Forget expensive designer clothing. Your next gown could be constructed out of upcycled food waste.

We probably don’t have to tell you that an exorbitant amount of food is wasted every year, but to drive home our point, get a load of this depressing statistic: “The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that 1.3 billion tons of food go to waste each year,” TakePart reports. And all that food waste creates “an annual global carbon footprint of 3.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalents.”

Okay, so we know food waste is a problem and we need to discover different ways to use this food. And although a lot of it can be eaten and donated, there’s still some that can’t be consumed because it’s not edible. So, that’s why using food waste to make clothing is so awesome—even if it seems incredibly strange.

Second generation food waste—things like orange peels, coconut husks, and salmon skin—can be transformed into synthetic fibers and then used for constructing fashionable duds.

So, which companies are using these food-based materials? Let us introduce you to a few of them.

1. Nau

This Portland, Oregon-based sustainable clothing company uses alternative materials, such as 37.5 Technology insulation, to insulate its jackets. The insulation—it’s made from coconuts—provides wicking, and temperature and odor control.

2. Tidal Vision

Fish waste is still a problem for sustainable fisheries. That’s why Craig Kasberg, a former commercial fisher, decided to try and upcycle aquatic leather and chitin/chitosan. After a lot of trial and error, Zach Wilkinson and Kasberg successfully launched Tidal Vision’s line of sustainable wear, which includes vegetable-based tanning products, salmon-leather wallets, and belts.

“Additionally, Tidal Vision developed a way to transform crab shells into chitosan textile fiber,” TakePart adds.

3. Ecoalf

This company collects leftover coffee grounds to make shoes. Weird, but once the process is explained, it makes sense… kind of:

“Since 2009, Ecoalf has been collecting leftover coffee grounds, primarily from a Taiwan-based restaurant chain,” explains TakePart.

“The still-humid compounds are taken to a recycling plant to dry and have 11 percent of their oils extracted to maintain a microporousness that allows for binding with other materials. The result is a nano-powder that’s mixed with either recycled polyester or nylon polymers to create yarn.”

4. Qmilk

Anke Domaske discovered a zero-waste way to make her company’s unique, milk fiber. Domaske created a process, using 100 percent natural ingredients with casein, a raw milk product.

“It only requires a maximum of two liters of water per kilogram of fiber and a maximum processing time of five minutes,” Domaske says.

Once perfecting the process, Domaske launched Qmilk in 2011. Qmilk is a biodegradable yarn that can be used in bedding, carpets, paper, and medical textiles.

Related on EcoSalon

Is the Clean Tee the Most Sustainable T-Shirt Ever?

6 Knight-Worthy Eco Fashion Designers from the UK

3 Hot, Sustainable Swimsuit Brands Worth Buying This Summer

Image of coconut via Shutterstock

The post Designers Turn to Food Waste to Make Upcycled Fashion appeared first on EcoSalon.

A new online space for curated, sustainable fashion. 

Nau is known for its simple lines and urban aesthetic. The sustainable Portland-based lifestyle brand represents a design ethos that is different in the world of fast fashion: make products that are meant to last, both in how they are made and in how they look, meant to be multipurpose, and meant to inspire a discussion about conscious consumption.

In that spirit, the brand is now launching the Nau Collective on its revamped website, a curated selection of brands and products that reflect good design for a conscious shopper. With the idea of “design for the conscious life” the collective will offer high-performance goods for a low-impact lifestyle, putting like-minded brands that have responsible design and a refined aesthetic all in one place.

Nau Collective is launching with five partner brands that include select styles from Nudie Jeans, blankets and throws from Pendleton’s Eco-Wise collection and select men’s and women’s footwear from the Timberland Boot Collection. The Collective also features co-branded gear from Klean Kanteen and Snow Peak, with goods like stainless steel reusable water bottles and flasks.

We caught up with General Manager Mark Galbraith to learn more about the Nau Collective and what being conscious means in a world of fast fashion.

What does “conscious shopper” mean to Nau? How does the Nau Collective embody that?

There is a discerning group of people that view themselves as global citizens and take that as a responsibility to make considered, conscious decisions about their life. These people are the early adopters who are having a positive influence in the world. The concept of Nau Collective is to bring like-minded companies together to engage with this progressive audience and bring about positive change. The Collective will expand our community and provide a curated offering of products and ideas for better living.

How much power does the consumer have in making positive change?

I compare consumer decision-making to voting in a democracy. It’s imperative for change. The support we give to companies and corporations by purchasing their products and services is essentially a vote with our dollars. The consumer has the ultimate power to vote for or against the type of companies and corporations we want in our world. The scale of this power is universally impactful, transcending the local, state or national level. The multi-national global corporation is the most powerful entity in the world; it trumps religion, race and national identity as a force for change. We, the consumers, have the choice of who and what we want to support.

In a world of “fast fashion” how are Nau and the other brands in the Nau Collective different?

Underlying the world of “fast fashion” is a dark reality of consume and discard. The effect is the same with a shirt we use for one season and then throw away, or the single use of a plastic cup or fork. The brands in the Nau Collective offer a more sustainable alternative to this trend. We are showing a collection of essential products that share a similar philosophy of clean, classic, long-lasting designs made in the lowest impact manner.

The post New ‘Nau Collective’ Launches to Bring Together Good Design and Conscious Brands appeared first on EcoSalon.

Corn becomes a popular fiber.

Although the U.S. is largest producer of corn crops in the world, it still comes as a surprise that cornfields cover a whopping 72.7 million acres of land in the country. A high yield of fibrous matter from the crop has brought about developments in processing corn fibers for spinning yarns and fabrics, alongside technologies that bond corn fibers together to create non-woven materials like diapers and plastic containers.

Much of the fibrous part of the corn plant (stalk and leaves) is fed to animals, although a material called PLA (poly-lactic acid) is fast becoming an alternative that allows corn fibers to be in AND on our bodies.

Image: Nature Works LLC

During the last decade, a fiber processing company called Nature Works has been developing corn fibers for large-scale production of plant-based plastics and textile materials under the product name Ingeo. Acting as a replacement for polyesters, PLA is a fiber that can be turned into a range of textile grade yarns from its pelletized form. The material is said to use 20-50% less petroleum based resources than polyesters, is compostable and can be grown and processed annually to yield high amounts of fiber.

Considered part of the plant-based synthetics fiber group, PLA is derived from a plant sugar called dextrose obtained mostly from corn, as well as sugar beets, wheat or sugar cane, all common and necessary food crops. However, a somewhat green-washed notion that corn fabrics, or dextrose-based fabrics and materials are environmentally-friendly because they are “natural” and come from plants is covering up some of the larger issues in the corn and sugar processing industries.

Image: Fiber Innovation Technology

Up to 85% of the corn grown in the U.S. is genetically engineered, and incorporated into food like corn chips, cereals, sodas and peanut butter, as are the several other highly refined and chemically infested sources of sugar. Cargill was the first company behind the development of PLA, and coincidentally also the world’s largest producer of genetically engineered corn crops.

Fossil fuels are still largely employed for the harvest, processing, chemical production and shipping within the corn market, keeping the oil industry closely tied to corn production. Basically, PLA can be seen as a way to cover up the degradation caused by genetic engineering and chemical processing of resources for the food and livestock feed industries. So does supporting the production of corn-based textiles then give manufacturers another excuse to push farmers towards growing GMO crops and creating mono-crop cultures?

Image: Fiber Innovation Technology

Nature Works has come up with an offsetting program where buyers can choose to receive PLA fibers with GeneScan certified non-GMO corn, as well as a half GMO, half non-GMO fiber material. But why doesn’t Nature Works drive the production of completely GMO-free PLA, and even better, the production of PLA made from organic corn? The company claims to be looking into other sources of cellulosic feedstocks, but have not yet made a leap that excludes genetic modification or chemical intensive processing.

It seems that if the company were truly interested in developing sustainable material options for companies that require fibers, they would invest in experimenting with diverse materials that are by-products of environmentally friendly processes. Nature Works is looking into using agricultural waste from the rice and corn industries for fiber production in the name of closed-loop systems, but can that be called anything more that greenwashing if the sources for agricultural waste are not sustainably produced?

Image: Nature Works LLC

PLA has gained favor with outerwear companies that are always on the lookout for greener material options, such as Portland-based Nau and REI. Patagonia, one of the most environmentally conscious outerwear giants has, however, rejected the fiber. They view Nature Works’ choice to incorporate GMO corn in some of their materials as a largely negative factor that will not change the production processes of the corn industry in the long run.

Patagonia has taken a very realistic stance towards PLA production, and one that will hopefully cause apparel producers to put pressure on fiber suppliers to completely exclude GMO crops from their processes. PLA is a great technological development, but the industries and processes it currently relies on do not make it a sustainable option. That is why all of us along the demand and supply lines of fibers must begin to understand how important the sources and processing of these fibers are to the health of our planet and ourselves.

The post Fiber Watch: Corn Spun Into Fibers is Natural, Right? appeared first on EcoSalon.

Every coffee lover should own a transportable French press.

Our love for coffee is nothing new, and as the summer season kicks off, it’s time to celebrate by eating outside. That’s  why we are loving the limited edition Café Luxe Kit from Nau which combines the two.

Collaborating with Snowpeak, the limited edition package includes: a titanium café press, a titanium milk foamer, a titanium mug, a cutting board with integrated knife and a bag of Stumptown’s Holler Mountain coffee beans, a direct trade, organic blend of course. All reusable and stylish enough for the chicest urbanite.

Because what tastes better than a cup of coffee outdoors?

$125 from Nau.

Look for Lustables at EcoSalon and submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

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A list of the top sustainable designers currently on the fashion scene.

Sustainable fashion has come a long way since its humble beginnings with more and more designers taking chances with fabrics, silhouettes and collaborations. Here we offer you an extensive list of what we consider to be the top designers in the sustainable fashion field.

A.D.O. Organics, New York, NY: GOTS (global organic trade standard) certified fabrics, chemical-free herbal dyes, Fair Trade.

Afia, New York, NY: Sustainable women’s clothing line sourced and sewn in Ghana, West Africa.

Ajna, New York, NY: Certified organic and sustainable textiles, collaborates with indigenous textile artisans.

Alabama Chanin, Florence, Alabama: Slow design, organic fabrics, recycled materials, minimal waste, made by local artisans in Florence, Alabama.

Alder, New York, NY: Part of the Pratt Design Incubator, all made in the U.S., materials sourced locally.

Allison Parris, New York, NY: Recycled materials, end run fabrics, organic silks, made in Manhattan.

Ambika, Catskills, NY: Made from shorn and brushed Angora rabbits on Ambika Conroy’s own rabbit farm in upstate New York.

Auralis Herrero, New York/Puerto Rico: Organic fabrics, promotes sustainable economies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Avery by Wang, Vancouver, Canada: Recently launched, organic cotton, hemp.

Awamaki Lab, New York and Ollantaytambo, Peru: A Peruvian non-profit working with impoverished Quechua women weavers.

Carrie Parry, New York, NY Produced ethically and locally in the New York Garment District, sourcing environmentally conscious materials and textiles supporting artisanal communities worldwide.

Christopher Raeburn, London: Christopher Ræburn has become known for his utilization of re-appropriated military fabrics to create garments that are functional, intelligent and meticulously crafted.

Clary Sage Organics, San Francisco, CA: Clary Sage Organics is committed to using 100% organic or ecologically sustainable products.

Costello Tagliapietra, New York, NY: Uses AirDye waterless technology to create all their prints, made in New York City’s Garment District.

Crop by David Peck, Houston, TX: Manufactured with textiles dyed in the United States and select fabrics imported from fair trade co-operatives in India.

Curator, San Francisco, CA: Made in San Francisco, organic cottons, hemp, minimal waste.

EcoSkin, Los Angeles, CA: EcoSkin uses only environmentally sustainable luxury fabrics woven, dyed and sewn in the U.S.

Eko-Lab, New York, NY: 100% organic materials, natural vegetable dyes, all made locally by New York City artisans.

Elroy, Vancouver, BC: Uses organic cotton, bamboo, tencel, linen, hemp, wild silk, pineapple, wool and upcycled fabrics, manufactured by a small, family-run cottage industry in Indonesia, designed in Canada.

Eva Zingoni, Paris, France: Made in France from recycled materials, limited edition, surplus fabrics from Parisian fashion houses.

Feral Childe, New York City/Oakland, California: Organic textiles, recycled textiles and accessories, made in New York City.

Frei, Chicago: Organic cottons, natural dyes, and locally manufactured textiles.

Gretchen Jones, New York: Sustainable fabrics, made in New York City’s Garment District.

Harricana by Mariouche, Montreal, Canada: Recycled fur, recycled materials.

H Fredriksson, New York, NY: Silk, made in New York City.

Honest By, Antwerp, Belgium: 100% transparent company from production to sales, organic fabric, certified organic wools.

Indigenous, Santa Rosa, CA: organic fabrics, Fair Trade, low impact dyes, free range alpaca.

IOU Project, Tamil Nadu, India: The IOU Project makes unique, handmade, traceable apparel, Fair Trade.

Isoude, Newport, Rhode Island: Made in the U.S.A., silks, hand dyeing.

Juleselin, San Francisco, CA: Created from organic cotton and recycled fabrications, sweatshop free.

Kelly Lane, Pittsburgh, PA: Created from sustainable fabrics, made in New York City’s Garment District.

Koch, Dallas, TX: Sustainable fabrics, made in Dallas and LA.

Lara Miller, Chicago, IL: Multi-functional clothing, organic cottons, hand-loomed bamboo, hemp and vegan silk, made in Chicago.

Lavuk, Los Angeles, CA: Sweatshop free and made locally in Los Angeles with sustainable materials such as organic cotton, tencel, hemp and dead stock silks, multi-functional clothing.

Lina Rennell, Northern California: The Rennell line is an art brand with a heavy focus on original print work, U.S. production, sustainable textiles, craft and high-end tailoring.

Loomstate, New York, NY: Organic cotton, tencel, reduced water consumption, reduced waste, pursuing a closed loop product life cycle.

Loup Charmant, New York, NY: Organic cotton, natural dyes, silks, made in New York City’s Garment District.

Made By, Peruvian Highlands: Eco-friendly Alpaca yarns, hand knit by the local highland Artisans of Peru, Fair Trade, organic colorants.

modaspia, Placerville, CA: Organic fabrics, end run fabrics, made in San Francisco.

Nau, Portland, Oregon: Organic cottons, silks, tencel, recycled materials, cruelty-free wool, partners for change with Ashoka, Ecotrust, Kiva and Mercy Corps.

100% NY, New York, NY: Organic, recycled, and ethical materials, produced entirely in New York.

Organic by John Patrick, New York, NY: Handmade metallic lace, sustainable recycled wool, organic cotton, biodegradable cotton cupro, vegetable-tanned leather, hand-loomed Angora, digitally printed silks,

M. Patmos, New York, NY: Eco-friendly merino wool and alpaca, faux fur made from wool and alpaca, and vegetable tanned leather, handwork techniques from women’s artisan collectives in Nepal and Bolivia, as well as zero-waste seamless knitting technology from Japan.

Portland Pendleton Collection: Portland, Oregon: Pendleton fabrics are woven exclusively in Pendleton’s Northwest Mills and all of the apparel is sourced and produced in the U.S.

Partimi, London: Digitally-printed silks, organic wools, modals, milk fibers, and luxurious cashmere.

Piece x Piece, San Francisco, CA: The fabric used in each piece is selected from a changing stock of luxury discards.

The Podolls, San Francisco, CA: 100% organic Supima Cotton, made in the U.S.

Popomomo, Los Angeles, CA: Organic cottons, Cupro, recycled materials, made in Los Angeles.

Prairie Underground, Seattle, Washington: Organic cotton, hemp, designed and manufactured in the U.S.

Raleigh Denim, Raleigh, NC: Handcrafted denim on vintage machines from the 1920s, sustainable cotton, organic cotton for Fall 12.

RESTORE Clothing, New York, NY: Repreve® Recycled Nylon, made in the New York City Garment District.

Rogan, New York, NY: Silks, organic cotton, alpaca, wool, bamboo, made in the U.S.

Samantha Pleet, New York, NY: Organic cottons, silks, Made in the U.S.

Soham Dave, New York, NY: Soham Dave focuses primarily on using biodegradable fabrics, recycled materials, and hand embroideries.
 

Stewart+Brown, Los Angeles, CA: Organic cotton, organic pima cotton, hemp, surplus fabrics, Mongolian Cashmere produced through a sustainable supply chain, Fair Trade.

Study NY, New York, NY: Organic cotton, linen, recycled materials, zero waste, made in New York.

Suzanne Rae, New York, NY: Silks, organic cottons, other sustainable materials when possible, made in New York City’s Garment District.

Thieves, Toronto, Canada: Soy, hemp, organic cotton, bamboo, Tussah Silk, organic wool, Seacell, tencel.

Titania Inglis, New York, NY: Japanese organic cotton, French vegetable-tanned leather, and dead stock wool from New York’s garment industry, made in New York.

Vaute Couture, New York, NY: Vegan, fair trade.

Did we miss someone? Email amy@ecosalon.com with your tip!

The post The Ultimate List of Sustainable Fashion Designers (From A-Z) appeared first on EcoSalon.

EcoSalon’s weekly playlist pick from 8tracks.

Music inspires many of us. We want to know what music fuels the people that keep us inspired, from activists to designers.

For this week’s playlist we turned to Peter Kallen, Design Director of Nau, the sustainable clothing company known for its urban and outdoor designs. A Slice of Audible Inspiration, “represents merely a slice of sounds I enjoy, by no means are they meant to be played back to back because they represent different tones and moments to be moved by audibly,” says Kallen.

Music does that for me it inspires a mood, reflects an emotion, transports the mind to a different place or state and ultimately expresses a feeling and conjures up an attitude to go with that. I draw from music daily to fuel my thoughts and guide my mental journeys. Music is a enormous part of my inspiration to draw from for design. It’s my audible Muse.

Listen to the playlist here.

Track list:

1. Blue in Green – Miles Davis
2. Bellbottoms – Jon Spencer
3. Ode to a Boy – Yaz
4. Love is Stronger Than Death – The The
5. No Fun – Stooges
6. Fripp – Catherine Wheel
7. Pon de Replay – Rihanna
8. Go – Tones on Tail
9. Crazy Bitch – Buckcherry
10. Push It – Salt and Pepa
11. Ziggy Stardust – David Bowie
12. One More Yime – Daft Punk

On Music Monday we bring you a featured playlist from one of our favorite music sites 8tracks. From indie rock to electro pop we hope it’s a playlist that kicks your week off right.

Image: Fey Ilyas

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For a weekend trip to an architectural gem on the countryside, pack minimalistic basics inspired by a modernist farm-girl.

When packing for a weekend at the Stealth Barn in Norfolk, England, bring cozy basics that call to mind a modern day farm-girl who embodies a homespun yet contemporary aesthetic.

Rugged Flat Buckle Boot
With a one-inch stacked wood heel and super-treaded outsoles, these vegan boots from Hearts of Darkness are perfect for a walk through muddy farm fields. But, they also work just as well when you get back to the city. Pair with knit-tights and you’ll be dressed for chilly spring days.
$120, Cri de Coeur

Nau m2 Scarf
A great scarf is a must-have for any weekend getaway. This one from Nau is made from supple merino wool, which offers warmth and comfort in a remarkably lightweight package.
On sale for $42, Nau

Kebab Round Neck Sweater by Risto
Risto Bimbiloski’s Fall 2011 collection created a “strange and timeless beauty” with a hint of a “mysterious dark side,” all inspired by outer space. This handmade luxurious knit sweater is so cozy you’ll want to wear it all weekend. Layer it over a dress or pair it with a long skirt for spring.
On sale for $234, Founders & Followers

Beatrice Check Shirt Dress
Put a new spin on farm girl chic, with this handwoven pink and blue check shirt dress with vintage style collar, side pockets and a tie waist. For colder days, layer a long-sleeve tee underneath and a cozy neutral knit on top.
Approx. $120, <a title="People Tree" href="http://www.peopletree.co.uk/women/dres

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We searched high and low to find these eleven iPad 2 cases that are both eco-friendly and stylish.

It’s an email machine, e-reader (imagine, a floor without magazine stacks) and app-wonderland, all wrapped into one sleek little case. If you don’t already have an iPad, chances are an iPad 2 is high up on your wish list and a stylish case to put it in would be second. We made that part easy for you with these top eleven picks of stylish and eco-friendly iPad cases.

Nau Pad Stash
Featuring clean lines and a slim profile, Nau’s Pad Stash combines old world style with new world functionality. Die-cut from wool felt, this case has a flip-close front cover, four accessory pockets and doubles as a stand for easy viewing. On the inside, recycled wool felt insulates and protects your iPad from scratching.
$75, Nau

Laser-etched Natural Bamboo Case by Grove
These all-natural bamboo cases are entirely hand-made in Portland, Oregon. The company doesn’t outsource, but creates everything, down to the packaging and website, on-site. Production is kept small-scale and limited and Grove believes in slowing things down in order to maintain the highest quality product. What really makes this one special though, is the wide range of beautiful laser-etched designs available. You can even design your own or, if adornment is just not your cup of tea, get a plain one.
$139-$169, Grove

Rickshaw Sleeve for iPad 2 in Earl Grey Performance Tweed
Made to order in Rickshaw’s San Francisco factory, this case comes with plush, laptop-grade padding and a plush, soft liner that works double duty protecting and cleaning your screen at the same time. Available in four different colors.
$40, Rickshaw Bags

Cork iPad Sleeve
This sleeve made from cork, brings your iPad a little closer to the earth. Cork is naturally water-resistant and durable and its soft, textured surface will protect your laptop from scratches or wear. It will also work kind of like a coaster to keep your iPad in place on slippery surfaces. Handmade in Spain, the Cork Sleeve will develop a unique patina with use.
$39, UncommonGoods

Felt iPad Sleeve by ribandhull
This sleeve features a simple, classic design and a flap with two metal snaps that are fully lined and reinforced (so they don’t cause any damage to your iPad). All of ribandhull’s products are entirely designed and produced in their Warsaw studio from the finest materials. This one is made with vegetable tanned leather and a thick 100% wool, German designer felt, which is water repellent and anti-pilling. More colors are available.
$52, Etsy/ribandhull

DODOcase for iPad 2
The DODOcase exterior gives your iPad the look and feel of a hard-bound book, which not only makes you look smart and book-ish but prevents theft as well. Made from solid core bamboo and black Moroccan cloth and constructed using traditional bookbinding techniques, the cover folds back to be used as a stand. The DODOcase’s magnetic insert also activates the iPad’s auto wake/sleep feature to wake and sleep your iPad instantly. Available in a variety of interior color choices.
$59.95, DODOcase

Michael Roger Landmade Cork iPad 2 Sleeve
This iPad sleeve (which also works for Netbooks) is made with sustainably harvested cork from Spain and features a beautiful, unique pattern (two different kinds are available). A zipper ensures that your iPad stays securely in place.
$69, Michael Roger Bookbinders

Recycled Mink iPad sleeve
This is for you glamor girls out there. This iPad sleeve is handmade to order from a 1960s vintage mink stole. It has beautiful, soft fur on one side and pre-loved black leather, upcycled from old jackets and pants on the other side (for an extra charge, you can get it in wrap-around mink). It’ll surely get your friends talking.
$175, Shannon South/ReMade USA

Kork 2 for iPad 2
This upgraded version of the Kork is lighter and thinner than its predessor and comes with many new features such as Apple Smart Cover integration, tray-mode, natural sound amplifier, and a camera hole. The company calls it “a complete ‘Swiss Army Knife’ for your iPad” and ensures this is the only cover you will ever need.
$49.95, A Produkt

Plaid Doctrine iPad Sleeve
Sewn in the USA from water- and stain-resistant high performance fabric made from recycled bottles, this sleeve features two large front pockets to hold accessories like chargers, headphones, and phones. It’s ultra lightweight, foam-padded, and fully lined in recycled, ripstop nylon. Comes in three different styles of on-trend plaid.
$59, Plaid Doctrine

Voltaic Spark Tablet Case
It may lack in the style department, but this clever case will not only protect but also charge your iPad. Featuring 8 Watts of solar embedded into a streamlined shell made from recycled PET, (which is waterproof, lightweight and UV resistant), the Spark stores over a full iPad charge of clean, green solar energy for you to use anytime. It also charges most other tablets, phones and professional digital cameras. Ten hours of sunlight will fully charge the battery.
$299, Voltaic

The post Top 11 Stylish & Eco-Friendly iPad 2 Cases appeared first on EcoSalon.

Just in time for holiday shopping and gift giving: The Box is back!

Our exclusive EcoSalon shopping must-have, the curated eco product assortment known as The Box, is back. We’re offering $500 worth of holiday eco-goodies for just $99 and these won’t last. That’s a guarantee.

From soy candles to handmade rugs, our Holiday Shelter Box is crammed full of swanky products to bring modern style into your home – with enough cool goodies included to give things away as gifts, too. Featuring full-size gorgeous green goods, hop on this now or miss out!

(If you do miss out this time around – supplies are extremely limited – our friends at Curbly are hosting a giveaway for the last remaining Shelter Box standing. Head on over to their site and register to win!)

Just look at what we have in store for you this time around:

Set of Two Wolfie & The Prints

In the dead of winter, these U-Pick Apples and Fresh Eggs prints from Wolfie & The Sneak will remind you of warm mornings spent perusing farmers’ market. Hang them on your wall, and you’ll instantly brighten your mood. The 5″ x 7″ prints are printed on 8″x 10″ French Paper, 100% post consumer recycled paper, produced in a hydroelectric-powered, family-run paper mill in Michigan. With inks guaranteed to last 98 years under regular glass, you’ll be enjoying your fresh produce for years to come.

(Retail value of $40)

Guerrilla Gardening Seedbomb Kit

Change the world, guerrilla style. That’s the idea behind Seedbomb from Greenaid, and the Guerilla Gardening Gift Set ensures that you have all the tools to make the world a greener place. Know of an unused lot nearby? Throw a few seedbombs in. A barren intersection that could use some foliage? Seedbomb away! The packaging is perfect for your guerilla gardening exploits, complete with a handkerchief and slingshot for ensuring that your 12 seedbombs get launched far and away. Seedbombs are hand-rolled in Culver City, Calif. using local materials, sustainable packaging, and socially responsible labor.

(Retail value of $20)

Stencil1 Bird Stencils

Put a bird on it. Your wall, that is. Make your own decorative aviary with these six bird silhouette stencils from Stencil1. You can stencil any one of the six designs onto cards, shirts, even your furniture; the possibilities are endless. And fun.

(Retail value of $19.99)

Wishbone Paperweight

With a busy social calendar in the month ahead, it’s good to keep a few presents on hand, and this striking paperweight from VivaTerra is the perfect item – and a good reminder to make a wish. You never know when it might come true.

(Retail value of $39)

Wishbone Ornament

Hang your wishes up so everyone can see! An match to the Wishbone Paperweight, or perfectly fine on its own, the Wishbone Ornament brings a little cheer to its owner. The ideal go-to gift for anyone who needs a little pick-my-up this holiday season.

(Retail value of $15)

Music for the Planet by 1% for the Planet

Produced by non-profit 1% For the Planet, Music for the Planet is a collection of 41 songs that supports the environment. The album features exclusive and rare tracks by many well known artists including Josh Ritter, Mason Jennings and Rosie Thomas. All proceeds from the album go to supporting environmental causes, so we won’t be surprised if you love the music so much that you’re inspired to buy another one for a friend.

(Retail value of $9.99)

Crash Candles Soy Candle

Every cozy home needs a few candles burning, especially in the winter months, and these hand-made soy candles from Crash Candles are the perfect option. Poured in a glass tumbler you can use when the wax runs out, the candle features the designs of one of our favorite Scandinavians, Lotta Jansdotter. No not only will you bring a little extra light into your home, but you can be happy knowing that they’re eco-friendly and supporting the work of contemporary artists and designers.

(Retail value of $24)

Klean Kanteen and NAU Stainless Steel Pints

Move over, Mason jars. So last year. Especially if you have a reusable option on hand. Perfect for outdoor picnics, concerts or even a birthday party, these pints ensure that you’ll never have to go disposable again, and unlike many glass versions, these won’t break. This exclusive four-pack of Klean Kanteen pints is discreetly printed with the simple NAU logo and made of 18/8, food-grade stainless steel. Durable, versatile, reusable, and dishwasher safe.

(Retail value of $39)

EcoSystem Journal

A blank journal is a blank slate, waiting to be filled with your thoughts, drawings and lists. These blank ecosystem journals have a flexible cover and are filled with pages of 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Sized at 7 3/8″ x 9 7/8″, you’ll have plenty of space to let your creative spirit fly, or encourage someone else that they do the same.

(Retail value of $18.95)

Paper Culture Gift Certificate

Haven’t gotten to your holiday greetings yet? That’s okay – now you can use this $25 Paper Culture gift certificate to customize your own holiday cards. Already ahead of the game with your cards? Your gift certificate can also be used for any product on the site from personal stationery to bamboo wall art. With a motto of “be modern. be eco” Paper Culture uses exclusively 100% post consumer recycled paper for card and envelope and a portion of all proceeds go towards supporting non-profits that focus on education, family and sustainability.

(Retail value of $25)

Recycled iPhone Re-Case

Any busy girl is sure to put her phone through the ringer, which is why you need to make sure it’s properly protected. The Re-Case from Miniwiz is made from 100% trash (rice farming byproducts and post-consumer thermo-plastics to be exact), though from the sleek design, you’d hardly know it.

(Retail value of $24.95)

Plywerk Gift Certificate

Every time you go on a trip you take your camera. In fact, you’ve taken so many photos by this point, your photographer’s eye is actually getting good. But what do you do with all of those photos? Don’t leave them in the hinterlands of your hard drive, print them so everyone can enjoy your work. The masters at Plywerk mount your photo on eco friendly bamboo, eliminating the need for a glass frame. Their easy-to-use website allows you to upload your photo, choose your size, and almost before you’ve had the time to hit send, you have a gorgeous mounted photo waiting at your door.

(Retail value of $20)

Angel Face Botanicals Aromatherapy Shower Steamer Set

In the midst of holiday parties and planning, any good hostess needs to take some time to herself and recharge. These delicious scented Shower Steamers from Angel Face Botanicals make the perfect hostess gift, a little “thank you” for throwing a dinner or cocktail hour in the busiest season of the year. The sampler set comes with Lavender Mist, Juicy Citrus, Peppermint and Eucalyptus, so you could even divide them among your deserving friends. Or if you’re feeling in need of an energy boost yourself, turn your shower into aromatherapy central and enjoy yourself.

(Retail value of $20)

VivaTerra Flowered Thermos

Your friends will be thrilled when you bring a batch of hot cider along on your winter excursions. This beautiful, double-walled, 34-oz. thermos from VivaTerra is perfect for transporting hot and cold drinks alike and with its floral enamelware design, you’ll be serving in ultra current style.

(Retail value of $55)

Verde Lifestyles’ Bamboo Rug

Bring a little zen into your home. This 2’x3′ dark brown bamboo rug from Verde Lifestyles is beautiful and durable, and with a mixture of earthy wood and red undertones provides an ideal dose of warmth to modern, rustic and contemporary settings. Perfect for welcoming guests in your entryway.

(Retail value of $24.75)

Lucky Bowl

A small bowl that can serve as a nice positive daily reminder. This 3 1/2″ inch ceramic bowl by Paloma’s Nest is handmade in Austin, Texas and is a beautiful little keepsake for any friend whom you feel lucky to have. Each piece is made out of pure white clay and has a matte finish.

(Retail value of $22)

Elephant Plantable Pocket Notebooks

If you’re like us, you have a few notebooks lying around, all full of to-do lists and great ideas. But what do you do when they’re full? If it’s a Plantable Pocket Notebook like these ones from Botanical Paperworks, you can take it right outside and put it in your garden. Filled with plantable paper, come springtime you will see a vibrant collection of wildflowers sprout. Perfect for sticking in your purse and jotting down quick notes, or passing along to the friend who always seems to be coming up with good ideas but never has a place to put them.

(Retail value of $9.95)

Grain Utility Card

This card really can say it all. Designed by Grain, with its word search puzzle the Utility Card contains over 100 different wishes, from Happy Hannukah My Love to Howdy Friend, Happy New Year.

(Retail value of $4)

The post The Box: Gimme Shelter Edition! appeared first on EcoSalon.

At EcoSalon, we love our events and goodie bags – and surprises, too.

It should come as no surprise that we’d want to have a fun shindig during New York Fashion Week. So this Thursday, we hope you’ll join us for (Sustainable) Fashion’s Night Out at the Textile Arts Center with co-sponsors Of Rags and the New York City Fair Trade Coalition. Our event will feature fair trade and sustainable designers and shops carefully curated to tempt the tastes of all. The collaborative event, co-sponsored by EcoSalon takes place on September 8th, from 6-10 p.m. at TAC’s new Manhattan location and will gather sustainable and mainstream style purveyors under one roof.

For something extra special for Fashion’s Night Out, we decided to collaborate with eco-fashion label Feral Childe for a Feral Childe for EcoSalon t-shirt. For anyone following the story on Feral Childe with Forever 21’s knock-off of their Teepee print, we all thought a proper fashion week send-off would be to recreate the print with “Stop The Fashion Pirates,” sprinkled throughout.

And as for the goodie bags? The first 30 get them. Here’s a sampling of most of the items with more to come:

La Bella Figura Hair Perfume

NAU Wool Scarf

Pawling Print Studio cards

VivaTerra’s Yellow Jade Necklace (longest one pictured here)

Hand/Eye Magazine

20% off coupon for Be Sweet Yarn

Organic Basil Sage Mint Candles by Caterpillars (with this super cute EcoSalon label on top)

And more!

But don’t you dare just come for these goodie bags. We’ll sniff you out in a heartbeat.

Editor’s note: The shirt image at top is graciously provided by American Apparel. We’re thrilled to be using their organic tee shirts for this exclusive EcoSalon Feral Childe shirt.

The post (Sustainable) Fashion’s Night Out, an Exclusive Feral Childe T-shirt and the Goodie Bags! appeared first on EcoSalon.