Green Living Show highlights eco trends
Consumers move from conspicuous to conscientious consumption
TORONTO With more ecofriendly products coming to market, companies are rising to meet the growing demand.
“We came from a consumer population that was really based in conspicuous consumption, and that movement has really changed to a consumer that is very conscientious in their purchases,” says Laurie Simmonds, president and CEO of Green Living Enterprises.
Simmonds says the LOHAS market — an acronym for “lifestyles of health and sustainability” — has given rise to a segment of ethically minded consumers.
“We’ve certainly moved past the days of the light bulb and just the sort of basic concepts and we’ve really started to expand the tentacles into all sorts of different types of products and services,” says Robert Orlovski, manager of the Green Living Show held recently in Toronto.
He highlights trends and innovations for eco-friendly living.
1. Upcycling. Upcycling takes manufactured items and re-purposing them into new goods. Companies such as TerraCycle upcycle and recycle traditionally non-recyclable waste into consumer products, like transforming candy wrappers into totes.
“It gives them a second or third life without much of the energy that goes into recycling,” Orlovski says. 2. Wheat-based paper. Actor and eco-activist Woody Harrelson is co-owner of Step Forward Paper, which is made with 80-per-cent wheat-straw waste.
Orlovski says the paper has a lower footprint than 100- per- cent recycled paper and contains tree product from sustainably managed forests.
“The 20 per cent of the tree that’s in there is actually (from) properly managed, certified forests; but the 80 per cent of it is actually from things that were actually going to be destined for landfill.”
3. Wool dryer balls.
Wool dryer balls may do more than reduce static — they could cut down on energy bills. Koru’s Moss Creek Reusable Wool Dryer Balls feature felted wool balls designed to help absorb water and regulate humidity in the dryer.
“They are actually pulling humidity from your clothing, but also separating your clothes from each other as they roll within your dryer. So as a result you’re cutting your drying time significantly,” Orlovski says.
4. The gift of green. Using packaging with biodegradable and recyclable materials, homegrown company Purethanks lets people send and receive seeds, boxed plants, potted herbs or recycled paper embedded with wildflower seeds.
“I received a gift once that was a donation to my environmental charity of choice in my name. That to me was a tremendous gift,” recalls Orlovski.