Archive for the ‘Sustainable Design’ Category

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The best Monday ever

I was lucky enough to attend the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise ‘sustainable design for the bottom line’ conference on Monday in Auckland.

one word – mind blowing.

12 sustainable business leaders spoke about their dream of what the world ‘could’ and ‘should’ look like if we all decided to take this ‘sustainable’ business challenge seriously.

It was obvious by the end of the day that  DESIGN can make a difference and New Zealand could show the world how it’s done.

The only bummer about the day was that only the 400 people at the conference got to hear these great stories. However, I believe over the coming weeks betterbydesign will be releasing online videos of the presentations. In the meantime, click here, read through the list of speakers, follow the links to the individuals websites and do some exploring of your own. I guarantee you will find something that will challenge the way you think.

 

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Turn off your PC and hit the farm


Mai Farm Naturally has come about from the 100 year centenary of the Mai Family. The organic milk and beef farm is in the Beautiful Pohangina Valley. The festival will comprise of natural and organic stalls, live musicians, fire performers and wandering stilt artists, holistic healers, organic water, organic coffee, natural foods and a childrens zone with story times and activities. The proceeds are going to rebuild a wetland on the property and establish a Trust to help other farmers convert to organics.

 

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Hessian goodness

Ataahua has just dropped a fresh load of one-of-a-kind hessian bags and hats. We have included an individual photo of each one in stock so you can choose your favourite.

The range is made in New Zealand from upcycling hessian coffee sacks. Just goes to show what great ideas and design can do to what would normally become landfill.

Green gifts for your friends or new eco-accessories for yourself…

 

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Discovery…

Remember this cardboard Robot?

We figured there could only be one company cool enough and creative enough in Lyttelton to construct such a masterpiece. I sent an email to Kingswood skis (of Lyttelton) and they replied:

“Hello Elliot
Yes, it’s ours – made by friend and neighbour artist Oscar Guerrero. Unfortunately, the big guy succumbed to the weather but we’ve got his head lit up in the factory and the little “mini me” survived and even featured in this month’s North & South.
Cheers Kris”

If you haven’t heard of Kingswood, they are hand making what some say are the worlds best ski’s. Using bamboo cores and sustainable ethos, skiing mags everywhere give rave reviews of this design led company.

Here is a pair of Kingswood beauties… maybe they should consider toy robots too.

 

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Robots…a good way to re-use cardboard

This was spotted by Kate on a trip to Lyttelton, Christchurch. If this monster cardboard robot is yours….nice work and keep it up. Hopefully this inspires you all to look at and use cardboard differently.

 

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World Environment Day

Today New Zealand hosts World Environment Day. So today we show off all of the products and designers who incorporate sustainable features.

Kowtow is a certified organic fairtrade cotton streetwear business form Wellington.

Paradigm is a creative studio who produce carry bags from billboards and brooches from waste perspex.

Ooid collect design submissions for their range of oragnic cotton bags.

Jo Muir is a New Zealand homeware designer producing hemp cushions, with natural dye prints and filled with pure wool.

Kinoo has just launched with a range of baby and kids clothing made from a bamboo/cotton mix fabric.

Ruby in the Dust make plush toys from upcycled fabric offcuts.

Sweatpea Home make pluch toys form upcycled fabric offcuts.

Here are some of the things we do to operate sustainably.

Make everyday an environment day and mother nature will love you back.

 

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Good Magazine launches

Today HB media, publishers of Idealog magazine, launched Good Magazine – New Zealand’s guide to sustainable living.

Featured inside, amongst a heap of rich content, is New Zealand homeware designer Jo Muir. Her hemp cushions are filled with 100% New Zealand wool and hand printed with natural dyes.

 

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