in oatmeal color and look like burlap. Cisco’s Basal Living Collection is made from natural latex instead of foam and isn’t treated with toxic fire-retardants. Colorful and classic designs are made from 100% organic material. Frames are constructed from Forest Stewardship Council-certified sustainable wood. Prices range from $825 to about $3,000.www.ciscobrothers.com. - Lucky Earth Waterless Car Wash
- Washing a car at home can waste from 80 to 140 gallons of water and produce soapy runoff that contains phosphates. Lucky Earth’s spray cleans, shines, and polishes. The solution is organic, hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and doesn’t require water. Each bottle contains up to 10 washes, $22.www.luckyearth.com
- Ceramcor’s Xtrema Cookware
Ceramcor’s cookware is made from natural minerals with a nonstick glaze that is nontoxic and nonreactive. The pans can go in the oven, on the stovetop, and even in the microwave. That versatility and durability means less cleaning and plastic waste. Prices per piece range from $39 to $139. www.ceramcor.com - The Company Store’s Bamboo Collection
Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource that has hypoallergenic and antibacterial qualities. It can also feel just as soft as high thread count cotton and doesn’t pill up. The Company Store’s durable blankets, sheets, towels, rugs, and loungewear come in classic colors and start at $24.www.thecompanystore.com - Herman Miller Caper Multipurpose Chair
Office chairs are commonly made from materials that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This family of chemicals is emitted as gases–think headache-inducing paint–and is bad for the environment and human health. Herman Miller’s Caper chair is made from nontoxic and recycled materials that can all be recycled at the end of the chair’s useful life. Retails starting at $515. www.hermanmiller.com - HYmini
This handheld wind and solar power charger for your cell phone, music player, and other small electronics only needs nine mile-per-hour winds to charge. Mount one–or several–on a bicycle or, for the fast-footed, strap one to your arm when you run to charge a cell phone later. Comes in black, white, and green, $49.99. http://hymini.com - Power Monkey eXplorer Solar Charger
Some solar