As a result of online balloting, three companies—Calamarie, Potting Shed Creations Ltd. and WorldFinds—are winners of the 8th semi-annual Eco Choice Awards for Most Innovative, Most Sensitive Use of Materials and Most Sellable, respectively, for products be featured at the summer 2013 debut of NY NOW®, the Market for Home & Lifestyle (formerly NYIGF®). The Eco Choice Awards are co-sponsored by NY NOW and GREENRetailer magazine.



“These companies represent multiple product categories, but all are committed to running sustainable, socially-conscious businesses,” said Christian Falkenberg, NY NOW director and GLM senior vice president. “From 10 finalists in each of the three competition categories, these eco-friendly products were determined as winners by popular vote.”

The winners and finalists of the summer 2013 Eco Choice Awards are:

WINNER: Most Innovative: Calamarie (Miami, FL) for its Three-Rose Braided Necklace created from natural seeds and dried orange peels collected from Colombian juice vendors. Designer Catalina Lemaitre works closely with women artisans in Colombia to create thoughtful designs which incorporate traditional techniques and recycled materials.

FINALIST: flip & tumble® (Berkeley, CA) for its 100% recycled Felt Pods
FINALIST: Stikwood (Sacramento, CA) for its Reclaimed Weathered Wood

WINNER: Most Sensitive Use of Materials: WorldFinds (Westmont, IL) for its fair trade Recycled Kantha Wrap Bracelet handmade from repurposed Kantha quilts and scraps left over from making larger bags. Artisans work from their homes and a local village workshop, outside of New Delhi, India.

FINALIST: Made by Survivors (East Sandwich, MA) for its recycled silver Free Bird Pendant
FINALIST: Merrily Made (Cromwell, CT) for its Gourmet Pens handmade from natural materials



WINNER: Most Sellable: Potting Shed Creations Ltd. (Troy, ID) for its Moss + Sedum Terrarium Growing Kit made by hand in Idaho from reclaimed, regionally-sourced wine bottles.  Once the tree grows large enough to be transplanted, the bottle can be washed and used again as a planter, or recycled and melted down to make more glass; and culled products are utilized in-house for germination testing and growing samples.

FINALIST: Ortolan Organic (New York, NY) for its Bat Pillow made locally from sustainable materials
FINALIST: Tea Forte (Concord, MA) for its Skin-Smart Loose Leaf Tea Canisters

NY NOW, the Market for Home & Lifestyle, will run Saturday, August 17, through Wednesday, August 21, 2013, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94. NY NOW’s four comprehensive collections—HOME, LIFESTYLE, HANDMADE and NEW! – will encompass 100,000 products in 400+ product categories. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at www.nynow.com.