droolicious : recycled

Fall Preview: Family Baby Making Biz Gets Eco-Friendly

Lisa Mulcahy — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:30:00 GMT

It’s refreshing to see a small family business thrive in our mass market world. The Goldberger family has been making dolls for over 90 years and still manages to roll with the times by launching new babies every year that reflect what’s going on in the world. Last year it was the The Sensitive Baby for kids with alergies and The Lavender Dreams baby to calm fussy toddlers. This fall the Goldberger Company is releasing an eco-friendly line of dolls called Seedlings that will ring in at an affordable $10-$15 price range. The surface of the dolls and their clothing are made from all natural fibers and without the use of harsh chemicals. And all of the packaging will be made of recycled materials.

Valentine's Day Conversational Heart Pillows

AmandaHill — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:00:00 GMT

I love the classic Valentine's Day conversational hearts. So when I saw the conversational heart pillows, I knew I had to post them here. These things are so cute. They would be perfect for your Valentine. In particular, your child sized Valentine. My daughter is thrilled about the upcoming day of love.

They are 9 inches tall and 8 inches wide. The felt is Ecospun which is made from recycled plastic bottles. Recycled and Cute? Bonus! You can order yours from KnittyKrissy's Etsy Shop.

Say it simply with these Birth Announcement Cards

Lisa Estall — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:36:00 GMT

Don’t like too many graphics on cards? Here are simple looking birth announcement cards that are retro trendy.

Since I'm a simple type of gal, I would have bought these cards if I knew about them at the time of my daughter’s birth.

Printed on recycled paper, the 12 cards and envelopes are sized at 4.25 x 5.5.

Priced at $11.25, buy them at Oopsy Doodle.

Organic Choo Choo Onesie

Lisa Estall — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:22:00 GMT

For the budding train fan, get this Choo Choo Organic Onesie from Oopsy Doodle.

This 100% organic cotton looks super soft! The company's designs are hand painted which gives it a personable touch.

Packaged in a recycled box with green ribbon, this would make a nice baby shower gift.

Comes in sizes 3-6, 6-12 or 12-18.

You can buy it at Oopsy Doodle for $20.

First Look: Eco-Friendly Lunch Kit from Kids Konserve

Nicole Feliciano — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:53:00 GMT

Resolved to be greener this year? Start with this new “Go Wild” lunch kit.

Kids Konserve thinks we can take a simple daily experience--the school lunch—and transform it. According to their site, children’s lunches create 3.5 billion pounds of garbage each year. Why not resolve to quit stuffing the garbage pail with brown paper sacks, Ziploc bags and juice boxes? The Kids Konserve Waste-Free lunch Kit ($42) is all about doing more with less.

The colorful dining on the go set includes: recycled cotton sack, two stainless steel food containers, a stainless steel beverage bottle, food cozy (perfect for wrapping a sandwich), cloth napkin and recycled aluminum name tag. We love that the stainless steel won’t leave yesterday’s juice taste on today’s soup and all the pieces are easy to open. Kids will happily contribute to the cause—it’s way cooler to carry this set than any ordinary lunch sack (pick from two animal prints, butterfly or caterpillar). And this is the lunch that keeps on giving, with each purchase, Kids Konserve is promising to donate percentage of the proceeds from their lunch kits to participating schools.

Modern Dollhouse ON SALE!

SunnyChanel — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:00:00 GMT

I’ve always thought this simple contemporary styled dollhouse was a stunner. And now that’s it’s on sale, it’s gotten even more attractive. Thanks to the mortgage crisis in toyland, you can now pick one up for under a hundred dollars. But thankfully it’s brand new and not one that has been foreclosed on.

This modern dollhouse is made of recycled rubberwood and features a curved skylight roof, transparent paneling that slides from side to side and a staircase that can be moved anywhere you want. The regular price is $130 but you can get it from the MOMA for $94.95 (and if you happen to be a member you can get it for $85.45).

Tavo High Chair From Monte Design Is Small And Modern

Chris Ford — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:04:00 GMT

The Tavo High Chair from Monte Design is a product I missed at the ABC Kids Expo this year, and it's definitely a regret. The Tavo is a basic under-the-table high chair that looks great and doesn't look like it will take up a lot of space in your home.

The Tavo High chair seat is made of black or brown "bonded leather" which is (as I learned) a type of recycled leather. It also makes it a soft-seat (which is kind of unique) and easy to wipe down. The base is solid maple (an appropriate wood type for a product made in Canada) and is for kids who can sit unassisted - six months to four years.

The Tavo High Chair, available now for $345 from MonteDesign.com

You’ll Flip for These Recycled Flops

Lisa Mulcahy — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:45:00 GMT

It’s a tough reality to face, but summer’s finally over. Despite an awesomely warm autumn, I think we’ve seen the last of the sandal wearing weather. It’s officially time to toss the flip-flops, which rarely live to see another summer after a season of abuse by the beach and bare feet. So where do all those fun lovin’ flops go? At least some of them go to Viva Terra to make these funky flip flop bins, $135 for a set of two.

Designed to withstand wet and wild conditions, these bins are a perfect place to stash soggy snow boots or tuck away miscellaneous kid crap.

Build Your Own Play Kitchen... for $8!

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:03:00 GMT

We've told you about DIY play kitchens before, but if you aren't handy with a jigsaw and don't have the funds or the know-how to make a supply run to Home Depot, the $8 plans for the set pictured here, available at Etsy, are an awesome (and cheap!) alternative. Most of what you need -- primarily recycled corrugated cardboard and old wire hangers -- is probably already lying around the house, and if not, we'd bet there's a dry cleaner, grocer or liquor store that'd be glad to turn over its detritus for your building pleasure.

If that's not enough to sell you on the idea, check out this description from Etsy seller fortytworoads:

"Corrugated cardboard is an incredibly strong and durable material (no wonder Frank Lloyd Wright built furniture out of it!), yet is at the same time very lightweight and portable. This kitchen maximizes those qualities by being able to always be disassembled and reassembled in minutes! No glue, no nails, no screws - instead, it is held together with a few clever joins that I designed."

Just don't get literal with that gas stove -- the results could be ugly.

Lighten Up with Fleurville Re-Run MicroPod

Heather Kuldell — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:45:00 GMT

If you can’t get to spring-cleaning the house, do yourself a favor and clean out the good ol’ diaper bag. Or better yet, scale down. Fleurville Re-Run MicroPod has room for just the crucial stuff.

The MicroPod is just a wee bag with room for a couple of diapers, the changing cloth, wipe case and zip-out pocket for sippy cups or bottles. The outer pocket is fleece-lined for parent gear like cell phones or mP3 players and even features a pass-through for ear buds. It’s probably a little purse-like for pops, but he can wear it as a waist pack. On second thought, just attach it to a stroller.

The MicroPod is made out of trademarked Re-Run fabric, which is created by recycling about three plastic bottles. The bags are available in olive, pink, red, chocolate or black for $28 (including changing cloth and wipe case). If you prefer a girlier pattern, the ogo is available for $30.

Yogurt Containers Reborn as a Toothbrush

Lisa Mulcahy — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:41:00 GMT

There’s nothing my son enjoys more for breakfast than a yogurt smoothie. Even though I buy the economy size containers we still end up with a whole lot of packaging in the recyling bin. I’m glad to hear my favorite yogurt company has partnered with this eco-conscious firm to repurpose those old containers into childrens’ toothbrushes.

Through a special recycling partnership with Stonyfield Farm, yogurt cups are recycled to make the handles of Recycline’s Preserve Jr. toothbrushes. The ergonomic pea pod shape of the handle was designed with little hands in mind and the soft bristles protect teeth and gums. And I’m sure once my son is a little older to understand the lifecycle of his yogurt container he’ll think this toothbrush is pretty cool too.

$3.50 at Fawn and Forest.

WIpe Feet on Cupcake, Please

Sarah Verdone — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:09:00 GMT

Sure, Emily Kircher crochets sweet little rugs, but the best thing about them is that all the material is recycled. For example, a Cupcake rug might give new life to a pair of old brown corduroys and a couple of pink and red T-shirts. Cupcakes average about 24" (61 cm) x 19" (48.3 cm). $48 plus shipping. Check out the recycling artist's whole line here on etsy.

Brooke Burke's Hera Diaper Bag

Chris Ford — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:30:00 GMT

Celebrity/model/television-host Brooke Burke is a mom, and like other celebrity/model/television-hosts she sells stuff for moms. Although I'm smart enough to know not to comment on her postpartum belly shaping "Tauts," she's also sells a "recycled" diaper bag.

The messenger-style bag is made out of recycled "vintage sails" and has bottle and cell phone pockets. It doesn't say anything about a changing pad.

The Hera Diaper Bag, $68.00 from Baboosh Baby

Mindful Holiday: 2007 Snowflake Ornament from Eco Artware

Mir — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:00:00 GMT

Just in case this stunning aqua glass snowflake ornament doesn't win you over, how about this: Each ornament (and this is part of a limited run, each year) is made from recycled window panes, with all proceeds being donated to the foundry's local community. Beautiful on your tree, and a meaningful way to spend your money. $10 apiece at Eco Artware.

Mindful Holiday: Tin Can Angel Ornaments from VivaTerra

Mir — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 12:04:00 GMT

It's never to early to start Junior on his own ornament collection, and it's also never too early to meld old traditions (collecting ornaments) with new ideals (buying recycled from artisans in struggling countries). Check out this set of four tin can angels from Viva Terra -- $27 buys you not only these cool-looking holiday decorations, but is a small and easy way you can raise the living standards for low-income families in Guatemala.

Green Baby: Recycled Sweaters In The Palm Of Their Hands

Leigh-Ann Jackson — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:00:00 GMT

These kids' mittens have funky, homespun appeal. Each one-of-a-kind pair is made from reclaimed sweaters and other knits. Great for green types, those with an out-of-the-box aesthetic and kids who like to keep their hands warm. Since they're each unique, the style and color you get is a surprise.

$25, Grass Roots.

Green Baby: Plan Toys Shopping Cart

Mir — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:01:00 GMT

There's a lot to love about this simple little cart from Plan Toys: It's made of recycled rubberwood and canvas, it's colored with non-toxic vegetable dyes, the handle is adjustable to your child's height, and there's a stopper on the back to keep it from tipping over. Simply perfect for heading to the pretend Whole Foods to pick up some wooden organic produce, no? $52.99 at Amazon.

Recycled and American-Made: Blackbird Fashions Socktopi

Mir — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 17:04:00 GMT

File it under so-ugly-it's-cute -- each colorful stripes socktopi is made in Washington state of recycled sweaters, and each is unique. Choose yours at Nico & Zoe ($26 apiece).

Handmade: Patchwork Hot Rod

Kelly Mills — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:01:00 GMT

Sweepea recycles clothes and repurposes vintage fabrics and a few modern retro prints to create old-school denim creations like this hot rod jean jacket, $58. All the patches are hand-sewn with unfinished edges and each item is a one-of-a-kind, dahling. Throw this on your little speed demon and teach him to obey the traffic laws.

Back to School Drool: Basura Turns Juice Pouches Into Lunch Bags

Mir — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:05:00 GMT

If you aren't intrigued by these, then you are dead inside: Basura's small insulated lunch bags are lead-free and fashioned from recycled juice pouches by a women's co-op in the Philippines. If it were any greener, it would just be a pile of grass clippings.

Each one is unique and perfect for your little activist. At just $15.95 apiece ($14.95 if you buy two or more) from ReusableBags, it's an extremely affordable way to do good, too.

Droolworthy: Miru's Friends

Karen — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 23:07:00 GMT

Featured in Canadian Living Magazine this month, Miru's Friends are made from carefully selected wool sweaters, that are laundered, stuffed with new poly-fill and detailed with vintage buttons. In an effort to do a small part in helping our tiny planet, this Toronto based designer is excited to share creations from greeting cards ($5) to full sized animal figures ($125) at several boutiques or privately. Details are available online.

My absolute favorite details include the dimples on each face, and what IS it about those ears that makes me want a collection of these? So. Lovably. Ugly.

100% Recycled Genetic Material, Now Labeled

Mir — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 17:03:00 GMT

This one's a great gift for your favorite tree-hugger. No, the shirt itself isn't made from recycled material, but the kid inside is! Available in sizes 6 Months up to 4T. $16.99 from Palmetto Trading.