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So little Time, So Many Green Finds

January 24, 2008 By: Anna9 Comments

jan 2008

There are many days I spend hours on the internet looking for needed items for my house. I know I am not the only one who does this. Today, the big search was for a wall display for plates that I bought through a thrift shop. I figured since most wall displays are made of aluminum, how hard was it to find a used one or one containing some recycled content? Near impossible. Either it does not exist or my googling skills need work.


I realized a couple of hours into my search, that most of my time was being spent clicking on a bunch of other great sites that contained eco-friendly items. So, I figured I would share some of my diverse finds for the home. All of my finds are very different and sure to capture your interest. Whoever heard of Styrofoam moldings or recycled sock slippers?


mouldings_from_styrofoam

Moldings made of Recycled Styrofoam: These interior moldings are mold and mildew resistant, waterproof, and made out of ninety percent recycled plastic (75% post consumer and 15% pre-consumer) with zero VOC emissions. Great for basement and bathroom applications. The product has the same density as soft wood, so it is easy to paint, caulk, and cut, and comes in seven different profiles. Best of all, the waste can be recycled. See EPSpackaging.org for more information where to recycle Styrofoam. The price range for the product is $.30 to 1.20 per linear foot depending on the molding, and is sold by Close the Loop LLC.

 

post and rail fence

While you are on Close the Loop’s wwebsite, take a look at their recycled post and rail fence made of milk jugs and other recycled plastics. This fence is durable and beautiful without the maintenance of wood. A 2 rail fence cost $9.69 per linear foot, and a three rail fence costs $13.60 per linear foot.

Burgundy-Grape

Recycled Wine Bottle cheese plates: Shilo Glass has transformed wine bottles into unique etched cheese plates. Each plate has cork feet as surface protectors. There are different etched patterns to choose from. Priced between $25-30, these cheese plates make a unique gift. My favorite is the clock. These plates can be purchased at One Earth Products.

Also, check out their recycled stemware as well.

 

designer-melamine-plates_24258A6Aartifact picturs
Colorful Melamine Plates: These plates are great for the outdoors or anytime you need to fill in for a party. No more paper or plastic waste. You can buy them individually for $8 a piece at Elsewares (no lie that is the name).

If you taste is more traditional, check out the Artifact dinner set, which comes with 4 differently designed plates for the price of $36.00. These plates are pretty enough to hang on your walls.

 

coasters

Street Sign Coasters: These great coasters are created by artist Boris Bally made out of salvaged street signs, and handmade in Rhode Island. Set of 4 costs $70. They can be purchased at Uncommon Goods. Who says being environmental can’t be fun?

garden-in-bag-lav-actual

Garden in a Bag. For those of us who can’t wait for Spring, Garden in a Bag has 10 different plants to choose from including lavender, herbs, and tomatoes. It is 6.75 in height and only 4.75 in width so it can easily sit near a window sill and provide you with summer for the whole year round. The Bag can be purchased at Greenfeet ($6.95) or Amazon.com ($7.95-$9.95).


The plates, street sign coasters, and the Garden in the Bag recommendations came from Kristine of Grenade Fishing as listed on her This Next list.

butterfly switch

Butterfly wall switch: Following my garden theme, why shouldn’t summer last forever? It can every time you turn on and off your light switch. Each one of these flower and butterfly designed wall switches is hand cut from 55 gallon drums. The details of the design are hand pounded, and offered for both rocker and toggle switches. A single switch, which is 5 by 7 inches, is $15.95. Also take a look their butterfly hooks and stained glass sun catchers.

Starlite_Flip_Blue_Large

Lite a Switch: A LED night light is built into either an outlet cover or wall switch. These night lights are great for seniors and kids for lighting hall ways, bathrooms, and bedrooms with an estimated 10 year life.

Come to think about it, it is nice for everyone especially when you have experienced banging into a wall or two at 2 am in the morning.There are 3 different lighting designs, 3 different colors (white, blue, and green) and different light switch and outlet décor to choose from.

According to the Company, the outlet or switch takes 5 minutes to install. They even offer to manufacture custom light switches for you. The price for the switches starts at $16.95 for a single light cover.

 

Bamboo organizers

Bamboo Flatware organizer: This flatware organizer intrigued me because not only was it made of a renewable resource, and it could expand. The standard version (11.75″”Wx17.5″L) is priced at $12.99 and the expandable one (12.75″Wx18″-22.75″L) is priced at $39.99 offered by World Market. See their store locator or shop online.

paper mache hanger

Recycled Paper Mache Top hanger: If you own a retail store, this is a great item to either compliment your green store or become a little greener. Everything except the hook is biodegradable and recycled. Each box comes with 120, 16.5” hangers and costs $78.00 per box. Considering buying a box with some friends and splitting the hangers. Heck, if you are a shop alcoholic, keep the whole box.

vindyard wall

How can I forget Etsy, the place to buy everything hand made? Etsy is home to very creative artists that make one of kind creations. I did find a wall plate display, but it was in a grape vine design. I was looking for more of a traditional French design. Check out the vineyard plates with grapevine design priced at $39.95.


socks

How about owning comfy recycled sock slippers? The sock slippers are custom made to your shoe size and costs $42.00. If you have 12 single socks to give this artist, she will discount the cost of the slipper by 20 percent. Now I know what to do with all of my old socks that have lost their pairs. There must be a place where all these socks end up? Take a whirl around Etsy. You are sure to find some great gifts and items for yourself.

Although I did not find what I was looking for, I had a lot of fun looking at some great eco-items for the home. Do you have any favorite eco items for your home?

And by the way, if anyone knows where I can buy two bronze traditional 3 plate wall displays, which are either made out of recycled materials or are used, please put me out of my misery.

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About Anna

Anna Hackman is the editor of Green Talk, and owner of The Naked Botanical and a avid (okay obsessed) gardener. She also loves video and podcasting and hosts Green Talk TV and Green Talk Radio. Her most important role is being a mother of four boys.

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Comments

  1. 1

    Audrey says

    January 29, 2008 at 4:17 pm

    Those plates are really pretty. I love them. My daughter has found some awesome figurines by searching and being patient. I so love the plates.

    Audrey 🙂

    Reply
  2. 2

    Las Vegas News says

    January 29, 2008 at 5:59 pm

    I’ve seen the recycled moldings, but the ones here are made of recycled wood pulp.

    Las Vegas News’s last blog post..Las Vegas Monorail

    Reply
  3. 3

    Ginger says

    January 31, 2008 at 12:59 am

    Those moldings are pretty cool, but I have to wonder if they would ever be an issue if you tried to sell the house. I doubt that most inspectors have come across those before, and I would think that people buying a high-end home would want “real” moldings. Very cool, though.

    Ginger’s last blog post..The Best Valentine’s Day Chocolates

    Reply
  4. 4

    Green Talk says

    January 31, 2008 at 4:12 am

    Hi Ginger-very good points. I also wonder if some home buyers will like it because the fact it is a green product? Where the product does shine, is it is great for bathrooms and basements since moisture does not affect it.

    By the way, I see from your blog that your write about food and candy. Any personal suggestions for organic chocolate for V-Day? Anna

    Reply
  5. 5

    Green Talk says

    January 31, 2008 at 4:31 am

    Hi Audrey, which plates are you referring to? The ones in the first picture or the ones in the article? The name on the back of my plate in the inital picture is “The Edward Marshall Boehm Rose Plate Collection.” I saw these plates all over the web. Check ebay and do a google search with that name since the prices vary greatly. Perhaps certain collection are more expensive? I bought mine for $20 a piece. I love roses..okay any flower…Let me know if you have good luck finding the plates. Anna

    Reply
  6. 6

    brandi says

    February 6, 2008 at 7:26 am

    have you thought of searching craigslist.org for used plate hangers? just an idea. they have all kinds of stuff on there.

    Reply
  7. 7

    Green Talk says

    February 6, 2008 at 9:30 am

    Brandi, I did look on craig’s list since I am a craig’s list junkie. Even went to Freecycle too. The problem was I was looking for a specific size, 3 plates, and either bronze or antique gold. It made my search alot harder. I actually found something locally which was even better. I helped support a local business if I could not find it green somewhere.

    I visited your etsy site and love your earrings. I wish I can post a picture on the comments. Readers if you want one a kind earring, take a look at Brandi’s site. (http://www.brandianndesigns.etsy.com/) Thanks for posting and visit again! Anna

    Reply
  8. 8

    Allie says

    February 13, 2008 at 9:35 am

    Viva Terra (http://www.vivaterra.com) has some recycled metal wall hangings that are pretty neat, but I love the idea of plates as decorations too.

    Reply
  9. 9

    Green Talk says

    February 13, 2008 at 10:08 am

    Allie, I went to their site. Although what I am looking for is not there, I found this amazing tree rope mirror. Thanks for the site! Readers, for some reason, Allie’s last post did not show up under my linklove. A Valentine Video,( NSWF maybe?) http://alliesanswers.com/do-so.....maybe/1024

    Allie’s Green Answers is a green blog with great green tips. I actually took one of them for a future post! Check out her site.

    Reply

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