Creative Upcycling at SF Greenfestival '09
Future plans for waste reduction and the re-use of materials were prominent themes in Mayor Gavin Newsom’s speech at San Francisco’s Green Festival. He also boasted of San Francisco’s success in reducing “greenhouse gas emissions to 5% below 1990 levels in 2008” and spoke of San Francisco’s Fats, oils and grease program, or “Grease Cycle Program,” which picks up grease from restaurants and hotels to make biodiesel.
Upcycling reduces waste and eliminates the need for fresh raw materials and resources by re-using materials. This contributes to a reduction in the energy required to manufacture new products. In an attempt to reduce waste, re-use products, or use biodegradable materials, the following entrepreneurs have embraced upcycling in several creative ways.
An alternative to paper towels, “Skoy cloth, is as absorbent as using 15 sheets of good-quality paper towels at once,” claim the owners, Michelle and Karen. When Michelle lived in Europe, she discovered a product that was similar to Skoy cloth. When she moved back to the U.S., she wasn’t able to find anything as good; that’s when she and Karen came up with the idea. They also wanted to manufacture the cloths in an environmentally responsible manner; 100% biodegradable, the cloths are made from wood-based cellulose pulp and cotton. Skoy means ‘Just for fun’ in Swedish, perfectly suitable for the cute designs and friendly messages on the cloths. I tried one out and I have to admit, it’s definitely absorbent; no wet residue!
From all the extra clothing collected by Goodwill came about Madrone Berries. Jenny Allen uses post-consumer recycled sweaters to make scarves, skirts, elf slippers, and daisy headbands. The patchwork present in her clothing is indicative of the creativity needed to re-use materials so that they don’t end up in landfills. Jenny sees Madrone Berries developing into a grass-roots, membership-based franchise for those interested in producing their own line of regenerated clothing under the Madrone Berries name; where members will have access to patterns and material. Jenny Allen wishes to keep the production of her creations local and sweat-shop free.
No trees were harmed to make these notebooks. A better solution to paper, Nepalese Paper, a company that has been around for thirteen years is fair-trade and eco-conscious. Nepalese paper is hand made by women in Nepal from the trimmings of the Lokta Bush, a quickly regenerating plant that grows in Nepal. In addition, the store sells scarves from sari fabric trimmings. Purchasing a notebook from here saved me from having to travel out of the festival for a pad of paper; it was great for writing all my notes from the interviews.
In order to meet deadlines for reducing waste and creating green jobs, we must raise the bar in our communities and become committed to achieve these goals. As Michaelangelo put it, and which Mayor Newsom quoted, “The biggest risk is not that we aim too high and miss it, it’s that we aim too low and reach it.”
Read More
Nourishing the body, SF Green Festival ’09
Photo by Amber Blankenship
At the 8th annual Green Festival in San Francisco this year, I noticed that each company has its own approach to environmental sustainability. Where one company’s focus lies in sourcing the most natural ingredients for their product lines, others may also focus on social causes, or on reducing waste.
Nick Kelly, founder of Kaia Foods educated me and reminded me of the “radical transparency” which Joey Shepp listed as a consumer “want” during his “Social Media and Sustainability” speech. Kaia Foods wants to disclose what’s in their raw, organic oatmeal. Their passion for educating consumers on proper nutrition is the motivation behind the brand. The company believes in bringing minimally processed food to the market; the philosophy “Keep it Simple.” Nick preaches on the benefits of eating fewer calories; contending that the practice may extend your life span. In addition to promoting a wholesome diet, Kaia foods donates 1% to the Hunger Project and the UN Food Program.
While Kaia Foods strives to educate consumers about the benefits of eating raw, unprocessed, natural foods, the family producing Inesscents products seek to feed and heal your skin. They have been operating for 10 years, out of Ashland, Oregon, solar infusing calendula flowers and working with homeopathic doctors to create a series of natural body care products that nourish and cure the skin. “Why intoxicate your body with ingredients that are used as preservatives in lotions? Your skin needs to breathe and it can only do so if you allow it to eliminate the toxins by not clogging your skins’ pores with unnatural ingredients,” explains Tsadae Neway. For example, their African Black Soap, fairly-traded from Ghana, contains no animal fats or chemicals, and is best for treating rashes, acne, ringworm, eczema, and dandruff. As a certified B Corporation, the business has received high ratings in leadership, which emphasizes the company’s accountability and transparency as far as its efforts in sourcing from organic and fair trade producers.
For a chocolate manufacturer, competition is vast. Yet, Earth Source Organics operations manager, Adam, claims that the secret to their “Righteously Raw” chocolate bars is that they’re more than just raw chocolate bars. The raw cocoa surrounds a super-food filling, which consists of either Goji Berries that are known to improve circulation and vision, Acai berries, rich in Omega 3, 6, and 9, or Maca root, for energy and vitality. Earth Source Organics works on their recipes for a period of about 3-4 years to perfect and attain the final, customer-approved flavor. They’re also environmentally conscious. Righteously Raw chocolate bars are packaged in soy-ink printed recycled paper.
As a consumer, it was my curiosity to engage these companies to find out what made them environmentally or socially conscious. I was glad to find that transparency is something they embrace, as well as education and finding the most natural and healthy ingredients for their consumers.
Read More
Connect with us: