Tired of your old bathroom decor? Perhaps the colors no longer go in your new place? I can’t even count how many time I have dragged my once fashionable magenta tissue holder around from house to house. I have no idea what to do with this tissue holder. It no longer goes in my yellow and green house, but I can’t throw it out. Too much eco-guilt.
Design Ideas has answered this very question with EcoGen Collection, its new line of compostable bath accessories. Tired of the look? Just bury it in the soil or in your compost pile, and it will decompose in less than 18 months!
When I read about this product in Home Magazine this month, my first reaction was disbelief. How could this “plastic” be okay for the environment? According to the Company, the science behind this product is a polymer called PHBV (poly-hydroxy butyrate-co-valerate.)
“The science is deceptively simple: To create EcoGenTM, we feed naturally occurring bacteria sugar that is obtained from corn starch. These “bugs” digest the sugar and store the resulting PHBV polymer much as the human body would store fat. Extracted from the “bug,” the stored “fat” becomes an injection moldable material. This material, Enmat®, is then blended with other biodegradable compounds to enhance its ability to process efficiently in standard injection molding machines. When exposed to microorganisms in compost or soil, EcoGenTM decomposes into carbon dioxide, water and biomass. Extensive scientific testing has established no harmful toxicity from the process or the end product,” according to a written statement by the Company.
The suggested retail prices for the items in the collection are as follows:
- Toothbrush Holder – $9.00
- Bath Box (small) – $10.00
- Bath Box (large) – $15.00
- Bath Cup – $7.00
- Pump Dispenser – $15.00
- Bath Bin (waste receptacle) – $30.00
- Soap Dish – $8.00
The products are available in either white, black, green, or blue and can be purchased at The Container Store. They will be available at Urban Outfitters in mid to late June.
(Editor’s Note: I recently went to check out the product at the Container Store, and it was not at the store. So, call before you go.)
Photo courtesy of Design Ideas, Ltd.
Phil the Plumbing Course Expert says
This products looks so cool, I’m interested to purchase this also.
EcoJason says
Those are some beautiful fixtures. Being that I’m a real estate agent I can say that the bathroom fixtures are a HUGE seller. People just love their bathroom fixtures and these would brighten up a bathroom for sure.
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Schadstoffsanierung says
Thanx for the nice ideas, some of them are realy good for me.
JBourne says
That’s really cool, but it would be nice to have a larger color selection. A navy blue, beige, or dark red might increase sales.
Since you have to bury it in your soil or compost pile, what happens if you live in an urban area and don’t have a yard? Will throwing it out with the rest of your trash let it decompose at the city dump?
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new zealand accommodation says
They are nice looking, but I am still doubtful about a good plastic.
Green Talk says
JBourne, I spoke to the Company and they said that it needs to be buried to decompose. It won’t decompose in the trash. Hopefully, by the time you are ready to throw it out, our world will have evolved more and have compost centers in our towns. Does anyone have a list of which town, city, or counties that have compost facilities? Anna
elizajane2 says
Another great idea is to not feel the need to keep up with the Jones’. By using what you have, you don’t create a need for companies to manufacture more, and this saves money and resources.
Face cloths says
There are two benefits to being eco-friendly in the bathroom as well as throughout the home. The first is the appreciation of our collective environment which is important to us all. By going green in our home, we help to reduce emissions and excess waste that damages the eco-system and atmosphere. The second is cost. Being green does not have to be expensive and is in fact very cost effective if done right.
Richard Cheater says
My only concern would be that the toothbrush holder would start decomposing in the damp, bacteria friendly environment that is a toothbrush.
Can anyone who has had one of these for any length of time let us know if they last the distance?
Anna@Green Talk says
Richard, it needs soil to decompose. My understanding is that it won’t decompose with water. Anna
Richard Cheater says
Hi Anna,
Thanks for getting back to me. I will have to try and find one in the UK now. This site seems to do some – http://www.naturalcollection.c.....dispenser/ – but I can’t find the toothbrush holder 🙁
Their prices seem comparable to the US prices you have in your post though.
Thanks again, Rich