Not too long ago we told you about some ecologically friendly ways to go – literally, as in how to do away with that pretty corpse of yours in a manner that’s best for the environment. Some of those options were for those of you interested in the eco-ashes to eco-ashes route. But this begs the next question: What to do with those cindery remains? The Answer is clear (cue music”¦ no, really): Turn them into a record album for your loved ones to spin and spin and spin again – forever and ever! (Okay, maybe not so clear. But funky, though, huh?)

Meet And Vinyly, my vote-getter in the run-up-to-Halloween race for most macabre and inventive company. What these twisted, though seemingly respectful Brits do is take some or all of what you leave behind and press it into “a vinyl recording your family with cherish for generations.” Your last expression can include anything you like, such as a final personal message (your last will and testament, for example), your own “soundtrack,” or nothing at all – “simply press your ashes to hear your pops and crackles for the minimal approach.” (I wonder if you would need to buy rights to the music you use. Could you get sued? Would you care? What would an aggrieved record label do? Confiscate your record and, um, burn it?)

The basic package is for up to 30 discs and includes standard “R.I.V” cover artwork and record label with your name, birthday and deathday. You supply the audio and get someone to bring in your remaining remains (they require personal delivery, so make sure you leave a trip to London to some lucky pal in your will). You only get 12 minutes a side, so if you’re rushed for time, well… The cost? Basic starts at about $4,800. I know. Cold.

That said, if you’re willing to throw down about twice that fee, you can up your in by having National Portrait Galley award-winning artist James Hague paint your portrait with acrylic and ash (yes, yours) on canvas. Your album covers will then be made from limited edition prints of the original portrait. To do this, you can simply supply a photo or “arrange a one hour sitting with James, before you die.” (Lord, I love the English.)

Here’s how it works (and in this order, by the way.):

1. Confirm your location and the viability of these services in your area.
2. Identify a family member or chosen rep who will accompany you (your ashes) to the pressing.
3. Establish audio content and cover art.
4. Attend the mastering of your record.
5. Receive playable proof sample of your record and cover.
6. Die.
7. Get cremated.
8. Your family member or chosen rep books and attends the sprinkling and pressing of your records.
9. Your chosen recipients are sent details of where to collect their copy of your personal record.
10. Live on from beyond the groove.

In a recent e-mail exchange with And Vinyly’s “Undertaker,” Discovery News asked him how he came up with the album concept: “The idea came through personal considerations about the inevitable,” he said. -¦ I began to get glimmers that perhaps I wasn’t invincible after all. I saw a story on an American chap who had his ashes put into fireworks for his family to enjoy. I loved this idea. I began to see that death does need serious consideration, but that this could be done in a light-hearted way. Our concept provides immortality in sound.”

There are way too many silly puns on And Vinyly’s website to even begin to try to compete with them here for some clever close. I’ll just punt to their tagline: “Death to Vinyl.” Sounds like a plan.

Image: Wouter de Bruijn

The post Vinyl Fetish? The Music Never Stops appeared first on EcoSalon.

Yet more news from the what’s-on-your-smartphone front: For those of you who moved lightening quick on the iPhone4, Trunket‘s got you covered with some salvaged American Rosewood.

These grainy veneers come in six colors, ranging from “sea blue” to “blood red” to “jet black.” The overlays are “designed to sustain years of wear and tear and should acquire a natural, aged patina over time.” The stains are fade resistant and, here’s the part I kind of like, to “rejuvenate your overlay and keep it looking fresh for years to come,” you’re encouraged to do some “occasional buffing.” Nice.

Putting it on is simple: Wipe the phone clean with a provided alcohol pad, make sure the phone is dry and doesn’t have goop or dirt on it, remove the protective film from the back of the Trunket and just stick it on. Although it’s removable, they don’t encourage a bunch of on again, off again action. But, then, who ever does?

Each Trunket cover is made from real wood and is pretty much a “rescue.” “We acquired a large inventory of aged veneers from a luxury car customization company that was in the process of winding down its operations as the owners decided to retire,” explains Trunket co-founder Jay Chowdhury. He notes, too that his process has “kept sustainability in mind in the selection of treatments, finishes and packaging materials.”

The company, by the way, is a member of the Arbor Day Foundation, and will allocate $1 from each sale towards the goal of replanting 50 trees per month in areas of need starting October.

So put this option in your what’s-an-iPhone-to-wear pocket, along with this one and this one and, oh, yes, all of these and “¦

The post iPhone Wraps: Always More to Cover appeared first on EcoSalon.

We’re all becoming increasingly aware of the horrendous footprint left behind by the technology we use every day. Consider the ubiquitous plastic casing surrounding the ubiquitous iPhone. Pretty, maybe – is yours pink? Electric blue? – and practical, too. But how many of them are out there? And where do these things come from, anyway? Where do they go? There can be no good answers to these questions.

So here’s a new approach: Portland-based design collective Grove is offering a unique and environmentally conscious way to protect and dress up the Apple of your eye – in bamboo.

Bamboo use is on the upswing for a couple of reasons. First, its strength and dimensional stability makes it ideal for a variety of uses that other forms of wood aren’t suited for. It also elegantly takes on a natural oil wax finish (used by Grove) as opposed to industry-standard plastic clear coats, making the material look and feel warm and, well, woody.

Most important, though, is that Bamboo is actually a grass and is the fastest growing plant in the world. It can be harvested for use in as little as four years, thus its increased use reduces our reliance on timber forests. Says Grove: “We are just starting to tap the potential of bamboo as a contemporary building material. ”

All that good stuff aside, these cases are just plain cool. Well, not so plain, really. Choose from one of the collective’s artist designs or upload art of your choice to customize your own. Prices start at around $70.

The post A New Purpose For the Ole Bamboo appeared first on EcoSalon.

What is the extent of your relationship with Payless?

Summer Rayne Oakes: I work as a sustainability consultant, largely reviewing product materials, processes, packaging, non-profit partnerships and provide guidance to the overall corporate Sustainability Task Force, when necessary. What I really love about working with Payless, is their willingness to work as a partner in the Zoe & Zac program and beyond.

What areas are you specifically working with them to make improvements?

SRO: I’ve been specifically tasked to work with their team on the Zoe & Zac shoes and accessories line, which focuses on the use of more environmentally-preferable materials like organic cotton, linen, hemp and recycled materials – from rubber, wool, PET and recycled cardboard. I was involved in Zoe & Zac from the very beginning of the concept and my work with Payless involved everything from mission, messaging, and continued new ideas and innovation. This important work on Zoe & Zac has made its way into other initiatives, and I’ve also helped provide input and counsel to the overall company on the structure and dynamics of their sustainability team. In fact, this week I am heading back down to the company’s corporate headquarters in Kansas to give three presentations on varying subjects.

Are you aware of what Payless is doing as a company in terms of corporate social responsibility?

SRO: I am most equipped to talk about the corporate social responsibility initiatives as it relates to Zoe & Zac, however, I’ve been kept relatively up-to-date on corporate-wide initiatives. Collective Brands (parent company) and Payless have been honing in on a range of initiatives – from printing on recycled materials and waste recycling to transportation efficiencies and charitable giving. One of the most exciting initiatives for me has been their progress in transportation, which is a big slice of the pie since they ship to nearly 4,500 stores. Collective Brands has become SmartWay certified, which is the EPA’s initiative to make freight transport operations cleaner and more efficient. More than 80 percent of their transportation carriers are SmartWay certified. That’s equivalent to taking more than 30 million metric tons of CO2 and 200,000 tons of NOx emissions out of the environment. To put it bluntly – that’s about 12 million cars off the road. But it’s an uphill environmental battle. As an aside, that’s 4.7 million short of how many vehicles were sold in China last year alone.

As far as Payless goes on the transportation front, the company is now transporting approximately 80 percent of their inbound deliveries from the port to their distribution centers by rail. This is up from 60 percent last year, which is an incredible jump in efficiency.

Payless also has a long history of charitable giving – ranging from special programs (e.g., supporting breast cancer awareness, higher education scholarships for minority youth, tree restoration, among others) to annual events. They are probably most known for their Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids shoe giveaway. For two years now, at the holiday season in November and December, they partner with about 750 localized non-profits across the Western Hemisphere (in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and in 10 Latin American countries where there are Payless stores) to distribute $1.2 million in free shoes to children and families in need. Payless has also partnered with The Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees campaign, which has committed to planting 100,000 trees. Last year’s program raised $200,000 and will plant 200,000 trees this year. Payless expects this year’s program to be equally as successful.

Does Payless have plans to phase in more eco friendly styles?

SRO: We want to focus on great shoes and accessories and are concentrating right now on quality as opposed to quantity. We’re still learning a lot about the materials, especially on the accessories front, so in the next few seasons, you’ll see about eight principle styles in women’s and girls’ shoes and about 4-6 accessories, which will also include handbags.

Has the Zoe & Zac brand inspired the company as a whole to source sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing in any of their other brands?

SRO: I haven’t followed up on what’s happening with the other brands under Payless, but I believe it is safe to say that Zoe & Zac and the greater sustainability initiatives happening on the corporate level have informed, if not influenced, a number of decisions – from printing, recycling, and using recycled materials.

What is Payless doing about waste and recycling?

SRO: In terms of waste, Payless donates all of their sample shoes to Soles4Souls, which then gives them away to needy children across the globe. They also have a recycling program in all of their corporate and business unit offices, which include Topeka, KS; Lexington, MA; and Englewood, CO. As far as shipping, Payless ends up reusing 45 percent of the corrugated boxes that come into their distribution centers. The inbound shipping boxes from their global manufacturing partners basically get reused to ship shoes to their stores. The rest of the 55 percent corrugate is recycled and all of that cardboard is 70 percent recycled content. Obviously increasing efficiency, reducing waste and using more recycled content is the goal, but it is a work-in-progress.

Payless manufactures their shoes in China, including the Zoe & Zac brand. Have you visited the facility in China where these products are made?

SRO: Absolutely. It was one of the first requests I had when I came on board. The experience was particularly informative. It showed me how much the manufacturing facilities are very much partners in the whole supply chain, as opposed to just some external foreign facility. For instance, one family-owned and operated facility was almost completely dependent on Payless for business and support, and that’s not taken lightly by the [Payless] team. It’s not the most efficient facility, being older, but Payless feels as if it’s their responsibility to work with them to get them there. On a whole, Payless has helped institute a number of changes in the facilities, like the use of tolulene-free materials, non-solvent based cements, and proper ventilation. This is in part due to their long-standing relationship and philosophy with their manufacturing partners, which is absolute key in instituting change. You need to know someone is there for you for the long haul to feel incentivized to move in the right direction.

As far as auditing – I feel as if the team is always at the facility, but proper auditing happens four times per year, and covers issues including: health/safety, labor, and environmental concerns. The Labor issues are in accordance with the latest China Labor Contract Law, which was instituted by the Chinese government in February 2008.

There are other initiatives that Payless is involved in, like the FDRA Overseas Labor Practices initiative, which essentially is a driver in standardized compliance requirements and inspections for the footwear industry. There are also a number of other cool initiatives that are coming out from other trade industries in the coming months, which I’ll be sharing with the team.

And finally, why Payless as opposed to another footwear company?

SRO: Payless approached me about two years ago and I have to say that I was deeply impressed on a number of fronts that made it a no-brainer to work with them. Looking back on it I realize that all of what I mention below is still true.

1. The conversation I was having was with their C-Level executives, meaning that the programs would be taken seriously and gain traction company-wide.
2. The team was enthusiastic – not only about the prospect of working with one another – but also at the prospect of implementing change. Nothing is more fulfilling than working with enthusiastic, passionate people.
3. They were eager to answer questions, and if they didn’t know the answer, they were happy to find out who did.
4. They had already shown initiative by creating a Sustainability Task Force and instituting baseline data points to show progress.
5. They were interested in working with me in a vertically-integrated capacity, which means I wouldn’t just be asked to front a brand, but be working with it through-and-through. Personally, that is a much more fulfilling role for me, and allows me to exercise working with companies that truly share my core values.
6. They take my advice! And the advice of their customers! I can’t tell you how emotionally satisfying that is. And finally,
7. They are a company that reaches a wide demographic, not often focused on environmental concerns, so it really ties back into my core focus of reaching a new audience. I love that.

The post Behind the Scenes of Payless’ Zoe & Zac with Summer Rayne Oakes appeared first on EcoSalon.

A few years ago, a dentist told me I’d need dentures by the time I was 50 – that’s how bad my teeth and gums were. Granted, they didn’t look bad – my teeth are strong, straight and pearly white – but my gums were already declining. I was brushing twice a day, but I wasn’t flossing and I was eating plenty of sweets.

After two root canals (and I’m only 30!), I take much better care. I still don’t floss as often as I should, but at least it’s more than I used to. I’d like to save my teeth, and save money too. Here are my natural dental care tips:

First and foremost, use a tongue cleaner. I know, it sounds icky, but the slimy stuff on your tongue when you wake up is plaque. It’s ickier to leave it on.
You have to floss. There’s no way around it. Do anything to make it fun! My husband and I have made a pact to remind each other to floss every morning. Do we always remember? No, but it’s a start!
Use ayurvedic toothpaste for the best blend of warming, astringent and detoxifying herbs. These herbs will promote gum circulation, tightening and cleansing.
Sprinkle baking soda on your toothpaste for extra cleansing and whitening.
Brush a few times a week with a paste made of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Rub this on your gums too.
Rinse with green tea for a natural fluoride wash.
If you get a toothache after all that, clove oil works wonders. Apply directly to the painful tooth with a Q-tip so you don’t get the burning oil on your gums. A paste of ginger and cayenne powder also works.
Check out Pristine Planet’s dental care page for a variety of natural products for teeth and gums.

May as well green up the routine, too! Use a Preserve toothbrush made from recycled plastic.

I often grumble about all the work and time it takes to care for my teeth, but I suppose it’s better to have teeth to take care of in the first place! Let us know your own dental care tips in the comments below.

Image: ninette_luz

The post Do You Know These 9 Natural Tooth Care Tips? appeared first on EcoSalon.

When top textile vendors branch out into the green, it plants a fertile seed for the entire industry. That’s why I’m applauding Brentano – one of the best sources for designers – for now offering a wide range of responsible fabrics (such as the stunning weaves above).

Among the new selections are 100% recycled polyester bark’s cloth, Eco Wool and faux leathers. The line, including soft woven bamboo, gives us wider options for upholstering sofas and chairs (no more waiting six months for that Brentano mohair velvet from Italy!).

Textile designer Iris Wang and her husband E-Kwan Chen co-founded Brentano over 18 years ago. Their fabrics have been featured in stylish, big bones homes as well as many large installations, including the American Embassy in London, Microsoft in Seattle and most recently, the Smart Home: Green + Wired exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

“As we grow, we continue to invest time and energy in developing our company’s green mindfulness,” says the founders. Brentano believes that green awareness is not just a concept or a product, but a lifestyle, and encourages sustainability in the workplace.

Each of the new eco fabrics sold to the trade comes with a “green story” describing the content (e.g. recycled polyester fiber from post consumer polyesters, such as plastic bottles headed for the landfills).

All of these green stories have a happy ending, one that validates the importance of milling gorgeous textiles that are no longer treated with toxic chemicals and harmful dyes.

The post Brentano Fabrics Unfolds Sustainable Fabric Collection appeared first on EcoSalon.

Look into the future of custom housing: steel frames and insulated panels delivered to your lot for quick, on-site assembly. That’s what’s being done at Eco Steel, a firm of architectural visionaries that connects with other forward-thinking industry partners to deliver these dwellings to homeowners and businesses. Instead of fully finished prefab, the building systems gives you an excellent shell to be finished by your own green contractor.

EcoSalon has been singing the praises of modular prefab dwellings, not just because they often contain recycled content but because they are energy efficient, space saving and low maintenance. These ones designed by Eco Steel tout thermal efficiency and LEED rating benefits.

A fine example of their custom projects is the Goshawk Ranch in Park City, Utah, where Eco Steel is based. This fabulous structure features solar powered radiant heat, low voltage lighting, electric generating windmills, robust grey water irrigation and an outdoor amphitheater.

The company also used eco-friendly steel to construct these Scandinavian-style three-story residential lofts in the coastal Delaware town of Rohoboth Beach. They are engineered for extreme wind loads, and come in 4-bedroom options for multi-family use. Weathering all kinds of climate (and climate change) is a goal of the architects. They also cut down on the time and cost of building a conventional custom house.

“Our building system is a hybrid that offers faster construction and higher quality than traditional means yet is less expensive and more flexible than full prefab techniques,” says Eco Steel.

Your job is to find the land and the right contractor to complete the task.

The post Need an Eco House? We Deliver the Nuts and Bolts appeared first on EcoSalon.

There’s nothing warmer than a Tuscan farmhouse patina on cottage or even apartment walls, something faux finishers have long tried to reproduce.

But conventional methods of sponging on toxic decorative paints will soon reside in the history books along with the old Medici clan of Florence. Earthy plaster is the way to go greener for adding texture and rich color to interior surfaces. A great choice for this approach are the products produced at American Clay.

The New Mexico company’s natural earth plasters use natural clays, recycled and reclaimed aggregates, and stunning natural pigments in all three of their finishes: Loma┞¢, Porcelina┞¢ and Marittimo┞¢. Unlike some stuccos and harsh paints, these plasters are non-dusting, mold and face resistant, repairable and moisture controlling.

In addition to the standard line, you can special order Natural Depths, a line of seven rich colors that will also reproduce the feel of Old World marble, suede and terrazzo. The company’s packaging is recyclable, as well.

Among American Clay’s biggest fans is the eco-plaster company, Get Green, Get Plastered owned by Bay Area painter Dana Cummings. He says over the past few years he has switched to greener products on the market and that’s when he found American Clay. “There is so much warmth and a certain quality about having Earth on your walls – it really does connect you to nature,” he says. I love the name of this company, which features a green martini glass icon on the logo. Yeah, let’s get green and plastered, Dana!

Cummings also uses green glazes and eco paints like Yolo Colorhouse and Green Planet Paints to help accentuate the beauty of his plastered walls.

If you’re interested in trying to learn how to apply plaster on your own, check out the American Clay hands-on workshops at the company’s site. You can also read about Carlie’s eco-take on American Clay – and clay walls – by clicking here.

The post Getting Plastered: a Greener Way to Finishing Walls appeared first on EcoSalon.

Last week I wrote about Anti-Body’s line of natural bath and body products. Since then I’ve had the liberty of testing out the peppermint lip balm known to rival Burt’s Bees and I must say that I’m hooked. It’s not as pungent as Burt’s and leaves lips feeling silky and soft, rather than sticky and tingly.

Anti-Body wants you to see for yourself, and so, right in time for the holidays, they are offering EcoSalon readers 10% off a total online order. This special coupon will be available through December 31 when you enter the “EcoSalon” code upon checkout. These products make great gifts, so buy away. Thanks, Anti-Body!

The post A Treat from Anti-Body Just for You appeared first on EcoSalon.

It’s about this time of year that all the fashion magazines start parading resort collections in our faces. As the temperatures drop and the cold, blustery winds set in, editors tempt us with straw bags, sandals, linen, and barely there bikinis. For those of us lucky enough to be able to afford a tropical eco-getaway in the midst of winter, there is Ann Veronica.

Having just debuted her spring 2009 tote collection, this designer has prints available that can double as both playful resort ware and durable carryall for next season. All of Ann Veronica’s bags are hand-printed and hand-sewn using heavyweight, all-natural, and biodegradable canvas. Try the Butternut Kashmir Cape Elizabeth Commuter to lug your leftover summer reading to the beach or perhaps the Hibiscus Ferry Bag if you’re in a particularly girly mood, and soak up the sun for all of us stuck here in the grey.

Image: thanker212

The post Resort on the Brain appeared first on EcoSalon.