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“More people are accepting the fact that ignoring the environment has a detrimental effect. When we don’t put as much plastic in our landfills, we’re making our carbon
footprint a little smaller.” ANGELA BIGGS
“People are starting to ask where things are from, and taking an active interest in their origins, and the story that goes along with them,” says Williams. “They want to know the story that goes along with the artisan.”
Cultivate Existing Resources
Wood is the focal point of the cutting boards, chopping blocks and charcuterie boards from Europe 2 You. But in addition to using sustainably grown wood, the company also reclaims 19th century timber from buildings in Hungary. “When these buildings are getting demolished, we go
in and buy the beams, window grids and other wood,” says Stacy Borocz, president/ founder. The wood is fumigated and nails are removed before being fashioned into a beautiful tabletop accessory.
“It’s a feel-good purchase, because no new trees are cut down,” says Borocz.
“Our products don’t negatively impact the environment at all. Also, it’s cool because it’s almost impossible to recreate the look and feel of old wood.”
Borocz also notes that wood and glass (the company also offers recycled-
glass products) are safer from a health standpoint than plastic. “People are learning that not only should they care about what they serve their family, but also what they serve their food on and what they store it in.” And as cutting boards, wood is a better choice because plastic can harbor bacteria.
Embrace Responsible Practices
For many companies, the efforts to be sustainable go well beyond the products they make. At Lastra Life, Zalace says he’s trying to move his company to becoming 100 percent plastic-free, from the manufacturing process to the end package. The company only uses paper tape, and the craft tube packaging is made of 100 percent recycled paper.
It’s also the type of sturdy, attractive packaging that encourages consumers to find ways to reuse it.
And social responsibility often goes hand in hand with environmental responsibility for these companies. For Greenheart,
just as important as environmentally responsible products is being a free trade organization—in other words, the suppliers the company works with are paid fairly for their work, given safe working conditions, and provided with benefits.
Similarly, Europe 2 You practices fair trade
philosophy with its Hungarian suppliers. “We give back to the community where
our factory is based, and our workers
are paid a fair living wage, and we make sure they have health care and get proper vacation time.”
And some of the dinnerware companies represented by Kitchen 2 Table have sustainability or fair trade messages
on a corporate level that can make retailers customers feel good about supporting them.
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