Jul 27, 2012

Two NYIGF Initiatives Recognize Exemplary “Green” Products

Two New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) initiatives connected with NYIGF’s SustainAbility: design for a better world® exhibit will recognize exemplary eco-friendly and socially responsible products connected with the summer 2012 market: Twenty-four products have been selected as finalists in the 6th semi-annual Eco Choice Awards; and seven products have been designated as achieving NYIGF’s highest “Degrees of SustainAbility” status. NYIGF runs August 18-22, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 & 94.

“As consumer demand for eco-friendly gift, home and lifestyle products continues to grow, it becomes more important for NYIGF to recognize the best, and provide buyers with some basis for comparison,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president. “These initiatives help identify which ‘green’ products excel based on several different criteria.”

Eco Choice Awards
For the first-time in its history, the Eco Choice Awards, co-sponsored by NYIGF and GREENRetailer magazine, will conduct online, paperless balloting to determine winners in three categories: “Most Innovative,” “Most Sensitive Use of Materials” and “Most Sellable.” Through August 8, a total of 24 finalists are vying for top honors in the 6th semi-annual competition, with voting online at http://giftshopmag.wpengine.com/votegreen. Winners will be announced at NYIGF, and profiled in the fall 2012 issue of GIFT SHOP magazine.

Eight finalists in the “Most Innovative” category include: Mirror Sieve by Europe2You; TRAVELER ZITA™ by Finum; Iskin Flora by Iskin; Colibri Closet Therapy Sachets by Maroma USA; Polarity Locket by Olive Bites Studio; Reclaimed Wood Tub Caddy by Peg and Awl; Rewined Candles by Rewined®; and Woven Paper Ribbon by Tesoros Trading Company.

In the “Most Sensitive Use of Materials” category, the eight finalists are: 10″ Eastlake for Ipad by Alchemy Goods; Golden Grass handbag by Alegria; 100% tree free cotton note cards by are you?; Sugarcane Disposable Collection by French Bull; Market Bag by Mushana; Yak Booties by Snow Leopard Trust; Felting Giraffe by Woolbuddy; and Recycled Kantha Cuff & Statement Ring by WorldFinds.

The eight finalists in the “Most Sellable” category include: Henri the Owl Earbud Holder by Arbiter; Exterior Story Triple Bracelet Set by Article 22 Peacebomb & Cliff Belts; Sticker Sets by Box Play for Kids LLC; Glass Pendant Footprint Kit by Jenny Gaynor Glass; Drink Chillers by Sea Stones LLC; Recycled Notebook by Shainsware; Deco Collection by The Soap and Paper Factory; and Modern Home Decor Eco Style by Wabisabi Green.

NYIGF’s Degrees of SustainAbility
Only seven of the 165 products accepted for the summer 2012 SustainAbility: design for a better world exhibit have been designated as achieving NYIGF’s SustainAbility3, the top-ranking level for eco-friendly and socially-respectrul 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 rating – SustainAbility1 through SustainAbility3 –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.

The seven companies designated with the highest SustainAbility3 ranking this summer include: Alegria for the Golden Grass Handbag; Annieglass for its Holiday Collection (Vixen, Sparkle and Snowbird); ARTICLE 22 :: PEACEBOMB + CLIFF BELTS for Spoon Herb Garden Markers; Dandelion, A Division of Re-Think it Inc., for Re-Play Toddler Tableware; Ecojot for Quote Jumbo Journals; Handmade Expressions for Scents from India all Natural Soaps; and Sea Stones LLC for Drink Chillers. These products will be identified by special signage while on display at NYIGF.

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. The summer market takes place Saturday, August 18, through Wednesday, August 22, 2012, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94. 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.