Greening Your Office Space

Back from maternity leave or starting a new job – why not take a step in an earth-friendly direction by greening your office space? From sticky note holders made out of recycled scrap steel to all-natural bamboo chair mats that create luxuriously sleek surroundings, Bambeco offers a variety of items to make an eco-friendly return or entrance into the workplace much easier. To find inspiration, consider some of the green office goods listed below: Recycled Cotton Desk Organizer What better way to increase your productivity than with enhanced organization? This stylish seven-piece desk set looks like fine leather at first glance, but is really constructed from recycled cotton rescued from the clothing industry. Jot important notes in the journal. Keep abreast on the latest news by storing periodicals in the magazine holder. Keep sharpened pencils at attention in an elegant holder. Available in black or brown. Price: $114.95 Rubber Wood Organizer There's nothing worse than sifting through the bottom of your desk for paper clips or looking for the disk containing essential information. Store all of your most important desk accessories in this organizer, which is made out of rubber trees – a sustainable, renewable natural resource that continues to create furniture and other products once all of the latex has been completely extracted. Rubber wood remnants destined for a life of waste are used to make the organizers. At home, this organizer doubles as a holder for recipe cards, photos, and sewing supplies. Available in Grey and Multicolored. Price: $120.00 Recycled Cardboard Desk Organizer Made of 100% recycled material and free of toxic chemicals or bleaches, this honeycomb cell structure is comprised of recycled cardboard. Try dressing your office with an eye-catching penholder that offers many different possibilities – from platter or bowl to fancy table-top decor. Thanks to lightweight fibers, this organizer offers a highly durable structure. Price: $31.00 Penguin & Rooster Recycled PETE Messenger Bag This funky and cool messenger bag is stylishly functional. You'd never know that it was made from 100% post-consumer plastic bottles. Perfect for those who love members of the feathered species, make your commute to the office a greener experience with this accommodating carryall. Store your cell phone and water bottle in the side pocket. Enjoy the adjustable, padded shoulder strap for ultimate comfort. Choose from blue, orange and olive. Price: $49.00 Recycled Bicycle Chain Bowl Want an irresistible conversation piece for the office? Consider the allure of recycled bicycle chains, which still have a great amount of life and use left. Offering a classic weave pattern with clean lines, this bowl provides an impressive centerpiece or nifty holder for your keys. Price: $86.00 Bentley Briefcase Attractive and stylish, this briefcase is handcrafted from reclaimed truck inner tubes and aptly named a 'Bentley' bag. Use it to tote your laptop or carry your important papers. Features include 1 ½ " wide adjustable and detachable seatbelt shoulder strap, handle, inside pocket, and two adjustable front spring hook closures. Price: $145.00 When looking to further green your office, don't forget to check out other products and goods offered at Bambeco – like the Recycled Cotton Photobox or a Root Table. Photo Credits: Bambeco

Hot Accessories: Reclaimed Fire Hose Belts & Bags

Father's Day is right around the corner, meaning thousands of sons and daughters will be scrambling to find the perfect gift for Dad. If you're tired of gifting ties, watches, and golf shirts – why not consider a sustainable gesture, like a belt or wallet made from reclaimed materials? I'd like you to consider products created by EaKo – an eco-friendly company that breathes new life into retired fire hoses. Fire Hose Belts Whether showcasing a skinny stitch or rugged durability, there is no denying the stylish appeal of an EaKo fire hose belt. Especially…when it comes to pleasing the current or retired firefighter in your life; giving a gift that represents his profession with pride is priceless. Each EaKo belt is made from reclaimed fire hose with a recycled pewter belt buckle as a centerpiece. Various styles are available in red and yellow. Fire Hose Bags Stylish and durable, this tote bag is absolutely irresistible. If it weren’t for a few quirky details of using decommissioned fire hose, you'd never know that the materials used to fashion this luxury bag once saved lives and rescued burning buildings. This classic design offers a roomy zipped pocket, compartment to hold your cell phone, two exterior pockets, and a comfortable strap for the shoulder. Other fire hose bags to consider:

• Unisex saddle bag – lined with material reclaimed from unwanted office furniture
• Wash bag (pictured below) – perfect for packing toiletries while traveling

Fire Hose Card Holder Protect your credit cards, business cards, and cash with this unisex wallet, which is built well enough for you to tote a slim iPod. Reclaimed sailing cloth from racing boats supplies the lining for the wallets. What Makes Recycled Fire Hose Products Exclusive? Created by hand, each belt is uniquely crafted in England– complete with battle scars from active fire fighting. Keep in mind that it's not uncommon to find hose batch numbers and original manufacturer's name on your belt or bag. Overall, you are guaranteed to receive a one-of-a-kind piece, accompanied by a free product story card and gift message. Also, take care in knowing that 50% of EaKo’s profits stemming from their range of fire hose products is donated to The Fire Fighters Charity. Consumers who purchase recycled fire hose bags and belts are doing their part to divert some of the industrial waste cluttering the planet. If you are interested in bringing home a truly 'hot' accessory, don’t hesitate to check out a variety of shapes, sizes and styles at Eco Emporia. Photo Credits: Eco Emporia

Recycled Jewelry: Sea Glass & Vintage China

With two painters for parents and displaying an interest in elaborate beaded jewelry at an early age, it was inevitable that Jessica Lee would fall into a career that allowed her to explore her artistic roots. Equipped with a college education in jewelry design and apprenticeships with notable silver smiths, Lee now sells her own eco-friendly trinkets in shops all over the world.

In the world of jewelry making, Mother Nature often inspires artists to look deeper into their surroundings for ideas and materials to create their next masterpiece. In this case, Jessica Lee was introduced to the natural beauty of sea glass found along the Californian coast. Thanks to the ocean, lost glass vessels are broken, washed away, and naturally smoothed over by constant love from sand and waves. This means that each piece of sea glass possesses its own unique shape, size, and texture – making both unpredictable and one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. Today, Lee's product line includes sea glass necklaces in hues of green and amber; rings with sterling silver surrounding antique Coca Cola bottle sea glass; and amber-tinted sea glass double earrings. She also expanded her recycled wearable art to include stained glass, carved stone, and themed pottery pieces depicting floral and Asian designs. Sea Glass Bracelet From amber to green to gray, you can proudly wear the colors of sea and earth with this striking sea glass bracelet that offers exclusive shapes fashioned directly from California waters. Handmade in Bali and California, each piece is hand bezeled in sterling silver. Pottery Watch Some watches were just born to leave a statement and this Jessica Lee creation accomplishes just that with bold pieces of pottery that certainly catch the eye. The combination of sterling silver and inviting designs immediately draws attention. The watch face showcases a stainless steel back. The entire piece is handmade in Bali and hand finished in California. Lee is quite adept in creating the perfect match of materials. Other creations include red and white vintage pottery paired with clear sea glass; hand-carved pottery pieces in the shapes of leaves and flowers; and floral pottery pieces and pearls. Sea Glass and Vintage China Leaf Bracelet I absolutely love this bracelet, as the soft tones of green are not only soothing to look at, but the detail is also extremely interesting to explore. Comprised of vintage china and sea glass, this bracelet is sure to transform your wrist into an intriguingly delicate sight. This is just one of the many displays of what Jessica Lee can produce with vintage china that she collects from antique shops, auctions, resale stores, family, and friends. Handmade in Bali and hand-finished in Oregon, this bracelet is absolutely unforgettable. To browse an assortment of colorful sea glass and pottery jewelry by Jessica Lee, including rings, earrings, and pins, don’t forget to visit her store. Photo Credits: Uncommon Goods

Men's Accessories: Cuff Link Crazy

Welcome to the world of Ward Wallau, who has made discarded and discontinued items a usable art form. There seems no end to his imaginative cuff link creations, as he transforms everyday and nearly forgotten objects into the mark of a well-dressed man. 1) Old New York City Transit Tokens When New York City finally discontinued its 'Y' cutout subway tokens in 1980, a light bulb went off in Ward Wallau's head, as he envisioned the ultimate city-inspired pair of recycled cuff links. It actually took him 11 years to petition the New York Transit Authority to grant him permission to use the outdated tokens in his jewelry making. Thankfully, Wallau was granted an exclusive license and now you can own the final product of his labor, priced between $80 and $125/pair. Click here to find other subway token cuff links by Ward Wallau, including San Francisco, Honolulu, and Chicago Transit. 2) Typewriter Keys Long gone are the days where the diligent journalist pounds away on a heavy, manual typewriter, but the beauty and allure of our literary past is not yet a closed chapter. Set in fresh base-metal findings, genuine vintage typewriter keys are handmade into a striking pair of cuff links. A set of Typewriter Key Cuff Links (2 white keys, 2 black keys, or one of each) costs $38. 3) Vintage Watches The combination of levers, gears, and jewels create striking ornamentation for any cuffed shirt. Wallau uses genuine movements from stem-winding watches that date back to the early to mid-20th century. Set in sterling silver findings, these distinctive Vintage Watch Movement Cuff Links ($130) make the perfect Father's Day, birthday, or anniversary gift. 4) Stadium Seats Looking for the perfect gift for a Yankee fan? Imagine an authentic piece of history decorating the sleeve with a pair of Yankee Stadium Cuff Links ($150) – made from recycled wood stadium seats. Aptly molded into the shape of a diamond, this priceless collectible comes from actual seating removed during the renovation of New York's infamous Yankee Stadium. Each cuff link comes with an engraving of the stadium name on back. A certificate of authenticity also accompanies this timeless gift. Wallau also designed cuff links from Chicago's old Wrigley Field stadium seats. 5) Dice Thanks to the pairing of jewelry designers Ward Wallau and Dia Kline, you can display your high-roller status or increase your luck with a pair of Lucky 7 Dice Cuff Links ($90/pair) mounted in sterling silver findings. Why is this piece eco-friendly? The cuff links are made from recycled/reground plastics that are cast and hand-drilled – not molded and produced in mass quantity like the majority of department store selections. Other Ward Wallau creations include:

• Liberty Dime Cuff Links ($60)
• Old Buffalo Nickel Cuff Links ($62)
• Scrabble Tile Cuff Links ($80)
• Motherboard Cuff Links ($128)
• Wine Barrel Cuff Links ($130)

Photo Credits and Purchase Information: Eco-Artware.com

Creative Recycled Goods – An Art Form

From dazzling jewelry to eye-catching household décor, an increasing number of artists, entrepreneurs, and other companies are producing some of the most resourcefully creative recycled and reclaimed goods. While all of the pieces mentioned below serve a purpose, it's pretty hard to ignore their artistic value. Hopefully, if more people embrace the attitude of breathing new life into "old things" – we can all place less strain on the environment by decreasing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Recycled Windshield Glass Multi-Purpose Bowl ($48) The rock that shattered your windshield seems to have robbed you of its intended use, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the road for the glass. Thanks to Colombian artisans, reclaimed glass from old car windows are being transformed into charming multi-purpose bowls with flair. A dye used to lower sun glare in the original windows contributes a striking green tint to finished bowls, which you can use to: · Decorate your home · Arrange fresh flowers · Serve punch to guests · Give your pet fish a classier home Recycled Skateboard Cufflinks ($20) Wear your wild child-at-heart spirit literally on your sleeve with a pair of recycled skateboard cufflinks. Stylish and full of color, these cufflinks come from used or broken skateboards – handmade in Nova Scotia, Canada by Jan and Jeff Whidden. Uncommon Goods also features the creativity of Laura Skelton, who recycles old suits and neckties into new wallets and necklaces. Round Flip Flop Baskets (Set of 2 for $120) You'll never look at your flip-flops the same again when you come across this vibrant explosion of color of flip-flop baskets made in the Philippines. Sparing landfills of further clutter, scrap foam rubber produced by the factories that bring your summer footwear to life are being transformed into multihued trashcans and storage containers for playrooms. While the flip-flop baskets can be used inside your home and in the outdoors – make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight. Recycled Tennis Racquet Bottle Openers ($65) Calling all tennis fans and players! How would you like to open your next premium beer with a handmade bottle opener fashioned from a vintage wooden tennis racket (shown above)? Designer Ward Wallau, who also creates vintage typewriter key jewelry, is responsible for this one-of-a-kind work of art – a must for any tennis buff. Ammunitions Case Wine Bar ($300) Seeped in nostalgia, this Vietnam-era weaponry case visually speaks to military enthusiasts, but also doubles as a decorative wine bar – complete with spaces to hold three bottles, six glasses, and spare room for tools. To find other recycled barware items at Uncommon Goods, such as a recycled ski wine rack, click here. Image Credits: Uncommon Goods

Ecoist Luxe Recycled Bags: Trash to Trendy

You'll never look at your old candy wrappers, shiny soda labels, and crumbled newspaper in the same way again once you encounter the recycled Luxe bag collection at Ecoist. Handmade in Mexico and Peru, look closely and you'll find striking clutches, purses and totes created from the wrappers of discontinued candy lines and misprinted food packages. Instead of the unwanted wrappers cluttering up landfills, Ecoist uses the raw materials to create unique handbags and other gifts. Ecoist handbags is known to use soda can pull-tabs, rice bags, movie billboards, and sustainable fabrics, like organic cotton, hemp, and jute to spread their vision of recycled, repurposed goods. In a flash of familiar red and white, Ecoist has also paired up with the Coca-Cola Company to repurpose misprinted and bottle labels ready for the garbage. In Peru, a fair trade women's cooperative is responsible for created these iconic, limited edition, handcrafted purses. To get an idea of the eco-friendly handbags of Ecoist, I present the Luxe Collection: The Daily ($158) My favorite bag is by far the Daily. Strong, well built, and resistant to water, the Daily pays homage to hard-working journalists in light, spacious, eco-chic fashion. Made from handfolded, recycled candy wrappers, this bag comes in Confetti, Newspaper, and trendy black and white selections with a fashionable plastic shoulder strap and magnetic snap closure. Measurements: 15"L x 12"H x 6"W (inches). Looking for something similar yet larger? The Mega ($188) is 21"L x 14"H x 7"W. The OC ($138) The OC is entirely made from 100% repurposed candy wrappers, soda labels, and food packages – a work of art entirely fashioned by hand. Reliable and water resistant, this Fair Trade bag offers a magnetic close and attractive 3" cutout handle. Measurements: 16"L x 7.5"H x 2"W; Colors: Emerald or Copper Diva Clutch With shades of green or your choice of diamond, silver, and amethyst, the Diva Clutch is handmade in Mexico and Peru – all created from repurposed candy wrappers. This Fair Trade bag is strong, sturdy, and resistant to water. Measurements: 12"L x 4.5"H x 1.5"W (inches). Maia ($188) One of the largest bags offered in the Luxe Collection is Maia, a water resistant purse comprised of recycled candy wrappers, soda labels, and food packages – all folded by hand. Self-lined and with a matching zipper closure, the Maia possesses a unique braided feature with plastic shoulder straps & tassels that give off the appearance of leather. This option is only available through the Ecoist website. Measurements: 15"L x 8"H x 9"W (inches); Colors: Raspberry or Confetti