NY NOW, the Market for Home & Lifestyle, has two new developments associated with its “green” initiatives to recognize exemplary eco-friendly and socially responsible products.
Six products in the summer 2013 SustainAbility: design for a better world exhibit have achieved NY NOW’s highest “Degrees of SustainAbility” status. Additionally, online balloting, with 30 products vying for top honors in three categories, opened on July 15 for the semiannual Eco Choice Awards.
“These programs support the main goal of NY NOW’s overall SustainAbility initiative, which is to promote and build awareness of sustainable, earth-friendly home and lifestyle resources,” said Christian Falkenberg, NY NOW director and GLM senior vice president. “While we’ve set specific criteria required to achieve ‘Degrees of SustainAbility’ status, the Eco Choice awards are determined by opinions and preferences of the industry-at-large.”
NY NOW’s “Degrees of SustainAbility” initiative outlines industry-specific criteria for identification of green products and producers, with a three-tiered rating – SustainAbility1 through SustainAbility3 – indicating the extent to which a product/producer complies with these standards. Ilene Shaw of Shaw+Co! curates the exhibit and designates each participant’s ranking.
The six companies designated with the highest SustainAbility3 ranking this summer include:
- Elisabethan for its tablet cozy and coat pin, both made in the USA from recycled materials.
- Hand in Hand Soap for its donation of clean water and soap to children in developing countries.
- Hester & Cook Design Group for its collection of recycled paper placemats and napkins.
- JeevanKala for its plastic vases and support of medical programs in Kathmandu.
- Made by Survivors for its handmade jewelry production, which employs women who were formerly enslaved.
- Marina Paper for its line of handmade books and journals produced by Nepalese women artisans.
These SustainAbility3-designated products will be identified by special signage in the display at NY NOW. A complete listing of summer 2013 SustainAbility participants and their products is available online at www.nynow.com.Three of the 120 “green” products showcased in NY NOW’s SustainAbility display will be selected as winners of the eighth semiannual Eco Choice Awards. Through July 31, buyers and suppliers can vote for their favorites from among 10 finalists in three categories – “Most Innovative,” “Most Sensitive Use of Materials” and “Most Sellable.” Click here for the finalists’ gallery.
