Ecojot is a stylish and fun line of writing pads made up of paper made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste.  As the designer Carolyn Gavin explains…

NO NEW TREES were used in the process.  This means that your old bills, cereal boxes and yesterday’s news is recreated into these exciting journals, workbooks, agendas, file folders and sketchbooks. 

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These amazing paper creations from Liz Grotyohann are made from reclaimed paper products.  Her site, Pica Pica is named for “Pica” a unit of measure in printing and typography, and the Pica Pica:

Black-billed magpie, latin name.
(See also magpie: Someone who collects things cast off by others)

Fittingly Grotyohann creates her beautiful designs from things no longer being used by others.

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These Rebagz are made from recycled nylon rice sacks. The colors and designs are beautiful and the nylon exterior makes this wallet durable.

"As part of their marketing efforts rice merchants in Asia design their rice sacks to capture attention in the competitive rice market. Women working for a fair trade certified NGO (non-government organization) in the Philippines collect these rice sacks from restaurants and other institutions then use their expert sewing skills to produce fashionable bags, backpacks, purses, totes & wallets."

I am a huge fan of upcycling. Finding raw materials, such as these rice sacks, that have brilliant colors and catchy designs can make the mundane product something of a talking point. These wallets are large, accommodating 6 credit cards, and have a wrap around zipper.

These eco-chic summer styles are a great way to look cool, stay cool, and help keep the planet cool this summer.  Hand made by Vermont local Susannah Mullikin, this cute little top (above, $32) is made from 100% recycled cotton eyelet fabric and a vintage gingham apron.  It is light and airy with a tie back to keep you cool this summer.  Below is great adjustable skirt made from 100% recycled Dutch wax print cotton, lined with 100% recycled loose weave cotton and adorned with a 100% hemp/organic cotton muslin corset drawstring ($62).  Check her out on Etsy and feel good about supporting small local artisans. 

The FlexibleLove 16 seats one to sixteen people.  It uses an accordion like honeycomb structure to compact to a single chair or expand into an number of styles that can seat up to sixteen adults!  The FlexibleLove 16 is made entirely from recycled materials (post-consumer recycled paper and post-industrial recycled wood) and uses pre-existing production processes to reduce environmental impact during manufacturing.

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tranSglass is a really cool recycled glass design project.  With the help of Aid to Artisans, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to artisans across the Globe, Artecnica collaborated with Guatemalan craftsmen to bring designers Emma Woffenden and Tord Boontje’s designs to the market.  These pieces combine old world craftsmanship with modern and sustainable design to create a beautiful and affordable art out of trash. 

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Designer Andy Gregg has combined two things we love, Cycling & Recycling, to make a third, well designed functional furniture!   A cyclist & a bike mechanic with a fine art degree, Gregg has been creating comfortable and durable furniture out of old bike parts since 1990.  He’s now incorporating parts and pieces from other transportation industries like train windows and seatbelt webbing. 

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Drinking wine from the bottle can be classy and Green, particularly when done from one of the Goblets or Tumblers from the Willow Collection. They take ordinary wine bottles that were headed to the landfill and turn them into useful pieces of art.

Made to order, these bottles are washed and sterilized then separated into two parts and recycled into usable glassware. The Top is made into a goblet and the bottom into a tumbler.