Tuesday, July 3, 2007

William McDonough’s cool eco greeting cards

Clever William McDonough literally walks the eco-walk. Architect and co-author of cradle to cradle, Remaking the Way We Make Things, William McDonough re-does greeting cards by turning them into eco friendly carpet. In keeping with the c2c approach to manufacturing — the eco cards and envelopes can be safely reused, rather than discarded.

Here’s how it works. Each card comes with an envelope and pre-paid, two-way return postage. All the recipient needs to do when they’re through with the card is drop the card and envelope in the mail to Shaw Carpet, who recycles them into carpet tile.

Here’s the other half of the eco equation. Shaw Carpet makes carpets with EcoWorx, a polyolefin-based backing that replaces harmful PVC, and “nylon 6,” a synthetic fiber that can be broken down and reused without any loss of quality. Not a single thread of material goes to waste. And check this out. When you need to replace the carpet, Shaw will come and pick it up for free and re-use the material to make more. further info @ shawfloors.com

Choose from c2c designs, ($70 for 20 cards), or create your own (with customized prices).

cards on the edge @ reProduct.net

Look for his book, cradle to cradle at the library, or buy it at your favorite local book shop, and pass it along. It’s a must!