Aug 5, 2011

Seven NYIGF Exhibitors Awarded Highest “Sustainability” Status

Of some 200 participants in the SustainAbility: design for a better world® display at the summer 2011 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), seven have been designated as achieving SustainAbility3 – the highest level of sustainability for their products, production processes and business practices.

NYIGF’s “Degrees of SustainAbility” initiative outlines industry-specific criteria for identification of green products and producers. A three-tiered ranking indicates the extent to which a product/producer complies with these standards. Ilene Shaw of Shaw+Co! curates the exhibit and designates each participants’ ranking.

“These companies incorporate sustainability on multiple levels, by using renewable resources and manufacturing with alternative energy sources,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “Additionally, many are fostering economic development through Fair Trade business relationships, or supporting charitable organizations.”

The seven highest-ranking companies and products are:

Blood Orange Personal Body Care by 80 Acres of McEvoy Ranch

This product line, designed by Through Smoke Creative and manufactured by 80 Acres of McEvoy Ranch in the USA, is made using ingredients derived from plants which have high crop yields and are organically grown without herbicides, pesticides or bleach. It is free of parabens and phthalates, and scented exclusively with essential oils of Blood Orange, Grapefruit, Tangerine, Orange Flower and Vetiver. The bottles are made from a minimum of 50% post consumer recycled content, and the boxes are composed of 100% post-consumer recycled paper. McEvoy Ranch operates a wind turbine designed to meet 100% of its energy needs. The products are all made in northern California in small batches, using certified organic ingredients from local sources whenever possible. www.mcevoyranch.com

Re-Purposed and Recycled Drinking Cups and Vessels by Aid To Artisans

There is no garbage collection in the Wei Nain region of Colombia, so plastic bottles litter the community. With the guidance of designer Miguel Calvo, local women artisans collect and recycle this material to make cups. Aid to Artisans (ATA), an international nonprofit organization, is a recognized leader in economic development for the craft sector. By linking artisans to new markets and buyers to culturally meaningful and innovative products, ATA helps artisans build profitable craft businesses. www.aidtoartisans.org

By the Sea Notecard Set by Annie Catherine Inc.

This set was designed by Catherine Breer using FSC-certified paper. It is produced by JS McCarthy Printers in a plant whose electricity is generated entirely by wind power. The products are made locally in Maine near the company’s warehouse. Donations are made to local charitable organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club of Maine, the Salvation Army and Goodwill. www.anniecatherine.com

Carolina Canines for Veterans by Harry Barker These dog treats are designed and manufactured by Harry Barker in the USA from veterinarian-approved, all-natural ingredients. The tin is made from recycled steel and is recyclable. The treats are packed by people with disabilities as part of a skills training program through The Hope Center of Charleston. The line also includes toys, 100% recycled plastic collars and leashes and organic cotton totes. A portion of the proceeds is donated to Carolina Canines for Veterans (CCV), a national program which provides service dogs for wounded veterans. www.harrybarker.com

Christmas Gift Collection by Potting Shed Creations Ltd.

These self-contained kits are designed by Ann Killen and produced by hand with recycled, repurposed or sustainable materials. The bamboo container can be composted after use. The OMRI-listed soil and coconut husks can be reused or composted. The ribbon is from recycled plastic bottles and can be used again. The product was designed with minimal packaging, resulting in less waste. This company supports local and regional non-profit organizations. www.pottingshedcreations.com

The Pop Art Collection by Sobral USA

Made of a unique, lightweight resin sourced from vegetable-based alcohol, each piece of Sobral jewelry is crafted by hand in Carlos Sobral’s workshop in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Unlike most resin artists, Sobral uses only environmentally friendly, raw materials considered as waste; 80% from wheat and corn-based alcohol and 20% from petroleum byproducts. Sobral’s dyes are vegetable-based, and the gift-wrapping and packaging materials are environmentally friendly as well. Sobral uses hydro-electricity generated from a nearby waterfall to power his workshop, and recycles the water used in the cooling and polishing processes. All scraps also are recycled. Employees – mostly local women – are allowed to work from home in order to care for their families. They receive training, meals, medical care and a retirement plan, which are rare benefits in Brazil. www.alegriaimports.net

Tay Revitalizing Cleanser by Tay Skincare

These products are designed by Sarah Tay and manufactured by Tay LLC from vegan-certified organic and natural ingredients, without parabens, synthetic fragrances or dyes, petrochemicals, or glycolene propyl. The ingredients are obtained from Fair Trade sources, such as the pure Shea butter from the West Africa Womens’ Co-op in West Ghana. These formulas are produced in hydro-power facilities. The offices run on Green Mountain Power’s wind-power energy. The packaging is sustainable, biodegradable bamboo and PET plastic. Customers can order refill pouches, mail the bottle back to the company for recycling, or recycle the components themselves. www.tayeveryday.com

Launched in 2007, NYIGF’s SustainAbility: design for a better world showcases global gift and home industry suppliers whose products or production processes are eco-friendly, as well as companies whose business practices are socially responsible, philanthropic or fair-trade oriented. A zero-tolerance policy was enacted in 2010 for any products with VOC; lead (for baby, children and food-related products); aniline dyes, formaldehyde and chlorine (for textiles); and PVC, without recommendation for use and disposal.

In 2010, NYIGF convened a “SustainAbility Task Force,” comprised of experts in “green” retail, design, manufacturing and fair trade: Display curator Ilene Shaw of Shaw + Co! Productions chairs the group, and advisors are: Enrico Bressan of Artecnica; Scot Case of TerraChoice; Mark Caserta of 3R Living; Amy Chender of ABC Carpet & Home; Paul Donald of Branch Home; designer Matthew Morris; Colleen Pendelton of AID TO ARTISANS; Jessica Pope, Working Class Studio; SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design); and Jaime Salm of MIO.

SustainAbility: design for a better world will be on display in the Javits Center North Connector from Saturday, August 13, through Wednesday, August 17. A complete list of summer 2011 display participants and product descriptions is available online athttp://nyigf.com/TheShow/Sustainability.aspx.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with 2,800+ exhibiting companies featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 85 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.