Looking for an excuse to splurge on Kiehl’s? Well, look no more, here are five:

1) Kiehl’s recycles as part of their Recycle and Be Rewarded program. Simply bring your empty Kiehl’s bottles to any Kiehl store and you’ll be rewarded with free goods.  Bring in 3 empty bottles and you’ll recieve a #1 Lip Balm, 5 empties and you’ll recieve a 2.5 oz travel collection product, 10 empties and you’ll get a free full sized product valued up to $25. Nice to be rewarded for your recycling efforts. Click to continue »

Who: EKOBO, HQ – Generargues, France

What: Globo Salad Bowl & Servers

Where: Available at Lekker $99 for the bowl, $32 for the salad servers. Matching pasta bowls are on sale for $22.50. Buyer beware, you may find yourself lost in a sea of irresistible products at Lekker……

Why: The EKOBO line of kitchenwares “had me at hello,” and then I watched the video showing how the gorgeous bowls are made and I fell even harder. The manufacturing process is fascinating. Each piece is handmade in Vietnam using traditional practices in compliance with Fair Trade standards. Crafted from socially and environmentally responsible bamboo which is then spun and hand hammered into shape revealing a delightful pattern of rings left exposed on the interior of each piece. Next, they are hand-sanded, polished and painted before being wrapped up in recycled packaging for shipping.

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(Updated October 18, 2008) If you prefer the natural bamboo on the outside try this one from Global Exchange, an online fair trade marketplace. A similar set is on sale for 30% off Vivaterra!! Only $49 for the set.  Makes a great host/ess gift.

I have often wondered if using the disposal was an environmentally responsible option, considering that running a disposal uses energy and water. So could this be an eco-friendly alternative?

As luck would would have it, I bumped into the Director of Sustainability for a nearby prep school, who responded with a yes and no. Yes, if composting is not an option and sending your waste to the trash is the only alternative and no, as energy is wasted, water is wasted and the matter must be chemically treated in a sewer treatment plant instead of naturally biodegrading chemically-free in a compost heap. Click to continue »

Who: STOKKE; Ålesund, Norway

What: Tripp Trapp High Chair

Where: AllModernBaby.com $249.99 w/free shipping and the Baby Bungalow $249.99 w/free cushion, Lime & Orange on sale for $219.99!!

Why: Inevitably each time I dine with my lovely young nieces, I end up with one of them on my lap sharing my meal and conditioning my hair with a mixture of corn, peas and mashed bananas….and I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but it did get me, and clearly the designers at STOKKE, thinking that kids really want to be at the table-they want to be in on the action, not set apart in some giant plastic contraption. Psychologists likely have some fancy terminology for the importance of baby being with family at meal times, but I digress………Enter the Tripp Trapp from STOKKE , a thoughtfully designed highchair that grows with your child, from 6 months old all the way to adulthood–it’s true, I’ve tried it! This is a design that considers the lifetime of a product and challenges our disposable society-returning to an age where products were built to last and built of quality sustainable materials. Click to continue »

Such a ‘feel-good’ shopping experience walking into a boutique, knowing that each article of clothing and accessory for sale is certified organic and Fair Trade, all without compromising style. Say hello to envi!!! Each piece at envi is expertly and thoughtfully selected by owners, Callie and Ursula, turning out a collection of delightful must-have pieces. From ‘oh so soft’ yoga pants by Boston design company anjaly to the floaty dresses from sublet, to essential tees from C&C California, to the edgy Edun Line, envi is the envy of the eco-concious clothing world. I’d even buy their recycled cardboard hangers, if they would sell them to me!! See for yourself online or at their Newbury Street location: envi, 164 Newbury Street, Boston, MA

I am a total sponge convert. I have completely given up the polyurethane foam sponge in favor of TWIST biodegradable sponges. I use theTwist European Sponge Cloth (cut in half) for wiping up the counter and any spills—suffice to say my paper towels have lost their prime real estate on the counter and have been demoted to the dark recesses beneath the sink. And the Twist Biodegradable Loofah Sponge is a great sponge–very sturdy and is just plain better than other sponges on the market. And better looking too-the perfect complement to my York soap caddy. I have gotten multiple uses out of each product simply by tossing them into the dishwasher. The cloths do look a tad beat up after a couple runs through the dishwasher, but they last 2-3 months-far longer than a paper towel. And when you are done, simply toss in the trash. Or as one of the TWIST reps does, toss it to your dog and let them revel in tearing it to shreds. Click to continue »

g diapers — okay, I am sooo not in the market for this–but just think they are adorable and offer a clever easy-to-use alternative to landfill clogging diapers. I completely understand why a lot of parents have reservations about embracing the cloth diaper, but the g diaper is a perfect ‘baby step’ (pun intended) into the world of cloth diapers. The inserts are completely biodegradable and can even be flushed down the toilet if you think your septic system can handle it. The g diaper been awarded the prestigious Cradle to Cradle certification from MBDC! A starter kit sells for $26.99 at diapers.com, refills run for about $0.41/each when purchased in bulk. Click to continue »