A-Room-in-a-Box is the conceptual brainchild of designers Sebatiano Ercoli and Alessandro Garlandini. Each compact set of children’s furniture includes a desk, two chairs, a night table and two boxes.

The basic construction material is rice husk particle board, which is created from common agricultural waste — eliminating the need for wood, and preventing the further depletion of forests.

The entire set can be stacked into each other in a cube that measures 350 X 600 X 550mm. This makes shipping and storage less expensive and saves space in the home when pieces are not in use.

Keeping up with your kids is both physically and financially demanding, especially in their early years. A child’s early development results in the constant need to replace clothing, cribs, strollers, and other necessities as they outgrow everything within weeks. What is not always constant is a sufficient cash flow to support these necessities, but all parents want the best quality and safest products for their little ones. Now the best of both worlds has become a reality with the creation of reCrib. ReCrib is an online parental marketplace, created in 2011 by husband and wife Daniel and Michelle Lehmann, that markets the best, safety-oriented used baby gear such as cribs, bouncy seats, car seats, dressers, etc.

The site is also a place where parents can sell their gently used baby products. Not only does this soften the blow on vendors’ and consumers’ pocketbooks, it also lessens the stress increasing consumerism places on the environment. Buying and selling used baby products makes sense financially and at the same time is a very productive form of recycling.

The company’s mission statement asks the simple and sensible question, “Recycle your stuff, reclaim your space, recoup your costs. Why wouldn’t you?” The site features photographs of each item being sold as well as details about its condition, model, year of production, size, and suitable age suggestions. ReCrib is basically a refined, sustainable, Craigslist for baby gear — where consumers and vendors can meet — united by the desire for quality and value for their children. For more information about available products, how to sell gently used products, as well as more background on the site, visit: recrib.com.

Australian furniture maker Old School Industries creates fine furniture they deem a  “collision of bespoke detail and cutting edge design” — the result is furniture imbued with old world charm, handcrafted detail and a subtle modern sensibility.

The Dandelion writing desk feature above, has at its foundation a ubiquitous 1950′s student desk. The upcycled desk has been totally deconstructed and rebuilt into a unique piece of contemporary art furniture. A delicate dandelion graphic is featured on the desktop. An entire new leg structure has been created, giving this desk a contemporary feel while still preserving its’ retro appeal.

find it @ theoldschoolvintage123 Etsy shop

related: more eco home decor featured on The Alternative Consumer

Looking for an alternative to plastic LEGOS? Look no further than Earth Blocks, the more organic building block. The blocks, which snap together like traditional LEGOS, are made from a variety of natural and recycled materials, including the bark of the cedar tree, compressed dust from sawn cedar logs, and coffee beans.

Due to their organic content the blocks are slightly softer than traditional LEGOS, though much… much greener.

Created by Colors Tokyo.

$30 a set @ the guggenheim online store

via: designboom

If you’re spending more quality time with your iPhone or iPod than you are with your kids, you may want to download this little app. Whirleo is an eco-themed app game that can help you connect with your kids while teaching them the importance of saving the planet and fighting pollution. This fun-with-a-message app is pretty affordable — the first seven levels of the new game are free and players can unlock 23 additional levels for just $0.99.

Details: Whirleo follows the journey of a group of colorful, spinning tops that whirl across the planet Rotopolis. As they move around the planet, each Whirleo cleans up pollutants released by the begrimed Guzzler (we know the type). Using their mobile (more…)

Brooklyn-based Rooware’s new collection of kids’ tableware is fun, healthy and well designed. The company’s eco-friendly, bio-based tableware features an engaging array of cartoon characters and was conceived in response to parental concerns over the toxins in traditional plastic and the demand for character-based tableware not made from melamine.

Each of Rooware’s colorful Rooplate sets (above) is made up of a plate and divider bowl — the perfect plating option for those fussy youngsters who freak out when their different food groups touch. The pieces can be used together or separately. Rooware also makes bio-plastic Roobowls with removable handles (photo below) and matching utensils.

Notes:
Made in USA
Microwavable up to 45 sec
Not recommended for dishwasher or prolonged soaking
Created with plant-based materials
Non-toxic
Industrially compostable
BPA-free, Phthalate-free, PVC-free, Melamine-free
Hand wash only/wash before first use
Packaging made from 100% recycled paper and vegetable inks

Related: more kid’s products on The Alternative Consumer

To kick off the first month of the New Year, I would like to challenge you all to take some time off from your electronics! Wait, don’t go yet! Allow me to explain. Whether you have kids that are addicted to the tube and their latest video game, or perhaps you, yourself, spend a majority of your time on a social media website, MP3 player, or even your Kindle, consider taking a small portion (an hour a week) of that time to play a game with friends and family. (more…)

Here are a few more of our favorite green toys – this time, from The Land of Nod … this site offers a nice array of sensibly priced non-toxic and eco-friendly toys, arts&crafts and clothing for tots and toddlers; some of these are now on sale and all are easy to find (under eco-friendly) on their site … give the gift of green, and have fun!

Related: “eco-friendly toys holiday gift guide – part one” from The Alternative Consumer

How about making recycling fun? Designer Benjamin Jones created his cartoonish “Binster” monster to make recycling a more playful endeavor for children of all ages.

Children can develop positive recycling habits just by feeding recyclables to the ever-hungry Binster. Jones envisions the monster coming in different forms for gulping different sorts of trash. Remember November 15th is America Recycles Day.

Related: more eco design