Fall 2010

2nd Annual Eco-Choice Awards By Sue Marquette Poremba

At the summer edition of the New York International Gift Fair, hundreds of products competed for Eco Choice Awards in three major categories. Here are the winners.

In August, more than 250 companies participating in the Summer 2010 New York International Gift Fair’s SustainAbility: design for a better world exhibit, competed for three Eco Choice Awards. Sponsored by GREENRetailer and NYIGF, the award categories included Most Innovative, Most Sensitive Use of Materials and Most Sellable. Each category features one winner and two notables. For a complete list of the finalists under contention, please check out our extended version online at giftshopmag.com.

Patricia Norins, publisher of GREENRetailer and GIFT SHOP magazines, says the energetic voting and response to the awards is strong proof of the growing consumer demand for fresh and innovative green products. “These award-winners show how products can not only be green but also functional and fun,” Norins said. She added that GREENRetailer was delighted to co-sponsor the awards recognizing the constant innovations in this exciting field. “It’s in keeping with our mission to be the leading source for information about growth and innovation in all aspects of gift retail,” Norins added.

“The green design movement is ever-evolving, and many stylish, functional and environmentally-friendly products were introduced at the summer 2010 NYIGF,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF manager and GLM vice president. “The Eco-Choice award winning products really resonated with the thousands of buyers who attended NYIGF.”

SustainAbility: design for a better world is a curated exhibit and features global gift and home industry suppliers whose products or production processes are eco-friendly, as well as companies with socially responsible, philanthropic or fair-trade oriented business practices. While product innovation and originality or newness is an important part of the judging, participants must also meet specific criteria for sustainability.

The next edition of the Eco Choice Awards will take place at the Winter 2011 edition of the NYIGF, January 29 through February 2. For information and registration, visit nyigf.com.

Sue Marquette Poremba

Sue Marquette Poremba is a freelance writer based in State College, PA. She specializes in technology, engineering, energy, and IT security topics. She has also published over a dozen essays and is the author of a book about the Philadelphia Phillies.