Aug 18, 2011

Three Companies Receive Eco-Choice Awards at NYIGF

Three companies received Eco Choice Awards for presenting the most innovative and environmentally responsible gift, home and lifestyle products at the summer 2011 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®).

The 4th semi-annual Eco Choice Awards, co-sponsored by NYIGF and GREENRetailer magazine, were bestowed to “green” gift and home products in three categories – Most Innovative, Most Sensitive Use of Materials and Most Sellable.

Retailers attending NYIGF voted to determine the winners among some 200 “green” products in NYIGF’s SustainAbility: design for a better world® display. “We asked market-goers to pick their favorite ‘green’ products, based on inventiveness, newness, aesthetics and functionality,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president.

The winners of the 4th semi-annual Eco Choice Awards are:

Most Innovative:

One World Projects, Recycled Plastic Laundry Hamper from India

This multipurpose basket was handmade in India from recycled plastic. The salvaged plastic strands are created by melting recycled plastic bottles and other bits of plastic waste gathered in the slums of Chennai, India. This company is an original member of the Fair Trade Federation, and supports socially and economically deprived women from urban slum areas by offering vocational training and micro-credit loan opportunities, as well as programs that focus on education and building self-responsibility and confidence. www.oneworldprojects.com

Most Sensitive Use of Materials:

ES, Chilote House Shoe, Chilote House Shoe

Local wool from free range Patagonian sheep and tanned natural salmon skin are the only materials used to manufacture this product. It is made of 100% natural, biodegradable materials, and is hand-assembled by self organized groups of artisan women in the south of Chile. Strict fair trade and ethical production principles are followed, and a highly inclusive production process provides a fair and noble way for low-income families to earn a living and raise their quality of life. The process addresses the synergy of three aspects of sustainability: ecologically benign, socially beneficial, and financially viable. www.es-salmonleather.com

Most Sellable:

I Design Distribution, KISM

This product is made from ecological materials obtained from production waste, reusing trash as a means to safeguard the environment. It’s a patented material made of natural and recycled paper fibers. Yael Rosen started Kisim in 1999 inspired by the simple solutions of Japanese fabric design and the traditional leather craftsmanship of the Middle East. KISIM collection is characterized by connection evolving across time and changes, color and shape, texture and dimension. www.idesigndistribution.com

The fifth semi-annual Eco Choice Awards will take place at the winter 2012 NYIGF, Saturday, January 28, through Thursday, February 2, 2012, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with 2,800+exhibiting companies featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 85 countries worldwide are expected. For information and registration, visit www.nyigf.com