Eco-Friendly

Staff -- Interior Design, 10/31/2004 12:00:00 AM

Herman Miller

Though similar in appearance to particle board, moisture-resistant Wheat Board panels were developed by Canadian firm Dow BioProducts using chopped wheat straw. The board is bonded using polyurethane resin, making it a great choice for use in upgrading horizontal work surfaces of Miller's Ethospace, Action Office, Q, and Prospects systems. 855 East Main Avenue, Zeeland, MI 49464; 800-851-1196; hermanmiller.com. circle 660

Lutron

This line of perforated PVC-Free SheerShades is available in six colors, ranging from white to dark gray. Perfect for window shades, the fabrics are fireproof coated fiberglass (which is compatible with the company's electronic-drive rollers). 7200 Suter Road, Coopersburg, PA, 18036; 877-258-8766; lutron.com. circle 661

Honeywell Nylon

Any brand of carpet manufactured from new nylon yarns bearing this company's Enviro6ix trademark—whether it uses Zeftron's Solure, Select, or Savant brand fibers—will be guaranteed to contain no less than 25 percent recycled-nylon content. 6 Venture, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92618; 800-733-0151; zeftronnylon.com. circle 662

CNI

Whether the raw material is abaca (a banana-plant fiber) or raffia (a palm fiber), the look is pure coconut. Luisa Robinson's fuzzy, hemispherical Tango chairs are rope that's coiled in the Philippines; the legs and 29-inch-diameter frame are chrome. 2199 Rue de la Metropole, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada J4P 1S5; 450-674-1669; furniture-cni.com. circle 665

Innovations

Verdant honeysuckle vines are the rapidly renewable raw material for Grasscloth, a vinyl-free 36-inch-wide wall covering from the earth-friendly Innvironments line. Made in Japan, the paper-backed coverings come on 40-yard rolls in earth tones with a dash of metallic shimmer. 150 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013; 800-227-8053; innovationsusa.com. circle 663

Shaw

EcoWorx non-polyvinyl chloride backing comes with a guarantee that the manufacturer will return to pick up and recycle any of it that wears out at no extra cost. Believing so strongly in the product, the manufacturer will replace all of the company's PVC backings with this new one. 410 Old Mill Road, Cartersville, GA 30120; 877-509-7429; ecoworx.com. circle 664

Mecho Shade Systems

Gain the most possible daylight with minimum heat by using motorized-shade cloth window panels operated by this company's QSS, or Quiet Shade Systems (which decrease motor noise by a whopping 40 percent). The new systems will become standard on all of this manufacturer's lines. 42-03 35th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101; 718-729-2020; mechoshade.com. circle 666

Hunter Douglas Contract

Durable, readily recycled GreenScreen solar shades avoid PVC, limiting indoor air pollution and lingering smells. Several weaves in neutral colors are offered, ranging in transparency from 25 percent opacity to full-blackout versions. An optional metallized finish further decreases solar transmission and glare. 2 Park Way, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458; 800-727-8953; hunterdouglascontract.com. circle 667

Aura Collection

Having collaborated with designers such as Achille Castiglioni over the past 20 years, this company marries traditional Japanese craftsmanship with a new sense of environmental friendliness. Seductively textured Flamingo vessels by Takashi Kanome are molded using milled newspaper fiber and are available in natural, blue, orange, or green. #201 34-3 Minamitatsumi-cho, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8074 Japan; 81-75-393-6856; aura-collection.com. circle 669

Gerbert

ECOsurfaces, a collection of eight indoor and outdoor product families, includes, among others, the striking Econight, rugged Ecostone, and relaxed Ecocomfort. Made of SBR (from worn-out tires) and colored using EPDM flecks (from industrial waste), these products are available in 54 standard colors with 29 optional custom colors for the specks. P.O. Box 4944, Lancaster, PA 17604; 877-326-7873; ecosurfaces.com. circle 668