THE GOODS : Conservation Pieces : Furniture made from milk jugs? Sweaters spun from plastic soda bottles? These are just two of the recycled gifts you can choose to fit your budget--and to help keep Mother Earth green.
Toss aside the usual gift list this holiday season and start another tradition.
Buy something “green,” urges the Califor nia Department of Conservation. That is, give a gift made from recycled materials.
Paper goods aren’t the only things made from recycled products. Shoes, clothes, serving trays, even computer mouse pads can be found that contain recycled tires, plastics or paper.
That annual Christmas sweater can be made from recycled plastic soda bottles.
Waste materials that would otherwise end up in the landfill are also used to make socks and envelopes.
Californians are doing their part by recycling. More than eight of 10 beverage containers sold in the state are recycled, but collecting beverage containers is only half the story.
“Each time you purchase a product made of recycled material, you’re closing the loop on recycling,” says Michael Byrne, director of the California Department of Conservation. “That’s good for the environment, good for the economy and good for the gift recipients on your list.”
“By changing our buying habits, we can provide a boost to the emerging recycled products industry,” Byrne adds.
Below are examples of the range of green gifts available.
The California Department of Conservation provides this list as a public service, and makes no assurances as to the quality of these products.
* Binders, planners, clipboards and clocks are made from reclaimed computer circuit boards at Tecnotes in Sag Harbor, N.Y. Prices range from $5 for key rings to $70 for an artistic address book. (One of these is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.) “It’s the high-tech look with an ecological conscience,” says Tecnotes President Mitch Davis. Tecnotes products are available at By Design in the Beverly Center or may be ordered by calling (800) 331-2006.
* DuraTech Industries Inc. in Guasti, Calif., turns plastic milk jugs, coating from cable wires and other discarded plastics into outdoor furniture, bird feeders, fences, car stops for parking lots and “lumber.” To order, call Environmental Specialty Products at (909) 390-8800 or (800) 775-2784.
* A pair of “vegetal leather” shoes manufactured by Deja Shoes in Portland, Ore., might contain recycled plastic soda bottles, hemp, plastic trimmings from makers of disposable diapers, tire rubber, cardboard and polystyrene cups. Call Deja Shoes at (800) 331-3352 and punch in your zip code for locations of stores within 50 miles of your residence. If the shoes ($40 to $70) are not sold in your area, you will be put through to the Real Goods mail-order catalogue.
* Mapelopes are envelopes made from obsolete road maps that would otherwise be dumped in landfills. For information about the envelopes or other items made from discarded maps, call Forest Saver Inc. at (800) 777-9886.
* The Garbage Collection in Oakland makes casual hats and clothing from textile scraps clothing manufacturers would otherwise dispose of. Hats are $10 to $20, clothing $35 to $86. Available at the Nature Company stores and selected boutiques or by calling (800) 421-3414.
* Twenty-four board and target games are made from recycled paper and plastic at Talicor in Pomona. Prices range from $12 to $30. Available in specialty toy and game stores or by calling (800) 433-GAME.
* Cotton socks are re-spun from surplus cotton fibers otherwise landfilled. Call Take the Lead Inc. at (800) LEAD-411.
* Holiday crafts and wreaths made from recycled paper are available from Wisconsin Fibrecraft Inc. at (800) 645-7857.
* Recycled plastic soda bottles make up 89% of the content of sweaters, jackets and vests made by Marmot Mountain Ltd. in Santa Rosa, Calif. For information, call (707) 544-4590.
* For greeting cards, bookmarks and journals made from recycled paper, call Brush Dance at (800) 531-7445.
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
Where You Can Use Your Green to Buy Green
The following are mail-order catalogues with a concern for environmentally correct products.
* The Real Goods catalogue is filled with Earth-friendly items, many made with recycled materials. For a free copy, call (800) 762-7325.
* Sharper Image features the “planet Earth bench” made from 100% recycled plastic. Call (800) 344-4444 to order the catalogue, which costs $2.
* The Consumer’s Guide to Planet Earth catalogue is $7 from Schultz Communications, 9412 Admiral Nimitz N.E., Department CG10, Albuquerque, N.M. 87111.
* National Wildlife Federation catalogue highlights include the Woolly Mammoth stuffed animal toy made of 99% recycled plastic and computer mouse pads made with recycled tires. Call (800) 432-6564.
