Eco-Friendly

Staff -- Interior Design, 10/31/2006 12:00:00 AM

Esque

These quirky Dust Catchers are real eye-catchers. Stacking kiln bricks in various formations and blowing glass into the nooks and crannies between them achieves the vases' random forms. Environmentally conscious, this manufacturer runs its two furnaces on wind-powered electricity and has dedicated one of them solely to reuse—100 pounds of daily glass waste finds new life in recycled creations. These pieces stand 12 inches high and are available in opal, beige, gold, bottle, and turquoise; they can be blown from recycled glass upon request. 6717 North Borthwick Avenue, Portland, OR, 97217; 503-289-6392; esque-studio.com. circle 745

Stark Carpet

What's black and white and green all over? Meet Bamboo Panda and Bamboo Tatami. These new carpets are made from everyone's favorite rapidly renewable resource and have an arsenic-free felt backing. Designed for indoor residential settings, both are available in 10 earthy colorways, including green, black, and Natural, and as broadloom or area rugs. 979 Third Avenue, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10022; 212-752-9000; starkcarpet.com. circle 746

Weidmann

Maplex—pressed wood fiberboard—is made from unbleached softwood fibers and water. Thanks to a manufacturing process that uses only water, heat, and pressure, the need for chemical binders is eliminated, qualifying this product for LEED credit as a low-emitting material. Choose from dense Maplex Performance or the more pliable Maplex Contour. Standard sheet sizes are 48 by 96 inches. 1 Gordon Mills Way, Saint Johnsbury, VT, 05819; 800-242-6748; maplexmaterial.com. circle 750

Softcare Innovations

Eco-friendly furnishings: just what the doctor ordered. Eco Cabinets are the newest release from this healthcare industry manufacturer. Available as both bedside cabinets and dressers, they are made from a healthier particleboard (no added urea-formaldehyde), chlorine-free plastic that can be incinerated with wood, and recycled aluminum pulls. The dresser is 32 inches wide, 28 inches high, and 20 inches deep. 675 Davenport Road, Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2V 2E2; 800-342-8562; softcarein.com. circle 747

Hartmann & Forbes

Introducing Naples, this manufacturer's first foray into wall coverings. Inspired by the lush lifestyle and natural materials of Capri, the textured collection is woven from sustainably grown pulp fiber and jute. The line is available in eight organic hues, and is sold in 30-yard rolls. 10655 Southwest Avery Street, Tualatin, OR, 97062; 888-582-8780; hfshades.com. circle 748

Peter Pepper

The ten-piece Pause collection certainly offers solace. This manufacturer uses 30 percent post-consumer recycled materials in the main structure of the Lo-Speed bench. The aluminum extrusion seats are 19 inches wide and 76 inches long; their roto-molded polyethylene end caps and joining elements are also completely recyclable. Additionally, all packaging materials are eco-friendly. 17929 South Susana Road, Compton, CA, 90224; 310-639-0390; peterpepper.com. circle 749

Terratex

Eco-chic for hospitality, the Modern collection from Terratex is made of recycled polyester. Consisting of eight patterns in 65 combined colorways, the collection includes geometrics, organics, and florals, including Lullaby, Blink, Equinox, and Mary Go Around. All are depicted in Persimmon. 5300 Corporate Grove Drive Southeast, Suite 250, Grand Rapids, MI, 49512; 800-711-0302; terratex.com. circle 751

Spinneybeck

Cows are in utter celebration of this manufacturer's Recycled leather. Ground-up shoe soles are mixed with a water-based binding agent to create a recycled and recyclable material with a handsome heathered surface. Used mainly for wall coverings and upholstery, recycled leather comes in plain or woven panels, in natural or charcoal grey. Available in 16-foot square pieces. 425 Crosspoint Parkway, Getzville, NY, 14068; 800-482-7777; spinneybeck.com. circle 752

SierraPine

Arreis—engineered as a greener composite wood product—is the latest release from the Sustainable Design Fiberboard line. It is made of sustainably managed wood, and a proprietary binder that minimizes VOC emissions. Perfect for cabinetry and wall paneling, the panels come in four- and five-foot widths and lengths can be up to 18 feet. 3010 Lava Ridge Court, Suite 220, Roseville, CA, 95661; 800-676-3339; sierrapine.com. circle 755

Hunter Douglas

Tired of waiting for an eco-friendly solar shading fabric? You'll squint no more with Greenscreen solar shading fabrics, a PVC-free shading fabric made of polyurethane and polyester. They are available in five different opacity levels ranging from blackout to 25 percent light blockage. Greenscreen fabrics are available in 11 airy colors such as Pearl and Charcoal, with custom colors and openness factors available. 1 Park Way, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458; 800-727-8953; hunterdouglascontract.com. circle 753

ECOsurfaces Commercial Flooring

Ecocomfort offers support—literally—to workers on their feet all day. Made entirely of post-consumer recycled rubber and pre-consumer foam rubber, it is an ergonomically engineered buffer installed beneath the desired flooring surface. It is available in three thicknesses in four-foot wide rolls, and is designed to cut down on workplace fatigue and injury. 715 Fountain Avenue, Lancaster, PA, 17601; 877-326-7873; ecosurfaces.com. circle 754