Feb 2, 2012

Three Companies Receive Eco-Choice Awards at NYIGF

Three companies, from nearly 200 “green” products featured in NYIGF’s SustainAbility: design for a better world® display,received Eco Choice Awards for presenting the most innovative and environmentally responsible gift, home and lifestyle products at the winter 2012 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®). The fifth semi-annual Eco Choice Awards, co-sponsored by NYIGF and GREENRetailer magazine, were bestowed in three categories – Most Innovative, Most Sensitive Use of Materials and Most Sellable – based on popular vote.

“Today, ‘green’ products have to hit several notes to be commercially successful.” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “Retailers selected eco-friendly products that most-appealed to them in terms of design innovation, environmental sensitivity and commercial viability.”

The winners of the winter 2012 Eco Choice Awards are:

Most Innovative – Petal Clutch by walleska ecochicc/ Fashionista Source (Dallas, TX)
This chic and stylish handbag is made from 100% recycled aluminum can tabs, which are crocheted into a petal design. Wind powers the production of the product, which is hand-crafted by 30-50 under-privileged artisan women outside of Brazil’s capital, Brasilia. www.ecochicc.com

Most Sensitive Use of Materials – Recycled Paper Vase-Honeycomb by Made by Humans (Vancouver, Canada)
To create this vase, recycled paper was cut into strips, which were rolled into thin tubes, then sliced and glued on the exterior of a ceramic vase. A non-toxic dye was applied to give the vase its color, and a food safe, water repellant coating was applied. www.madebyhumans.net

Most Sellable – Life on Earth Tot Towers by Eeboo Corporation (New York, NY)
This collection of decorative stackable blocks is made from paper and recycled greyboard, which is easily broken down. Soy-based inks are used to print the brightly colored numbers and animal designs on each. www.eeboo.com

NYIGF’s SustainAbility: design for a better world initiative was launched in 2007 to showcase global gift, home and lifestyle 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.

Now entering its fifth year, this initiative incorporates a juried exhibit of sustainable gift, home and lifestyle products, the Eco Choice Awards recognizing product innovation, and a new partnership with Green America to produce a seminar series addressing sustainability and socially-responsible business practices.

The sixth semi-annual Eco Choice Awards will take place at the summer 2012 NYIGF, Saturday, August 18, through Thursday, August 23, 2012, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94. Once again, winners will be selected by popular ballot from all products featured in NYIGF’s SustainAbility: design for a better world exhibit.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with 2,800+ exhibitors 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 80 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.