Business Times 19 Apr 08;
From the use of bamboo in manufacturing to recycling, the marketplace is seeing a boom in environmentally friendly goods, writes CHEAH UI-HOON
WITH Earth Day coming around next Tuesday, there's really more reason to celebrate it 'meaningfully' this year.
Why do we say that? Because we're seeing a boom in the marketplace for environmentally conscious products which are both mindful of the earth's well-being as well as human health. With the hike in eco-consciousness - thanks to global warming which is ever too keenly felt in our tropical clime - manufacturers are experimenting with the use of materials such as bamboo and soy, while making the effort to recycle.
This new sense of eco-consciousness is fuelling the retail scene, with a growing group of local manufacturers, designers and retailers getting into 'green' action.
Eco Sports Pte Ltd, for example, is helmed by a group of young entrepreneurs in their 20s, who are out there to provide goods for people who believe in being 'earth-friendly'.
The company is the sole distributor for ExOfficio, an American outdoor wear company, which provides performance outdoor gear. 'We want to cater to the 'black collar' crowd - who're basically executives who work hard and play hard in sporting activities,' says Iris Chia, the 'creative explorer' (in other words, marketing manager) of the company.
She believes 'eco sports' is a growing sector, so the company wants to provide a holistic approach to retail. 'We want to provide products which are also good for the environment. Yes, Singaporeans are picking up on the trend,' she says.
Lena St George-Sweet is another eco-entrepreneur, who joined forces with fashion veteran Jay Chong to set up Greenpeas (greenpeas.com.sg). The month-old company, which has an outlet at Curiocity at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, aims to work with eco/green/ethical/sustainable suppliers and projects - 'in short, businesses with heart and compassion' - says Ms St George-Sweet, who has always had a passion for recycling and things green.
In fact, Greenpeas is holding an eco-bazaar this weekend, from April 17-20 at Raffles City, showcasing the products that it carries, as well as those by a few other eco-vendors.
Greenpeas wants to encourage local designers who use environmentally friendly products. It's launched Logo, for instance, which is a range of bamboo fibre fashion, designed by local designer Angelynn Tan.
If the label takes off, it'll join a couple of other more established Singapore-based labels using organic cotton for baby clothes, such as Coosh (www.cooshlife.com) - which just launched its spring/summer range, in fact - and Belle & Dean (www.belleanddean.com).
It's not all about small businesses championing environmentally conscious products, of course; international chains also keep up with the worldwide consciousness to buy green.
If you wanted environmentally friendly paints, for example, Jotun will be launching its 'eco' paints under the Jotun Optimal label in early May. 'Contractors and government agencies are already specifying green label paints to be used in upcoming private projects,' says Winston Lim, general manager for Jotun decorative paints.
Another growing segment of goods is those made by designers like sisters Weng Enqi and PiXin who're championing handmade, well-designed goods to 'impact society into re-thinking the use-and-throw culture', says Ms PiXin.
Consumers want good design, she discovers, and the educational message about loving the environment is secondary.
'But people are receptive to the message. Most of our customers will tell us not to give them plastic bags, for example, although it's already not our practice to use bags,' she adds. Maki Squarepatch: hello eco! just moved its shop of local handmade crafts (made from pre-used, discarded and vintage fabrics) to 33 Bali Lane.
Green goods do come with a premium, however - usually about 10 to 20 per cent above regular prices. But part of Earth Day is to cut down on consumerism, so why not buy a premium eco-product and stick to it until it's time to be replaced? We list a few new options out there in the market today.
Green processes
The 'Eco Kettle' from the UK is a kettle designed to save water, time and energy. Studies have shown that overfilling kettles wastes £pounds;1 million (S$2.7 million) a week in the UK. The Eco Kettle ($125) has a patented 'dual chamber' design, one which is a full-capacity reservoir, and the other which allows you to decide just how much you want to boil - from one cup to eight - at a touch of the button. Available from Greenpeas (greenpeas.com.sg).
Green Spin Laundry Balls from France turns washing on its head. It does away with washing detergent altogether, which pollutes water and the environment. When the bio-ceramic ball comes in contact with water, an abundance of OH ions is produced, reducing the surface tension of the water and greatly increasing its penetrating power. The water molecule is ionised and transformed into a surfactant with a PH of 7.3 to 7.5 which removes stain and dirt from the fibres. Besides removing dirt, it has anti-bacterial, deodorising and anti-static properties. Each $88 laundry ball is good for about 1,000 washes. Available from Greenpeas.
Norwegian paint company Jotun came up with green label paints for the interior and exterior. Jotun Optimal will be launched here in early May, and compared with conventional paint, this range is formaldehyde-free, non-hazardous, doesn't emit volatile organic compounds (which contributes to acid rain), has no 'paint' smell, no added fragrance, and the exterior paints last twice longer under the sun, plus being heat reflective. Available at all Jotun distribution outlets by May.
Natural materials
Eco yoga mats ($85) are made from natural rubber and jute fibre. They are non-slip, lightweight, comfortable, durable and steady under hand and foot, and absorb perspiration. Non-eco mats are mostly made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride or commonly known as vinyl) which is atoxic by-product of the oil industry. In order to make PVC soft and 'sticky', many chemicals are added. The most significant is a plasticiser called DHEP (Di/2-ethylhexyl phthalate) which is extremely toxic to humans and the environment. Available from Greenpeas.
Nvey Eco is a new organic make-up line from Australia, and its production methods retain the organic profile, while delivering the high performance colour and long lasting characteristics. There are no parabens, petrochemicals or synthetic fragrances, and Eco comes with a guarantee that the brand is not tested on animals. Available from Atos wellness spas at The Cathay, The Chevrons, and The Adelphi.
Tofu shirts might sound yummy but these aren't the edible kind. Outdoor wear company ExOfficio has introduced its trademarked 'Tofutech' line of travel knits created from natural soy fabrics using advanced textile technology. Natural soy fabric, derived from the plant stock of soybeans and applied to apparel, offers natural odour and bacteria resistance, moisture wicking comfort, wrinkle resistance, quick-dry convenience, and a soft, natural hand for added comfort. Soy is a renewable resource and there's minimal chemical treatment in the manufacturing. Well, if you go trekking and have the misfortune of getting lost, your shirt could well be another source of sustenance if you run out of food! Available from the ExOfficio store at Marina Square shopping mall, #03-300, and most outdoor gear stores.
Local furniture manufacturer Koda has adopted bamboo to make furniture, with eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Koda's furniture is primarily for export, but it has come up with a bamboo range which doesn't look like ethnic bamboo, until you look very closely. The advantages of using bamboo are that bamboo 'trees' reach maturity in six years, and converting bamboo into furniture saves much more energy than converting wood. Drying bamboo takes eight to 12 hours in a kiln, for example, while wood can take up to six weeks. Koda's bamboo collection complies with European Emission standards, and water-based solvents are used. (www.kodaonline.com)
Logo is a new label featuring bamboo fibre fashion wear designed by Angelynn Tan. The benefits of using bamboo fibre is that it is anti-fungal and bacterial, is naturally UV protective - cutting out as much as 98 per cent of harmful UV rays - is three times more absorbent than cotton, and is anti-static. Available from Greenpeas.
Recycled materials
Timberland is commemorating Earth Day's 38th anniversary with the release of 'earth-friendly' shoes for men and women. The Rippler for men is a light-weighted chukka boot ($199-$219) with non-toxic waxed 100 per cent organic water-repellent canvas and an outsole made from 30 per cent recycled rubber. The men's Makossa thongs ($129) also feature 30 per cent recycled rubber.
DBohdi, founded by a Dutchman with workshops in Indonesia, is one of the new eco-conscious companies making contemporary furniture and home accessories with recycled woods. The Singapore-registered company actually has certification by the the Forest Stewardship Council for its recycled wood products. Check out the range at Block 13 #01-04 Dempsey Road Singapore.
Nüabs Sandals are designed in Singapore, inspired by farmers and peasants across the world. They were originally made from discarded tyre rubber cut to the size of one's feet. A piece of animal hide is then sewn over these rubber soles and secured with a back strap. It is a way of building common grounds between the old rural and the new urban worlds. Available at leading department stores in the city.
XSProject pencil cases are some of the goods from this 'recycled trash' foundation. It started as an artist's expression against the impact of consumerism on the environment and evolved into a foundation which uses design & education to clean up the environment and help Indonesia's poor. The Jakarta-based organisation purchases waste packaging from trashpickers who collect it from residential areas of Jakarta; it is then cleaned and crafted into products. Available from Greenpeas.
