Fall 2011

3rd Annual Eco-Choice Awards By Sue Marquette Poremba

Most Innovative

Winner – One World Projects

A multipurpose basket from One World Projects, handmade in India from recycled plastic, won the “Most Innovative” Eco Choice Award. The hampers are made from recycled plastic bottles. Melting plastic bottles and other plastic waste creates the plastic strands used to weave the baskets.

“One World Projects imports and distributes products that are organic, compassionate trade, eco-positive, animal-friendly, and/or recycled,” says Phil Smith, founder of the Batavia, NY, company. “This specific product meets the criteria for three of our categories: trade, eco-positive, and recycled.”

Smith has had the opportunity to travel to Chennai, India, where the baskets are made through Speed Trust, an organization that provides an income and vocational training for poor women. When one woman heard about Smith’s visit, she proudly showed him the list of orders for the baskets she weaves. “She was bubbling with great joy to have useful work and to be able to provide for her family,” Smith says. One World Projects is an original member of the Fair Trade Federation and helps poor women with micro-credit loan opportunities and programs that focus on building self-responsibility and confidence.

NOTABLES

Sobral, Pop Art Collection

Sobral uses both natural and recyclable materials for all products. The most-used material is polyester resin which is natural and entirely recyclable. It is a natural petroleum byproduct. Industrial materials such as used circuit boards are also used. Used water from the workshop in Brazil is treated before being released. Any remaining unused materials or waste is donated to COOP CARMA, a local trash-collection cooperative, for recycling.

SobralUSA.com

Slab Mosaic Tray by DBO Home LLC

This product is made of wood and clay, with no toxic glazes or finishes. The design incorporates cracked pieces of claro walnut used by this company to make furniture, and the cracked ceramics that result from glaze firing of pottery. The wood comes from sustainable forests in California. All clay used in the studio is reclaimed and recycled. The studio uses energy-efficient kilns, produces work in small batches to minimize waste, and offsets its electricity usage with wind and hydro energy generation through local outlets in Connecticut.

dbohome.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.