Gifts that give twice
Evergreen takes on new meaning this season with gifts that give back to the Earth.
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SHOPPING INFO
Ecoist, www.ecoist.com, 877-326-4787. The Shop of Fairchild, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables, 305-667-1651; www.fairchildgarden.org. The Energy Store, 601 N. 21st Ave., Hollywood, 954-920-9009; www.energystore-usa.com. Green Dwellers, 5215 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation, 954-533-2295; www.greendwellers.com. Little Green House, www.lilgreenhouse.com. Yummy In My Tummy, 13770 W. State Road 84, Davie, 954-358-2414; www.yummyinmytummy.com.BY PATTI ROTH
roth94@aol.com
Finding eco-appropriate presents should be a snap for holiday shoppers. Plenty of fun, funky and useful products feature attributes that are kind to the planet and its people.
Some bright, bold accessories proudly showcase their recycled roots. (See box for shopping info.) Perfect examples are the candy wrapper handbags ($10 to $250) from Miami-based Ecoist. The designs mix and match labels from sweet treats and other goods that use excess packaging materials. The confetti styles blend a rainbow of bright colors. Other versions feature silvers or jewel tones.
Bags and coin pouches are handwoven in Mexico and Peru based on Ecoist's designs. The firm emphasizes fair-trade standards in its global business practices. The materials used for the handbags include such recycled goodies as candy wrapper misprints and discontinued products. Ecoist also sells candy bar wrapper bracelets ($12 to $26) and coasters and napkin rings made from recycled materials ($14 to $48 a set).
SUN POWER
Whether they're into the beach, boating or bicycling, folks who enjoy the outdoors are going to appreciate a gift that pairs nicely with the South Florida sunshine. The Solio portable battery charger (about $100) fans out to soak up the rays. It's designed to recharge handheld electronic items, such as MP3 players, phones, digital cameras and game players.
Solio products are available at Urban Outfitters, Target, www.solio.com, and The Energy Store in Hollywood.
The Energy Store also offers other gadgets that take advantage of a free power source, including solar-powered lanterns (about $75), solar-powered bicycle lights (about $21) and solar-powered LED flashlights (about $30).
ECO HOME DECOR
Recycled bicycle parts -- chains, cogs and rims -- earn their place as decorative home accessories at Green Dwellers in Plantation. The assortment ($9.95-$84) includes picture frames, CD racks and pendulum clocks. The store also sells decorative bowls made from metal washers ($80-$90), lamps that feature glass recycled from traffic lights and the Brelli, a bamboo umbrella with a biodegradable clear plastic canopy ($38.95).
Bathroom towels made from bamboo ($42 for a set) are super soft and absorbent, according to the owners of Little Green House, an online business based in Broward County. The sets, which include a bath towel, a hand towel and a wash cloth, come in 14 hues. Other products sold through the website include bamboo bed sheets.
For dressing up the dining table, the Shop at Fairchild sells banana fiber napkin rings ($20 for a set) made in Kenya. The rings, produced and sold through fair-trade practices, are made from fibers that are twisted and woven and then topped with animal-shaped embellishments. The store also sells banana fiber ornaments ($3.75 and $12), which are twisted into such shapes as geckos, alligators and elephants.
SUSTAINABLE OFFICE
TerraCycle's Wine Corkboards (about $29.99) are available at Office Max stores. In addition to providing a practical use for old wine corks, the framed 16-by-16-inch cork boards make a great gift for a boss or a co-worker. Office Max also sells TerraCycle messenger bags made from recycled billboards ($49.99).
GREEN KIDS
Green Dwellers in Plantation sells a safe, non-toxic and colorful toy tea set made of recycled milk jugs ($24.99). The store also sells a 27-piece set of cookware and diningware ($39.99).
For actual cuisine, a store named Yummy In MyTummy in Davie sells baby food freshly made from organic vegetables and fruits. The store also sells apparel, bath products and toys, such as Chubby Bear, a plush, squeezable stuffed animal made from organically grown cotton ($60). The packaging is made from 100 percent recycled paper.
Schoolchildren might enjoy TerraCycle's spiral notebook that features a flashy cover made from Chips Ahoy wrappers ($4.99). That product, along with TerraCycle pencils made from recycled newspapers ($2.49), are available at Office Max. To stay with the recycled theme, stash those school supplies into TerraCycle's Capri Sun backback, ($17.99 at www.target.com), made from recycled juice pouches.
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